Gay Marriage, Christmas Saws, and Chimney Wishes

Hi All,

Have been profoundly busy lately (in both good and bad ways.) Thankfully, I get 10 days off for Christmas (love this Catholic Country). I am as burnt out as I've ever been and in need of sleep and good craic and the like.

We did finally manage to get our Christmas tree up although it took us three days from the purchase of the thing to its erection (haha). A christmas tree stand was eventually found although when Tom went to put the tree into it, he found that the tree had a giant knobby end which was too wide to fit into said stand. Long story short, he ended up hacking off the trunk (and this was no branch but a full fledged thick tree trunk) with a serrated kitchen knife. Needless to say, this took him about an hour and the result was wood shavings and pine needles galore all over the living room. Then it took us forever getting the bloody thing straight (cuz the trunk was off kilter on the bottom.) Then, lights and ornaments... I lost the white lights debate but I won the tinsel war...gotta draw the line somewhere ;) At the end of all the effort, we had a slightly dried out tree with white and colored lights and a hodge-podge of ornaments from Tom's Auntie, our basement, and Penneys. It's a total Charlie Brown tree...but it's ours. Maybe it's kind of like ugly children ;) they might be busted but you love 'em anyway...haha. It's nice to have a tree in the house. Haven't bothered to get one for years.

We had a few people over last night (our small pool of friends is even smaller at this time of the year but we managed to convince 4 whole people (if you count 9 year old's) to come over for snacks and mulled wine. I made stuffed mushys, hummus and pita and brownies and Tommy made mulled wine (that was quite tasty.) It ended up being a really nice time. Just before people came, I got that 13 year old birthday party feeling where you wonder if anyone will actually show up...;)

So I didn't just throw in that gay marriage bit in the title for the sake of controversy. Gay marriage has just become legal in the UK and due to Northern Irelands marriage laws, it ended up being the first place in GB to marry some same-sex peeps. This is of course, notable and cool in and of itself and was front page news this week. Crazier though is who was on the front page of the newspaper I was handed last Monday. Lolo, Mina, Jess and I actually met the couple gracing the cover of said newspaper. We met them in a florist shop on the Antrim Road in Belfast last summer. What are the odds? the only two lesbians I know in Belfast, and they are the first couple to tie the knot. Whodathunk?!

Well, I am practically braindead at this point with Christmas preparations and the Christmas Rush at work and fending off my favorite yeast-flavored illness. Got the Chimney swept today (who knew chimney sweeps still exist) so am gonna make myself a big ole turf fire tonight in the fireplace and wrap some pressies. Apparently, when you get your chimney swept, you're supposed to go outside and look to see the sweepy thing (like a black swiffer on a long pole) poke its little head out the top of the chimney. And when you see it, you get to make a wish. I could use some wishes - should get my chimney swept more often. They should advertise - Free Wish with any Chimney Sweep...haha. Right now I'm just wishing for sleep. Am off to take it easy.)

Happy Christmas y'all.

Diana