Amb sick. Code in the node. I slept fitfully from about 1am - 6am. DH is braving the drug store for me cause we have no cold meds in the house.

My head feels like a bowling ball full of snot. Blarg.

I need to move my laundry to the dryer and then wrap presents and load my car for the drive to San Diego.

Aww, Suzi, that sucks, sick on Xmas eve!!

I am a Virgo/Leo, so for the cheap price of airfare, room/board, cheap vodka and smokes, I will agree to fly anywhere and clean out ANY closet! I am free til Jan. 3rd!

Ooh. When's your spring break?? We could ahve some virgo-tastic fun in DC...

I am in my sister's house on the WiFi. LOVE. My BIL is on his laptop working his fantasy football team. Sis is reading the NYTimes. Sis's best friend is doing a crossword. Cats are roaming around. TV is on. We ate pecan pancakes and coffeee. Now THIS is my idea of a good time.

I'm so sorry you're sick, Suzi! May it clear up overnight--another Christmas miracle!

DH and StY picked up the boys on Friday, and yesterday they all went down to H's mom's for Christmas Dinner. H's brother was supposed to have flown in from NYC for the occasion, but they cancelled his flight just before midnight. Fuckers. I elected to stay home with my mom. I don't dare leave her alone for more than an hour or two, and we wouldn't have been back before 7 or 8 pm. She gets anxious when it starts getting dark outside, and expects her supper by 5:00 or 5:30. So it was easier to send the guys on their way and stay with Mom.

DH and I will go back down one day next week when StY can stay here with Mom, and maybe BIL will be there then.

So far today we have breakfasted, played Power Rangers with the Younger Boy, talked of semi-serious things with the EB, and had elevenses. The USPS delivered a box on Sunday! Thank you, USPS! NOT sealed with duct tape! from Ginger. Thank you, Ginger!

The living room is full of candlelight and carols, and DH has taken both boys to the playground. When they come back we'll open presents, and have lunch, and then StY and DH will drive the boys home. StY has a friend's family's Christmas Dinner to go to tonight. And tomorrow, we're watching the extended version of all three LOTR movies. Merry Christmas!

Libkitty, I think you did the right thing. Kindness is rarely a mistake, imo.

Windy, that sounds like a lovely color. I hope it looks fantabulous, as I'm sure it will.

Beverly, nice plans, and yay for the magic of Ginger's package arriving on a Sunday.

I like your holiday meara. I have to make a few pre-the-day food stuffs and wrap some presents, and I told Kara I'd help her clean her room, but mostly I'm relaxing, and it's lovely.

Last night, after the party, I asked Kara if she had a good time and she said yes.
Me: Isn't it fun to give presents to people and they really like them?
Kara: Yes! But my best present ever is to have you for my mom.

Aww. Kara's a sweetheart. A scary-smart, original-thinking, take-over-the-world sweetheart.

G'morning all. I am happily ensconced in the lovely Westward Look Resort and Spa in Tucson. My mom and I decided to give each other a nice room and a couple of spa treatments in lieu of buying gifts this Christmas, which I'm voting an excellent decision so far. My aunt, uncle, and cousin live nearby and my gram is staying with them for the next six weeks, so Christmas with family plus bonus spa!

I've had a bit of a morning, however, which I will share with you all for your mocking pleasure. Consider it an early Christmas gift. It was really very simple: I was trying to walk outside to sit on the little balcony, sip coffee, and enjoy the crisp desert winter morning. When I sat on one of the patio chairs, however, I failed to account for the rain last night and completely soaked my jeans. Went inside, used a hairdryer to dry my bum, and then walked back towards the balcony. My mom had just wiped the seat for me and we were both laughing...which was when I walked into the (closed) glass door that I thought she'd left open for me. Coffee everywhere and both of us laughed so hard that we could barely breathe.

I think I need to borrow Cass' padded hamster ball.

Kara: Yes! But my best present ever is to have you for my mom.

What a love bunny.

Suzi, go steam your sinuses, and suck on zink lozenges. The steam will have the added affect of making your cute short haircut curlier and cuter.

Kara is cute and funny.

I just laughed until I broke something over Kristin's slapstick routine.

Nobody likes a blonde in a hamster ball. t /Veronica Mars

G'morning all. I am happily ensconced in the lovely Westward Look Resort and Spa in Tucson. My mom and I decided to give each other a nice room and a couple of spa treatments in lieu of buying gifts this Christmas, which I'm voting an excellent decision so far.

This is the best present ever. From your stories about your mom (even little mentions like this one), I always get this feeling of this warm, wonderful, nuturing person. I'm so glad you're having this time together, Kristin. Merry Christmas.