Happy December! I can barely wrap my head around the idea that 2008 is
almost finished, that Christmas is next week.
But sure enough, all the signs seemingly point to that conclusion. The streets are overrun with shoppers, there
are parties galore, and I'm struck with my annual affliction of holiday
fever. Thus far, however, my attempts to
Christmas-fy our home have been relatively unsuccessful. Tree? Mais non. We have a sad little wreath that I decorated. It does smell like heaven when you walk in
the door, but it is not quite the same as a twinkly, ornament-adorned
tannenbaum. Decorations? Um, well, our box of Christmas fun remains
somewhere in the basement of my parent's house in Kansas City, a casualty of
our move from a spacious townhouse in Texas to a wee apartment in New York over
four years ago. I did put out a strand
of white and red colored glass bead things I bought in a fit of desperation at
ABC a few years ago that Dakin loathes (note: we have struck a deal: it stays
until something concrete – as opposed to forward-looking promise of a
replacement – actually is purchased). I
have put out our Christmas cards. A few
weeks ago we made our own Christmas cards that
I am only this weekend getting around to filling out. My attempt at Christmas cookies last weekend
went . . . poorly. At least all of our
Christmas presents/stocking stuffers are done and done, right?
But this is the first weekend in basically the last two months that has been really chill. DK is in Switzerland for more work on his show, and I have had a low-key few days. I mean, well, I've been busy at work, naturally (though there is a dim little light at the end of the tunnel in that regard: January will be hell, but the last two weeks of December look to be very quiet, she said very very quietly so as not to anger the gods of fate who look upon such statements as outrageous acts of hubris). And I had a lovely pre-birthday dinner on Wednesday with DK before he left, the firm's holiday bash on my birthday proper where I had a great time and even boogied a bit at the after party before retiring at a respectable 12:30 (I have apparently learned a little something in my 33 years on earth), and dinner with friends to celebrate said birthday on Friday. (This year, I am subscribing to the Twelve Days of Nancy's Birthday if you couldn't tell).
But yesterday, I slept in, toddled around in my pajamas, met my sister and brother in law for brunch at Prune (famous bloody mary? check.). We found a most excellent Japanese toy store in the LES that was filled with serious treasure for the 6-yr old contingency in our family. Then went to a totally silly movie (Four Christmases) and spent the evening blissfully by myself listening to music while I wrapped presents and worked on holiday cards with a glass of wine. I'm pretty excited by the loot for DK – some of it he knows about, but I think I've managed a surprise or two. I had a hard time coming up with a list for myself this year – the economy being what it is, it's tough to think beyond the more utilitarian ("I'd like someone to pay for the new wallpaper we were thinking about adding to the foyer." "I'd appreciate it if someone would cover our common charges fees for a month."). But DK gave me the most awesomely gorgeous bag for my birthday and I have been swanning around for the last few days reveling in its black-patent leather glory and great hardware. As he said, "I know it's just a thing, but sometimes there's pleasure in having nice ones." True, that.
We leave for Philadelphia on Tuesday for the rest of the week. I'm excited to see the entire crew en masse,
but am very thankful for a respite of quiet now before being thrown into the cacophony
and zip-zing-zoohah! of a Robertson family Christmas. My family is many wonderful things; laid-back
is not one of them. Hope your holidays
are joyful and happy; my goal is to carve out time from the hectic to appreciate
how lucky we are and hug everyone a little closer, for a little longer.
