Because I’m the best girlfriend ever, I planned a non-Hallmark night for The Mc consisting of wings, pizza, adult beverages and no gifts being exchanged.

Yeah, I pretty much rule. He gets a couple of points for sending me flowers, too.

The soft non-blow dried hair days have come to an end, but look what we’ve accomplished!

Wrangled: team for Jingle Jog

Socialized: with Claren

Painted: kitchen & bath

Painted: living room

Painted: Boudoir

Drove: 232 miles

Read: Sadly, only one book

Knitted: two scarves

Visited: a new (to me) state park

Tormented: Amber, unsuccessfully

Helped: Becky find a present for his lady

Baked: Cookies

Fell: Off chair

Built framework: friend Jill’s new website

Became assimilated: and created a fracking myspace profile out of morbid curiosity

No, no, the break wasn’t all I’d hoped or planned for; but it was perfect just the same. No work, no socializing, no feeling the need to blog, no stress.

Last night I slept like a kid the last day before school starts again. I lay in bed flipping between mind numbing shows until after 11 and grumbled at the alarm when it sounded…it’s good to know some things never change.

Thanks to Kimbo, the spirit has been fully realized - all it took was a 2 inch tree.

Last year it was trendy to say “happy holidays” inching away from “Merry Christmas” and the sentiment it should relay, and it seems this year it’s all the rage to “bah humbug”.

Scoot in close - I’ve got a message for you: Effe you, Scrooge!

Sure, I may have harbored resentment for the better part of 30 years about having my birthday fall the week before Christmas (think of that older sibling who always got the new clothes/toy while you got the hand-me-downs) and sure, I always get a smidge melancholy with the whole missing my parents thing and sure, I get hostile about parting with my hard earned cashish…BUT… I still love Christmas.

I love the twinkle lights and putting the angel going on the tree last and the excuse to make Irish Crème and taking the time and energy to recognize and show appreciation for those in my life that are close to my heart and hell if I don’t get all watery eyed when I hear children’s chorus on the radio singing “Oh Holy Night” or any other seasonally inspired diddy.

So there it is, babies. I’ve got the spirit and the love - and I wish you all happy holidays.

Yeah…it was.

Did: spot 3 alligators while golfing, eat/eat/eat, laugh at my brother so hard I hurt myself, cry during the pre-dinner toast, knit 3/4 of a scarf, finish Shadow Divers, revive my tan

Did not: look at BlackBerry, answer cell phone, blog, worry about/think about work

My alarm goes off and I whack it. I realized in my half-awake state that I didn’t whack it right. I open an eye and attempt to reset it for a half an hour later.

An hour and a half later I open my eyes. I realize that isn’t Matt Lauer’s voice on my TV, which means it wasn’t on NBC when I fell asleep which means my back up alarm (the Today show music) has also failed. I grab the alarm. 8:00a.

CRAP.

I have a meeting with the boss at 8:30.

Shower, clothed, stopped for much needed caffeine and to the office at 8:32.

I don’t know how I do it, but I will tell you yesterday wasn’t pretty – figuratively or literally.

So the over sleeping is just another sign I’m fried and has me itching itching itching for my annual sabbatical, which is slated for December 14 - January 2.

During the downtime, electronics are turned off (craptops, BB, cell phones) and spirit is brought to the forefront for focus/attention/maintenance. I’ll sleep, celebrate the odometer turning again, run/walk, paint the condo, read a pile of books, catch up with a few friends, grab a hot yoga class or three, learn to knit (seriously), write and relax.

So. Effing. Tired.

Next week will be the teaser, heading to Florida to spend the holiday with the paternal side and the SO. There will be golf, tennis, walks, sun and laughter.

I hope you have something similar planned.

P.S. Feel free to send Home Depot gift certificates!

The closest I’m coming to a costume this year is the huge pillow wrinkle down the right side of my face that resembles a scar.

Yarrrr.

You have one of these, right? The neighbor who pulls out all the stops every holiday and litters their yard with a hodgepodge of seasonally inspired junk.

This is the one I drive by on the way to The Mc’s, it hurts my eyes and tempts my OCD.

Must. Clean. Must. Organize. Must. Match.