The Best Thing About The Holidays

...is really only that I have some time off to do what I want to do, such as sleeping in a little bit! And eating, although that needs to stop NOW. I've put on 5 lbs. (ok, maybe 7) in the past few weeks and can no longer squeeze into my size 2 jeans. I had to break down and buy some size 6's the other day! S says he likes the new junk in the trunk but he wants me to start running with him so we can lift it and tone it. Last weekend I did, in fact, go running with him and Mano, but I prefer to walk a lap, run a lap, walk a lap, run. And bounce my tennis ball while walking. I'm into bouncy balls these days. Anyone who needs any present ideas for me, there it is! Bouncy balls, of all sizes! I'm working on my eye-hand coordination.

So as far as all the other stuff goes, I don't buy into the propaganda. I avoid shopping, stores, malls, as much as is humanly possible during the holidays. I refuse to rush around like everyone else is doing. Having a child, we do put up a little tree and a few lights here and there but that's it as far as decorations go. I'll be going on patrol with Mudflap on X-mas Eve, and I'm deliriously happy b/c the Sgt. says we can use one of the extra cars at the substation. This is as opposed to going to pick up our own Reserve vehicle, which is stored so fucking far away that by the time I reach it I'm always so over it I'd almost just rather go home at that point! So that's what the holidays mean to me: having some time to do what I want to do, when I want to do it.

We go pick up the baby in a little while, and unfortunately S has to work tomorrow to finish up the holiday rush, but we need the $ since he only has a couple more weeks of full-time employment so although he bitches I am grateful. The baby is just going to come along with me tomorrow to run errands. We may take her to look at X-mas lights in the tony neighborhoods in the evening. Tomorrow night my dear old pal G. will be in town (he sez) and so I will meet him at our old stompin' grounds to catch up and drink a beer together or two! Damn, how I miss him. He is one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for and he's the kind of friend that is always there for you, no questions asked. Now he lives in the Hill Country and I just miss him like hell. One of these days I'll post some of my favorite stories involving our experiences together.

Lazy days at work here, that's for sure. I took an extra long lunch and even got to have it with S since he was working nearby! Next week we will have the baby from Dec. 26-Jan. 2 so she'll be here at work with me for at least one of the days, which'll be fun.