The Holidays Are Here.

I've accepted it now. I've almost completed my Christmas shopping -- quite a feat for a girl who always runs around on Christmas eve buying crappy gifts on clearance for everyone on her list. And I tell you, last night when I put in my order for those little things I can't wait to give to all of those special people, I was excited. I smiled when I thought of giving them these things. THIS IS NOT LIKE ME AT ALL. I usually just groan at the obligation.

And tonight is the office holiday party. Always a treat, though I've sat out on Secret Santa for the second year in a row. I am still a scrooge at heart, though I am CONSIDERING a department karaoke performance. I am considering this and that means I have come leaps and bounds.

I am amazed, really, that I am not currently in the grips of seasonal depression. I normally am at this time of year, and I was nearly sucked down into a vortex the day after my birthday... but I seem to have emerged. Right now, I'm giving credit to the scarf I've decided to crochet my mother. It's a mammoth task and I've been devoting time to it everyday. I think it is easing the neurons which are typically firing off negative feelings during the holidays. I'm sure of it.

I would still prefer there not be a holiday season at all, with all of the commercialization and compulsory giftings and reminders of shitty family situations, but I'm not wallowing in a pit of misery about it this year. Nope, not at all. To the contrary, I find myself walking down the street and smiling at people. And thinking of ways to really apply the golden rule to all aspects of my life. And Saturday? I WALKED TO THE BUS STOP WITH SANTA AND I AM NOT LYING TO YOU. Have I caught the Christmas bug? You'd think I hadn't if you saw me cursing under my breath every time I hold a door open for someone and they didn't say thank you. But don't judge me by those moments alone. Seriously. In my own small grinchly way, I have caught the holiday bug. Let's hope it lasts the season. I know Eric is hoping it will. (Excuse me while I go find a sweater with a Christmas tree on it to wear to the holiday party.)