I warned the housemate that if he wants something special for Christmas that he's going to have to scrounge it himself. He normally gets home from work about 10:30 PM, and he's working Christmas. I am quite looking forward to wearing my robe all day, watching LOTR, knitting, and eating fancy cheeses. It's supposed to snow all day tomorrow, then melt away by Friday.

Fist bump with Emmett--there's an attitude to cultivate.

Both of my kids are doing Christmas better than me. Matilda has been happily wrapping up a series of gag gift potatoes for Emmett for the last hour with personalized cards and drawings.

Theo, motivation is sometimes hardest of anything. I'm sorry yours seems to have deserted you.

StE was an enthusiastic planner, a great conspirator, and a very easy person to please. His favorite gift, ever, was a treasure hunt all over the house, eventually just leading back to the tree. The gift itself was a mere candy bar, but he loved the clues, the planning behind it all, and the actual hunt. Of everything, I miss his spirit at Christmas.

Wishing calm for Zen, and an extra dose for Tom, health for Casper and solace for Connie, and relaxation for askye and all the other harried parties.

Ditto. Apparently my dad has a terrible cold, my mom sprained her ankle, the three year old is sneezing and coughing but still quite full of energy, and i am a little worried that the reason I am freezing my ass off is because I'm sick, rather than just "my sister needs to up the heat".

~ma of the appropriate flavor to all whose holidays are suboptimal.

I myself am home even earlier than I expected for 4 (and change, today has about half a day left in it) glorious days with no responsibilities that are not self-imposed. I hardly know where to start. Curl up and read by the fire? Wash some dishes? Eggnog and recorded TV? It's all good.

In my family's tradition, I'm sick. I had to leave work yesterday in the afternoon because of a headache and a fever. Today, the fever seems to get worse then subside and my throat feels sore. So, no going to my brother's tomorrow. Bah humbug!

Health and travel ~ma to all that needs them!

Three weeks ago, I sent mr. flea an email with multiple ideas for Christmas presents (mostly stocking stuffers) for me. It included stores and exact directions/name brands/etc. - all stores within walking distance of our house.

At 4:35pm Christmas Eve, he sat down at his computer, wrote some things on a piece of paper, and left to go run the important food-related errand (beef stock!) and "get some other stuff."

My husband, ladies and gentlemen. At least he's learned to take direction? And he does have an entire hour and a half to spare.

I am leaving work in a few minutes to go home and be Holiday-ish. Movie Day tomorrow and then a long weekend hanging out with our friend Ed, who is visiting from NYC for the week.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Hooray for having money to help retile the bathroom!

That is one aesthetic for sure.

Oh Mr Flea. Not good. Not good.