Scribblings

Notme & Ida Know

When I used to read the newspaper, my favorite part was the funnies section. I loved reading a cartoon called “Family Circus” by Bil Keane. His cartoons centered on a family, mom, dad, and 4 kids.

The ones I liked best also featured the invisible Notme and Ida Know. These creatures were to blame for everything. All they did was get into mischief and cause trouble.

“Who spilled the juice?”
“Notme.”
“Not me.”
“Not me.”

Or: “What happened to the box of popcorn?”
“Ida Know.”
“Ida Know.”
“Ida Know.”

It was frustrating because you could never catch Notme and Ida Know. It’s especially frustrating because Notme and Ida Know have come to live in our house.

Who drank up two cartons of the eggnog TB bought the other day?

It was Notme and Ida Know.

The girls and I spent a couple of hours making chocolate chip cookies last night. It was fun and we were looking forward to enjoying them this week. This morning when I came into the kitchen, half the batch was gone. I didn’t even need to ask before I knew the answer.

Now I have to hide the cookies and other goodies from Notme and Ida Know. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

I hope Notme and Ida Know get bored soon and move on to torment some other family … but somehow, I don’t think that’s going to happen! :P

Circle of Words:

1. Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Who do you enjoy shopping? Do you find it frustrating to shop for certain people? Who and Why?

I enjoy Christmas shopping very much, even if I am in a crowded mall. I don’t like crowds generally and I feel claustrophobic rather quickly. Still, it seems worth it to me. I especially enjoy internet shopping because I can choose what I like and it’s in stock. I also enjoy the convenience and the freedom from a suffocating crowd.

I find it hardest and most frustrating to shop for people who seem to have everything they want. Usually, it’s the older people that confounds me. I’ve taken to sending a beautiful floral arrangement to Oma every year to celebrate her birthday and Christmas. I figure she can enjoy it for a while and I don’t have to worry that it will end up in a box in a drawer somewhere. I am satisfied with sending Fred, Alberta, and my parents Hickory Farms type packages. I’m thinking that these are foods they wouldn’t normally eat year round and that it would be a nice treat.

2. The holidays sometimes cause us to try to do too many things at once. Our loved ones may go without because we offer our time to others. Do you tend to spread yourself to thin at the holidays? What types of things do you commit to that you wish you wouldn't?

I think I’ve learned the hard way NOT to spread myself too thin. I don’t enjoy the holidays very much when I’m rushing here and there and everywhere. I don’t overcommit myself anymore. In the past, I volunteered too many times to take care of the baked goods or rehearsals for the Christmas songs and what have you. Now I just bake for my family and closest friends. I don’t get involved with Christmas programming any more.

3. Do you remember how you found out that your parents were actually Santa Claus? How old were you? If you have children, do they still believe? If so, what sort of traditions do you carry on in regards to Santa. Do they write a letter, leave cookies, etc?

I was pretty old when I found out who really brought the presents. I’m sure I must have suspected it or heard it long before I stumbled onto the gifts in the closet. I asked my mother about them and she gave me this look and signed, come on, you know about Santa don’t you?

Maybe I’d been in denial. I remember picturing Santa as a kindly grandfather type, one who never yelled or scared children. He was big enough to be a good hugger and I imagined it would be comforting to sit on his lap if I was sad. I imagined him to be a protector for me, a buffer between my parents and me. Their anger terrified me but I wouldn't be so scared with Santa there. I remember feeling disappointed that there wasn’t a Santa after all.

Going on a different track for just a moment, I didn't see Jesus the same way I saw Santa. I'm not sure if it's all physical (jolly fat Santa and tall, thin, persecuted Jesus) or if it's all spiritual. It just seemed to me that Jesus had more important things to do than to worry about me. By then, we'd pretty much stopped going to church so there was no one to tell me differently.

Meanwhile, back to the North Pole -- I remembered how betrayed I felt so I didn’t push the Santa Claus story too heavily on my kids. We left the cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer on Christmas Eve. We read The Night Before Christmas and we visited Santa at the mall. Other than that, the only thing I told the kids was that Santa got the idea about giving presents because Christmas was Jesus’ birthday. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus and Santa liked the idea of giving presents. I also told them that there was a Santa Claus in every country … he had all different names.

When Heidi was about 5, she asked me if there was a Santa. I asked her if she wanted the truth and she said yes. So I told her that Santa wasn’t really a person anymore and that people all over the world acted for him when they gave presents to each other.

Heidi was mad at me for telling her and I was taken aback. “You said you wanted to know!” I said.

She said fiercely, “Yeah, but I didn’t want to know that part!”

I felt kind of guilty for spoiling the myth for her. It wasn't until recently that Heidi told me she thought Santa was kind of an old pervert. I was very surprised and asked her why she thought that. She answered something like, "Think about it, Mom! This is an old guy that breaks into people's houses and leaves presents!"

Ah well. So it goes. I don't know who originally wrote this. I sent this around to family today:

Why is Jesus better than Santa Claus?

Santa lives at the North Pole ...

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...

JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters

your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is

"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...

JESUS knew our name before we were born.

Not only does He know our name,

He knows our address too.

He knows our history and future and

He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...

JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs

broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...

JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.... The cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not

perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16