happy holydays.

A gift from our generous old Italian landlord, a tree from the guy on the corner, and records old and new.

Happy Holydays.

my heart was in the right place...

... but my peppermint hot chocolate still exploded all over the microwave.  After my roommate had spent a good while scrubbing said appliance.

At least I've got Vince Guaraldi playing in the background.

But then again, there was a stovetop fire and massive flood in the building at work today, which caused it to "indoor rain" all over my desk and forced everyone to spend the day cleaning and running around and doing damage control.

At least I could see my breath as I rode my bike home from my second shift of the day, the wind going right through my safety-pinned coat.

But then again, there is still the issue of having no time for anything in these last few weeks before Christmas-- it's all comings and goings, laundry left undone, overdue DVDs and subsequent fines (I know, that's what I get for still checking out movies from the library), inevitable lack of time for a run or yoga.

At least I've got two boxes of Christmas lights just waiting for the right little evergreen to come along and live in my apartment.

I guess optimism is more easily come by at this time of year than usual.  Thank goodness.

thankful.

This may be a little late, but I am thankful for:
lemons that have finally ripened, kir royale and surprise on-sale lace dresses, Scrabble with my sisters and their loves (and champagne), Moroccan carrot salad, comfortable love, cheap beer, new friends, a night drinking and laughing just like high school, and a day out getting fresh air, unexpected toad-in-the-hole, and a glass of white wine with my dear Mum.