Four Christmases. Three nights spent away from home. Two very excited families. One very tired couple.
The festivities began on Friday night, when Luke and I traveled to Chicago to have Christmas with my mother's side of the family and participate in our new tradition of The Ornament Exchange--cheaper than buying actual gifts but just as much fun. We spent the night by Dan and Samantha's and left for Merrillville the next day, where Luke's parents were waiting for us. It was relatively low-key; a little church-going here, a little gift-giving there, and my much-anticipated viewing of It's a Wonderful Life. The next morning, it was time to pack up and head back to Chicago to see my family. Monday we came back home to see Luke's brother's family. By the end of the night, we were both ready to drop.
Which is why I can't believe that yesterday I actually fulfilled my last shift for the museum's Lord of the Rings exhibit. Most of the night was spent pacing the floor by the green-screen interactive station, although I did get to fold tee-shirts with a man who appeared to be the offspring of Peter Jackson and Kevin Smith, if ever such a thing were possible, and was very proud of his open marriage with his wife.
I had a wonderful holiday, but now I'm ready to move on. This weekend we'll be traveling north again for my mother's birthday and also to get some more details finalized for the wedding. We have appointments with photographers, a bakery, and a tuxedo place, and there might be visits with two DJ services. I'm not freaking out yet, but suddenly everything seems very overwhelming. Luke and I are seriously considering coming back to Indy on New Year's Eve and bringing in 2006 together, just the two of us, in an apartment that desparately needs a dust and vaccuum.
Not that I've regretted our frequent trips home. I love seeing our families and knowing that we're not letting our relationships slide simply because we're a few hundred miles away. And I hate when people complain about their social plans, because if you don't want to go, DON'T FREAKIN' GO. The universe will not explode into a billion pieces if you don't attend that birthday party, and though you might like to think so, the day won't be veiled in a blanket of sadness because of your absence. In our case, people would certainly understand if we didn't make every major event on the calendar; they'd miss us, but they'd get over it. Actually, when I lived in Rensselaer, I attended fewer functions than I do now. There's something about living farther away that instills in you a greater love for those you don't see all the time.
Meanwhile, I have to go to the bank this morning, because I've been charged ISF fees on four separate occasions in the last six months. I've never been one to balance my checkbook against my bank statement, but I've always been very good at recording my receipts, and I went for three years without any problems, so now I'm all like, "WTF? I accounted for that check two weeks ago!" At this point, my plan is to open up a brand-new account and start fresh. I wanted to avoid this since my name will be changing relatively soon, thereby wasting about a half-box's worth of checks, but we can't afford these thirty-three-dollar dings any longer.
I'm going to miss my last name.
My writing sounds just as tired as I am.
Great place you have here! Thought I would drop you a quick hello.
I'm at:
http://harmonia.blogsome.com
Posted by: Harmonia | December 28, 2005 at 12:46 PM
I am going to have to email you for Chicago tips! As a Christmas gift, my parents are taking me and Patrick, along with my sister and her new husband to Chicago for a long weekend sometime this summer (baseball season). So I may need some tips for good restaurants and such!!
Posted by: PaintingChef | December 28, 2005 at 02:35 PM
Glad you had a happy holiday.
Posted by: Liz | December 28, 2005 at 06:22 PM
The important question, if its a baseball trip is which side of town will you be on. Because if you are on the wrong side of town then there are no resteraunts very close that are worth writing home about :) On the north side however....
I feel you on the running all over creation this last weekend Bree, of course I went the opposite direction of you and got to enjoy the Fog from Merrilville to Indy saturday night.
Posted by: David McNelis | December 28, 2005 at 09:18 PM
It was great to hear from you and thanks for checking out my blog! Holidays and events can become "difficult" when there is another family involved. Sounds like you survived. Enjoy ringing in the new year!
Posted by: butterflygirl | December 28, 2005 at 11:41 PM
You are AMAZING Bree. I'm always telling Dan about how nice it is that you drive in all the time, but how tired you must get. I speak for the fam when I say we love you and appreciate all the driving and time spent to see those who are CRAZY about you!
Posted by: Sambo V. | December 29, 2005 at 12:06 AM
It's really too bad that you don't enjoy more caffeinated beverages. A little coffee helps me a lot on these journeys of late.
Posted by: Luke | December 29, 2005 at 12:44 AM
As the great Oklahoman Oscar Ameringer once said, "It's a great life if you don't weaken."
Posted by: Lynn Green | December 29, 2005 at 05:42 PM
I want you to visit me!!!!!
Posted by: Brooke | December 29, 2005 at 06:09 PM