My Christmas Nightmare

   A few nights before Christmas, I had my first episode of ISP (Isolated Sleep Paralysis) and it was the scariest fucking thing I've ever experienced.
   I was asleep when I felt one of the cats run past my legs so I popped awake and as I was looking for the cat, I felt the comforter press down on my right arm, it felt like my cat Chuck was walking toward me, but I looked and saw only the comforter move down and NOTHING WAS THERE.  I started to freak the fuck out and tried to move my left arm to throw the covers off, BUT I COULDN'T!
   It felt like I was being pinned down by some unknown being.  I finally was able to get my left arm free and throw the blankets off and my heart was racing.  I then covered myself and went back to sleep. I couldn't shake this when I woke up, however.  I was still freaked the fuck out.   When we woke up that morning, I told CW about this and he told me that he'd read about Sleep Paralysis and what I had explained to him sounded exactly like that.
   I was at first telling him, "No, I think that fucking ghost is fucking with me."  Then I thought about it, and said, "Well, it could have been a hallucination, although my hallucinations are usually only audio..." He shook his head and said, "I'm pretty sure it was sleep paralysis."  So, I spent that entire day feeling off kilter because I was unsure of what was going on.
   Later that day CW was reading to me about sleep paralysis and it sounded fucking spot on.  I hate that I had to experience this and I hope that no one ever has to go through what I did.  All I felt was fear.  I would never wish this upon anyone.
   I hope that I never experience that again.  Since that night, I have decided to take a break from crafting for a bit because I was so anxious about getting everything done, I think that all the stress it what caused this episode.  So, I'm taking a few days off to gather my bearings and read a bit.  To all those that I love and owe gifts to, please, accept my apology for their tardiness.

Hispanicah/Festivus/Christmas

  As a lot of people who know me know, my parents and I started a tradition when I was about 13 years old where we open a small present a few days before Christmas.  Over the years it has evolved into a week long celebration that we have dubbed "Hispanicah." Why? Well, because we're hispanic and we thought it was fitting.  It starts the week before Christmas eve and for those 7 days we each take turns giving small gifts and having snacks and spending time together.
  I love it.  Yesterday we spent the last day of Hispanicah celebrating Christmas with my aunts, uncle, cousins and two grandmas.  We had a turkey dinner and it was amazing.  Not only that, my uncle and aunt made the most amazing posole I've ever had.  I mean... it was soooo effing amazing that I was stuffed to the point of being sick and still opted to eat another bowl because it was so effing yummy.
  I had such a great time yesterday.  I loved spending it with my family.  It was just awesome.  I got some great gifts and had a great time.
  Not only do I have my little family's wonderful tradition of Hispanicah, I now have the amazing tradition of Festivus that my wonderful friend, @atknitsend introduced me to.  It's a holiday for the creative.  I got my present from her today and it was partially open when the mailman delivered it to my door, so I figured, what the hey... and opened it to make sure everything was okay :) and I received the most amazing socks and yarn and shawlette!  I'm in love with everything!!!  I'm wearing the socks as we speak...  I'm so happy.  My heart is super smiling now.
  I love my family.  I love my friends.  I love my fur babies.  I love my honey bunny boo. I'm one lucky and blessed girl.

P.S.
If everyone could please keep my mom's dog Mayhem in your thoughts and prayers and send positive vibes our way, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please don't ask questions at this time, I don't want to talk about it, I just want to know that we have people thinking about and praying for this amazingly loving great dane/puppy/giant lap dog.