For all who celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very happy holiday! I just finished wrapping my gifts at 10:22pm, which, I have to say, is typical of my procrastinating self. It's fun, though, and I'm excited for everyone to open them. This year I also made a donation to Toys for Tots on behalf of my family, because they are hurting so much in the bad economy. I know everyone has their struggles right now, but it's overwhelming to think about all the people who are going without during a really difficult time.

My ankle is on the road to recovery, thank you. It's still really bruised and swollen a bit, but it's starting to feel more normal. It's all snow, snow, and more snow here, which has been fun and cozy. Mom, Trav, and I made a snow man with roses for eyes in the side yard. Trav and I built a fort (slash castle, slash tent, slash dog house...) next to the Christmas tree out of a card table and blankets. We've spent a lot of time there. We also like to make up little songs and play lots of games involving pretend. We watched Wall-E, and now Trav and I seek out sheets of bubble wrap to pop like Wall-E and Eve. We read books at night, and I give all his bedtime buddies a talking to about behaving themselves while Travis rests. I adored having this time with the Trav man. We've bonded.

I've been a bit domestic lately in my faux single mom state. Well, Mols arrived today, so I'm no longer like a single mother, but I was a bit domestic. I made Christmas treats and even cooked dinner for the family one night. Nothing fancy, of course, but the point is, I cooked. My kitchen is the most unused room in my apartment at home. Now that my duties are over I can go back to my carefree, snarky, single girl ways pronto. I'm working on it.

So, I watched It's a Wonderful Life for the first time while here, and I have to ask if I'm the only one who sympathizes with George's mental breakdown after every attempt he makes to ditch Bedford Falls is stomped on? It was frustrating to watch, so it seems completely understandable that he'd go a little nuts, even if his life was pretty good anyway. For one thing, it's feels like a long movie (I don't know how long it really is), so I was feeling kind of mental after a while during, but, B. mainly I can't blame a guy for wanting to expand his horizons by escaping a podunk town for a while and getting an education. I wanted to shout, Go to Europe, George! Go to colllege! See the world! And, come on, I hardly believe that the lovely Mary would end up a dowdy librarian in BF if George hadn't swooped in to marry her. And, I wondered why all the angels were men. Hmmm. I realize this movie was probably great in it's time. I'm glad I finally saw it. But, for me, it's a Wonderful Life was not so wonderful.

There hasn't been much out in movie land lately that I'm excited about, which is a bummer. I'm really looking forward to seeing Revolutionary Road, but that's about it.

I have lots of things planned for the new year! Classes (I'm signed up for winter!), Paris, giving online dating a whirl again (already in works), really learning at least a little French before my trip (I brought my stuff here, but it hasn't happened with all the three year oldness around me). I plan to report on these things soon whether you're interested or not. But, for now, my presence is requested in the pool table room to play some stick.

Merry Christmas!