Well, it's kind of over.

We've still got 2 Christmas parties to go to.  One this weekend and one next.  I'm very glad that some of the family parties are after Christmas, because there's just too much to do before Christmas and during the actual holiday week.  It's exhausting.  We had a nice one but, of course, several of us got sick, as usual.   The gifts were a hit, overall, I think.

This new game, Tsuro, was a hit.

Our granddog Remus, visited for Christmas.

I got to play one of my favorites, Concept.  

We made ourselves a bunch of treats for Christmas eve, including this fruit tray and dip to go with it.   

 My oldest son really loved the hoodie I got him.  It may be too heavy to wear in Mississippi, but I guess we'll see.  It might be good for early mornings, walking the dog.   With the rest of the presents, I just basically bought what they asked for, but they were pleased.   I didn't get any studying done for my course and I started back to that yesterday.  Time to get back into the pattern of work, studying, housework and trying to lose weight. 

We got several more board games and the ones we've played so far, we like.

It was a good Christmas.

Celebrating!

Oldest son and only daughter-in-law (so far) are here and we're celebrating.  The only cloud over the event is that 2 of us are sick.  Both oldest son and I have colds.  I'm off to the store this morning to get some Robitussin and cough drops.  I don't know why this ALWAYS has to happen.  When we were together in October, at least 3 of us had colds.  It's frustrating.  Anyway, despite that, we're having a good time.   We gave them the first gift the first night they arrived, it was cloaks for everyone.  I bought the fabric and my daughter made them.  They are made of polar fleece and go to the floor and have hoods, so they are great for keeping them warm.  It's also fun to think about what it would be like if they all wore them someplace and just walked in a line or something.  It would be hilarious.  It's a funny sight, seeing all 4 of my young adults in floor-length hooded cloaks, but they're warm and they love them.  :-) 

Then last night, we opened the board games that we bought this year.  So far, we've played 2, Cover Your Kingdom and another one that has a dragon on it ... maybe I'll think of that later.  We had a good time playing, but I was kind of tired from being sick and working, so hopefully, over the weekend, I'll feel better, my son will feel better, no one else will get sick and we'll have some fun.  We have an anniversary party to go to this afternoon and youngest is working today.  The work and the partying are going to be relentless for the next few days but we'll manage to have fun despite it, I'm sure. 

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

We got the tree and other decorations up last night!  Mostly I sat and looked through boxes of ornaments while the kids decided where they went on the tree and arranged it all very carefully.  It turned out beautiful.  I had a little bit of an emotional time of it, because I opened a box that had all my mom's old ornaments in it, so there were a few tears, but mostly it was good. 

I think I forgot to blog last week about youngest son getting a job!  He had an interview Wednesday at Hobby Lobby and started Thursday.  He has since worked 2 days.   He doesn't hate it, so that's a good sign.  And, best of all, he (we) gets a Hobby Lobby discount!! Also, oldest son and his wife will be here in 9 days!!  Christmas time is a-coming!  I got about 75% of my shopping done yesterday online and just have to make a couple of little store trips, so this year, I have not yet turned into the Grinch.   We'll see next week when I have to do my co-worker's job again for 2 days.  I'm not ruling it out.

Feeling Blessed.

I had a good Thanksgiving weekend, despite having to work on Friday.  I got a lot of studying done on my course I'm taking, a lot of things done around the house and made and ate a good bit of yummy food.  My stuffing came out really great this year.  Yesterday, for Thanksgiving at my brother and his new wife's home, we had soup and my potato soup was really good too.  I'm a very hit and miss kind of cook, so I consider this a victory.  I had some really great conversations with people I love, played some games and sang some karaoke.  Great weekend.

It's 4 a.m. and I'm getting ready for work.  Thankfully my good mood is still with me.  I'm usually pretty grouchy on my early mornings.






Also, my Christmas cactus thinks it's a Thanksgiving cactus.