Holiday Happenings

Well, it's been a busy few (holi)days. Jeffro's dad came to visit on Sunday and we had a nice lunch at Bebo Trattoria in Crystal City. Christmas Eve, his mom came to stay with us through the holiday. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house having a traditional Italian (almost) seven fish dinner. Christmas Day was at my sister's and that was a lot of fun and food. I got some really cool gifts this year and hopefully people felt that way about what I gave them. My sister has 6 kids, so it's fun to spend the holiday in a house full of kids.

Jeffro and I are driving up to NY on Friday for a party for my grandmother's 90th birthday. It will be a long ordeal, but I guess I'll wind up being glad I went . . .

Meanwhile, I had today off work, and I'll be off again tomorrow. I have to say I've been so lazy, mostly watching tv all day. It's been great and a much-needed break. I may run some errands tomorrow if the weather cooperates, but it was just too nasty outside to be running around.

Days Eight through Twelve

I guess I was rather ambitious thinking I'd have time to come up with clever things to last 12 days of Christmas . . . so here's a blanket wish for health and happiness for everyone and we'll just be done with it, unless I get another inspiration.

Moving on, yesterday was the start of a week off work! We are moving our offices, so we are closed next week until Friday and don't have to take any vacation time for it. How great is that! Of course, I've scheduled too much stuff already for next week--like doctors and vet appointments, but hey at least I don't have to be at work.

Today I've been cleaning all day in preparation for holiday guests. Tomorrow Jeffro's dad is coming for the day, and Monday his mom is coming and staying till Weds. It's a disaster in here, and I've just finished vacuuming. I have a lot cleaning to do still, plus I have to finish my wrapping, but I'm almost done.

BTW, it seems like my sister is going to be ok. She has some blood clots that they didn't know about, but it looks like it's nothing further than that (we were scared her cancer was back). So, that will make for a happy holiday . . .

On the Sixth and Seventh Day

Since I'm battling a cold or some such bug, I will make my sixth wish once again for everyone's health. You just can't wish for that too much.

As far as the seventh wish, I wish for life to be less stressful, and for more downtime in the coming year. I have been monitoring my blood pressure since my doc found that weird heart thing, and I have noticed that my blood pressure is fine except--you guessed it--when I am stressed. Then it really spikes. So I hope to get my stress under control and to have more time to spend doing the things I enjoy.

Fifth Day and Tribute

I learned last night that Dan Fogelberg passed away at age 56 and was very sad. I really liked his music, especially Same Old Lang Syne. At one point I used to own his Greatest Hits but I can't seem to find it, so I will have to repurchase now.

This is the inspiration for my day five of Christmas, my wish for healing for those who have lost loved ones, particularly over the past year. I hope we can remember them without too much sadness this holiday season--my grandmother passed on Christmas Day last year, so this year will be a little tough.

Fourth Day

Today I slept in really late, then spent the rest of the day doing things that I really enjoy. I've decided to volunteer for an editorial position for our community newsletter and we had our first meeting today. Then I had my drum lesson. So day four is devoted to giving thanks for having gifts and talents for certain things like music or writing/editing, and for the opportunity to pursue those interests. Otherwise, life would really suck if all we did was work (though often it feels to me like that's all we do). Anyway, here's to pursuing your passions this holiday season!

On the Second and Third Day

Yesterday we had our office Christmas party at work at Sequoia in Georgetown, and much food, drink, and merriment was had by all. They gave us all copies of the award-winning Planet Earth and $100 to go spend on ourselves before lunch. I bought 2 sweaters from Ann Taylor.

Later that night some friends and I went to see the National Christmas Tree in DC then to Old Ebbitt Grill for a very late dinner. Needless to say after my crazy lunch, I didn't really eat much. So this brings me to my second day of Christmas hope. I hope that people will not go hungry this Christmas. I plan on making a food donation to the Capital Area Food Bank, or you can make a monetary donation. Just $1 will go towards 3 meals. Another good option is to make a donation to So Others Might Eat (SOME).

Today brings me to my third wish, for the end of cruelty to animals and needless killing of animals at shelters. I say this because this morning I ran into one of my neighbors, who is going to put her 15-year old dog down today. It's sad, but understandable, as the dog is in really bad shape. But it got me thinking about the ASPCA, which I donate to each year. Consider making a donation this year or buying some of their cute merchandise as a holiday gift.

On the First Day of Christmas

I thought I'd do a little countdown to Christmas with a little twist on the classic song. Instead of writing about what "my true love gave to me," which I don't know yet cause I haven't snooped enough, I thought I'd write about my wishes for the season and the coming year.

Today's wish is for health. For me, my family, friends, and anyone reading this. I just got news today that my sister who has been struggling with cancer this past year is having some problems again, so I hope that it winds up being nothing serious.

Blog Fixed!

My blog has been having problems for a while now, but I finally took the time to redo things tonight, and hopefully it's looking a little better now. Yeah!

Thanks to Jeffro for helping!

Last Minute Holiday Shopping?

Try wishingfish.com, where you'll find great gift ideas, such as poo-pourri, the office anger management kit, and Vosges bacon chocolate bar.

In all seriousness, the site does have some great stuff like Kobo soy candles and lavendar fleece booties. Check it out!

What Have I Been Up To?

I had a pretty busy weekend of parties and socializing.

Saturday Jeffro, my neighbor, and I had an invitation for a complimentary meal at Wildfire, a new steakhouse at Tysons Galleria. We had to take a very early reservation cause it was a free deal, so it was a bit odd eating steak and having wine at 11:30 in the morning . . . that night it was on to a party at MJ & Computerguy's place for their collective December birthdays. A fun evening, excellent mulled wine and TJ food, and I even got to see Wii in action for the first time, though I didn't feel like playing.

Sunday I cleaned for most of the day, then NOAAgirl and DH came over and we headed to Duangrat's for some great Thai food. I just love their Green Curry Shrimp. Then to Trader Joe's for a little silly shopping.

Overall, a fun weekend. We even got our little tabletop tree set up and some gifts wrapped, so it's starting to look a little like the holidays.