Raindrops on Roses....

These are a few of my favorite things!
Pardon my "Julie Andrews Moment", but I was just thinking about why I don't feel like it's Christmastime, yet.
Yup, I do not feel like the Season of Christ's Birth is upon us. It doesn't matter that my tree is trimmed, my nativity set is up, my stockings are hung, my gifts are bought, AND there is a couple of inches of snow on the ground. I'm doing all the things I've done to prepare every year since I was a child, but I still don't feel "Christmas-y".

So, after complaining to my dear husband about this odd feeling (and receiving only odd looks in response), I began to review EVERYTHING.

Am I depressed? Nope. There are no terrible worries tugging at my heart, or true sadness to be kept at bay.

Am I observing all the little traditions that have added to the holiday merriment over the years? Let's see: we light the Advent Wreath each Sunday night, we read from the Advent Book, we have made our special donations (monetary, materially, and spiritually) already, the baking has begun. So, yes, I'm "doing" all of it.

Also, I have been playing Christmas carols non-stop since November 1st (just ask my kids!), so it can't be that, either.

So, what the heck is wrong with me?

And, then it dawned on me: I have been battling a nasty head/chest cold for nearly 3 weeks now. Hence, I cannot smell anything! Not the lovely pine odor from our tree, not the heavenly aroma of the cookies baking, not even the comforting cinnamon candles!
There I was sitting on our couch trying to catch a whiff of our newly-chopped-down Christmas tree, and I couldn't smell anything! As odd as it sounds, it's a smell that I love to inhale every morning when I walk into our living room. It's the beginning of knowing that it's Christmas time, family time, a "love-ly" time.

When I discovered that I couldn't smell the tree, I began walking around the house, sniffing like a Bloodhound hot on the trail of a criminal.
Candles? The label says "Cinnamon-Apple", but I'm smelling dust.
The peppermint patties for a special cookie recipe? Not a hint of minty aroma.
Aaahhhh-haaaaaa!!!!

Now, does this make me feel any better? Well, I don't feel like I'm losing my mind anymore, so that's a good thing.
But, I still can't "smell Christmas"!

Isn't it funny how you begin to realize that you experience life, memories, and nostalgia through more than just one or two of your 5 senses?
Irrational as it may seem, I know that whenever I hear a John Mayer song playing I immediately experience a powerful wave of nausea. Why? Because, when I was in my 1st trimester with my 4th child, Mayer's career was taking off and every radio station played his songs all day long. So, my brain associates the horrible morning sickness I was feeling with John Mayer (sorry John!).
So, while I was decorating and commemorating Christmas the way I always have done, one of my senses was being "left out", so my brain (maybe my psyche?) was not catching the full effect. Not only do my eyes, ears, and tongue tell me it's the holiday season.... so, does my nose!

So, I have 2 questions for you:
1) What are some of your favorite things at the holidays (any winter holiday will do!)?
2) Have you ever had a similar experience, where your *6th* sense told you that something
"off" with one of your other senses?

I can't wait to hear!

Oh, and have a very blessed and joyful holiday season!!