'Tis the Season

Having been on a mini vacation between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I find that I am in overdrive trying to get everything done. I returned from my trip to a package on my my desk -a book to review from LJ. Fortunately it must have only just arrived as the due date is 12/24. I hadn't yet read my book discussion book and that was for this past Wednesday. Sometimes I feel like I'm back in school reading my assignments right before they are due (oh, right...I never read my assignments). At least now I read! I have also been shopping like a fiend. I participate in the adopt-a-family program and feel very strongly that the kids all receive bicycles (and helmets). I am acutely aware of how fortunate I am. I can still hear my grandmom's voice saying, "you're a lucky, lucky girl" and I can't imagine what it must be like for the parents to have to ask for gifts on behalf of their children. When I think about how much I can blow during any given trip to Disney on funnel cake, cotton candy, pins, and whatever strikes my fancy, or my ebay habit, or amazon, I feel compelled to give back. So...I've been a busy, busy girl. Then yesterday we discovered a family fell through the cracks and needed adopting, so off to Toys 'R Us we went 6 days before Christmas (yikes). I learned all about Polly Pockets, though, and found a Barbie in a swanky living room set that didn't seem demeaning, plus assorted board games.

I have been exchanging gifts with friends, receiving awesome toys and books. I received some promises; I have a date for 2 hockey games in the new year and I'm going to be taught to play Mah-Jongg. How thrilling! Disclaimer: If your gift was not mentioned, above, it doesn't mean I'm not pleased by it :)

The other great thing about this time of year is that it is the annual selection of the book thong. Each year Bead Lady makes beaded book thongs (those string book marks) for the branch and we can select the one that most appeals to us. The beads are all different. You would think that you could have too many, but you can't. We all have multiple books going and variety is nice. I chose mine today and I love it. It's in the LJ review book. Tomorrow as I'm reading I'll probably absent-mindedly roll my new book thong through my fingers like rosary beads, appropriate given my genre. Thanks, Bead Lady.

I probably won't post again until next week. I know that I will unwrap more gifts that will make me smile, but I am most grateful for the gifts that can't be unwrapped. Thank you for your time, friendship, counsel, comfort, and encouragement. Merry Christmas.