I AM LAST-MINUTE STUFF.
The icon is an image of DEATH standing in for the Hogfather. It is intended to be fun, not morbid or anti-Santa. Thank you.
Finally, we have a fully decorated Christmas tree. Usually we would have had a fully decorated Christmas tree at least two weeks ago, but I think a lot of seasonal-type stuff sort of snuck up on us this year. Said tree is really, really pretty. Usually, if all four of us do the decorating together in one fell swoop, I take charge and obsess over the ideal placement of every ornament. This year things were a bit more diffuse, so I couldn't do that. However, when Mom, Grace, and I started decorating last night, I did insist on some things. It is important to prioritize ornaments. Ah, you may laugh, but for our family it's vital. We need to start with the ornaments that are heaviest and/or most crystalline. It's important to have as many spaces to choose from for these: the heavy ones require the thick branches that are so rare on the average Christmas tree, and since the beauty of the crystalline ones is greatly influenced by the lights around them, it is important to have full access to all of the brightly-lit spaces. Then it is best to hang the angels and other standout, unusual ornaments (especially the porcelain ballerina I picked out when I was about five). When all the interesting ornaments are placed, then is the time to fill all remaining empty spaces with the generic multicolored ball things. This is how a great Christmas tree is made. Thank you.
In other, less neurotic news, I got to see Erin this evening. I went to her family's house and saw most of her family (not her brother, who's arriving tomorrow), and met all of the pets in the house. There were five cats and one dog. The cats were all cute - well, at least the ones that I saw - but I got along best with the dog. His name is Mouse, and he's about the size of a Shetland pony. I love big dogs, and he pegged me as a friend pretty much as soon as I walked in the door. We played and hugged, and he licked my chin. The only things I put off-limits were him biting my ear (it wasn't malicious, but still) and sticking his head up my skirt. Then Erin and I went to dinner together and talked a bunch, and she's wonderful and lovely. I need to visit her more often.
I have finished all my Christmas shopping, but not all my Christmas wrapping. I need to get on that when other people aren't around.
Now, I'll close with a line of DEATH's: THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE STOCKING THAT MAKES A NOISE. OTHERWISE, WHAT IS 4:30 AM FOR?
Finally, we have a fully decorated Christmas tree. Usually we would have had a fully decorated Christmas tree at least two weeks ago, but I think a lot of seasonal-type stuff sort of snuck up on us this year. Said tree is really, really pretty. Usually, if all four of us do the decorating together in one fell swoop, I take charge and obsess over the ideal placement of every ornament. This year things were a bit more diffuse, so I couldn't do that. However, when Mom, Grace, and I started decorating last night, I did insist on some things. It is important to prioritize ornaments. Ah, you may laugh, but for our family it's vital. We need to start with the ornaments that are heaviest and/or most crystalline. It's important to have as many spaces to choose from for these: the heavy ones require the thick branches that are so rare on the average Christmas tree, and since the beauty of the crystalline ones is greatly influenced by the lights around them, it is important to have full access to all of the brightly-lit spaces. Then it is best to hang the angels and other standout, unusual ornaments (especially the porcelain ballerina I picked out when I was about five). When all the interesting ornaments are placed, then is the time to fill all remaining empty spaces with the generic multicolored ball things. This is how a great Christmas tree is made. Thank you.
In other, less neurotic news, I got to see Erin this evening. I went to her family's house and saw most of her family (not her brother, who's arriving tomorrow), and met all of the pets in the house. There were five cats and one dog. The cats were all cute - well, at least the ones that I saw - but I got along best with the dog. His name is Mouse, and he's about the size of a Shetland pony. I love big dogs, and he pegged me as a friend pretty much as soon as I walked in the door. We played and hugged, and he licked my chin. The only things I put off-limits were him biting my ear (it wasn't malicious, but still) and sticking his head up my skirt. Then Erin and I went to dinner together and talked a bunch, and she's wonderful and lovely. I need to visit her more often.
I have finished all my Christmas shopping, but not all my Christmas wrapping. I need to get on that when other people aren't around.
Now, I'll close with a line of DEATH's: THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE STOCKING THAT MAKES A NOISE. OTHERWISE, WHAT IS 4:30 AM FOR?