Struggling.

I'm struggling to find some Christmas spirit around here this year. Which is odd, I'm one who usually loves the Holidays. This year, however, I just can't seem to get fully in to it. There's a few reasons for it;
I have to work, this evening, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It simply doesn't work to plan any of our family gatherings for any other evenings, so I'll only get to attend each one for a few hours. That stinks. People shouldn't be aloud to get sick on Christmas...(I'm sure the sick people would agree!)
Only one of my siblings is coming home. On the one hand, at least I won't be missing out on them, but one the other, it's just...odd.
I spent all of last week sick with my gallbladder. That kind of put the zap on my get-prepared-for-Christmas spirit.
And, like they say, when it rains, it pours. And floods... between replacing the tranny on my jeep, then getting the call that "it still won't shift over 55mph" and Eric shearing off the arbor in his sawmill last week and multiple other smaller things breaking and happening, the checkbook just keeps on shrinking. Ouch.
All together,despite my efforts, I'm just feeling the Scrooge in Christmas. Really, I'd rather be more cheerful.

So in an attempt to show some spirit:

I got a heck of a deal on cards: 80 for $3.93-including shipping! Maybe they'll show up in the mail today..

Merry Christmas everyone!

It tastes like a snowflake!

I purchased a bag of Mint Truffle Hershey's Kisses the other day. Yum. I brought them to work with me, but there were a dozen or so left in the bag when I got home last night. This morning, Elsa found them when she sat down for breakfast, and promptly divided them into two piles, one for her and one for Oliver.

After eating breakfast at a breakneck pace (amazing what a little candy motivation will do to an appetite!) Oliver popped one in his mouth.

A minute later, he exclaimed "MOM! These kisses with snowflakes on the wrapper?! They taste like a SNOWFLAKE!!!"

Reflections over morning coffee

Days are flying by, as usual. Snow is falling, winter is here to stay.

• Howie is grabbing his toes, giggling, getting way bigger than I'm ready for him to be.
  
• Thanksgiving is past, Christmas is creeping upon us. I have a total of 1 gift purchased at this point. I am on the ball this year.
  
• I do have ideas for a couple I'd like to make, however.
• Oliver is, so far, unimpressed with the whole Sunday School program. I think he's got a little of his dad's dislike of large crowds going on there...I'll be doing a little talking-up and excitement making through the next few weeks.
  
• I'm finally recuperated from working an over-night double at work on Friday-Saturday. Just in time to start my usual busy week at work.
• ...Oliver threw up this morning, but judging by the bouncing on the couch and pounding on his sister, has been fine since...
• Bread is rising. Yum!
  
• Eric's grandpa had a stroke on Saturday. He's not doing all that great. Right now it's a wait and see situation.
• Sitting at the computer makes it oh-so-easy to ignore the chaos that sprung up over the weekend.
• Amazing how working one day makes the whole house fall to pieces.
• And now, the kids are asking to go outside. Off to help round up the proper attire...

Enjoy your Monday!