Making mistletoe out of my misfortunes?

I'm not gonna lie to you, 2010 has been a bit on the stanky side, personally speaking, and specifically in regard to my health. For some time now, I've found myself saying "yeah, I'm kinda done with this year, I'm ready for a New Year...". But hey, there's this whole month of December to get thr..enjoy..and I found myself hearkening back to one of my favorite holiday activities of 2009 - the 29 Day Giving Challenge.

And so, I blog once more, and it feels jolly, truly jolly to be back. I loved this Challenge. I just got a kick out of reading my posts from last year, and seeing that the more things change, etc. I hated big parties/I still hate big parties. I had a personal PSYCH encounter last year/I had one this Monday (DS and I went to a terrific screening of the Twin Peaks episode that airs tonight, with lots of the original Peaks cast members present). I had weird medical things going on/I have weird medical things going on. Last year at this time, I had never been to a neurologist, and now I've been to two (though today I gave myself the gift of a second opinion, and I like Neuro #2 so much better)(and not because he gave me better news, but because he has a lovely, gentle, thorough bedside manner). So things are/are gonna look up and we're going to end this year with some gifting:

Today was an easing back into the gifting thing - a Bookcrossing book released in the doctor's office, an extra tip in the jar at Starbuck's, letting the guy in the parking lot go ahead of me, little things. But I made a very conscious effort to chat with the people who waited on me - at the library, at the Bucks, at the AAA, oh that was a real win - that lady was craaaaaaaabby when she called my name (I was doing my car registration there, which I highly recommend for convenience over the DMV)(there, please consider that a gift)(kidding)(not completely). I wanted to crack that AAA lady up in the worst way. She was a tough nut to crack, I'll admit, and I don't even know what did it but by the end of our encounter we were wishing each other Happy Holidays and practically high-fiving..I KNOW that can't be an easy job, and I'm sure she deals with plenty of procrastinators like me, and some of them are crabby themselves...so I just wanted to make a little diff in her day.

Oh, I also made a point of really thanking my new doctor, who went above and beyond in getting my MRI results from the other doctor, and calling me back into his office as I was leaving in order to take the time to show me pictures of my brain. Kinda freaky if you've never seen one, and especially if it's your own noggin, but I was able to leave that morning feeling more reassured about what's there and especially what's not!

Tomorrow I'm giving myself more health gifts by heading back to Weight Watchers after a shameful hiatus. I am psyched to learn about the new program which I think will give me a shot in the arm, or butt which may be more appropriate. My clothes are too tight, I'm tired a lot, my eating is pretty out of control. I don't need to be skinny, I need to be healthy.

Happy Hanukkah where applicable! Nice to be back here...