I'm not a religous person so the Christmas fable is not why I like Christmas. Nor am I an inveterate shopper. I can't afford that. Christmas, for me, is about family and friends. It's an opportunity to come together. To share.

Last night we went shopping. My LOML, Zoe, needed to make a COSTCO run, I needed to do some Christmas shopping, and two of my children, Katie and Robby, wanted to join us so it was off to the other side. My other child, Jenny (Jenny is almost 23, Katie is 21, and Robby is 19 so they really aren't children but they aren't my adults but adult children is to much of a mouthful and I'm sure this parenthetical aside has you completely lost from the begining of the sentence), watched Katie's little boy, Michael. Spending time with those you love, even shopping, should be a joy. And it was.

COSTCO usually leaves me exhausted on sensory overload. But last night was fun as we roamed COSTCO as a foursome or split up in varying pairs. Playing with each other. Doing funny walks behind a shopping cart. Maybe you had to be there.

After COSTCO, we went looking for Christmas gifts for a niece and nephew. Zoe and Katie spied a Pier 1 Imports, so Robby and I dropped them off there. We went into the Everett Mall looking for a gift for Cameron. We found the right shop but they didn't have exactly what we wanted to get for Cameron. I guess I will have to go to the U-District tomorrow. Part of the fun of Christmas is getting just the right gift for someone. It's worth the extra effort. I had Robby help me pick out a CD for my niece.

We picked up the "girls" at Pier One. They were in a good mood. Having way to much fun. We caught the 9:30 ferry back to the Island.

Today Katie and Jenny (they are up on the Island from Tacoma for the week before Christmas) are driving around hand delivering cards to old friends. They will be having lunch with Zoe and I will be watching Mike and Robyn. Jenny and Robby will be organizing their storage this afternoon and Katie will be joining me with Mike and Robyn.

Tomorrow? Some last minute shopping and we are all going down to my Mom's in Kent for a family brunch and gift exchange on Christmas day.

So fuck the world! I'm going to have fun. Back to reality on Wednesday.