Festivity Roundup

You know that lazy, post-Christmas funk/depression that sets in when the holiday is finally over and the anticipation is gone? The moment you realize that January and February are coming with their snow, cold wind, and grey skies? When it hits you that the trees are coming down and no radio stations will be playing Christmas songs anymore? Yeah, it's happening. So, I'm going to distract myself with a nice, festive holiday recap because that's what bloggers do.

On Tuesday night, I rushed home from Indianapolis to host our annual girls' gift exchange. We were missing Hannah this year, but I'd still deem the night a resounding success. We ordered pizza, decorated snickerdoodle cookies and gingerbread men, exchanged gifts, and did some overdue catching up. I gave each of the girls a box to take home their treats with festive cookie cutters attached.

For my gift, Morgan brought me Garrett's Popcorn straight from Chicago, along with EOS chapstick, a Bath & Body Works vanilla-scented candle, a cute Christmas bag, and blue fingernail polish. In other words, I hit the jackpot. Of course, the actual jackpot is having these three as best friends.

For the most part, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day followed the trend of 2014, which means they were unfortunate, humbling reminders that life doesn't always go according to plan. We did our family tradition of steak fondue on Christmas Eve, finished wrapping presents, and spent time together, but it felt really strange without Jamie there. I couldn't help but think that this is the second year in a row where someone was missing. Despite watching Frozen while unwrapping presents, Christmas Day was rough because Mommles felt miserable and was in and out of sleep. We have no extended family in the area, so the day went as quickly as it came and suddenly, Christmas was over.

Of course, there were many glimmers of happiness throughout the week: a pedicure with Mommles, quality time with LP and Elizabeth, pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, a Christmas night viewing of Unbroken. We didn't get any snow, but I admired our lovely tree, sat by the fireplace, and felt ridiculously spoiled by my awesome gifts. I slept in, finished Bossypants (which I highly recommend, by the way), and spent time with a couple great friends who don't mind doing absolutely nothing at my house.

LP visited me in Indianapolis and I took him to his first NBA game. We had suite seats with an awesome view, enjoyed delicious concessions food, and watched the Pacers come back from a 21-point deficit against the Bulls, only to miss a last-second shot at the buzzer and lose 92-90. We still had a great time and even got on the massive video board at Bankers Life.

So, as you can see, even when I'm feeling down, I never really have it all that bad. Here's to my mood reflecting my reality in 2015, but more on that to come...