I love books! Just ask anybody who knows me.

I love the way they change the feel and look of a room when you enter into one lined with books. While rather expensive, they make a very special kind of wallpaper!

I also love visiting bookstores of all kinds—new, used, big, little, near and far away. I love accumulating books and wish I had enough time to read all the ones I buy. You know what I mean. I’m talking about the ones we’ve all bought with “good intentions.”

My husband and I have a library that could put some public libraries to shame. Although many categories are not among the books we own, such as “lesbian and gay studies,” “anime,” or “international law,” we have invested in a wide variety of titles.

It’s interesting to reflect on occasion and realize that I haven’t always felt this way. I remember not liking to read while growing up. Reading was something I only did when I had to. It was something that was necessary to do so I could do my homework or pass my driver’s license test.

Now, I love to read! What happened?

Well, I’m not exactly sure. Watching my husband read every chance he gets in all the years I’ve been with him has certainly played a role in my transformation. You can’t be around a man like him for long without being influenced by his passion for learning.

I mean, when you live with a man who reads over 100 books a year, you’re bound to get “infected” at some point!

While he has been instrumental in my transition, a real turning point occurred for me back in 1989 when the two of us decided to turn off the television. Jim read a book (imagine that!) that challenged us to do something different with our time.

While I’m not advocating that you do the same, I must say that it is the only logical explanation I can think of for myself.

On occasion people will ask me, “How do you have so much time to read?” Having only 24 hours in a day like you, the only answer that makes sense to me is, “I don’t watch TV.”

Ponder this for a moment, then ask yourself, “How much time do I spend watching TV? If I quit watching TV for a day, a week, or even a month, what would I do with the available time in my life?”

Is there a book you bought with “good intentions,” yet haven’t found the time to read it? Consider fasting from TV. Who knows, you might become a reader.

Take it from me, I never thought I’d like reading; however, since 1989, I find I do it everyday and enjoy it!

While I can’t say we’ve “saved money” canceling cable for all these years, it has allowed me some “extra money” to buy wonderful books.

My husband lives by a quote he heard once that said, “I’d rather have books and no money than have money and no books.” Though we’ve never had an issue with either one of these, I think you get the idea.

By the way, when was the last time you read a good book?…

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Like so many other families, we have enjoyed certain Christmas traditions over the 34 years Jim and I have been married. I thought it would be fun just to share a few with you.

Here’s one my two youngest children started doing when they were about five and six. After spending the day decorating the Christmas tree, they would bring up their pillow and blankets for bedtime and sleep under the tree! As they have gotten bigger over the last ten years, it has become necessary to sleep more to the side of the tree, rather than under it.

At some point during the night, Jim or I would make our way out to the living room, turn off the lights, and go on to bed. When they were smaller, they were usually asleep by then. Now that they are older, they turn them off as they are getting sleepy because a 10-foot Christmas tree full of lights makes the living room too bright for sleeping.

You ask me how this tradition got started? I tell you….I don’t know.

Then there’s the one about spending the day in our pajamas. Personally, this is not one of my favorites because I tend to feel less productive when I spend the day in my PJ’s. However, the rest of my family really enjoys doing this. In fact, the girls have been known to buy a new pair of PJ’s just for this occasion! To this I say, “To each his own.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas Day without homemade hot chocolate and spiced cider. At some point after we have finished opening the presents, I make my way into the kitchen and whip up a special batch for those I love. (And don’t forget the marshmellows. They really do add to the taste of the hot chocolate.)

Then there is Jim’s favorite tradition. He loves being able to find a quiet moment during the craziness of the day and begin reading from his new book he received as a present. Which reminds me–I had better check with the rest of the crew and make sure somebody has bought him one for Christmas.

Finally, we usually try and make time to watch a couple of good movies to finish out the day. This may be a Christmas favorite we didn’t get time to watch leading up to Christmas Day, or it might be one that we received as a gift. Here’s hoping I get the newest Love Comes Softly movie. Hint. Hint.

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