It's the holiday season!
As Christmas approaches, I get more and more excited; I feel a bit like a goofy little kid. It's different than when I was younger though. Back then it was more about the presents (is it just me, or when you woke up Christmas morning, did you get a sense that there was something magical in the air?) than "other" stuff, but I've always loved the decorations (and decorating!) and singing carols and watching schmarmy tv programming. I was a little bit frazzled last year, with the then recent job hassles and unemployment leading me to save all my shopping and decorating for the last minute. This year, on the other hand, I can barely contain myself. Jim and I got a HUGE Christmas tree....
....which we decorated this weekend (and added more lights to the "bald patch" seen above) . And I made a wreath with the tree trimmings and some holly from my in-laws yard....
.... which took longer than I anticipated, made a huge mess, and made my hands gross and sappy. But it was fun, and way better than spending $25-$35 on a pre-made one. Of course the "one thing" we had to get done this past weekend (sending out Christmas cards) didn't get done. Between tonight and tomorrow night, I think we can have them all written up (if we're ambitious, perhaps there will be a photo of the house), but I'm not working on Friday, so by then they will *definately* be sent out!
Speaking of not working, I am taking an extended vacation from Dec 19-Jan5. It will be glorious. We'll definately need the prep time because Jim and I are hosting Christmas this year (and I still need to plan the menu, eeeep!) . This is the real reason why I'm so psyched. I don't have to travel anywhere, my house (house!) will be all decorated and folks other than me, Jim, and the cat will get to enjoy it, AND I get to feed people. It doesn't get much better than that. But it does--- after all there's still presents! (I guess I really haven't grown up all that much).
Today, I'm going to the department holiday party (not my department, the department where my cube and lab bench are located... they've kind of adopted me and my boss). Last year it was bowling at Jillians, this year it's an Odyssey harbor cruise. It's a little chilly for enjoying the boat part of the boat ride, but I think it will still be fun. I know a lot more people in the department now than I did last year, so in that respect, it should be a lot more fun.
You also may be wondering why I'm updating so much (*ahem* at all) recently. I guess I kind of hit a point where I wanted to remember stuff that I've done, and figured this was as good an outlet as any. I've certainly lurked enough, and posted my share of cranky posts. :-)
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....which we decorated this weekend (and added more lights to the "bald patch" seen above) . And I made a wreath with the tree trimmings and some holly from my in-laws yard....
.... which took longer than I anticipated, made a huge mess, and made my hands gross and sappy. But it was fun, and way better than spending $25-$35 on a pre-made one. Of course the "one thing" we had to get done this past weekend (sending out Christmas cards) didn't get done. Between tonight and tomorrow night, I think we can have them all written up (if we're ambitious, perhaps there will be a photo of the house), but I'm not working on Friday, so by then they will *definately* be sent out!
Speaking of not working, I am taking an extended vacation from Dec 19-Jan5. It will be glorious. We'll definately need the prep time because Jim and I are hosting Christmas this year (and I still need to plan the menu, eeeep!) . This is the real reason why I'm so psyched. I don't have to travel anywhere, my house (house!) will be all decorated and folks other than me, Jim, and the cat will get to enjoy it, AND I get to feed people. It doesn't get much better than that. But it does--- after all there's still presents! (I guess I really haven't grown up all that much).
Today, I'm going to the department holiday party (not my department, the department where my cube and lab bench are located... they've kind of adopted me and my boss). Last year it was bowling at Jillians, this year it's an Odyssey harbor cruise. It's a little chilly for enjoying the boat part of the boat ride, but I think it will still be fun. I know a lot more people in the department now than I did last year, so in that respect, it should be a lot more fun.
You also may be wondering why I'm updating so much (*ahem* at all) recently. I guess I kind of hit a point where I wanted to remember stuff that I've done, and figured this was as good an outlet as any. I've certainly lurked enough, and posted my share of cranky posts. :-)
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