This last week has been great for a number of reasons.
REASON #1: WE STARTED CHRISTMAS
I know, it's a little early. But why put a time limit on joy and happiness? It's been months of negotiation to work out November as the legal time frame to begin Christmas celebration. I was shooting for October, but James shot that down pretty quickly. Halloween apparently deserves the whole month. [eye roll]
While he did bend quite a bit for November, he's since really come around as the sound of Christmas music in the air just makes one merry. Our tree is up and decorated, and we have watch "Elf," "A Christmas Story," and the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (cartoon version, OF COURSE). We're pretty happy people these days.
Yesterday evening, I listened to Christmas music on my run and it was PURE MAGIC. It was like running on sugar plums and dreams. I kept looking around the neighborhoods and expecting to see Christmas lights, but I'll still have to wait a few weeks. Not everyone feels as festive and I do.
REASON #2: IT'S FINALLY COLD HERE
I actually have to turn the car heater on in the morning on my work. The BEST. It's even been rainy this week, which is seriously magical. This summer was very painful. One of the hottest on record paired with crazy morning sickness = really unhappy and crazy Erin. I wanted to punch the brutal AZ sun in the face.
REASON #3: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, I'M PROUD TO BE FROM AZ
Yesterday, citizens of AZ district 18 voted to oust the bigoted and corrupt politician, Russell Pearce. I can't go into all the reasons without having my blood pressure go through the roof, but here are a few resources if you want to know why he is bad news:
http://www.azcentral.com/video/1215608827001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrHDlUNomLY
He made me sad.
REASON #4: I'M FEELING THE BABY KICK A LOT
Which is just super fun. And kind of weird, too. But more fun and reassuring than weird. I am a worrier by nature so it's really nice to have this constant reassurance that baby is there and doing well.
As a side note, this is the toughest guy I think I've ever heard of. He tells the story of what he just went through totally straight-faced, but then chokes up when he talks about how his predicament could have endangered someone else. What a stud.
