Merry whatever

As I lapse into a coma on the couch after eating one cookie too many, I'm reflecting back on the holiday season of 2009. Here's what I've come up with (in no particular order):

1) How 'bout dem Blackhawks? I was delighted by the premier episode of Blackhawks TV which aired on Christmas day, giggled at the Happy Hullidays commercials and have relished every moment of the past few games. These guys are the real deal and it just might be their year. Regardless, it's so much fun to watch.

2) Shopping for jeans is the bane of my existence. As a nice little perk, we're allowed to wear jeans to work all next week. So-- duh-- I need to buy some new ones. During shopping trips on Thursday and Saturday, I tried on 23 different pairs. Pocket placement is so key-- it can spell the difference between "hot ass" and "all ass." Unflattering jeans can bring me to tears.

3) Nothing is a better gift than pictures of my niece and nephews. Every year, Dawn gives me a Shutterfly album of a year's worth of pictures of Justin and Kaelyn. Justin's 8 and plays hockey now, which fills me with so much pride. Kaelyn's 4 and is becoming quite an artist. Dawn also accuses me of passing on some other not so desirable traits to Kaelyn-- her "dark side" (she loves stories about monsters), her sweet tooth and her tendency to use "bad words." Hey, I can't help my genetics, can I? Little Henry always looks so happy and wears his new Cubs sweatsuit with such style and grace. His blond hair sticks up in all directions and never fails to make me smile. I'm not much of a kid person, but I truly adore these three.

4) I didn't do my massive cookie bake this year, but I did follow my yearly tradition by making my Grammy's cranberry torte. Before she died, she wrote our favorite recipes on index cards. Cranberry torte is the first thing we eat on Christmas morning. I loved my grandparents immensely and I think about them a lot. This is a beautiful way of honoring a very sweet memory.

5) John's Christmas village is another tradition. He's extremely anal about setting it up and it takes him hours to plan and execute the design. Frank Lloyd Wright would be jealous. I sometimes mess with my darling spouse by moving a figurine or two out of place. Cruel, yes, but a heck of a lot of fun.

6) I'm somewhat envious of friends and family who send holiday cards with pictures of their dogs dressed in holiday sweaters, antlers or santa hats. I would love to do that with Sheila, Baylee and Jessica (0ur cats), but the one time I attemped it, it cost me some flesh. Cats just don't do hats. It's a feline thing.

7) How much is it going to suck to take all of these decorations down?!?!

Happy 2010, everyone!