seasons greetings!

dear family, friends, and other interested parties:

did you know that in england they say, "happy christmas?" i know that because i've seen the harry potter movies. to those of you who only see the movies but don't read the books: i am so far ahead of you in the story ... i totally could ruin it right now, but i won't ... because it's christmas.

anyway! because i'm not british i'll go with a simple: merry christmas! i hope this holiday season is everything you're wishing for and more. i also hope you're able to celebrate this incredibly cold time of year with your loved ones ... opening presents, drinking eggnog, and getting in those stupid little arguments with your family over things that happened on previous christmases that no one really remembers anyway because of all the vodka. ah, tradition ...

we've been through a lot this year ... weddings, babies, funerals, relocations, spa days, happy hours, reunions, road trips, resignations. on second thought, you've been through a lot this year. in most cases, i was merely a casual observer and may have offered commentary. what have i done this year? that's a good question.

i have no major life events to report at this time. things have been relatively quiet. i didn't buy another house or another car. nor did i move again or change job roles as much as i have in the past. however, i did get my oil changed so many times this summer that john from firestone stopped trying to convince me to apply for a credit card. also, i stripped the wallpaper from my office walls, leaving only the frog ... for now ... and i watched the olympics. a lot.

2004 provided me with a lot of life lessons that i have no intentions of sharing because i'm so much younger than you are, and you should know them by now.

ok, i just realized that i have absolutely nothing to write about if i don't share what i've learned ...

• you don't have to get your hair done for every formal event you attend; however, it's necessary if you're in a wedding. also, small-town stylists typically do the best job and for half the price of what it'll cost you in the city.
• cooking a turkey is a cinch.
• don't make eye contact.
• if you're going on a road trip with zoey, put your luggage in the back of the truck and let her have the back seat. this way, she's most likely to sit for longer periods of time, making you less nervous. also, go with two dramamine tablets and the short leash.
• you might think glasses are fine, but ... seriously ... get contacts. otherwise, you’ll be pouring those five years right down the drain.
• everyone likes "the apprentice." people who say they don't just haven't given it a chance.
• it's always better when aaron flies up to go to the movie opening with you.
• wow. i really need to wash my car.
• some people just suck, and there's nothing you can do about it.
• if you don't live in the snow belt, there's really no reason to put your sunglasses away in the winter.

and there you have them ... my 2004 highlights. please feel free to peruse the archives to learn even more of the details from the year. there's some funny stuff in there, if i do say so myself. (have you read the santa poem?) there's also some less funny stuff.

in closing, i'd like to again wish you the best this holiday season ... and don't forget that if you want to give the gift of convenience and excellent customer service, everyone on your list is sure to love a Wawa gift certificate. is there a more perfect present? it's really all you need.

be good!

-jody :)