(no subject)

[bluealoe]

I got a train!!

When I was little, a local charity always raffled off a toy train set for Christmas. They'd set it up in the local mall and you could enter the raffle and watch the train go around and around. I entered the drawing every year, but never won.

I happened to mention this to my husband a few months ago, and lo and behold, under the Christmas tree this morning was a little train set. R swears he had nothing to do with it, that it was all Santa, but I have a sneaking suspicion. ;)

It's been an interesting Christmas. I finished the semester last week...I'm officially one-quarter of the way done with grad school. Yikes. The last few weeks were rather hectic, including a three-day writing marathon to finish my final paper, but somehow I made it.

Then it was off to Syracuse to spend Christmas with R's family. We were at his aunt's last night, and then everyone came over to his mother's house today, and there were a LOT of people. Way too much socializing for my tastes. But it was still fun. I got to Skype with my family while they were opening presents, and we're going to visit my sister for a few days next month. But I still miss them...my favorite part of Christmas was always being with my parents and sister, and I miss a lot of our traditions. Not that I dislike spending time with my in-laws, but it's just unfamiliar and different. But that's what growing up is about; mixing and blending traditions and finding your own way.

For now, Happy Saturnalia, everyone.

Comments

[darth-thingie.livejournal.com]

Yay train! :-)

[bluealoe]

Yay indeed! I hope you had a good holiday, Leander. :)

[darth-thingie.livejournal.com]

Had an okay-ish time during Christmas. Nothing too fancy. No gifts except for my dad, since it's his birthday then. (Or "first Christmas day" as we'd call it here)

We don't give/get a lot of presents on birthdays, but we're okay with that. I gave my dad a book he asked for from some Dutch comedian. It has some dry humor like short stories and poems. Some very good stuff, but I probably can't translate it (without ruining the puns).

New Year was okay-ish too. Nothing special, apart from thinking about all the things that I want/need/must do this year.

Read your post about your cats. While I'm not much of a cat person myself, with mild phobic tendencies sometimes, I do hope for all the best for them. From what I read they do get a lot of love and attention, so yay for that.

[bluealoe]

It sounds like you had a pretty good holiday. :) And I know what you mean about thinking about all the things I need to do this year...there's a lot on the list.

The cats seem to be okay. Sapphire had a vet appointment today, and the vet said she seemed good; her kidneys are hanging in there, so he said to just keep giving her the medicine. It's the best news we could get right now. Thanks for thinking of them. :)

[anywhere-but-nj.livejournal.com]

Awesome about the train!
Congrats on being 1/4 done - and with finishing your paper in time!

Skype is awesome. I'm glad you were able to "see" your family.

[bluealoe]

It's so weird to think I'm a quarter of the way done...

We're visiting my family in January, so we'll see how well I do when I actually see them. :)

*hugs tight* I hope you had a good Christmas!

[anywhere-but-nj.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! I hope you have a safe trip and a wonderful time :)

I saw almost all of my family. Life is good.

[lrdfaelan.livejournal.com]

This was my first year since before my parents' retired I spent Christmas with family. My Mom drove out. We spent a quiet day together. It was nice. She laughed at the book I got her. It's called "I kneed my mommy" its a series of poems written from a kitten's point of view.

[bluealoe]

It sounds like a nice, relaxing day. :) The book sounds adorable...I bet my cats would like it! *hugs tight*