My holiday spirit came in and out like trying to get a fix on a college radio station on a lonely stretch of highway. I tried, really did to be in the holiday spirit but it still vacillated wildly. Here are some highs and lows. They all bleed together for me, so I'm not going to indicate which were good or bad. You can be the judge. I had Netflix send me White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life. Tears were shed, of course. I resolutely refused to put up a tree this year if I didn't have a handsome lad to affix the star on top. Not able to completely forgo a tree, I opted for a tabletop silver tinsel tree that bore a small portion of my bird ornament collection and a set of wooden character ornaments depicting Cinderella, the prince, etc, my clip-on frog prince lurked on a back branch and tiny vintage balls rounded out the mix. I got more cards than I sent out this year. Found a stocking belonging to The Musician in the attic. What is the appropriate method of disposing an ex-boyfriend's Christmas stocking anyway? I've held onto it for five years. I guess he's not coming back for it... or me. Met Dirty, Rotten Santa and his elf Mr. Money. They were highly entertaining. Cyndemouse may be featured in their next video production. Kind of like a Santa Fetishists Gone Wild vibe. Look for it in 2005. My mother gave me an ice cream maker. This is ironic now that dairy is banished from my diet. But it does settle the score finally, for not buying me that Snoopy Snowcone Machine when she had the chance to like any respectable, upstanding mother who loved her child. Well, almost settles the score anyway. The family continued it's recent (ridiculous) tradition of serving appetizers and dessert without a sit down meal. Hearing this, Cyndemouse's family took pity on me, as they have many a year now, and invited me over for leftovers at their house. My compliments and gratitude to the chef! My sister decided grown up gifts were cancelled this year at her house. The kissing ball was hung in my house but the closest I got was a peck on the cheek. I won a gift basket in the company 50-50. When a scheduling snag at the office interfered with my Christmas Eve plans, my friend and hero, Lucius, came to the office on his day off for a few hours, so I could leave on time. Jon Solomon's 17th annual 24 hour Christmas Eve broadcast was fantastic as always. Four fellas from four different states called to wish me a happy holiday. A neighbor left a beautiful, live wreath at my door as a gift. There were more cute guys at the Asbury Lanes X-Mas party than I could shake my tail feather at. Should have brought my own mistletoe. Buying wrapping paper on clearance after the holiday, actually made feel more holiday cheer than much of the weeks before. Now I'm prepared for an awesome Christmas next year. To continue with my lists..... The Reading Material 2004 Flim-Flam Man A True Family History - Jennifer Vogel Maggie Sweet - Judith Minthorn Stacy Did You Get the Vibe? -Kelly James-Enger Chuck Close Prints Process and Collaboration - Terrie Sultan A Secret Word - Jennifer Paddock Success at Life. How to Catch and Live Your Dream -Ron Rubin and Stuart Avery Gold Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters- Elisabeth Robinson Advanced Cinematherapy. The Girl's Guide to Finding Happiness One Movie at a Time - Nansy Peske and Beverly West Found The Best Lost, Tossed and Forgotten Items from Around the World Davy Rothbart Cobain- The editors of Rolling Stone A Convergence of Birds. Original Fiction and Poetry inspired by the Work of Joseph Cornell- edited by Jonathan Safran Foer Food Court Druids, Cherohonkees and Other Creatures Unique to the Republic - Robert Lanham Timoleon Vieto Come Home- Dan Rhodes The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother - James McBride The Bad Girl's Guide to Getting Personal - Cameron Tuttle Home Land - Sam Lipsyte Subscriptions to New York, Budget Tavel, National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, Budget Living, Bust and various single copies of Oprah, Lucky, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar