Do I know it's Christmas time at all?

So ends my first semester of graduate school. Yay! I hope it went as well as I think it did. I guess I'll find out when my grades come in.

I really haven't felt the Christmas excitement yet. Which is weird, because I usually spend a few hours a week with screaming, hysterical, holiday-crazed children. Yesterday I walked into Stop and Shop and breathed in the piney smell of Christmas wreaths, and I felt a twinge of the usual excitement, but it went away as soon as I got back to work. Maybe it is because I'm an old lady now, and have to buy presents for other people. I love Christmas, and I hope the fact that I'm not in school anymore as of yesterday will allow the excitement to pass on in.

TDos and I have not officially really seen each other in two weeks. For those keeping count at home, that really sucks. We'll be together for two straight days this weekend. That may sound stupid to you people that live with your boys, but it's a big deal for me.

My baby cousin (henceforth, the Peanut), who is one, was diagnosed yesterday with celiac disease. For those keeping count at home, that means he's allergic to gluten, which means no-no to wheat and rye, which means no-no to pizza, bread, peanut butter and all that good stuff. I'm trying to help as much as I can, but my aunt and uncle are really upset. I mean, it will be a huge adjustment for them, but I told them that it's really good they found out now because he's one, and won't know what he's missing as he grows up. And I told them that it's really common nowadays, so it's really easy to buy gluten-free food at the grocery store. But they are still upset, which is understandable, because it's their baby. However, to further cheer them up, I compiled a list of celebrities who are gluten intolerant, some of which are: JFK, Goldie Hawn, Emmy Rossum, Billy Bob Thornton, and the Duchess of Kent. And my personal fave, former Lt. Gov. Jane Swift. And to even further cheer him up, I've bought the Peanut the They Might Be Giants ABC CD.

I feel sweaty and anxious right now. Tonight "The Year Without a Santa Claus" is on, which means I'll be singing, "I'm Mister Heat Miser..." until the wee hours. Maybe that will get me into the Christmas spirit. My dogs are so damn cute. This is the most ADD blog ever.

I need a hug.

I cannot stop sneezing!

I don't know what to think about marriage lately. I have two married friends who are expecting a baby, and just bought a house. TDos and I helped them move the other day, mostly by playing with their dogs so they could actually get things done. That sort of kind of made me want to be married, just for the house and the Christmas tree and seeing TDos more than twice a week.

But then I have another friend who just recently broke off an engagement and a five+ year relationship because of it. That, in my mind, is unquestionably brave and smart. I think marriage has become a means to an end for a lot of people in this world, and after x amount of years together, they feel obligated to get married. Or, when people reach a certain age or are surrounded by married or engaged people, they feel like they almost have to. This is probably the reason that the survival rate for marriage is 50%.

However, my two friends that are married with the house are totally compatible, and I have other friends who are on the cusp of getting engaged that will totally rock at being married. But I just don't understand the culture of marriage that is so dominating. I can name a bunch of people I went to high school with that are married or have kids AND are married. I completely understand that people want different things in life and just because I'm not ready to be married that doesn't mean everyone else is insane for doing it sooner.

TDos met up with some old college buddies the other day, and among them was this one girl. She is TDos's age (26), and is currently getting a divorce. She has three kids. Thuh-ree. She thought getting married in college was the best idea ever, and having kids right away was even smarter. I'm sure she doesn't regret her children, but she's 26, and already divorced. That's super duper depressing. I can't imagine having an ex-husband before I turn 30. I don't want to have an ex-husband--period. I want to do it right, and I feel like if I did it soon, it would be all wrong and end in disaster.

I'm not even ready to commit to a hair color, which probably means I cannot successfully commit myself to TDos in the sense of a marriage. I like being an independent person. I like marking "single" on my W4. I think the furthest I'll go in the near future is rent a house with TDos, and get a Corgi. Because Corgis are the best, especially when they wear harnesses.

So, in conclusion, don't expect a wedding invitation from me this year, but also let me know if you want to go try on wedding dresses at the store. Because that could be fun.