Another long day at work, filled with meetings and scrambling on reports and more swearing at Sharepoint (because for a software that is supposedly “easily customizable”, it is a great big pain in the ass to tweak). I got home at a little after five, and Richard showed up shortly thereafter, and the two of us waved blearily at each other and then collapsed for a little bit, just to try to recharge before the rest of the evening. A friend had invited us to an annual caroling party, and this was the first year it looked like we could go (because usually one of us has something planned, or else is sick), but after the long week, I admit to having a few thoughts about just bailing on the whole idea and staying home.

But we went anyway. It’s been raining on and off for the past few days, and the host sent out a note earlier saying that if it continued to rain, we might just all carol at each other, inside where it was warm and dry, instead of going outside to carol to other people. We swung by Trader Joe’s to pick up some goodies to bring (since I’ve not had the time, or the energy, to do any actual baking this week) and then headed off to the party, which was held in a lovely little house in East Sacramento. The house was comfortably packed with people by the time everyone showed up, and we all sat around and ate and drank and chatted, and eventually someone pulled out the caroling books and a bunch of us all sat around in the living room and sang in two or three part harmony. Eventually someone thought to poke their head outside, and hey, the rain had stopped again, so if we were going to go caroling to the neighbors, we’d better do it right then. So we all bundled up with jackets and hats and umbrellas (just in case) and grabbed song sheets, and then went outside and wandered around the neighborhood and sang Christmas carols to whomever was brave enough to answer the door. It was a pretty large group, and at times it was sort of like herding cats, trying to get everyone coordinated on one song, but it was a lot of fun, and I was very glad that we had umbrellas with us when the rain kicked back in in earnest. Back to the house we all went, laughing and slightly soggy, to warm up with mulled wine and cider and cookies, before finally heading home.

I haven’t been caroling in a very long time, and usually it has been so cold that it wasn’t nearly as much fun as I wanted it to be. But even with the rain, this evening was a lot of fun, and I am glad that, despite the very long and tiring week, we ignored our impulse to stay home and be hermits, and instead went to the party and had a good time.

‘Tis the season for Holidailies.