The Christmas Spirit has siezed me in a firm grip. I am nearly maniacal with love and cheer. Right now I’m at work, and it’s blissfully slow, and there are various treats from Harry & David set out on a table, and I got a big, fat pear and am waiting impatiently for it to ripen, because it smells so good I could simply die. As if that is not enough, they’re giving free chair massages in the health club downstairs, and I just got one, and if you know me at all you will know that I am a complete massage whore (for evidence please refer to this blentry) and will know how happy this makes me. This morning I received two photo Christmas cards and a newsletter from friends and family, and my co-worker is playing Christmas music. I, of course, have been listening to two Christmas CDs over and over in my car for the last two weeks. I can’t get enough! I am *this close* to hand-sewing an elf costume and setting up a nativity scene in the yard. Don’t ask me why it’s got me so much this year. Maybe it’s all the Christmas parties I’ve been attending; Maybe it’s that my white Christmas tree (pictured below) looks awesome for the first time thanks to some solid-red lights my mom sent; Maybe it’s because I’m going home to North Carolina for the first time in three Christmases. MaYbe it’s all of these things. I don’t know — but I’m not complaining.

Merry Christmas!