It's a quiet Sunday afternoon at home in Estonia. There is a light blue sky outside which makes it look all the colder - I wish there was snow. That would get me in the mood.
I was supposed to go to Tartu today to visit my friends but I decided that I should spend the time at home. Not only do I have things to do here but I want to spend time with my dad; he seems so happy to have both his kids at home. He's planning dinners and actually going SHOPPING with me. It's amazing - I would never have imagined he could be persuaded to go to a shopping mall on a SATURDAY. I'm still in shock, mostly because we're going again today.

It's nice to be home. I've been lazing about the house in my pajamas and watching movies and tv by the fire lit in the fireplace, candles burning everywhere. I even decorated for Christmas - put up lights and extra candles :P My dad will be alone here for Christmas but will have guests for New Years so I'm not feeling quite as bad this year. He didn't want a Christmas tree so I'm trying to add the festivity without greenery - fun! Bought loads of Estonian chocolate for presents for the family in the US yesterday and will today go hunt for my lovely white skirt which I would like to wear for Christmas eve; joulu laupaev, as it's called in Estonian, is a dressy occasion in our family. It requires heels and nice jewellery and a certain amount of effort with one's hair. Church again this year and then to the Krustens for dinner - I love spending time with them. It's my childhood holidays all over again!!
Still at a loss for what to buy my mother. Books are boring, but she'll like them. She's got enough hand painted scarves and handmade jewellery to last many women a very long time, yet I want something beautiful just for her. Aaargh.... shopping on a budget requires creativity :D

Tonight is a Christmas dinner of sorts, good food, blood sausages and cranberry sauce - I can't wait!!!!! I'll have "Christmas dinner" with the girls in London the night I'm there before flying on to the US the next morning. They mentioned Chicken Wok.... what kind of Christmas dessert complements Chicken Wok??? This requires careful planning on my part. My idea of gingerbread and ice cream flew out the window. Then again...
We'll see.

I'm beginning to think I really don't want to leave. I love this house. I love being home. It's a kind of comfortable I haven't felt in a really long time. It's protected.
I wish I had this more often.