The Joys of December 21

I’m a believer that good things happen on the solstice. Of course, Summer Solstice is my birthday, which, well, I think is a pretty good thing, except when I turned 30. Winter Solstice marks the end of the days getting shorter, and the return of the sun shining just a little more each and every day. Well, if you actually get to see the sun where you are – our part of the country is known for most winter days being cloudy. But this particular Winter Solstice had other happy connotations besides more daylight.

First, my entire house now smells like yummy chocolate and peppermint. I made this recipe for dark chocolate peppermint bark last night, and despite my lack of culinary skills, it turned out very well. Of course, it helps that it was one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever followed. It’s now hardened and today I have to break it up into small pieces and box it up for gifts. I promised Aaron I would make more so that we get to have some as well.

Second, our Christmas and Hanukkah shopping is finished. There are a few small packaging items still needed, but for the most part, we’re done. It’s a good thing we’re done, too, since the marathon begins tonight with a Hanukkah celebration with Aaron’s family.

I’m also glad to be done, because my irritation at other people was hitting a peak. Driving to the few remaining stores last night, I used more expletives than I normally do in a month behind the wheel. The rain and the rush to get their shopping done were turning people into road rage asshats, weaving in and out of lanes, cutting in front of others, and lacking any respect for fellow drivers. Now that the shopping is done, I can relax again.

Third, Cordy and I got to attend a birthday party for a local blogger’s twins. Stella and Grant turned two yesterday, and a casual party was held at a McDonald’s with a very new, very posh playarea. Cordy had a lot of fun with the other kids, and for the first time (and second, third, and more) went down the slide without my help. I enjoyed catching up with friends and meeting some new moms.

And finally, to top off Winter Solstice, we had a message on our answering machine when we got back from dinner. It was the police detective working on our break-in case, and he was calling to give us an update. Thanks to the DNA extracted from the tiny blood spot I found on our curtain, they arrested the robber, and he confessed to the crime! Woo-hoo! Aaron will be calling today for more details – there is little chance any of our stolen items will be recovered, but the police may be able to find out where the guy sold our stuff.

It feels satisfying to know that this guy will likely be spending Christmas in jail, where he won’t be able to steal from anyone else and ruin another family’s holidays. Justice came through, and I want to give a big thanks to the Columbus Police Department for keeping up with such a minor case compared to all of the larger crimes that require more attention.

So that was my day yesterday, and I’m pretty impressed with how it went, even if Cordy did skip her nap and leave me feeling frazzled. Now I must spend today resisting the urge to eat the chocolate peppermint bark calling me from the kitchen.