In a Bing Crosby movie

I am seriously daydreaming about Christmas right now.

I know that it's fashionable to hate on the holiday madness and we're also supposed to be on one side or the other of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" but I love them both. (Go ahead, tick me off and I'll scream "Season's Greetings" at you while juggling a nativity scene.)

I just feel like watching endless schmaltzy movies where there is snow and shopping and mistaken identities that lead to romance. I also want to see puppies with red ribbons and jingle bells around their necks and trees covered in snow.

I have no idea why this is happening right now, I'm just sharing it with you so you can surf the madness with me.

I'm preparing to hang ornaments from the light over our dining room table and struggling to resist putting part of the decorations up on the mantle. Has anyone filled a vase with a vase with ornaments for the middle of the table? Does it only look good in magazines?

I have no time for this early (EARLY) season madness! I should not be looking for the holiday cds and reaching for Miracle on 34th Street right now. I have about 8 books to review (really) and a couple of articles to work on. Plus some other writing which might be something I can do something with or not. I just need to work it and find out. (I really really want to get those pieces done.)

Somehow, I need to accomplish all this while stringing beads, writing Christmas cards, sipping hot chocolate and listening to the Ally Macbeal Christmas cd. (You did know that Robert Downy Jr. can sing didn't you? Listen to him sing Joni Mitchell's "River" and you will kind of fall in love. Seriously.)

Excuse me now while I go wrap a few gifts. And expect to see some holiday decorating tips here very soon. I just can't seem to help myself.