Category Archives: Holidays

In the book that is Cole’s life, this chapter would start with something stereotypical such as “I never expected to return home and part of me dreaded it, as much as the rest of me was looking forward to it.” I would continue on with words about how things were not how they were when I left them (true), how I needed to cut ties with some of the people and things that used to be part of my life (also true) and how, despite all this, things would turn out even more amazingly that I could ever imagine (the truest).

I think what surprises me most about returning home is not the reconnections I looked forward to but the new connections I am constantly fostering. I have become good friends with complete strangers and better friends with mere acquaintances. The area itself and the individual people in it are continuing to surprise me. I never realized my home town, my home state was so full of versatility, options and adventure.

If you hadn’t noticed, the holidays were a little difficult and moving was stressful. I wasn’t able to be as positive as I’d have liked and that in itself was bringing me down a bit. I have been so positive these last few weeks, however. I’ve been dealing with, if not managing to overcome my anxieties and, at the end of the day, I am most surprised–yet pleased–with myself. As confident as I might sometimes appear, I guess I never knew I had it in me.

I am so fucking glad to be exactly where I am.

May didn’t go out with a bang, big or otherwise. It did end on a high note if only because I have been working on being more grateful for what I do have. I hit up the mall on Saturday and got a new pair of jeans, a new game for my DS (Galactrix) and a bunch of soap from Bath and Body Works. Rather than being stressful, the trip to the mall was quite enjoyable despite the influx of shoppers for Memorial Day sales. To add to that, I walked into a dressing room with 2 sizes of jeans and only had to try on the smaller one.

May was my first full month working for Demand Studios and I got a good feel for it. I’ve definitely improved and have a better feel for the site.

I got a lovely birthday call, shortly after midnight, from Dez and Ryan and I hit up iHop in the wee morning hours of my birthday. My Facebook was full of well wishes and I got cards in the mail, unexpectedly. I honestly don’t even expect cards anymore so it’s always nice!

I feel like May was a perfect example of lowing your standards a bit and being pleasantly surprised by the world. In fact, it was the best month this year.

I enjoyed you dear November. I had fun doing NabloPoMo. Alas, we must part and make way for Christmas spirit.

I love Christmas. I love music and while I prefer the classics like “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas” performed in their classic way by almost anyone (Elvis, Reba, Alan Jackson, and Eurythmics are a few I love), I also love newer jingles and artists like Sarah Mclachlan, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Shedaisy who put their own original spin on them. Of course, I love to sing along.

I love Christmas movies, especially all the clay-mation ones. Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer are probably my favourites but I also love Home Alone.

I love to decorate and given the resources (time, money, perfect decorations and a house which is suitable) I would probably be one of those people who lights up the entire neighbourhood. I love to put up a tree and there isn’t anything like the real thing.

I love the big meal including ham and potatoes. I love seeing family and friends even if it means drama. I love the hustle and bustle and even like Christmas shopping – when I have money – no matter how frustrating.

I love gift giving and gift opening, even if it’s something silly. I still hang stockings (although ours hang empty tonight) and if I ever have children, I will tell them about Santa Claus. Last night I tracked him via Norad until 3 in the morning (and he wasn’t even done!)

While I do not consider myself a religious person, the holiday season makes me feel “closer to God” and everything around me seems to sparkle. Of course, if there actually is snow sparkling aruond me, that is a plus.

But it’s so easy to go through the motions of Christmas and not take any joy from it. It’s easy to forget what it’s about, even if it’s only about gifts to you but, hey!, those are as good a reason as any in my opinion.

I had been so disappointed in Christmas this year. It wasn’t feeling like Christmas and this made me frustrated ans sad. I know I’m not the only one but I wanted to be in the Christmas spirit so bad I was doing myself a disservice.

I feel a better today even though things aren’t perfect. I guess I forgot that Christmas is more than just a sum of its parts. Its something else entirely and while it might be extra special if everything comes together perfectly, it’s not unspecial just because it doesn’t.

So, with that, Merry Christmas! I hope you got what you want and – if you didn’t – I hope that’s okay, too.

So, I fished washing the dishes yesterday and noticed the sink seemed a bit clogged and tried to run the garbage disposal but nothing happened. I then noticed that when running down one side of the sink, the other backed up and vice versa. I called the office who sent a request into maintenance and we left to see The Day the Earth Stood Still and take Phantom to PetSmart.

Upon returning, we saw that the maintenance guy left a note on the counter which said not to use the garbage disposal because it was rusted and corroded and he needed to order a new one. Unfortunately, this apartment was the model and while it looked good, it hadn’t been used on a daily basis for an unknown amount of time. This is also why I reluctant to use the dishwasher (which had a loose piece) and the filter had not been changed in the air conditioner forever.

The movie was okay. It was a nice change of pace to not have the entire Earth be destroyed by aliens (is that a plot spoiler? oops!) but they obviously only picked Keanu Reeves to play an alien because he talks in that strange, halting manner.

At PetSmart, we got Phantom a new toy so he hopefully redirects his aggression away from him. We also spent some time looking at the adoptions centers for possibly a new friend. We saw some adorable little kittens who were barely 2 weeks old. We decided to stop at the other PetSmart and saw a nice female cat about one year old but we have not made the final decision yet. We let Phantom and the kitty get to know eachother and while they didn’t love eachother, I think they could be good friends in time.

Phantom was really nice in the car. He eventually calmed down and curled up in my arms. He was also surprisingly mild when he was meeting the other cat; almost scared. This was the most mellow we’ve ever seen him! It was almost as though he was a different cat!

Today was spent looking for a Christmas tree (which we didn’t find) and a little Christmas shopping for Samantha (she’s getting PixOs).

This last week has really flown by.