the last week. [and] it's only six and a half, now.

one could certainly say that "the usual" is going on around here.
well - with "the usual" being the understanding that we've now passed the One Week mark before Christmas.

so, so much, hmm?
there's the cold.
and the glitter. uh - that would be the literal (kid, crafty) glitter, friends - not the hobnobbing, best dress, tame your dreads, sans kids, fancy wine glasses and white linen sort of glitter...
and the winter-time glasses of wine
and the lunching--only in order to refuel and think and cross things off your list in the late afternoon.
there's the teeheeing that comes with excitement and glee and being so excited to shower the Beloveds
and thread. Surely everyone is intimately familiar with thread, this time of year?
squishy packages of luscious wool socks. (Claiming: I will learn to knit before this time next year. Handmade, heavenly wool socks for everyone!! dammit.)
and peppermint bark.
and white chocolate covered pretzels - er, that have all been eaten before they even made it near the neighbor's plates.
there's The Lists,
and the checking things twice,
and the additions,
and the "oooh's, but I forgot this",
and the "Dang!, I didn't plan to spend that much on that...."
and the "Wait, just one more present for my lovely friend..."
and Bing and Perry and Elvis and Nat and Lou croonin' through the house from the kitchen counter
and "Can I open a present, Mama? Pleeeeeeease? How 'bout two?"
and rum-pum-pum-pumming
and flannel nighties that are worn all day
and scissors and tape and tape and tape
and four new rolls of pretty paper (but it's so pretty)
and new boots that cost waaay too much and are are s'posed to be for a Solstice present
and boutique shopping
and rooms only lit by the magic of the Yule tree lights
and new fleece things
and tinkling things
and picking out new Santa jammies to be opened on Christmas Eve
and eggnog
and two-day shipping
and thoughts of homemade pralines and butter toffee
and french milky soaps
and promised snowflakes
and family time

and oh.

you know just what I mean, don't you?

:) I do love this wonderful life we've been given,
indeed I do.