A New Year deserves a new look. I'll have to update my links and such later, but it'll wait until tomorrow. Maybe ducky will be back, maybe not.

Neuba and Kaz are having their New Year's Party tonight. I'm really looking forward to it. Cheruby also has a party going on at his house so I'll be splitting my attention between them. I just hope I end up at the same party as my angel at midnight.

It's been busy around here.

I don't even know everything I've done in the past three (EEP!!) weeks since I was last here. I haven't checked up on anyone else either so I have no idea what's going on with anyone else.

I got a hair cut. It was just a trim, but the nice lady who did my hair knew I was going to my company Christmas party that night so she did it up all fancy-schmancy. I loved it. So curly and cute. A co-worker got some pictures so hopefully I'll be able to scam it from her to show off.

We played In Nomine for the first time in Cheruby's campaign and I made her character work very hard with very little payoff. I felt so bad for her. And my character was quite mean and suspicious of everyone. We're being used as pawns in a much larger game that I'm sure we have no control over.

I've done some baking as well. There was sugar cookie making with a really good friend who's having a hard time lately. And chocolate chip cookies for my Seasonal Celebration that was two weeks ago. The newlyweds and family were able to come over in the afternoon so I got to spend some time with the littlest monkey. She's adorable and loves the kittenses.

Present buying and present wrapping didn't tire me out at all this year. I made several small trips out to specific stores with specific things in mind and only left empty-handed a few of those times so I didn't get frustrated. I always left before that happened.

Trips to the doctor for me and a some time spent visiting a friend in the hospital. A roller coaster of emotions later and things didn't turn out well. I just keep them in my thoughts and prayers that their spirits heal.

I didn't think it'd be a big deal, being away from mom & dad on Christmas-proper. But I missed them more than I thought I would. I saw them the Wednesday before for a small Christmas meal and saw mom the Wednesday after on a quick trip of hers into the city, but the week in the middle was barren without them. I don't know what I'm going to do next year. Mom and I had a very good visit this week. We hadn't visited like that in a while and it was good.

Spending time with friends and family came first in the past few weeks. It's been wonderful and the amazing part is that I haven't felt rushed at any time. Even when I had to stay up until 4 a.m. to get the Christmas stockings done for our adopted family so that the evening could be spent with my family and my Cheruby. Very worth it. I had a few evenings last week where sleep was not the priority. I made friendship bread for everyone in the office which, with 13 people, and 2 loaves at a time at 1 hour 5 minutes baking time for the loaves.... so much baking time. Very tired by Friday and very happy to have the long weekend here.

After the very tired Friday, Cheruby and I went to Lumsden to visit cenobyte and clan. There was another house warming party in their loft. I quite enjoyed myself as did Cheruby who got to pee off a balcony. Heh. I slept in the car on the way there so I could be partially awake when we got there.

Then there was Christmas with my Cheruby's family. They very nice and wonderful and I loved being there and spending time with them. Cheruby's mom is really great and made me feel very welcome. His sister gets annoyed easily with him as I do with my brother. Something about having picked on each other for the majority of their lives might have something to do with that. I loved it. I spoiled Cheruby with too much stuff. I couldn't think of what to get for him. I thought of something, but didn't think it was appropriate. Now, I think it would have been, but that's okay. There will be other times to get him his heart's desire. And he got me this gorgeous ring - it's a cat's eye gold ring that suits me very well. Of course, I cried when I got it. Did I mention that he makes me very happy? Well, if I didn't...

Oh, and I got to meet his ex-girlfriend last night. I was so not myself. Mostly just quiet and not a lot to say. If she hadn't made such a big deal out of meeting me, I likely wouldn't have cared one way or the other, but she did for 8 months so last night was very nervous for me. I'm glad she's so nice, but she still hurt my Cheruby very badly in the past and I think it'll take me a while to get over that. She had this amazing hooka from Kuwait that was used last night with some mint and grape flavoured tobacco. It was neat to watch. I phoned a friend for some support to come play games with us, but he declined as he was very tired. I understand I didn't impress upon him the need for some support for me in the situation. I knew I could make it on my own even though it would've been easier with him there.

The little one has decided that playing in the bathtub after my shower is her new favourite game and now the shower drain filter is missing. It's a good thing she's so cute.

The big brat is way happier this winter with the little one to chase around and beat on. He hasn't even started gaining his usual winter weight.

Christmas shopping is going well. I think a trip to a few choice stores will see my mission complete. And I've really only ventured into 3 stores. Online shopping is a great thing. It's been a lot of fun shopping for my staff even though it's a little hard on my wallet. They're worth it.

Our adopted family at work has 10 people! Mom, dad and 8 kids of which the oldest is 12 and there are two sets of twins and only one girl! I'm making stockings for them with their names on them. I hope they like them.

If you haven't heard, I'm hosting a holiday get together on December 16th. Please come if you can. I'd love to see everyone.

I've watched a schwack of Dune in the past week, been outraged by Gilmore Girls (Christopher sucks, Cori), and been entertained by the Scarlet Pimpernel.

D&D isn't dying completely, just relocating and being played less often. It was a particularly excellent session this week. It was so intense that Cheruby was worried that the animosity between our characters might spill over into real life. I assured him that it wouldn't. I had a really fantastic time.

My beautiful niece phoned me on the weekend which was pretty cool. We chatted about the awful thing grandma had done to her which was sending her a Christmas present 4 weeks before Christmas and not letting her open it. Heh.

And today is going to be a beautiful day with tomorrow being even better. It's supposed to be +1 degrees here tomorrow. YAY!