Candy Cane Kind of Weekend

A few weekend highlights...

Friday after work coffee date with Shelby.  That southern girl makes me feel normal.  It's as simple as that.  Because she does things like stage mittens for a photo opportunity when I go to the restroom.       

Temperatures in the melting.  With sun.  In December.  Yes please. 

Saturday traditional stop to see Brittany and her girls while Steve works.  Usually I bring the coffee.  But I was late with my Saturday morning run so instead I walked in carrying a bowl of popcorn with my camera around my neck.  Brittany looked up and said, "Because that's totally normal."  Then we laughed, Stella showed me her gingerbread house, and the world's problems were once again solved.     

 

Sunday, I woke up early even though I had a late Saturday night with a work Christmas party and an out after.  Once I'm up, I am up.  But I stayed in bed, worked on some writing, and drank entirely too much coffee.  I had to hide out in my room because Sister Pister and her friend stayed at my house.  It's never smart to wake sleeping teenagers.  When they finally opened their sleepy eyes, I made them toast.  Not just any toast though.  Momma Debi bread.  Natural peanut butter.  Homemade peach honey spread from Danae.  And I put it on a You are Special Today plate.  Because you know what, I was wearing Santa slippers and the sun was streaming in and darn it, I felt like letting them know they are special.  Sister Pister's friend said, "This is the best toast ever."  

Then I did something crazy.  I left dishes in the sink.  Walked away from them.  Decided instead to visit and enjoy my company.  I blame it on the Santa slippers again.  And you know what?  It was alright, that leaving dishes in the sink business.  The sky didn't fall.    

I just kept on rolling.  Because this is the attire I came out in after the toast making.  Sister Pister and her friend simply shook their heads at me.  To which I promptly responded with a finger point, "Excuse me.  There is nothing wrong with being in the Christmas spirit."  And then I did what anyone would do.  Kitchen cheerleading.        

I took my striped socks down the road to go babysit the munchkins at my brother and sister-in-law's house.  I'm pretty sure I actually might have been high on coffee.  And high on the sun.  Really, just high on life.  It's not hard to keep feeling it when surrounded by those nieces and nephews of mine.  They smush on each other and love each other and fight with each other and the whole time is complete chaos.  But there are moments that make your heart stop.  Like seeing the sister bond already formed.  Like Little Man throwing his arms out laughing hysterically running down the hall.  Like Easy Rider with his rosy from the cold cheeks because he has to be out with his dad.  Like Firecracker saying to me after we did some cooking and hair fixing, "Amy, I love when you are here because you don't act like an old person.  You are fun and do lots of things with me."  Be still my heart.     

I think I should channel my inner elf-ette and wear these more often.  They helped create the best end cap day to a fabulous weekend.  It's the little things.  It really is.  Put some toast on a You are Special Today plate and wear candy cane striped socks.  You can't help but be a life lover.