"We roll tonight, to the guitar bite/and for those about to rock, we salute you."

Ah, finally. We are back to Ordinary Time. (Some concepts from my Catholic up-bringing still resonate, like distinguishing between holidays and Ordinary Time. Yeah. The priests can put their green back on, I think.) I, for one, am glad that the season is coming to a close. Christmas was wonderful, but also very busy, somewhat stressful, and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

Some highlights:

• On Christmas Eve, Katie and I taught my family how to play Wastebasket. It's a great game that combines Taboo, Celebrity, and Charades-- and in this particular instance, granted my mother the occasion to pantomime the phrase "silent but deadly". It was a Christmas gift for everyone, really.
• Ben's mother, Phiz, was given a great Christmas surprise: a new black Lab puppy! I got to meet little baby Jaffa-Cake yesterday morning before Ben went back to Seattle and it was awesome. Miss Jaffa is quite a canine. Very soft ears, big smushy paws, and a proclivity to fall asleep quickly. I am not sure how Ben was able to leave.
• Katie and her family made it through their first Christmas since saying goodbye to Grandma Dorie. Tough one. I haven't talked to Gig yet, but I'm sure she made it through, too. Best wishes to everyone who had to grip-and-grin through the holiday with a loss so close at hand-- it'll get easier.
• I spent a few hours downtown yesterday with my brother, his fiance, and his best-man-elect. And, to be honest, I am really looking forward to the wedding now! Also, after a long day, I was really tired by 10 or so, and was not at all interested in waiting 15 minutes for an empty elevator car at the parking garage; with a little too much Molson Canadian in my veins, I sprinted up the 16 flights of stairs to my car, and spent all day today regretting that idea. Oh. My. God.
• My favorite Atlantans are in town, and it is such a treat. After May, I will have to move somewhere [knock on wood], and I'm sure that for the next few days, Atlanta will be at the top of my list of possible locations. Being able to see them on a regular basis would be wonderful.

Ok-- time for some shut-eye. My jaw is bothering me, and the last time that happened, it was a precursor to a wicked ear infection and sinus cold. I refuse to get sick right now. Maybe over MLK Day weekend, but not now. I'm booked solid.