A Little Bit of Christmas

Oh Christmas, how fast you pass. Sometimes it's a little anticlimactic. It's not that I'm not grateful and that I didn't get wonderful gifts and that I'm not so totally lucky and blessed that it's crazy... it's more that there's all the build up and frenzy and then it's Done.
I did better this year by going to Bates Nut Farm and baking things, thinking about gifts and making a point to be with family. I didn't really listen to Christmas music nor did I watch Elf...tisk tisk. But all in all the holiday was a good one, if not speedy.
I started the morning going to Dad's house and opening presents there. My gift for my dad was a success which made me really happy and basically made everything worth it. His gift has been in my mind for a while and it's been so hard not to tell him.
After dad's it was straight to mom's and then grandma and grandpas. I feel like I'm getting better at the gift ideas thing and I'm going to make an effort this year to get even better and save more money so I don't 1) feel completely broke after all is said and done and 2) have the funds to get people what I want to get them. I know that it's not all about money, definitely not, I did quite alright with my baked good which didn't cost too much, but having a little more would have been nice too.
After Grandma and Grandpa's it was off to Los Angeles to the Aunt and Uncle's house. Christmas at their house is a lot of fun. Great food, treats everywhere that I have to stop myself from eating, and then after dinner a white elephant on crack gift exchange. It's with dice, and then there is a lightning round and things get loud and crazy. So much fun and a lot of laughs.

This year I either ate way too much or there was heavy dairy in something because I felt so. uncomfortably. full that I felt horrible and tried to nap it away but it felt like my stomach was angrily being stretched. No bueno... remember to eat slower next time a feast is in front of me... definitely.
Luckily it didn't inhibit my ability to have fun during the White Elephant On Crack game.
After the game I took a half nap (in and out of sleep) and then decided it was time for my drive back home.

I was sooo tired by the time I got home, awake for the drive luckily, but when I got in bed I was so happy to be there. Definitely was less happy when I had to get out of that bed this morning to come to work. Cuddling up sounded like such a great idea.

All in all, though fast, Christmas was good. I accomplished my goals and I know what to do better next year.

In closing I will leave you with a couple of pictures...

Yup... look at that little redhead. I should probably make a new one of those next year...

Zeus as a present. He kept smelling all the paper but stayed calm and just hung out during the opening of presents. He's so good.

Now let's take a quick breath and bring in the new year!

xoxo

Ms. T

Last weekend I was given a decent amount of time with this little lady... my sister. On Sunday night I left my phone at my dad's house and ultimately it was a blessing in disguise because when I went back to get it I got to talk to her for a couple of hours. We finally caught up after about a year of minimal line texts and messages.

Now she's back off to college where she has her other life. I can't begin to describe how proud I am of her for making this life hers. She's off figuring out life and love and everything else and I finally got a glimpse of what that looks like through her eyes. 

My goodness this girl lives with very few apologies (except when truly appropriate). She feels all of her emotions regardless of if others think it's right or wrong, she pushes her limits and just seems to be thriving. It was a bit of a rocky time for her going off to college but man she pulled through and look at her now. 

Even though I'm the bigger sister I still feel like I have so much to learn from her and I'm not sure I have any answers she might try to look for in me. But that's okay. I can find inspiration to stop hiding or waiting for life to happen from her. She has a good head set solidly on her shoulders and I don't worry about her anymore. She has shown me that I don't need to, she's got it handled. 

All I can do is be her partner in crime for throwback song sing-a-longs, her listening ear and her friend. 

I mean, look at her, she's gorgeous, funny, silly and smart. Even if she questions her own judgement sometimes, I know she's doing the best she can for herself. 

While I'm a bit sad just reading over this because she isn't here I know it won't be too long before she's back for the summer. I'm stoked. I hope for more car dance parties, blasting music and singing only slightly off key. I am excited for more late night chats about everything and nothing, joking about how great we are and how we should really try to be more modest.

Definitely something to look forward to. 

She's one of a kind, that sister of mine.

xoxo