Holy Canoli!

How did it get to be the end of January already? Time hasn't just been flying, its been evaporating! This will be the first weekend in several that I don't have family visiting, I am not away visiting family or that I am not too ill to go anywhere. I feel like if I blink, its going to be Christmas again already, and I will have no idea how I got to 2007.

I had intended to take a real vacation during the week between Christmas and New Year. You know, the kind where you actually go away, somewhere relaxing and maybe even tropical, with those fancy umbrella beverages and really tan smiling people wandering around...But although I had time off from the office, I had been given good reason to believe that I had better use that time to find new ways to generate income and certainly shouldn't spend any more money...So I didn't go away.

On the bright side, just not commuting to and going into the office was a nice little break, and I somehow managed to stay fairly cheerful even with the threat of losing my job upon returning. On the less bright side, it does not appear that I was given the correct facts which is mostly a blessing but also a bit of a bummer (all things considered), and I find myself fully embedded back into the daily grind without the benefit of a much needed and dreamed about get-a-way.

Which is probably why I got so frelling sick as soon as I returned to work, a person can only do and take so much before the body says "uncle"! This is a nasty flu that's been going around, it lasts a good couple of weeks, so make sure you are taking your vitamins and washing your hands.

As always, I still managed to experience the interesting. I'll have to go all the way back to December 1 to catch it all up, since I wasn't very diligent in recording the holiday events this year.

Annual Holiday Parade:
I think this was the most festive and definitely held the most true holiday feeling I had all season. There is something good about wrapping up, standing outside among your community, drinking hot chocolate, singing cheesy songs and watching little kids have a blast. It was however, really cold, so we were about to call it an evening when we ran into some friends, which led to a fun night out, where I ran into several more people I know, met some very nice new folks and re-connected with a friend from college I didn't even know lived here. It was all just very holiday.

Annual Lighted Boat Parade:
I love the boat parade, it is probably my favorite holiday happening, but certainly one of them. It was little this year, not very many boats, but still so beautiful to watch the lights glide across the water. We tried something new this year, and went to a small wine and cheese event a local wine shop was putting on that has a large window right on the water parade path. It was fun, and the people were very nice, but I felt a little too removed from it all. Much like going to a baseball game and sitting in a luxury box, you are just too far away from the real action. Next year, I think we will have to go back to outdoor viewing.

Annual Locals Holiday Party:
I think its quite safe to say that a good time was had by all. There was much merriment, dancing and local bonding. There is video evidence, 2 hours of blackmail worthy footage, and I somehow ended up getting volunteered to edit it - since I am one of the few people who has a clue about what should be removed to protect the innocent and the wicked for that matter. I can safely say that if it were to get out in its present state, I am safe, as I was both only drinking lightly and was wisely avoiding the camera like the plague :)

Christmas with the family:
It was nice to be home at Christmas and to be with my family. As always, every plan changed, chaos ruled and drama occurred, and yet, it was still lovely. I felt like I actually got to spend some real quality time with each set of parents, with my brother and with my grandma. Grandma is really losing it now, she can't remember what my name is or how I am related to her, but she seems to still be able to recognize that she knows and loves me, at least. It is a sad disease in many ways, but I have to say that she seems generally happy, doesn't seem to miss what she is missing and that is a comfort.

Two gifts that I received were really special to me and must be mentioned:
a) my great grandmothers pasta maker from Italy
b) the epic "rock star" suit I have been begging my father to give me for 20+ years

New Years Eve:
I decided that NYE was the most perfect occasion to wear the jacket of the epic rock star suit mentioned above. It is amazing how a piece of clothing can create a feeling, something about that jacket is truly magical and that is how I felt wearing it. It is not so much that any one thing particularly special happened, it was just a whole evening of joyful occurences. I love that end of the year, new beginning feeling, it is the best!

Last, but not least, my birthday:
I was still pretty ill and just not feeling very festive about it this year and even with that, my friends and family made it very special. My brother sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that just made my day, my co-workers took me out for a great lunch, both sets of parents got a visit in and some friends kidnapped me to champagne brunch on the following Sunday. What more could a girl ask for!!

And on that note, I am signing off and heading out to my weekend. Have a great weekend all!!