I'm going to start putting together thoughts on things I can do that will become new traditions for me for Christmas.

I'll offer my Christmas plans. Cook a simple Christmas dinner, probably centering around a ham, baked beans, and cranberry sauce with cherry pie for dessert. Eat early, then head out to the animal shelter with a bag of treats to snuggle with the cats there.

That's basically what I did on Thanksgiving. The cats seemed to appreciate the company (and the turkey treats). And I enjoyed seeing the cats again.

@@ Dana

I love that holiday plan, Fred Pete

I might go see a movie.

Got the word it's a 6 hour day, hooray!

Out of my 20 person team, three are in the office today. A handful more of us (including me) are working remotely. I've actually gotten done more than I expected. Of course, I expected to get not much of anything done, so that bar's not exactly stratospheric.

Fred Pete, I like your plans.

I just want to skip it this year. I'm going to start putting together thoughts on things I can do that will become new traditions for me for Christmas.

I hear you. I'm starting to get really irritated at all the people who insist, "You mustn't be aloooone on Christmas!", but then don't follow up with invites. I don't feel like going begging to everybody I know to ask me over. If I can come to peace with hanging out alone on a holiday (and doing what I choose with the day), maybe you all (not you guys, obvi) can leave it, instead of making me feel MORE ALONE by making me feel like there's something wrong with me if I don't have plans.

Fred, your day sounds lovely, but won't work for me with my allergies (cats) and aversions (cooking). I hope you have a wonderful time, though.

I'm seeing a movie and eating Chinese food, with a friend. Granted it's her wife, who is working all day (they're doctors) who is Jewish, but we are going with that.

I mostly want today to be over but I'm looking at some drama and realizing I may need to work more than I'd hoped next week, while on vacation. Ugh.

I'm going to start putting together thoughts on things I can do that will become new traditions for me for Christmas.

You really need a strategy even if it's something like LotR Marathon rewatch extended editions only! Plus the traditional....queso fundido and margaritas at 2pm, and flag football with the neighbor's dog at twilight.

One of the bookstore clerks I chat with recently said she was alone on xmas eve and xmas day, and she wasn't sad about it but I did encourage her to plan ahead for maybe a horror marathon (she's a horror fan) and slice and bake cookies, and beer.

I loved it when Emmett's godparents hosted Boxing Day. That was a lovely open-house.

I am trying to figure out when to make the trek up to Vacaville to the Chinese restaurant that makes duck the way I like it. They don't have online ordering, I have to make a phone call, so that's the stressful part.

Those people suck, Epic, I'm sorry you have to put up with them.

It only gets brighter from here on out.

Timelies all!

We're at sea today. Mr. S is behaving terribly, having frequent meltdowns and making a giant mess of our cabin. He clearly needs a nap, but won't take one.