And just like that, it's Christmas Eve. Gifts are wrapped, meals are prepared, the gingerbread house is waiting for our unique brand of mayhem ("Hey, let's make it a crackhouse this year!" Anne said, because we just can't do much of anything in a "traditional" way, which is just fine with me.)
I haven't been into Christmas this year. I've been too overwhelmed with work and deadlines to enjoy the few things that I genuinely love about the season. Last night, while my family was out doing Christmas things in the kitchen, I was in my office, struggling to stay on schedule to make my deadline on Friday. I could hear the Christmas music, I could smell the Christmas treats, and I felt sad.
I called my editor, and asked if I could have a few more days on this project, so I can take the 24th and 25th off and give my family a husband and stepdad for Christmas, instead of a bitchy writer who is freaking out on a deadline. He said it would be fine, and I got the greatest Christmas present of all: the gift of time to spend with my family.
For the last 18 hours, I've been able to love Christmas. Though my kids are grown, I'll be watching NORAD track Santa, because it's silly and magical and reminds me of all the years I sat on dial-up with Ryan and Nolan in my lap (when they could both fit there at once) while we waited for the big guy to get close enough to go to bed. This evening, we'll be watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and, of course, A Christmas Story.
Yeah, it's only Christmas Eve, and the Christmas season is only lasting a few days for me this year, but it's okay. I already got what I wanted.
Right now, Anne and Ryan are out taking a walk, Nolan is at his friend's house, and my house is empty except for me and the dogs. I'm doing a few Propeller things, so I can close up the laptop and officially put myself on 48 hour family leave. I'm listening to my crowning achievement this holiday season: a collection of holiday music that's so awesome, it took two CDs to hold it all. I'm proud of it, and I though I can't actually share the CD, I can at least show it off, so here goes:
The Best Xmas Ever! Volume I
1. Linus And Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio
2. Zat You, Santa Claus? - Asylum Street Spankers
3. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
4. Christmas Is - Lou Rawls
5. Mr. Heat Miser - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
6. Christmas Cocktail - Jaymz Bee & the Royal Jelly Orchestra
7. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
8. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo - Billy May
9. You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft
10. Chiron Beta Prime - Jonathan Coulton
11. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams
12. Jingle Bells - Singing Dogs
13. I'll Be Home For Christmas - The World's Greatest Jazzband
14. Feliz Navidad - Los Straitjackets
15. Cha-Cha All the Way - Capitol Studio Orchestra
16. Winter Wonderland - The Golddiggers
17. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
18. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
19. Holiday On Skis - Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani
20. Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal) - Vince Guaraldi Trio
21. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jaymz Bee & the Royal Jelly Orchestra
22. Twelve Gifts Of Christmas - Allan Sherman
23. Deck The Halls - The World's Greatest Jazzband
24. Christmas in Las Vegas - Los Straitjackets
25. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
Best Xmas Ever! Vol II
1. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - The Alarm
2. Space Age Santa - Jaymz Bee & the Royal Jelly Orchestra
3. Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown
4. Mele Kalikimaka - The Surfers
5. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry
6. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
7. Donde Esta Santa Claus? - Guster
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Domenico Savino
9. This Christmas - Donny Hathaway
10. Frosty The Snowman - Jimmy Durante
11. Carolina Christmas - Squirrel Nut Zippers
12. Nuttin' For Christmas - Stan Freberg
13. Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis
14. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - George Wright
15. Carol Of The Bells - Hanna Barbera Organs & Chimes
16. (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag - Kay Starr
17. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers - Fred Waring
18. Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong
19. What Christmas Means To Me - Stevie Wonder
20. Sun Valley Ski Run - Esquivel
21. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Rauder and Hobbs
22. White Christmas - The World's Greatest Jazzband
23. Baby It's Cold Outside - Royal Crown Revue
24. Jingle Bells Mambo - Pete Rugolo Orchestra
25.Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
26.Christmas At Ground Zero - Weird Al Yankovic
Peace on Earth, and Happy Xmas, everyone!
