Xmas 2007 -- weirdly wonderful

We always spend xmas eve with my husband's mom and brother. We bring the dogs, have a big meal, have a few libations, and tear into the presents while watching Christmas shows--this year was the TV Land Merrython. The dogs woke up that morning somehow knowing something special was going to happen. They were hopping and galumphing, whining any time we opened the front door. I took them hiking in the woods where they were so excited they had to roll in and devour some terrifyingly bad-smelling goo. Katie, our princess, with ick in her teeth. We had to drive home with the windows down. Man, they never do that kind of thing; I can't believe they did it an hour before we were supposed to leave. Ok, 2 baths later we packed up the car and headed to her house.

Dinner was just being set out when we arrived, an amazing thing since normally she has "dinner" at 2 pm without warning us. Somehow she understood this year dinner = evening meal. On the way up we were placing bets as to how far past her dinner hour we would be -- would the food be out and covered? Put away in the fridge with the dishes done? Hidden all over the kitchen in the oven, microwave, fridge, countertop so we miss some things? These have all happened in prior events, so we were stunned to walk in and see her putting the finishing touches on everything. Everything was so tasty, and we had to laugh that the main thing everyone went for seconds on was the broccoli casserole.

Opening presents is a fun yet nervous time at her house. The dogs adore tearing packages open, we've been beating them back from the tree for weeks, so they were beside themselves now that they actually got to do it. After a while they stopped playing with toys and just lay in the big pile of wrapping paper shredding and chewing bits. The nervous part for me is that my MIL is very sweet and wants to get me things I'll like, but she just doesn't know me that well and I always have to put on a hearty wow-thanks attitude. This year started out the same--why do people buy me knit socks and gloves? I proudly wear handknit ones made from my own handspun handdyed yarn. And why does she think peach is my color for sweaters?

But then I opened a gift that actually made me cry, it was so perfect. I'm still stunned she picked it out; it's like nothing she's ever bought me in the 12 years I've known her. The kind of thing that makes a wonderful present, but you'd never ask for. It's recycled blue glass, a disk about 4" in diameter, and the image is in relief. I spent the entire night holding it and running my fingers along the lines of the symbols. She recognized the symbol from my tattoo said she knew I had to have it. Wow, seeing them together is kind of eerie, even the color is the same.

End of Year Ruminations

It's almost Xmas, almost new years, and I'm almost completely uncaring. Cooking, visiting, presents - all seem like an effort I'd just rather skip to save my energy for something else. This December has been the most frantic I ever remember. There hasn't been any time at work to sit back and enjoy winding down for break, in contrast it has been constant new things taking precedence without allowing any other juggled balls to drop. We have next week off, and I've been so busy I haven't even thought much about what I want to do that week. I know I want to use it well. I'll definitely go swimming (I just got a new swimsuit and goggles, and feel all spiffy now). Really I want to get in the habit of working out regularly. I floss every day now after a couple months of concerted effort reminding myself to, now I can't imagine not doing it. That's my goal for working out too, I want it to become a regular part of my life. I even bought a "carrot" to help motivate me. It's a LiveSTRONG triathalon shirt -- a fancy driweave fabric, black, with LiveSTRONG across the chest in yellow and the hem on one arm is yellow like a livestrong bracelet. The shirt itself will be great to wear running, and I'd be so proud to wear it. But not until I deserve it, and to me that means exercising regularly. Right now it hangs on my closet door as a reminder.

My first Blog!

I've always thought of hosting a blog, but never followed through. I didn't know who would be interested, or if I was interesting enough. In a way it seemed stuck up, like Oh, I'm so important, come read about me. Now I realize it's an easy way to hear what's going on with everyone in a way they wouldn't talk in an email, and for the poster to share what's up with anyone interested.

As for the blog name, we discovered at work that each of us has superpowers. Mine is being Mildly Helpful. I even have a purple cape I wear in the lab (over my lab coat) if my powers are strong that day. I love my superpower. Everyone really appreciates someone being mildly helpful -- opening a door when your hands are full, finishing an experiment, nuking a lunchmeal, whatever makes your day smoother.