a lovely soiree/blasted weather - bah! humbug!

Last night was my little soiree with Jutta and Rebecca, and it was lovely! Brian took Nick away, so it was just us chicks. :) We had all manner of conversation, in the free-associating way that only women can, covering everything from Sex and the City to C-sections to social differences between Europe and the U.S. Jutta brought a pot of delicious goulash, and I had made a batch of dark chocolate peppermint bark. We had a little gift exchange, and the gifts were loved all around. It was such a nice evening! It was so great to just sit around and talk uninterrupted, and there was much laughter and female bonding. I really like these two women.

As they were leaving, Rebecca said something that totally made my night. At the choral concert in Rolla, Rebecca and Jutta sat with my Dad. Well, Rebecca said (and Jutta confirmed) that during the concert and my solo, my Dad had totally been bragging about me and saying how proud he was, how much I sound like my Mom, etc. That just about blew me away, because I never would have expected that of my Dad. You see, he's not the kind of man to be demonstrative towards me in any way. I mean, he tells me he loves me, but he never really hugs me, and he never really praises me or tells me that he's proud of me. So, I couldn't believe what they told me! It made me feel all warm and glowy. I don't care how old we get - we still want our parents' approval, don't we?

Now, on to my next topic. I am totally bummed, because it looks like the weather is going to ruin all of my weekend plans. We had been planning to go to a Christmas parade about 30 miles away this evening, but it's all wet and cold and yucky outside, so I think we're going to pass on that. I'm only a little disappointed about that, but what really has me bummed big-time is the demise of the girls' roadtrip to Hermann tomorrow for its Kristkindl Markt. Tomorrow, there is going to be freezing rain, so it just doesn't seem wise to make the trip. Boo hoo! You have no idea how excited I was about this trip. First of all, I sort of couldn't believe that I actually got everyone to agree to it in the first place. I mean, a roadtrip to someplace 2 hours away to attend a market that may or may not be fabulous, when we all have kids, was kind of a long-shot. But, everyone said "yes", and it actually worked with everyone's schedules, which was an amazing feat. I have been looking forward to it so much - it seemed so "Thelma and Louise"! :) I knew that we'd have a lot of fun and probably buy some nifty stuff and eat some yummy food in Hermann. So, I'm very down. I mean, we have to wait a whole year to have another chance at it. :( Now, my exciting plans tomorrow will include such stellar things as wrapping presents and perhaps cleaning a toilet or two. Alas. That's always the irony of this time of year: there are more plans and fun things to do now than at any other time, yet there's also the greatest chance of plans being foiled by weather or illness. Bah! Humbug!

OK - I've had my rant. I'll be OK.