The way it was.

This was one of the best Christmases I can remember - or, perhaps I mean holiday seasons, because so much good happened before Christmas day. I got my first bonus check ever, not just from my new job, but ever, and though I'd been given a hint beforehand, it was still amazing and helped me buy gifts.

Two of my coworkers got me presents - that actually related to who I am! One lady gave me the most amazing pair of gloves, with wool inside so soft I'm telling you...it's like hands in a yummy cloud. She knew I only had some piddly dollar gloves and I kept complaining but never did anything about it, LOL.

The other lady gave me a photo album from Crate and Barrel that looks like a little binder (with a magnetic flap to hold it shut), holds 72 photos, and is the most fiery, lipstick-red I've ever seen. In other words - fabulous! I had been wanting a small album for just my very favorite photos, and even though she didn't know that, she still knew I enjoy photography and based her selection on that. Who knew it was possible???

I took my grandmother to see the huge annual lights display at a local county park. Night photography is hard enough, but from a slowly moving car, nigh on impossible; however, I still managed three shots for my beautiful followers to enjoy.







Then, we had Christmas Eve off from work. And then, it snowed ALL DAY.



Among the very few things I hope for in life, a white Christmas is one of them. It was already snowy white when I got up that morning. At one point I was leisurely reading a book, Christmas music in the background, snow falling outside the window. Perfection.

I stayed over my parents' house like usual, since I have no family of my own (but please, no sympathy), and the day was mostly spent wrapping presents, decorating the tree (I know, so late), and watching Christmas movies. We had hamburgers and fries for dinner. I made chocolate- and white chocolate-chip cookies.





Everyone came over the next day, per the usual. Times change; relatives die; relatives move. So for the last few years it has all made me feel a little forlorn. But this time, things felt different. One of my mom's friends spent the day with us, as well as a one of her cousins that we only see on holidays. Cool Cousin brought her boyfriend over. There were twelve of us in all, I think. The eggnog flowed. Games were played. I almost burned the meat. Someone felt their name was written on the shrimp tray. Good times were had by all!

Today, the snow has melted, and the year is closing.



It never fails that you never know what a year will bring. I always look back and am SHOCKED at what went down the last twelve months. As you know, this year it's no different for me.

So there's really nothing to do but close my eyes and take a step into the next year, with no expectations, no goals, just the knowledge that I'm still here.