Christmas, 2012

This year, I just wasn't feeling Christmas as much as I usually do...I think it was mostly a financial stress thing, but overall I had a cold, then got a promotion and was shifting around at work, and didn't get any vacation time, and everything seemed to sneak up on me a bit. But once Christmas Eve rolled around, I was ready and excited!

I had to go into work for a couple hours on Christmas Eve, but I was out the door and back home by lunchtime, so it was no big deal. My maintenance tech makes jewelry and made me a really pretty pair of Australian something-or-other earrings, which I thought was super nice of him! I got home and took a nap, cleaned up, and just relaxed for a few hours. Mark and I had planned to spend Christmas Eve together, so he got to my place around 6. We watched Four Christmases and then decided to go out to dinner...not at all thinking that anything was going to be closing early. We attempted Old Chicago, Outback, Applebee's and Red Robin before surrendering and eating the worse meal ever at Shari's, lol. It was still fun even though the food was no good, and driving all over town laughing about how hungry we were about to be was prertty entertaining as well. We eventually ate and headed back to my apartment, where we finished our movie and opened presents. I was super excited when he liked the beach weekend gift basket I got him, and we read through a couple sections of the book I included on scenic drives and hikes on the coast. I didn't have a lot of money to spend on his gift, so I am so thankful to Aunt Kate and Aunt Mitch, who both said we could use their beach house for a weekend, and since he's about to be working in Alaska for a few weeks, I am stoked to have this to look forward to when he gets home. He got me a couple super good smelling candles - one smells just like his cologne, and I liked that. He also burnt me a couple new CDs (he's musically educating me, lol) and got me an apron as a joke because apparenly I don't spend enough time in the kitchen. He also gave me a blue ray player - and set it up for me - and a hands free blue tooth thing for my car, which he also charged and programmed for me. I was super excited and glad to see he's not the world's  dumbest man in the gift department. :) We stayed up late, watched movies, drank some vodka, and had a great night before Christmas...

Christmas morning, Mark headed home early to get to his mom & dad's, and after lounging with Juno for a bit, I showered, put on jammies, and joined my mom, dad and Tony for breakfast and presents. We had bacon & eggs, and my mom & I shared a bottle of champagne, and then we opened presents while the dog ate - and puked up - wrapping paper. Tony got gun stuff and electronics stuff, as usual, and I had a couple little things (bedside lamps) to open since my mom gave me money for a dresser, which I am yet to go pick up at Ikea. Dad got a funny shirt and some small things, and my mom got him a new fishing pole. My mom got the big haul this year, though...Tony and I got her an i-Pod and my dad got her a kindle. But then at the very end, dad pulled through with a total surprise and gave her a pearl necklace, which he went to Washington Square and bought all on his own!! My mom cried (my dad NEVER gets jewelry) and its suuuuuper pretty. From there, mom and I finished the champagne and I went home, where I napped, snuggled with Juno, and took down my tree. I chatted with Mark and his cousin on the phone while they were driving back to his parents' house, and just relaxed for a few hours...

At dinnertime I headed over to Aunt Barbara's to eat and do presents with the Whitmore's. It was loud, obnoxious, and a little weird...as usual. Laura got me the cutest slippers ever, they are black kittens and look just like Juno! LOL. The kids were loud but cute, and after some emotional eating of peanut butter balls, I headed home about 9 and stayed up on the phone with Mark til way too late before finally hitting the hay.

All in all it was a great Christmas! I am looking forward to relaxing tonight, then tomorrow the Stacey's are getting together for pizza and beer since Rob is in town. Can't wait!