I Still Believe

December came in lovely yesterday. I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and felt surprised by the lightness I had for the fresh new month. Miss A joyously got to the Advent Calendar first and found the treats. Later in the day, she also let me know that the #17 bag was empty. Most bags still are but I managed to snag two mini peppermint sticks from my mom's facility to put in #2. Can I let the surprise come to me each day? That might be threading the needle too much but I like the idea that something will appear. I still believe in divine timing, in synchronicity, in magic.

Millie whispers about Santa's true identity to me. She knows the elf isn't real either. Last night at dinner, she wondered out loud if the elf would be coming soon and where it might appear. It's like I'm beholden to some magic mafia, since we all are unclear if Maddie still believes and we don't want to ruin it for her.

I told my mom yesterday they don't believe in Santa anymore. She's been fixated on Christmas for months now and wants to host Santa at her house, like she did for so many years with the older cousins. She said, "I still believe" and I said I do too. It's way more fun to find some form of magic than to just be disappointed that magic doesn't exist the way you thought it did. 

Hazardous Waste

A list of the items I am trying to recycle from my mother’s house. 

• One bag of poly blend sanded grout for grout joints 25 pounds - trash
  1 gallon of indoor outdoor carpet adhesive 663 Henry

• 12 pounds of all-purpose joint compound sheet rock - trash

• 1 gallon of concrete bonding adhesive quickrete 

• 32 ounce jug of sander D Glosser easy liquid Klean strip

• 32 fluid ounces of heavy duty oil stabilizer Lucas

• 32 fluid ounces of zip strip paint thinner and mineral spirits

• 26 ounces of builders adhesive wilhold

• Three cans of 32 fluid ounces of Rust-oleum protective coats

• Two cans of eight fluid ounces Rust-oleum cabinet glaze

• 15 fluid ounces of oil treatment STP

• 12 fluid ounces of Tarn-X tarnish remover

• 4 10.1 fluid ounces of silicon Concrete and masonry silicon sealant

• 6 10.1 fluid ounces of acrylic latex caulk

• 3 5.5 fluid ounces of Quixil putt plus kitchen and bath caulk and tub and tile caulk

• 1 2.8 fluid ounces of kitchen and bath silicon sealant

• 3 Gallons of interior and exterior acrylic latex paint

• 4 8 fluid ounces of Behr interior and exterior paint

• 1 32 fluid ounces of restore Liam protective enamel oil based

• 1 Interior flat latex paint 32 fluid ounces

• 1 8 fluid ounces of restore Liam protective enamel oil based

• 2 8 fluid ounces of rust oleum painters touch paint

• 3 8 fluid ounces of polyurethane clear stain finish

• 1 8 fluid ounces of shrinks free spackling

• 1 4 fluid ounces of latex wood filler

• 1 gallon of gasoline fuel for use in Coleman camp stove or heaters

• 1 29 fluid ounces of self leveling polyurethane sealant

• 1 64 fluid ounces of concentrated liquid starch

• 1 32 oz Root killer
  

Spray cans

• 1 16 ounce spray can of WD-40

• 1 8 ounce can of Deepwoods off

• 6 12 ounce cans of spray paint and enamel

• 1 22 ounce Niagara professional finish heavy starch

• 19 ounce of rain and stain guard with silicones

• 16 fluid ounces of mop and glo

• 8 fluid ounces of furniture cleaner

• 16 fluid ounces of charcoal starter

• 5 ounces of mink oil

• 16 ounces of Johnson paste wax