I've put up some pictures of the house from this weekend. If you're interested in seeing them, they're here. You can also get there through the gallery.

Christmas dinner around these parts is happening at 7 pm. I took the turkey out of the oven a little while ago. The dressing is going in next, and I am going to make green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Then, when the dressing comes out, my rolls will be ready to cook and everything will be done.

Just looking at that paragraph and all the pictures I've taken this weekend makes me realize how very, very lucky we are. I am so grateful to be in a warm, comfortable house, with someone I love, cooking a huge dinner with food I bought. I know I take a lot of these things for granted, but I shouldn't.

At work, a bunch of us participated in a volunteer project for the Salvation Army this month. It was one of those "adopt a family" things where needy families submit lists of things they need for the holiday, and people donate the things through the Salvation Army. I was happy to participate, but it broke my heart when I saw the list of things they needed. Basic stuff like potatoes and cereal. It certainly makes you think twice about the state of things today. I'm glad to say my group at work was very generous, but I do feel like there's more that I could be doing myself. I think my new year's resolution (besides going back to the gym) is to start volunteering again. I haven't done it since we moved to the New Haven area, but I am sure I can find some place here where I can do some good.