Christmas Countdown
Things have been fine around here. I've had friends with sad news, and I'm darn saddened by it, too...but, locally, I can't complain.
Rogie and I went on a trolley tour of the Christmas lights in Santa Barbara. It was fun and the view was gorgeous. We sipped hot cider and sang along to the classic songs as we passed ornately-lit houses. Much to our surprise, many people on the route came out to wave to us, dress up as Santa, or all of the above. I'd wanted to do this tour for years (it always sells out early), so I worried there would be a heck of a lot of build-up and that the thing itself would be anti-climactic. Not so. It exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd change for next year would be the bitterly cold chill in the air. I was glad I'd bundled up!
Oxnard, too, does its fair share of revelry. Two historic streets are transformed into "Christmas Card Lane" and the lights and decorations there are unbelievable. We feel darn lucky that we can walk there from our house. Oxnard is so charming.
Next year, when I walk down to Christmas Card Lane, I'll have a leash in my hand. It's going to be awesome!
Rogie and I used a kit to make a gingerbread house. Instead of a tree, however, we shaped the pre-fashioned pieces into a monster and made it eating a chunk out of the side of the house. We added frosting to the candy kids' faces to make them look horrified, and chiseled a hole in one of the walls. It is a masterpiece.
I feel like I'm going to have a baby. No, not literally... whoa there. Last thing on my list of priorities. No, I feel like the pup is going to radically and permanently change my life as I know it, and I'm getting nervous anticipating the change. Nervous in a good way.
But, really, dogs are demanding of resources, affection and time. Having one will alter things much more than bringing the cats home did. Sometimes I wonder if I'm ready. I mean, I take the responsibility very seriously. I've already thought about how much time the dog will spend at home, when the dog will be walked, how the dog will be crated, what food it will consume, and what aspect of training I will start first. But, when push comes to shove, I know that the actual experience will provide all sorts of surprises and unexpected things.
I grew up with dogs. But I've never owned one on my own like this. All of a sudden, I can't stay late at work or spend my entire weekend reading the newspaper and sipping coffee. Things will be different. I'm ready, but nervous, too.
Rogie put out the trash, washed the dishes, did the laundry, put the temperature at a cozy degree, and prepared the coffee for me so that all I have to do is push the on button. He did this all as a random surprise. He is too sweet. He always catches me with these random things.
I can't wait for Christmas! It came fast this year. Well, actually, school is lasting late, or so it seems. I must wait until Friday afternoon to taste winter break freedom. Then shop. I haven't done a bit of shopping. Haven't had time.
I friggin' love Christmas. I feel like I haven't had much time to think about it this year, and everyone on the news is lamenting that it will be a small Christmas because of the economy. But Christmas is so much more than presents, or the economy. Christmas is family.
Rogie and I went on a trolley tour of the Christmas lights in Santa Barbara. It was fun and the view was gorgeous. We sipped hot cider and sang along to the classic songs as we passed ornately-lit houses. Much to our surprise, many people on the route came out to wave to us, dress up as Santa, or all of the above. I'd wanted to do this tour for years (it always sells out early), so I worried there would be a heck of a lot of build-up and that the thing itself would be anti-climactic. Not so. It exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd change for next year would be the bitterly cold chill in the air. I was glad I'd bundled up!
Oxnard, too, does its fair share of revelry. Two historic streets are transformed into "Christmas Card Lane" and the lights and decorations there are unbelievable. We feel darn lucky that we can walk there from our house. Oxnard is so charming.
Next year, when I walk down to Christmas Card Lane, I'll have a leash in my hand. It's going to be awesome!
Rogie and I used a kit to make a gingerbread house. Instead of a tree, however, we shaped the pre-fashioned pieces into a monster and made it eating a chunk out of the side of the house. We added frosting to the candy kids' faces to make them look horrified, and chiseled a hole in one of the walls. It is a masterpiece.
I feel like I'm going to have a baby. No, not literally... whoa there. Last thing on my list of priorities. No, I feel like the pup is going to radically and permanently change my life as I know it, and I'm getting nervous anticipating the change. Nervous in a good way.
But, really, dogs are demanding of resources, affection and time. Having one will alter things much more than bringing the cats home did. Sometimes I wonder if I'm ready. I mean, I take the responsibility very seriously. I've already thought about how much time the dog will spend at home, when the dog will be walked, how the dog will be crated, what food it will consume, and what aspect of training I will start first. But, when push comes to shove, I know that the actual experience will provide all sorts of surprises and unexpected things.
I grew up with dogs. But I've never owned one on my own like this. All of a sudden, I can't stay late at work or spend my entire weekend reading the newspaper and sipping coffee. Things will be different. I'm ready, but nervous, too.
Rogie put out the trash, washed the dishes, did the laundry, put the temperature at a cozy degree, and prepared the coffee for me so that all I have to do is push the on button. He did this all as a random surprise. He is too sweet. He always catches me with these random things.
I can't wait for Christmas! It came fast this year. Well, actually, school is lasting late, or so it seems. I must wait until Friday afternoon to taste winter break freedom. Then shop. I haven't done a bit of shopping. Haven't had time.
I friggin' love Christmas. I feel like I haven't had much time to think about it this year, and everyone on the news is lamenting that it will be a small Christmas because of the economy. But Christmas is so much more than presents, or the economy. Christmas is family.