It's Southern for, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing." Refers to all things edible at Christmas. Optimistic.
I know normality is a big word but I was thinking of the fact that we can finally get back to our normal routine which, for a retiree, is really something enjoyable in contrast to the rat race. Yes, let's be optimistic and see the glass half full.
I always do Thomas even when I feel meself slipping, I yank meself up I knew what you meant by 'normality' after all the madness