Twas the night before the night before Christmas and all through the house, pups were chomping on Whimzees and drooling from the mouth.

I just read that sentence to the Ho, and she said she married right. Yesssssssss.

We had a great day today. I FEEL BETTER. I definitely need to take it easy still and take naps when I’m tired, drink a lot of water, and not drink alcohol. Have you ever noticed that? Or put as a better question: does drinking when you’re sick or on the verge of getting sick, always make things worse? It does for me. If I’m ever super tired and feel like I’ve had allergies pretty bad for the past week or so, for example…and I have a drink or two — sometimes just one beer…and then next day I wake up and I’m sick. Alcohol definitely depresses my immune system.

Anywho…we had a great day! We woke up a bit late and coordinated with Addie to meet up at our place and head over to this open-air artisan market called “Saturday Market.” It was in the old town of Portland, which for some reason reminded me of Boston on a much smaller scale, and man was it COLD. But it was so cool! Seriously. I loved it. We bought ourselves a caricature; me, Liz, Addie, and the dogs. It’s perfect. We look stoned. I’m going to use it as the cover photo for tonight’s entry.

Omg, we also had halal from one of the good vendors and it was SO GOOD. Maybe not quite as good as Halal Guys in New York, true…but man, it really hit the spot. Their falafels were also freaking bomb diggety. So good!

Then we came back home and Julianne actually came over with Charlie to hang out. Coops was a bit of a nervous wreck with a bigger dog in the mix, so I just took him upstairs and we hung out together up there. The Ho sisters seemed to have a grand time together. Mike even came over for a bit, too.

Then we took a nap with the pups, I got up and walked them, and it was suddenly time for dinner over at Scott and Addie’s…which was sooooo much fun. The parents are finally in town, and we all had salmon, zucchini, root veggies (which, I’ve never called them that, they were taters, yams, and parsnips…and they all come from the ground, so it’s a very apt description), and pie at the end. So freaking good! Scott and Addie, mostly Addie let’s be real, really turned it out. Oh! And JJ brought this quinoa salad that was legit freaking delicious. It had sausage in it. Holly cow. Yeah, that’s right, “holly.” Not holy. I’m just going to leave it.

We sat around talking for like an hour or so afterwards sharing embarrassing, funny stories at first, and then sharing stories where we got hurt as kids. Good times. It was really fun. Everyone was in a good mood…it was a night to remember indeed.

That’s all for the 23rd. Tomorrow…is Christmas Eve. We made it, y’all. Congrats.

Good night!