Merry Christmas to All!

So...it's Christmas Eve. Sad to say, I'm not feeling it this year. Slowly, and somewhat under the radar, the sadness of the family situation has crept in. Certainly not unexpected, but it's still taken me by surprise.

I've had the Christmas music going constantly at work (where I'm at right now, btw...), but very little at home. In fact it was just yesterday that I realized that I'm missing about a dozen Christmas CDs. The only place they might be would be at my sister's, where I took them TWO YEARS AGO. I think it's telling that I've got so much Christmas music that it took me two years to realize I'm missing a dozen CDs!

I usually class up the blog with a variety of Christmas/winter pictures. Maybe it's because of "new" blogger, but I just didn't have the desire to mess with it this year, other than what you see right now.

I have seen a few of the Christmas 'standards' on TV, but frankly, my heart wasn't into them. Though it was good to see "Scrooged"--but only the first time (I dislike these movie marathons. Sure, run them a couple of times, but not ten times in two weeks!). I even watched "Beavis and Butt-Head Do Christmas" and it hardly elicited a chuckle.

I had grand plans of getting Christmas cards out this year, working on them right after Nutcracker was done. Didn't get to them. Might try for an end-of-year card, but I'm not holding my breath. On the other hand, I've gotten a number of Christmas cards from you people, and every one of them has brought a smile. One definite bright spot right there.

I didn't do a tree this year. I think that was a mistake. But not because I wasn't "into" it. This new TV (and furniture changes) didn't allow room for one. At least not without spending a lot of time on even more changes. Which I didn't have. I'm thinking now that I would have liked one.

Other than going out for beers with Kamey, her brother and SIL earlier this week, I've avoided any social situations. Not that there were that many to choose from. Maybe an avoidance of constant condolences? I don't know.

The funny thing is...it's not a matter of hating Christmas, or even worse, stressing out over it. People who know me, know that I come off as a bit of a Grinch around Thanksgiving, but warm up to Christmas after the symphony stuff is done. It just didn't happen this year. And yet, I probably have a bit more spirit than some of you have, based on some of your posts and FB statuses. Some of you feel so defeated, especially at this time of year (or because of it). And I get down because, for as much as I'd like to be holly and jolly this year, there's nothing I can do to help you reach that point yourselves. Maybe it's not my place to try, but it's who I am (but don't tell anyone!).

With all of that said (did anyone read down this far?), there's been a few bright spots. The weather cooperating with me during the two weeks of orchestra moves--bright and sunny and relatively warm (as opposed to the snowy, windy, sub-zero temps of the previous 3 years!). The national championship brought home by Carroll College made for a great Saturday afternoon. The aforementioned Christmas cards (and Gucci's caramels--OMG!). And I really like how the Three Wishes HNT was played out by you guys. Definitely our best year of doing that, I believe.

I DO want to wish every one of you a very happy, very merry Christmas! Whether you're at home or traveling, with the ones you love or away, with your family or with friends, be sure to make it a memorable one (preferably in a good way!). The Os clan will get together tonight, Mom and I will go out for a Christmas brunch, then she's going to host Christmas dinner. Not as many plates at the dinner table anymore, but I think it's going to be a good weekend.

And because I can, let me share one of my greatest fantasies--Scarlett Johansson playing the trombone. Really. There's only one way it could be any better...