Coming into the home stretch, I see the light at the end of the tunnel! Woo hoo! Mixed metaphors. It's the holiday season so it's okay. Yep. It's all downhill from here. Except for the wrapping of a few presents and the actual day itself.

My most favorite season is Fall. The time between Christmas and New Year's Day is a close third, right after early summer. I can't wait.

Na na na na, hey hey hey, good bye. Not really. Just in my head at the moment. I woke up to the sound of metal crashing on ashphalt tile. It was the tree falling over. I got up, looked, flipped the electrical switch to "off" and went back to bed. However, I was unable to sleep. I tried everything—reading a novel, listening to classical music, ignoring my wakefullness. Not willing to trudge into the freezing outdoors to get the pruning shears and get the tree back up, I am here, in the warmth, killing time.

I hope I make it through the day without falling asleep. Can you say "coffee"?

Each year I put a little note in the Christmas decorations box so I remember what I need to get when I open it up the next year. In 2002 I had a life altering experience when my companion of 14 yeas suddenly abandoned me. That year my list included life skills as well as ornament suggestions.

Suggestions for a Happier Christmas (2002)

1. Plan the meal now! It is important. If you can't decide - call Ukrops today!
   
2. Have some friends over. Plan it now. Just invite them and see what happens.
   
3. Get videos from Blockbuster (or someplace like that).
   
4. Determine outside lighting.
   
5. Christmas eve is a good time to make the tacky light tour - no traffic.
   
6. Realize that this is a time for annual reflection. It's normal to be a little depressed.
   
7. Good activities: a walk, a fire, movies, calling Mom and the siblings & the kids & friends/acquaintances.
   
8. Take lots of pictures. The bad ones can be deleted.
   
9. If you haven't make a Christmas card, buy some now. Remember, it costs $20 to do cards this year. Do you need to publish a personal message? Do you have one that's worth it?
   
10. Consider artificial tree. The real one looks like a carcass after the holidays. (btw-big garlands hide tree lights)
    
    In 2003 I added:
    
11. Plan a party for the new year - like the first friday or something. There's a let down you must prepare for.
    
12. Buy new mantle cover. Snow man? Whatever!
    

I'm still without an SO for the holidays. But I'm used to that now. In fact, I'm really used to being alone. I went to a party with a friend a couple of weeks ago and it was weird. I forgot that sometimes I have to wait until the other person is ready. That I can't just flow around when others are involved. There's all that communicating and coordinating. It's not bad. I'd just forgotten about it. I'd forgotten how much time gets used that way.

I've decided to spend time and work instead of cash on presents this year. So it's been work, work, work every spare moment. I'm also pretty much doing Christmas by myself since my daughter won't be home until the 19th. I really don't feel like doing anything today except messing around and maybe drinking that truly fine beer my mother gave me.

I'm still obsessed with who I am and what would work for me. I have decided that I am not in any books or guides or other personality analysis lists. I'm a cross of a couple of things and way too complicated for most theorists. Okay. I'm okay with that. I have no category. I'll live somehow. This is my current favorite description of my personality type. There are others. Just google "intj."