a humble holiday

Last year, fresh off a wedding and Hawaiian honeymoon it was easy to go home and be swept up in the parading of families and friends as the happy new couple. It was wonderful to bask in the blending of traditions under twinkling lights and a backdrop of snow, all the while fiddling my ring finger- still trying to believe I was really someone's Mrs.

This year, while the magic of Mrs is still there, its also a bit different, steadied, seeped in reality a little more. Though at first disheartened at the thought of not going home for Christmas, I now see how perfect its been that we've had this simplified time just for us.

Green, Goop & Soup

I've been feeling green the last few days. Perhaps its because of envy. I may be suffering twinges of jealously at all the lucky leavers heading elsewhere for the holidays, back to snow and the real Christmases I grew up with. A decorated palm tree and surfing Santa make for darling knick-knacks, but there are just certain times of the year when it shouldn't be sunny and 70 degrees. (Though ask me during January, February or March and I'll gladly recant.)

Nonetheless, I have been trying to put my green streak to good use by incorporating more of the healing color into my diet- a positive spin on things. While most of the west coast is heading home to sugar-laden pies and well-stocked fridges, I'm trying to take full advantage of the rare parking availability with frequent trips to the produce aisle. Last month I had my fill of white flour and sugar, now, all I seem to want is whatever grows in the ground or on a tree.

On the rise!

The December sickness has come upon me once again. Tragically, since moving to California four years ago, the only time I now ever get sick is during my favorite month of the year. Of course, there is the occasional summer malaise, but when the classic red-nosed-warped-voice-queen-of-the-tissue curse is upon me, chances are it means Christmas is right around the corner.

December 2011 has proven no different. Though most likely heightened due to a month of travel, as soon as I was back in Los Angeles last week, my immune system opted for a vacation of its own. I felt as though my legs had been kicked out from under me and I had zero sick days to lean on.

Pause...and go

While normally 'tis the season of speeding up for me- Christmas shopping, holiday parties, traveling back East- as the second day of December dawns I am excited to do exactly the opposite: slowwwww down.

Hence, 'life as a wife.' as been revamped and resurrected.

The past few weeks, (ok, months) have been so smooshed together that my little ol' blog unsurprisingly got stuck between the pages of moving apartments, my best friend's wedding, a surprise trip to Ohio, celebrating a year anniversary and successfully navigating a job in a field I know nothing about. (Not to mention spending 25 days in Italy- but that is a dream I'm now convinced didn't happen.)

My subconscious also bought into the lie that told me I couldn't keep a blog if I didn't meticulously document each and every one of those major experiences. So as my calendar filled my writing waned, and I tried to resign myself to admit defeat of a simple hobby scooted aside by the facts of life.