Pope Benedict XVI

A few words worth noting from the new pontiff during the delivery of his first Christmas Eve midnight mass from St. Peter's Basilica:

"Let us strive to be active heralds of his peace in the world of today."

"Christ gives himself to us and, in doing so, gives us his peace. He gives it to us so that we can carry the light of peace within and give it to others. He gives it to us so that we can become peacemakers and builders of peace in the world."

"Let us keep this light-giving flame from being extinguished by the cold winds of our time."

Out with the funk

My Christmas funk is over...today the Charlie Brown's Christmas soundtrack magically reappeared at my house after a year-and-a-half disapperance. Bring on Christmas!

The big guy's on his way

Well, I figured it's about time for a post. I have 10 days to shop for Christmas (I'm talking the 14th-24th). I have bought one Christmas present and just gave it away so I'm back down to nothing. Altough I've made a few ornaments to give away so I guess that's not so bad. I've been ice-skating twice this week for work and it's been strangly satisfying to teach a child to ice-skate. I'm missing my Charlie Brown Christmas album and that might explain my minor Christmas funk. If you see it let me know. If you have that album and want to burn me a copy so I don't have to shell out more money needlessly to Starbucks, let me know. I'd be forever grateful.

I got my picture taken with Santa to send to my friend's overseas but I don't think it will arrive in time (for the record, "in time" was probably a couple of weeks ago). I so badly wish that it would snow again. I made a cheeseball for a party last Saturday that was made to look like a snowman (thank you Martha Stewart website) . I thought I'd be introducing myself as "je suis dork" and wishing I made rice krispie squares like I originally planned but turns out it was the hit of the party and I had complete strangers coming up to me and hugging me like I won an award. Actually, all the strangers were men. Actually, I'll be making that cheeseball snowman again:) Well, I'm off to drink hot chocolate and write in Christmas cards and make a plan of attack for my Christmas present shopping. Many and merry blessings all!

And then there were two...

...not three. BP is over with. I'm back to 2 jobs which is such a blessing. I can throw myself more fully into my real jobs and not into some useless minimal wage gig. I can use my gym membership that has lain dormant since mid-August when all the mayhem began. I can hang out any night of the week without having to plan in advance and book it off. I can finally catch up on some sleep. I can actually see my family more than in passing a couple times a week. BP will not be missed. RIP BP.