I have thirty Christmas/Hanukkah cards left to write.  That’s not so bad, considering I started with over a hundred.  What is bad is that three days ago I thought I only had thirty cards left to write and I’ve since written over twenty.  First, I misplaced ten cards that need addresses (if I know you and you haven’t gotten a holiday card from me by December 20th, I probably don’t have your address), then I added a handful of editors to the card-giving list.  What better time to get in a few suck up points than the joyous holiday season?  So, I’m having nightmares that the thirty cards will never go away, that every time I make a dent in the pile they will be replaced by more cards and there will always thirty of them.  Scary.

I am running on chocolate and caffeine and sheer willpower these days, otherwise I would collapse into a weeping, quivering puddle just like Frosty.  It’s been a stressful week.  Actually, stressful isn’t a good word for it.  Stressful implies something serious and weighty, when I’m mostly talking about the hectic, chaotic, insane holiday stuff.  It’s self-imposed martyrdom and I do it to myself every year.  I guess I’m afraid if I slow down for a second I might miss what everyone else seems to have this time of year-- family, roots, a sense of place.  It sucks to feel like little orphan Annie when everyone else is starring in the Brady Bunch.  I don’t feel sorry for myself (nor do I expect anyone else to feel sorry for me) because I’m grateful and lucky to have people in my life who care about me and look out for me.  The truth is, I’ve worked my ass off to make this happy little life for myself and I’m proud of it.  Still, I’m reminded at this time of year of what I don’t have that most people take for granted.  It must be nice to be loved no matter what and not have to work at it so damned hard all the time.

Posted by Kristina in Life at 12:07 AM Permalink

Highlights of the past week, in no particular order:

--Thanksgiving dinner turned out fabulous, thanks to my brand new stove.  I heart my Maytag appliances.
--I finally found an apple crumb pie recipe that is incredible.  Oh.  My.  God.  Incredible.  That kind of incredible.
--I ate my weight in turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing.  Oh, and pie.  Yummy cinnamony apple pie.
--Christmas shopping is underway.  Finally.  Thankfully.
--The Highly Selective Book Club With Only Two Members^(TM) chose a book for December.
--Bruch at the Jefferson Hotel is a decadent experience best reserved for a once-a-year event.
--I made pizza, Steve. 
--I lost about four inches of my hair.  If found, please do not return.
--I found the most amazing hand cream.
--NaNoWriMo finished without me.  Sad, sad.  Maybe next year.
--I braved the crowd on Black Friday and lived to tell about it.  I did not brave the crowd at 6 a.m., however.  I am not that insane.
--Christmas lights were hung from the roof with care.
--I now own a very cool train set that will soon be beneath my Christmas tree (when I get it, hopefully tomorrow). 
--Finding the perfect Nativity scene, however, remains an elusive goal.
--Sheri came and went and I want her back.  Sad me.
--I realized my to-do list for the month of December will require all of December and the first half of January to complete.

It’s been a nice little break from reality, but I guess it’s time to get back to work.  Somehow, I will survive December.  I suspect chocolate will be involved in my survival.  Lots o’ chocolate.  Donations welcome.

Posted by Kristina in Musings in Life at 12:15 AM Permalink

We have this little tradition at my house.  On Thanksgiving, while we’re gorging on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce from a can, we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for.  Despite a few rough spots, I have much to be thankful for this year.  Most of all, I am incredibly thankful (and very lucky) that the people closest to me seem to love me as much as I love them.  Awwww....

I am thankful we only have one more year of George Bush as president.  Please, please, please.

I’m also thankful for the luxuries, the necessities, the wild nights, the cute guys (not to mention the cute girls), an incredible trip and my work.

Now, what are you thankful for?

Posted by Kristina in Musings in Life at 11:38 PM Permalink