It's also Hump Day, the second day of Hanukka. three months from St. Patrick's Day and a week from Christmas Eve. (Just to get us oriented in time.)

Been up for ages and am on my second coffee. All dogs have had breakfast and are now back to sleep on the couch in the back room. Must be nice. Some of us have to keep the juggernaut running though.

Got a fair amount of wrapping done yesterday and did a lot of mental organizing about my Christmas Eve bash. Champagne is ordered and I am planning to make some cranberry crunch this week - special request from a friend. I've done a bit of food shopping for the event - cheese and things like prosciutto -and I'm planning to make mushroom empanadas to stash in the freezer this weekend. I already have the sausage rolls done and frozen. And then there's Taco Bake which can be made ahead and frozen. My freezer will be jammed!

Today I hope to finish my wrapping before I do pet therapy at noon. Later today I will be doing more wrapping for our local toy drive since things have to be delivered Sunday. Saturday morning we pack the Food Baskets - more this year - also for Sunday delivery. 'Tis the season!

Methinks it'll be an early bed tonight.

Whatever you do today, keep a space for joy in your heart.

Good morning Ruth! Good thing I'm not doing anything today, you're doing enough for the both of us!

I did get a bunch of Christmas cards done yesterday, I'll probably wrap those up today. I need to find some kind of non-intensive hobby, I'm already getting bored! I wrote my boss something about a candidate, and she told me to stop working or she'll cut off my email . I told her my neck is broken (not truly), not my brain!! Mentally I bored, but I know physically I could definitely not handle work.

I thought of getting my art stuff out. Been a loooong time since that has happened!!

Good morning!

Lots of happenings today at your house, Ruth! It's a good thing you had that mini Cape May vacation, eh?

Tammy, what kind of art work do you do? Do you enjoy crafting?

Yesterday was lovely at work, I had the whole house to myself. I chased down every last speck of dust and debris and have the whole kitchen sparkling. Then I came home and baked two kinds of cookies, much to everyone's delight. It just didn't feel right not baking this year; I've baked cookies every year since I can remember! I have to make biscotti and pizzelles, too, but they'll have to wait til later this week since I have Amber's Winter Concert tonight.

Hey Tammy and Ruth - Tammy, it is great to see you in such great spirits! Don't push yourself though. I'm just quickly checking in - will post more later.

Good morning Ruth you are doing more than all of us combined lol. Thanks for the time check too Sounds like you are very well prepared for your party. If I didn't have to work I would crash your party

Linda so happy you have your kitchen back. Baking was big in my house growing up. My mom is sending me a tin of cookies. That will have to do since I am skipping baking this year. I just don't have much will power lately so why put the temptation there or in my mouth!

Tammy my mom tried to teach me to crochet while I was convalescing. I can knit, but can't master the crochet hook. Do you paint or sketch? I had not drawn in almost 20 years. I keep saying when I retire I am going to take classes and have a little studio in my house. I did a sketch for Joe for his birthday a few years ago. I was so nervous giving it to him as my skills have slacked over the years. Hope you find a hobby you enjoy that doesn't put undue pressure on your neck.

Today is my last day of peace and quiet. My ex is picking up DS at school today. He will spend the night there as I am not ready for the chaos. He decided to drop out. I am really worried this will lead to more trouble and upset. I love my son, but do not like his lackadaisical attitude towards everything. I highly doubt he will ever go back to school which is his choice. If you only knew half of what he has put us through you would think I am crazy for still loving him and allowing him to live with me. I make myself sick with anxiety just thinking about it. So I'm not going to let myself ruin this day. There is nothing I can do just accept it and sigh.......oh and not raid the Ghiardelli gift basket I got yesterday lol

Today I am going to Joe's. After work we are decorating the tree with his DS. He would like me to help him get a few more little things for the kids. Shopping sounds good to me. Otherwise not much else planned. I do need to move a few things around in the garage for DS's tool box ugh

Good morning!
Just got up, made coffee and took the pups out. We traveled yesterday evening and have a safe trip. It's snowing here this morning. We will go to the pool then meet my sister at the hospital for lunch at noon. We are having our Christmas today so I have lots to do. I guess I better get going. Have a great day everyone!

Longer check in...wow, Xmas is just one week away. I need to start Christmas shopping for my son - he really likes gift cards, so that should be easy, but I want to buy him some "practical" presents like books, drawing pads, etc. Maybe a board game too - he enjoys the game of Life. Also, I am on Xmas break from work 12/24-1/5 so I need to finish up a bunch of things and make a list of things coming up when I return - there are a bunch. The spring semester will be quite busy, which is good, because the fall semester has been dead and I find it frustrating to not be busy (and I also can't seem to get much done, paradoxically).

I feel really good now that I've been back exercising...hoping I can keep it going! Everyone's Xmas preparations sound like so much fun. Now that we've visited my parents, Xmas will be "light", which is good. Hope everyone has a great day...

Good morning.

Shipped a 14 pound packaged of gifts to DS1 today. Then did massive grocery shopping in preparation of our guests who arrive tomorrow.

DS2 leaves LA sometime today for the long drive home. He's planning to go the northern route this time and hopefully won't get much snow. (The southern route would have taken him through winter weather advisories in AZ.) BUT, last year he made a wrong turn and went south by mistake and that was a nightmare! I won't relax until he arrives home, probably late tomorrow.

I work this evening; we are getting ready for our end-of-season sale which starts tomorrow.

Have to admit that I am feeling stresssssed today. Sigh. And to add to it all, yesterday we got our final trip packet for our upcoming cruise which reminds me how much we still have to do in the coming month.

Have a great day.

Hello,

Been crazy busy day today, still at work have 3 more hours to go. Can't wait til this week is done with.

Sounds like everyone is doing well and getting ready for preparations.

Hopefully will be able to check in tomorrow morning

Evening. Just got back from picking up DS2 at school. It is good to have him home but such a long drive. Now 2 days of school left for me and I am on vacation for 2 weeks!!

Jennifer, I hope you find some peace with DS. It is so hard to go through this stage with him. My thoughts are with you.

Tammy, glad you are feeling better; do you have a "to read" list? A few summers ago I went back and reread several classics that I had been forced to read in high school. Somehow, Jane Austen and I got along much better now that I am an adult.

Sounds like most of the chicks had a busy day planned. It's that time of year.

I really am on vacation now even if I have to go into the witness protection program to hide from work. I've got a little more than three weeks off starting tonight. I have a very long list of things that have been piling up - my pantry and kitchen reorg, some cleaning, lots of baking. Tomorrow we go to NY for a few days. We are splurging on an extra night and full day at the yurt to just relax. usually we blow in and out,but Friday my Mom is subbing all day so we will stay up on the hill, sleep in, snowshoe. and relax. Not a bad way to start letting the past few months go.

Tammy- so happy to read your reports!

Okay, now off to bed for that first night of serious sleep!