Do give books for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and
I talked my way out of two Christmas activities.
On Monday, I was supposed to go to Marquette with my parents, to see my uncle's family, my aunt's family, my other uncle's family, and my grandparents. I told them all that I was sick and that, while I was very disappointed, I would not be able to make it.
Tonight, I was supposed to go to my future step-son's birthday party slash Christmas get together at the future in-laws. Jon told them all that, while I was very disappointed, I was busy elsewhere. I think that they might have gotten the hint by now that wherever Jon's ex will be, I certainly will not.
So, today I got up earlier than normal (which was still by no means "early") and did some Christmas shopping. I was feeling pretty scrooge-like to begin with; the roads were terrible, Aidan was cranky, and the shops were packed with swarms of infuriating people. However, as the day wore on, I found myself--perhaps unwillingly--settling into the Christmas spirit. I saw an ex-fling of mine while I was browsing through pajama pants, and we had a nice, short conversation. He told me that he's never been able to get over me. It was a nice little ego-boost. I bought eggnog (the good Southern Comfort brand) and some biscotti to go with it. And, because it is Christmas, I bought myself a couple books that I've been wanting. My fingers are practically itching to turn those brand new, crisp pages.
After I came home, I let the boys go off to the birthday party slash Christmas get together, and I took a nap on the couch. It was glorious.
And now, for the first time in weeks, I feel completely, utterly content. I have a pile of movies to watch, two books to lose myself in, and Jon has the next week and a half off. I also have a bunch of things to write and a slew of gifts to make, but I'm feeling fairly optimistic about them all; I'll get to them when I get to them, and I'm not going to feel guilty in the mean time. There are four more holiday events to go to, and these ones I will not be able to talk myself out of. But still, I am feeling pretty positive about it all. Tomorrow night's will be the worst, but, thankfully, the in-laws are fond of alcohol--a fact that I will be taking advantage of. And then there will be the awkward Polish dinner with my dad's side of the family, who I was estranged from (for good reason, but we won't get into that) up until a year or so ago. Christmas morning will bring brunch at another set of in-laws, which will be fine, as long as I can find a nice, quiet corner to hide away in. And then there will be turkey dinner at my parents', which is the only thing I am really looking forward to.
And so, my lovely f-list, I wish you all a Happy Holiday, and as much joy, love, good food, and pleasant company as you can stand. Drive safely, keep warm, and enjoy your time away from school and/or work.
In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.
-Christina Rossetti, from A Christmas Carol
On Monday, I was supposed to go to Marquette with my parents, to see my uncle's family, my aunt's family, my other uncle's family, and my grandparents. I told them all that I was sick and that, while I was very disappointed, I would not be able to make it.
Tonight, I was supposed to go to my future step-son's birthday party slash Christmas get together at the future in-laws. Jon told them all that, while I was very disappointed, I was busy elsewhere. I think that they might have gotten the hint by now that wherever Jon's ex will be, I certainly will not.
So, today I got up earlier than normal (which was still by no means "early") and did some Christmas shopping. I was feeling pretty scrooge-like to begin with; the roads were terrible, Aidan was cranky, and the shops were packed with swarms of infuriating people. However, as the day wore on, I found myself--perhaps unwillingly--settling into the Christmas spirit. I saw an ex-fling of mine while I was browsing through pajama pants, and we had a nice, short conversation. He told me that he's never been able to get over me. It was a nice little ego-boost. I bought eggnog (the good Southern Comfort brand) and some biscotti to go with it. And, because it is Christmas, I bought myself a couple books that I've been wanting. My fingers are practically itching to turn those brand new, crisp pages.
After I came home, I let the boys go off to the birthday party slash Christmas get together, and I took a nap on the couch. It was glorious.
And now, for the first time in weeks, I feel completely, utterly content. I have a pile of movies to watch, two books to lose myself in, and Jon has the next week and a half off. I also have a bunch of things to write and a slew of gifts to make, but I'm feeling fairly optimistic about them all; I'll get to them when I get to them, and I'm not going to feel guilty in the mean time. There are four more holiday events to go to, and these ones I will not be able to talk myself out of. But still, I am feeling pretty positive about it all. Tomorrow night's will be the worst, but, thankfully, the in-laws are fond of alcohol--a fact that I will be taking advantage of. And then there will be the awkward Polish dinner with my dad's side of the family, who I was estranged from (for good reason, but we won't get into that) up until a year or so ago. Christmas morning will bring brunch at another set of in-laws, which will be fine, as long as I can find a nice, quiet corner to hide away in. And then there will be turkey dinner at my parents', which is the only thing I am really looking forward to.
And so, my lovely f-list, I wish you all a Happy Holiday, and as much joy, love, good food, and pleasant company as you can stand. Drive safely, keep warm, and enjoy your time away from school and/or work.
In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.
-Christina Rossetti, from A Christmas Carol