Spirit of the Holidays

Its the holidays! Wheeeee!
I had an amazing holiday last year that i don't think i can quite replicate this year (theres no cold or snow which i think just lends so beautifully to christmas) but i'll do my best.
I'm 2 exams from the end ( aren't YOU glad you don't have to hear me whine about exams anymore?)
I'm gearing up for a yummy christmas time - spending time with MYSELF... (family....do i have to?)
We don't have grand christmas get togethers anymore.
Our family has gone in every direction possible and we barely even call each other at christmas.
This isn't my immediate family - i mean my extended one.
Once my grandmother died, everyone stopped spending time together.
Last year i spent it with some cousins and it was magical.
I'm going to do my own thing this year
Just spend time doing the things that i want to do.
Catch up on some books and magazines under the christmas tree and make art, of course, hang out with the turtle.
You might think i'm nuts, reading under the tree.
I'm christmas tree obsessed pretty much.
When i was little i'd wait all year for the tree to go up, then i'd camp under it till my mom took it down again.
I'd pile up my books, my dolls and my doggy and i'd sit under there touching the lights and reading enid blyton stories. My dog was quite happy to nap on my lap or snuggled next to me.
My christmas tree base spun and played the most charming little tunes.
Christmas is never complete without smelling furniture polish and hearing that little electronic rendition of silent night.
I still have the base though my current tree does not fit on it.
One hour of hammering with my heaviest platform sandals didn't even near force it half way into the base. So i settle for setting it next to the tree and turning on just the music part.
My mom is visiting and she spent her entire weekend cleaning and organising closets and whatnot.
Things i have no had much of a chance to do with all the thesis and studying hoopla.
I'm so grateful. She also put the tree up!
I sat for the longest time looking at it last night while reading.
Can't wait to do it without the pressure of exams on my head.
ah christmas :)
Happy, happy sighs.