I woke up this morning at 7:55. I leave for work at 8:15. Last night, Brad and I hung out at home together, watching Six Feet Under and Nip/Tuck, and we had so much fun just being lazy together that I didn't want it to end. So I stayed awake until 1 a.m. sort of on accident, and this morning I wanted to KILL the alarm clock, the sun, the time, the day, the earth, the neighbors upstairs who are somehow always awake (whether it's four in the morning or seven in the morning or 10 p.m.), and also always drunk or on their way to it.

Monday always comes too soon.

My Weekend of Non-Doing: Brad and I were put on the VIP list to see the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park early this weekend, which I thought would be cool, since I'm not a fan of huge crowds and far away parking and the like. It seemed like a lovely Christmas-y thing to do, so when my friend called at 4:30 on Friday to say that we had to be there at 6 p.m., I rushed home after work to grab Brad and head out. When I got home, Brad was not down with being grabbed. "What is this again?" he asked, engrossed in his email. "Trail of Lights. Lights. Trail. We're late," I said, in my best we're-going-to-have-fun-RIGHT-NOW-so-get-up-and-start-the fun-having-or-I-might-have-a-MENTAL-BREAKDOWN voice that I learned from my mother. Brad gave me the sidelong look that said "So, we're rushing around on a Friday evening to see lights? On a trail? That we will have to walk? Just to see lights?" and that was that.

I haven't been feeling the Christmas yet, myself. My whole attempt at appreciating the holidays this year culminated with the pile of jack-o-crap goo before Halloween. This weekend, however, we are going to Lubbock for Early Christmas (staying with Sarah, and I am getting my hair done - woo!), then a week later it's off to Cali to visit MJ & Bruce. By that time, I hope to be up to my eyeballs in egg nog and Christmas cheer.

This weekend Brad and I got (almost) all of our Christmas shopping done. This will be the first year that I will not be sifting through crap at Walmart on Christmas Eve trying to find something that is both perfect for the giftee and also under $4.99. (When you are buying gifts for 8 people or so, it's hard, man! It adds up!) This year I actually planned ahead, made lists, and purchased stuff ahead of time. And spent more than $4.99 per person - not that much more, of course, but still. It's done. I'm happy with it. I can now start to let the Christmas joy sneak into my heart.

Speaking of Christmas joy, you see that picture of our tree down there? One third of the lights are now burned out. Right in the center. Underneath all the ornaments. OF COURSE. It wasn't enough that it was the squatty leany old fake tree, now it's the squatty leany old fake tree with 1/3 less lights. Ho, ho, ahem.

Lucy loves you |