December in Words

December has been a month to remember.  It began with a few days in San Antonio to learn about title and to visit my favorite San Antonians, Maggie, Rusty, and the little Bug, Carter Grace.  Immediately following, I made an 18 hour run to Oklahoma for a baby shower for the soon to grace our presence Lottie White, which was cut short by a tire blow out in my rented Chevy Malibu.  Lucky for me, cute Officer Kennedy from the OKCPD was there to save the day and a Sooner fan at Firestone rushed my repair right on through so that I could make it back in time for the game.  After tea, cake, hugs, and kisses with some of my favorite people at the shower, I was back on the road to Dallas to make it to Jerry World by 5:30 pm just in time for a beer and some Sooner Magic against Nebraska, one last time.  Fast forward to the following Friday...off to Miami for the wedding of two of the most wonderful people I know, Lauren Gibson and Matias Bilbao.  A lovely rehearsal dinner was capped off with a late night in South Beach and the best cocktail I have ever had - some thyme and lemon concoction that I just could not get enough of.  The next day brought room service for breakfast with Ninny and Pina Colodas in the sun with the girls and the boys, followed by what has to be one of the most memorable weddings, and receptions, I have ever been to.  Can anyone top a full blown dance circle before the main course was served?  I don't think so.  The next morning, back to the airport with Kendall, Ninny, and Lindsey.  Chaos almost killed me, but Paul was waiting for me back in Dallas so I made it through.  Fast forward again to the following Friday...SFCP madness ensued.  The next day, off to Orlando to meet my favorite people in the world - Curtis, Ashley, Mike, Sheri, Frank, Betsy, Katy, and Macy, for what amounted to the best Christmas on record...

7 nights on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas

I danced on the promenade, in the piano bar, in my room, on the dance floor, at the casino, and on a catamaran.  Played put put, played in the kiddie pool, decorated gingerbread houses, played blackjack, craps, roulette, and trivia, went to the library, dove into the book return, ate steak, ate more steak, ate lobster, ate fish, ate johnny rockets, ate pizza, ate more pizza, and ate a crepe.  Drank wine/pina colodas/beer/vodka in our room, in the dining room, at the top of the ship, at the front of the ship, at the casino, at the piano bar, in st. maarten, in st. thomas, and in the library. Went to Midnight Mass, saw an ice skating show, did the bunny hop, sang Oklahoma AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS, met a very nice blackjack dealer from South Africa, accepted a marriage proposal from said dealer, arranged my dowry with my dad, and took a yoga class.  Got a tan, got a sunburn, got a hangover.  Slept like a baby.  Slept like a kid on Christmas Eve (oh wait, that was on Christmas Eve).  Played, and fell, in the waves at St. Thomas and St. Maarten, and rocked, and fell, with the waves on the ship.  Bought presents, received presents, gave presents, decorated stockings, Christmas trees, our state room, and braided Santa's beard.  Sang carols, sang the Beatles, sang Frank Sinatra, sang Elton John, and sang Oklahoma (see above).  Lost money, won money, lost more money, didn't care because I was flirting with aforementioned blackjack dealer.  Gambled with my dad, partied with Uncle Mike, speculated about the fuel consumption of the ship with Curtis, made the rounds with Ashley, shopped with my mom (and for her), laughed with Aunt Sheri (and at her), played with Macy, danced with Katy, took pictures, made memories, and really and truly Joyrode for Jesus...and had the very best time of my life just spending time with my family, enjoying the Christmas spirit, and celebrating the true reason for the season :)

I returned home on Sunday to sea legs and the flu.  But, I'm back in business, and I still have one day left to make merry in December.  Off to Austin tomorrow for NYE 2010.  As evidenced by the last thirty days, it should be, no doubt, quite an eventful affair.

Hope your holidays were as happy as mine, and happy new year to you all!

SES