Got The Yuck

Woke up yesterday with a headache that soon became a massive headwrecker with a side of nausea. Cameron thought I was getting The Ick - the bug he had a week ago - but it was only The Yuck.

I went to a friend's house night before last, thinking we'd be going out for dinner. Turned out the plan was to help her make dinner. It was fun and tasty, but now I think those meatballs weren't cooked as thoroughly as they should have been. I remember one of them looked a tad pink in the center and at the time I thought, I wonder if that should be pink?

Best part though, after dinner we played Guitar Hero and it was amazingly fun. I don't know how they make it *feel* good to hit the right notes, but they've done it. I'm hooked. Can't wait to start rockin out at home.

Boxing Day

As in, striking repeatedly. Another Christmas logged. I said logged. I need a week to myself on a deserted island.

Christmas was great - lovely and relaxing. It's all the wedding stuff that's making me crazy. It was supposed to be a low key, mellow deal, which I think it will be in the end, but the rush to get invites ordered immediately after Christmas seems a bit crazed.

I wanted to design them myself, not order them out of a book full of the ordinary. But whatever. In the big picture, no one cares about the invite. What really matters is making sure people know about the open bar and that there will be CAKE!

Ice

Finally picked up the ring today... It's similar to the original design, but seems like someone else's ring. It's taking time to get used to it. It's a solid symbol of what's coming - like now it's more real or serious. Not sure how I feel about that... I've really enjoyed all these years I've been married to myself. I think I'm going to miss that.

All Hail Festivus

This might be the best Christmas since I was 7 years old. Not because I'm drinking enough spiked nog to once again believe in Santa, but maybe because this year we decided -- with full family support and agreement -- to not buy any gifts. Food items are allowed, but no "stuff."

Without the stress of shopping for umpteen people and worrying about the ginormous cost of that, it's felt more like Christmas this year than in the past 20 (or 30, if we're being truthful about age).

And this relaxed, festive feeling comes without taking time off work. You can't miss the energy of the season when you're downtown around the decorations, shoppers & tourists. Ice skating at lunch helps, too, as does driving around town to see the decorated homes.

Even though it comes up faster every year, we've been able to slow down and truly enjoy it before it's gone in the blink of an eye. Time for some more nog.

Festivus

Thanks to Jeff & Randy's lovely home decorations for tons of fun holiday shots. Happy egg noggin.

Holy Crap - What Have I Done?

I've been engaged since Friday. I've stressed to the Mother Parental Unit many times that there are NO plans as of this moment - this most current moment being the 3rd day since making this crazy move. I told her we've discussed the merits of a very small 'do at SF City Hall. To that, she replied:

"Question, when you say a small family wedding, who all are you thinking about? Just your brothers and familles, or your cousins, as in Mike and Sally etc?

We really need to sit down over a calendar and get organized. What sort of 'vacation time' do you guys have during the next 6 months? If you guys want to, would you like to come down here on Sat? We can talk over some ides and then have dinner.

I am always available to help you, but I don't want you to think I am being pushy. It is always good to brain storm some thoughts and see where we get to. Just let me know. This can be a really fun experience."

Holy crap. She's down there in San Jose putting together a float that she's gonna drive up here with a tank, and on that float she's gonna put every person she's ever spoken to about anything, and then she's going to grab David and I and throw us onto the front of that float and she's gonna drive that thing all over town.

How much vacation time? How much time could this possibly take? Do I have to apply for a leave of absence from work? Should I make sure I'm current on all my vaccinations? What the hell is happening?

We're going to have to leave the country.

Betrothed

I said I'd never do it again. But - I said yes. My Nana's ring is getting repaired in time to wear for Christmas.

It's weird. Nothing's changed, yet everything seems a little different. Like we moved all the furniture in the front room to the left a couple of inches. Mother and mother-in-law-to-be are asking when, where, etc. We don't know yet!

And now, for just for a little while, I want to be alone to sit with it. I'm sure by Monday I'll have forgotten this ever happened until my mother calls me for the tenth time to ask me when we're going shopping for invitations.