It's too dry, and my nose is bleeding, and my throat is constantly sore, and the elevation is too high, and I'm dizzy,

Going to the high, arid regions is a heck of an adjustment, it took a couple of months for me to adapt. The first time I went back east after several years in Utah, I was amazed at how much air there was. I understood why elevation makes such a difference to athletes. Nowadays, as I get older, I always have a bottle of spray saline in arm's reach, because I really don't want to go to the emergency room for a nosebleed that will not end again.

Oh Dana, that sounds - as Emmett would say - "Undelightful."

Germ-free hugs and hairpats to them as wants 'em.

I've been battling a stomach bug since last night, I think I'm on the upswing now because I don't have to scroll fast past food and beverage posts on Fb.

Shir, I'm so glad to see you.

My to do list this weekend...

Write paper 1
Write paper 2
Write discussion questions
Write discussion question responses
Wrap all the things (took until 2am last night)
Help Santa with stocking fillings
Pack an overnight bag for Crowley and me
Pack my pillow and blanket
Shower
Spiff up the downstairs
Load the car with presents, overnight bag, stockings, bedding
Gather up Crowley and any last minute things and drive to Kelly's
Relax

Home from brunch with the parents and their friends. We skipped the children pageant at church. Then I swung by a place to get a gift card holder and check a couple more places for a thing for dad.

Now home to bake a bit and maybe I will go out to half price books and sell 2 bags of books if I finish before they close.

I went to 3 stores and survived. And had lunch out with kids. Now I am wiped out. I'm not sure I have the energy to empty the grocery bags, much less cook stuff.

An update (yall were waiting with baited breath, right?)

Kelly and her gang stopped by, picked up the presents and Crowley, with a bonus of scrapping the snow off my car and clearing my driveway.

Write paper 1
Write paper 2 - IN PROGRESS
Write discussion questions
Write discussion question responses
Wrap all the things (took until 2am last night)
Help Santa with stocking fillings
Pack an overnight bag for Crowley and me
Pack my pillow and blanket
Shower
Spiff up the downstairs
Load the car with presents, overnight bag, stockings,, stockings (Kel forgot to grab them) and bedding
Gather up Crowley and any last minute things and drive to Kelly's
Pick up food at Trader Joes
Relax

Arrived 3 hours early for our flight, so we got cocktails and are lounging around in the bar. Vacation has begun!

Our yearly Christmas guest, Ed The Surly Elf, is here for the week. He is an old college friend of the Dh's and we've had him for the holidays every year for the last 23 years. He's a wonderful guy and it's great to have him here. He's a drama teacher, gay, and has a dark sense of humor so brings a delightful touch of hilarious and filthy humor to our holidays. Sadly, the heat out I the guest house is not installed yet, so it's not as cozy as we wanted it to be, but he's making do with a huge, fancy space heater. He's a trouper.

DH and I are only giving one token gift this year, as the house renovations ate all our money,, so it's going to be quick work in the morning, then off to the movies. We saved Star Wars for the centerpiece of the day and I can't wait!

I wholehearted support the viewing of Star Wars as a holiday celebration.