Spoiled.

Got a package from my mom (well, from Amazon, but paid for by mom) yesterday with some DVDs.  She'd sent an email saying another package would be coming late next month, but it arrived today instead.  So I have several movies I wanted but would probably never buy myself, and the first two seasons of Due South.

I also got a package from Levi, with some T-Shirts and some copies of the "Faith, Warrior Princess" comics he's been working on with Lane Toth and Chris Lambar.  Lane is this very young girl (I'm assuming 8 or so) who draws and publishes her own comics.  Chris, who has worked extensively on the Simpsons Comics, and created Mr. Beat, has been working with Levi and her on her newest book.  The t-shirts are from the Mid-Ohio Con a month back.  He also sent some in kids sizes, one for Kyrie and one for Madison.  Have to remember to deliver those at some point.

Also for, hidden on the mess that is our kitchen table, a postcard from Dani.  Just totally made my day.  I don't often mention things like this, like cards or stuff I get in the mail, because I fear I never sound as gratefull as I actually am to get them.

And, lastly, when I went into work yesterday, I found that Ron, my supervisor, was back.  His suspension was short-lived, and I couldn't be happier.  Still no work on the managers that were suspended as well, but I'm hopeful.  Fred is a great guy, and while Rich and I haven't always gotten along, I do think very highly of him.  I hope that, if for whatever reason, they don't come back, that they manage to find something better.

I want this to be a good holiday.  I see a bunch of stuff from Erin to me under the tree, and I feel like I didn't get her enough.  One of the gifts is the major one, as I usualy do each year.  But I still wish I had more for her to unwrap.  That's always the fun part of Christmas, watching her tear into everything, and always having that surprised smile on her face.

I was spoiled a lot as a kid.  Its one of those things you don't realize when its happening, but I can see it so easily now.  I got so much, and, with my parents split up, I had essentially two Christmases each year (three, if you count how we celebrated it during Thanksgiving in Grand Rapids).  As much as I appreciate all the stuff I was given by my family as a kid, I appreciate nothing more than the feeling that Christmas is a time to pull out all the stops and do all you can for those you love.  Mom said I gave her and Don too much this year (I didn't at all).  I hope Dad and Kathy like what I got for them and the kids.  Becky and Erin...  Over the last few years, even back when I was with Melinda and Jesse, I've enjoyed so much trying to find the perfect gift for people, splurging as best as I can.  I pay for it the whole rest of the year, but I've never regretted it at all.  Even the stuff Erin never uses, like the Acordian or the Doll House (really, it's what she asked for), just to make those things happen is the best feeling in the world.  And my family taught me that, in a roundabout way, by spoiling me rotten all those years.  Somehow, I got past the idea of getting all that stuff and learned about giving.

As hard as this time of the year can be, and with all the stuff I've been bitchy and feeling so down about, I really do love Christmas.  Sure, I wish I could do more, and I wish I could be home with my family to spend it with them, but I'm just happy to know that I have them at all, and that I've been able to do anything.  I'm lucky.

Hope everyone has as nice a holiday as this.