'tis the season

Before reading further, kindly hit 'play' on the song below, which I dedicate to B2 (it being one of her favorite Christmas songs and all):




it's been a flurry of shopping, cooking, and gatherings around here. and speaking of flurries, I found these pictures M took of the snow Wednesday night! snow is a VERY BIG DEAL in Houston.... especially when it was 74 degrees on Tuesday. ??????







I had some friends over Thursday night for a gift wrapping/holiday decompression night, and it was so much fun for me. I really love to have people over - I like to cook and create a nice, comfy space where everyone feels free to kick back and relax. I've felt so busy with what seems like a never-ending list of tasks and commitments... I was aching for a little girl time. BB, MB & MB, and WF, I just really like all of you a lot and that's the truth.

Saturday, we had the youth group Christmas party at the T's house. talk about entertaining and hospitality - that family is amazing. the food was awesome and the games were fun, but I ended up leaving and heading to my meeting. due to traveling and other plans, I haven't been able to go in awhile. and it's noticeable, at least to me. funny how you don't realize how important things are until you experience the lack of them. my meeting is a source of grounding and strength for me - it restores perspective and reminds me of 'what I have attained so far'. especially around holidays - when there's additional stress and other factors, I know how important it is to do what I need to do to keep myself in a good emotional place. last night's topic was 'joy', and a lot of lovely and thoughtful things were expressed that I tucked away to take with me. today at lunch, I brought up one of my favorite things that I continue to learn from meetings... the freedom to turn off The Judge In My Mind. this is an entity that wants to assign a value judgement to others' choice of words and actions, and compulsively compare myself to them. I truly do think that this is a great gift, because I believe The Judge is pretty snarky - that it keeps us from connecting to people and is very effective at spoiling a good time. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with and serve an alcoholic in the middle of a pretty major slip he may never come out of... muzzling The Judge means I could listen to him without wanting to change him, without thinking of him as weak, without looking down on him. I could focus on what is true - that he and I are very similar. none of us are unique, and none of us can do it on our own. that life can be hard - for some, terribly hard. that kindness and truth and respect and boundaries feels right, whether he chooses to get sober or not.

before I forget, I also tried my hand at baking cookies Saturday afternoon. it was a hot, frustrating, humbling experience, and I promptly emailed my extraordinary sister-in-law to tell her of my foibles and offer my respect because she's very good at such things. someday I will have a larger kitchen. with counterspace. someday the lace cookies will look like cookies and not like fake vomit from Spencer's. someday I won't burn the black and tan cookies and my fingers.

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today, we served at The Beacon with our church group, and had our Christmas party tonight. I had SUCH a good time! my face hurt from laughing, and I've decided that I love that feeling. here are some snapshots from the evening:























*note* I'm fairly certain that in the photo of D.B. above, fifth one down, we were discussing the Hello Kitty Maternity Hospital.


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I have to drive to Dallas Tuesday night to start working early Wednesday, and between now and then a lot needs to/could possibly/might not happen. you know how it is - you have a list, but something will probably have to give. M will join me up there at the end of the week and we'll head to my family for the holiday. thankfully, most of the shopping is done. which really is good, because I've got a script about a high school kendo match to turn out, yo, and I'm anticipating some client juggling this week. breathe. it's all gonna be okay.