Low-Key Christmas Eve

So far my Christmas Eve has been very mellow. It doesn't even seem like Christmas Eve, but I'm not complaining - I am really enjoying the extra time off from work. This morning I woke up at my normal time, saw Roy off (he had to work a half day today) did some random things around the house, and went to the post office. To my delight, the third season of LOST came in earlier than expected! I am so excited to watch it!

Since I got home, I've eaten a Del Taco breakfast burrito and some pizza, made 24 cupcakes, done some laundry, taken a shower, and napped on the couch. I guess this all seems rather boring and mundane, but truthfully, I have travelled every year for the last 7 or 8 years - so it is really nice to just take it easy at home this year with Roy and the cats.

Tonight we are headed over to Mandy and Paul's to make cookies and watch Home Alone with our nephews and niece. Last night we (Roy and I plus Roy's family) had a Christmas dinner with our friends Phil and Nan. Roy and I went into Hallmark before, and I saw a stuffed Rodney Reindeer. I almost started crying right there in the store because Rodney reminds me of my brother and all our childhood Christmases. For a split second I wanted to be a child again, back there at home with my family, when Christmas was magical and fun. It still is magical and fun, but life is infinitely more complicated now.
Truthfully, being an adult sucks sometimes. I just miss my family and wish that we all lived closer together. At the same time, I am so grateful to have a life that's mine (and separate from theirs). I am so very lucky for all that I have. I just wish sometimes that I could have all the people I care about in one place at one time. I guess that's what our wedding was for!

This post has really gone in a melancholy direction, and I'm actually feeling pretty good about things. I'm going to take that as a sign that I should stop writing.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday season!