I had a horrible dream last night that involved putting my cats to sleep, so I apologize if this post sounds somber.

I have a lot to say, about Thanksgiving with the Kirschner’s, decorating our new place for Christmas, my sister visiting, random road trips up to Buford at 1 in the morning to look at stars… But to be honest, I have had no desire to actually sit down and compose a post. So I’ll attempt today.

Paul and I are starting our own holiday traditions. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about traditions, and how they are very, very important to me. I don’t necessarily want to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I don’t want to “mix everything up” every year. I think it stems back to so much change in my life. I was thinking about my childhood and how there were very few constants in my life, but one thing we did do every year was watch Christmas movies. No matter whether Christmas was in the summer or the winter, or if it’s with extended family or not, or if we have a Christmas tree or not, we always had our Jimmy Stuart, Bing Crosby, Maureen O’Hara, Charlie Brown. Paul, Amy, and I watched “Miracle on 34th Street” (the old one, of course) Thanksgiving night – Paul and I both want to make that movie a Thanksgiving tradition. It brought back so many memories; I’m glad some things are the same! We also decorated for Christmas yesterday (same time as last year). Paul had to work, so Amy and I did it ourselves and I am happy with the result! Susan, we even used the triangles from my old curtains! So that’s another tradition we want to start – decorating the weekend following Thanksgiving. And playing Christmas music as we drive home from Thanksgiving dinner. :-)

When Paul got home from work, we went and bought a Christmas tree. Yay! Apparently you’re supposed to let it sit a day before you decorate it. Bah. So today we can put the ornaments and lights on! Paul and I decided that next year (or whenever he gets a job where he doesn’t have to work the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving) we want to drive up to a Christmas tree farm and chop down our own tree! I am sitting in the living room now looking at the tree and breathing in the delicious smell. Ah! How could anyone pass this up for one of those fake ones? (I must say that I grew up with an artificial tree because it was hard to find real Christmas trees in Lima, Peru.) And then I got some lovely scented candles (I think Target has the BEST scented candles!) and my apartment now smells all homey and lovely. Tonight, after the tree is decorated, my sister is going to take a picture of Paul and I and the cats in front of the tree. Our first Christmas. :-)

So really, that’s what’s been going on in my life. Among other things. But if you’d like to know the other things, then you should call me. :-) Our phone number hasn’t changed since we moved, so no excuses!

And that’s all for today, since I am getting cold and am thinking about my nice warm bed. (I got up because of my dream, so we’re back to the first paragraph of this post.) Happy Thanksgiving to all and Merry Christmas! :-)