It's beginning to look a lot like...
Not having school has me feeling odd. But in a very nicely relaxing way. It's so nice to be able to get things done around the house, to stay up late and be able to sleep in a little if I want, to wake up with John and make him coffee in the mornings...these moments are precious even if they're very, very simple.
It's finally the week we've been waiting for. Our Christmas Eve is on Friday, the 23rd. Then it's off to see the family...I'm so excited and yet still trying to savor every minute in the now. I'm so excited to make our own Christmas dinner after my parents' tradition of having cheese fondue and Hawaiian meatballs for Christmas Eve dinner. I've never made it myself and I'm stoked to try. It's the strangest tradition but one of the tastiest traditions we have. We aren't in the least bit Hawaiian, have never been to Hawaii and don't have a strange fascination with Hawaii in the least. I think I had a beach towel once that said Hawaii on it...but that's about it. We just like their meatballs. And if I get the chance to go there someday, I'm sure I'll love the place as well. But until then...bring on the food.
Last week was a week of Christmasiness. I stuffed as many Christmasy outings in as I could and thankfully they were relatively easy on the pocketbook.
1. Wednesday we went to Encore (my former choir)'s Christmas Concert. It was much better than they're last concert and they seemed a lot more polished and like they were having a lot more fun...two very good things. It brought back some good memories of when I was still a part of their ranks. I laughed most of the evening.
2. Thursday we went across the highway to a local church's live nativity. It was free and you could go through it with your car or go on their hayride. We, of course, chose the hayride and had a lovely time and even got to sing some carols.
3. Saturday we went to Tryon Palace in town for its Christmas Candle Lighting. We've never been to Tryon Palace and I think this was the perfect event to introduce ourselves to it. Everything but one tent was lit by candlelight and we enjoyed a tour of the palace before exploring the grounds, buying some tasty treats in their gift shop, seeing a friend perform, watching a real sword swallower, and finishing the evening off watching fireworks from the dock and enjoying a snack at a local wine bar that just opened along with said friend.
4. Sunday (I wasn't kidding about cramming as many things in as possible, was I?) we went to our church's Christmas Cantata in the evening featuring the singer David Phelps. He was incredible, it was incredible and we left feeling very warm, fuzzy, and joyous.
It's now Tuesday. I enjoyed a 3 and a half hour long lunch with a friend (moments like these warm my soul and energize me to creative action) and am now trying desperately to get the house tidy for Christmas all while trying to unjumble my Zune mp3 player. It has become a thorn in my side...and I don't generally enjoy thorns in the side. I've never been a huge fan of Apple products...but after this experience with a Microsoft product, I am seriously questioning my decision to go for them instead of Apple. The Zune has been nothing but a big pain and from what I've read online, others agree. I have managed to remedy some of the problem (which was a legitimate problem and not just DUMBNESS on Microsoft's part, thank goodness) and am now trying to fix the other problem: the fact that it only has John's music on it and not much of mine. Which means I go to listen to something I have lots of like say DC Talk or Switchfoot and fine AN song instead of several full albums. Very. ANNOYING. Best to remedy this before flying to Washington. Yes. I agree. Indeed.
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