holiday cheer

Last night I took the night off. J and I went to see Stranger than Fiction, which I enjoyed very much. I tend to narrate things in my head, so it was an appropriate movie for me. Last night I discovered the joys of the kid's combo meal. $4.75 for a small drink (happy meal size), three cups of popcorn, and a fun-size skittles. It was the perfect amount of junk and kept me happy. After the movie we ventured to a friend's party. People were impressed at us being there so late, since we're normally early people. Charlotte's house is GORGEOUS. There are some benches built into the walls at places where the windows go slightly bay. Lots of great woodwork and windows, spacious and airy and historical. Her writing room is a cozy nook with a great view. If I lived there, I'd be compelled to cover the windows I suppose, and then the house would lose some of its charm. I wish I could live like that! They had some strange snacks with hidden meat, so I was inadvertently "poisoned," alas. In a conversation about cleaning and OCD I started to think I'm perhaps OCD about food--I obsess about it then feel compelled to eat it.

My highlighting went pretty well yesterday. The base color she used on my roots is lighter than what I wanted. I'm going to try to get used to it, but if it still bugs me after the first wash, I'll schedule a fix-it session.

Still much grading to do. And raking and sweeping and all the joys of life.

To conclude, some words from Christina Rossetti, to celebrate J's return:

My heart is like a singing bird
Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;
My heart is like an apple-tree
Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruit;
My heart is like a rainbow shell
That paddles in a halcyon sea;
My heart is gladder than all these,
Because my love is come to me.