beanside | Wow.

So, yesterday was the annual Christmas in Hershey pilgrimage, made every year on the Wednesday before my birthday. I often say that I don't feel like I'm in the holiday spirit until we get there, and that's very true still. But I realized today that it's much more than that.

Yesterday, it rained all day. And it was foggy. And cold. Not a great day for a hour and a half drive to walk around outside, right?

Wrong.

It was perfect. Every minute of it. Even the crappy weather didn't bother us. From our lunch at Cracker Barrel (mmm...roast pork and mashed potatoes, so tasty!)

Actually, when it's wet, I think it's even better. For the first two hours, we were the only people in the park, or close to it. We walked around, and looked at the lights (including an absolutely beautiful tree decorated with Hershey's Kisses, and lights that had the prettiest shade of blue I've ever seen) and got on a few rides. On each of the rides we did in the park, we were the only ones. You haven't lived until you've had three people on the bumper cars, driving around like idiots, laughing and cutting each other off. For Shelly, it was the first time she's been able to go on them in 10 years. She had pseudo-tumor syndrome, and they really cautioned her against doing rides that could cause her head to get banged around a lot. They've let up on some of the restrictions (she can do most rollercoasters now) but the bumper cars were still off limits. But with just Jess and I, both of whom would be careful not to slam her, she got to play.

We got our asses soaked on the train, but it was worth it to see the pretty lights. Then, we wandered through the park, got a few presents for people, ate Lebanon baloney sandwiches, and rode the carousel.

Then, a quick stroll brought us up to Hershey's Chocolate World. I love that place. We did the traditional ride through the factory, which is still free, and still nets you a free mini-chocolate bar, in this case their new product S'Mores. Mmmm...tasty.

Then, more shopping, cookies, and it was time to go. The drive home was a bitch thanks to the fog, but we made it home safely around 9:30 at night, in plenty of time to shower and snuggle up for bed at a semi-reasonable hour.

Today, not only do I feel somewhat Christmas-y, I also feel a whole lot better than I have in a while. Of course, the downside of that is that I'm suddenly realizing how much I've spent the last year scrambling, trying to find my balance, without realizing that all I had to do was take a moment for myself to find it.

I think I understand now. I'm not guaranteeing that I'll be perfect at it all the time, but I'm finally recognizing the need, and understanding it.

So, I think this year is going to be a good one. Mostly because I won't let it be otherwise. First up, on Saturday, I get my eyes checked, and probably get new glasses. Then, in January, I have an appointment for a consultation with my dentist, to see what it's going to cost to start getting my teeth in order. They've been fucked up since the butcher did my braces, 17 years ago, and I think it's time to get them straight--both for my health and for my self image. It's hard to smile when you know you've got horrible stains from him shredding the enamel and from the old-school porcelain fillings they did.

In the meantime, though, we're going to start walking again, and since the adult ed classes don't work for us, we'll get a belly dancing tape and start learning. Shelly and mom are going to join us, too. It should be a kick. Too bad we don't have a camcorder--it's going to be hysterical.

*grin* So yes, yesterday was a good day, and today will be too. And tomorrow? Tomorrow will be great. Everyday.

The sad thing is that Jess and I realized, the day after her end-of-term breakdown, that the song I have my dvd clock programmed to wake me up with every morning has everything that it's taken me all this time to learn right in the lyrics.

*snort* Yes, I am bull-headed, why do you ask?