Holiday beginnings
Thanksgiving was short and quiet (definitely less exciting than last year, thank goodness), but punctuated by text and voice messages from lots of people. Thanks to all of you! State employees had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off, and by the time I got out of here, everyone was feeling very festive. I went to the library to get some books and movies for over the break, and when I stepped outside into the chill, wrapped up in my long wool coat, my arms full of books, with just enough rain in the air to make the streetlamps glow, secure in the knowledge that I didn't have to go to work for almost another week, it really felt like the holidays are here. This feeling was compounded by the beginning of Advent last Sunday. I love Christmas. I spent the weekend getting a jumpstart on Christmas cards (coming soon to a mailbox near you...if you're cool enough), and I've almost got my lists done. I've even started a bit of shopping (this is early for me)! We have no oven at my house right now (it's a long story) so the cookie department may take some finagling, but I think we can figure something out. It looks like the family is going down to Biloxi again, and I'm going with them this time. I'm not thrilled about it, but I figure helping out people who've lost everything is nobler than sitting on my behind with munchies and books, and we could all use a little nobility, now couldn't we? New Years' is still on, for those of you who come. It's going to be an interesting holiday season, to say the least.