All I want for Christmas is muscle flexibility and a decent health plan

Thanksgiving has come and gone. After braving the legendary traffic along 95 yesterday, and a quick night's rest at my parents', we are home, and ready (or, if not "ready," willing, at least) to get back to work and get on with the holidays. During our travels, Justin's mom, and mine, too, both equally wonderful in their gift-giving enthusiasm, asked us what we wanted for Christmas, and it's funny, most years the same things apply. Clothes. Jewelry. Books. Music. I never get tired of the standards.

Lately though, with the career change and all - you know, from my having a job, to, ah, sort of not having one, insuring myself and picking up only sporadic paychecks - J and I have been pretty good about not spending too much money. We're young and somewhat frugal (food, I'd say, is the biggest tempation we give in to - both restaurants and take-out) and the situation has changed the way I think and what I buy. Shopping sprees are rare. I've become better at not splurging on unnecessary items, like expensive shampoo. I even bought some ramen noodles at the grocery store recently, six for $1, and then quickly remembered that the value isn't really worth it, not because of the gallons of MSG and lack of nutrional value, but because if within easy reach, I will revert back to college ways eat them constantly, especially late at night, a second dinner. And that sort of defeats the whole money-saving idea. I want to be financially savvy. Not fat.

So when asked what I wanted for Christmas, a gagillion things sprung to mind. An MRI. Gossip magazines. $2-plus soap and other bathroom accessories. A gift certificate to the dentist. Kitty litter.

While realizing that J and I are very lucky people (evident, for instance, in the fact that anyone wants to buy us anything at all, when we are notoriously bad at getting people presents anywhere close to the date of the upcoming holiday, wedding or anniversary) I imagine we will look back fondly on this time in our lives. I like that we still have a lot of things to look forward to, however small, like having more money and living somewhere big enough that we can display all the beautiful china we got for our wedding, instead of keeping it stashed under the bed, where it is right now. And please don't feel bad if that's what you got us, because although your present is, indeed, under the bed, yet to see the light of day, I think of it often, and when we live in a house where we have the room to not only display the stuff, but also have, like, some sort of dining room table - or any table for that matter - you are so coming over for dinner.

Here comes the holidays

For the past few days I've been hanging out in the cozy McDonough house here in Connecticut, eating a lot of turkey (and eating a lot in general), watching movies and hanging out with family, so I haven't written much since I figured you all were doing the same thing. After all, what good are the holidays without a brief, at least, break from the old computer? Of course, there will be stories after we return home, especially since J's 10 year high school reunion is tonight. I'm rather looking forward to this event, because, unlike my own, I won't have to deal with catching up with people I used to know, and trying to make my freelancing "career" sound all that amazing. I'll just be a casual observer. A casual, cocktail-drinking observer.

Then, tomorrow, we'll attempt a drive back to North Carolina - we'll see how that goes - and upon returning to the cinderblock cottage will commence our own version of the glorious holiday season, including, maybe, a Christmas tree, certainly a few parties, and planning a little New Years event of our own.

Despite the last minute shopping and inevitable weight gain and the chill in air, I love this time of year. All the insanity and arguments and late nights that usher in a bright new day in the form of January 1, when we are maybe a little hungover and not at our best but it doesn't matter because it's been such a busy month and finally, it's the first day of a new year, and it's going to be so great - so very great.