"Christmas Time Is Here, Happiness and Cheer..."

It was a marvelous night. A splendid one really...

Bill and I were on our way home from a most excellent Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls (that's an adventure in and of itself!). And we decided, that although we had just spent the last three days together, that we weren't quite sick of one another yet. I like to suppose that that's a good thing. :)

We drove into Logan and we made our way over to Starbucks for some delicious hot chocolate. (It's the smoothest and creamiest hot cocoa out there! That is for sure.) We sat and talked and enjoyed the ambiance of the coffee shop as we reminisced over the happenings of the holiday.

It just so happens that Kohl's, Bill's favorite store, is right across the parking lot from Starbucks. Bill contrived a crazy idea in which he thought it would be fun to take me shopping. I guffawed. But consented, even with my lack of love for the sport.

We walked in and wandered for just a few minutes and then it became very evident to my dear Bill, that that type of shopping really wasn't for me...and that in this instance, he was a far more domesticated  individual than I. ;) We stepped back outside the store and I spied some miniature Christmas trees in front of Bed, Bath, and Beyond. One thing led to the next, and suddenly we found ourselves at Lowe's shopping for a Christmas tree for my apartment. :) Shopping with a purpose is my game.

We wandered through the fake trees and I found myself growing attached to a very small pre-lit one. It would be just the right size for me and my roommates. Then Bill decided that he would like to buy some Christmas lights for his apartment! Wahoo! Now we were shopping. I was so excited at the thought of decorating for the Holidays!

Back at Bill's apartment, we ate sour watermelons, listened to classic Christmas tunes, and hung up the pretty white lights across the support beam. Billed donned a Santa hat to make the evening more festive. My goodness! That place hasn't looked better! Christmas time was here at last. Thanksgiving had passed and everything could officially be celebrated in the name of Christmas.

Then we trekked over to my apartment to set up my little tree. :) Oh happiness! With more classic holiday music playing in the background, we drank some Martinelli's and we opened the box and pulled the branches out one by one. In all my years growing up, my family has always had a real tree. This fake tree business was new to me! But considering my circumstance, I was perfectly content with plastic and metal. :) Bill managed to get the Christmas lights on the railing working properly and I plugged the tree in.

It was beautiful.

Bill and I flipped my couch around so that it would face the Christmas tree. We sat together on the couch and stared at the lights for a long time. We didn't say much. To me, it was better than watching television. It was an opportunity to sit and listen to nothing. 

Yet there is something I don't understand. Why does staring at a few strands of light warm your heart? I felt such an overwhelming amount of love spread throughout the room as the Christmas tree cast a soft glow. The Christmas Spirit is real. I do not doubt it.

I know it's less than two weeks until Christmas, but in reminiscing over this sweet memory, the Charlie Brown song "Christmas Time is Here" plays in my head. I think that is one of my favorite songs...

After a while, the silence was broken with laughter. Bill and I had a laugh attack! I don't quite remember about what...hmm...I think it started by him scaring/surprising me? I'm not sure, but I do know that our stomachs hurt. We were on the floor just laughing away forever about who knows what. Too much sparkling cider I suppose. ;)

It was such a good night. I was exhausted with happiness and laughter come the close of the day. I love Christmas time. And I love laughing...they're just better when you can share it with someone you love. And I love spending time with Bill. Yes. I certainly do. :)

Christmas Time is Here

Christmas time is here,

happiness and cheer,

fun for all that children

call their favorite time of year.

Snowflakes in the air,

carols everywhere,

olden times and ancient rhymes

and love and dreams to share.

Sleigh bells in the air;

beauty every where;

yuletide by the fireside
and joyful memories there.

Christmas time is here;

we'll be drawing near;

oh that we could always see

such spirit through the year,

such spirit through the year.

-from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special