December Check-in

After a few days of hard work running errands, menu planning, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, wrapping, organizing, and various household chores...I can almost declare myself ready for Christmas to begin!

All that stands between me and the beginning of Christmas is one more day of work.  It's going to be a doozy, but just one.more.day.  Nine hours straight with no break.  But, then, almost three weeks of time off with family.

I can't wait!  Christmas for me begins December 17th at 6pm and lasts until December 2 at midnight.

My mom and Riad arrive tomorrow afternoon.  I am so grateful to be off from work the entire time they will be here.  Then, what's super fun, is, the day they leave, Keith's parents arrive!  How fun is that?  Back to back grandparents visiting.  The only thing better would be if we could have ALL the grandparents visit over the holidays :)

Every bit of shopping is done!  Cards are set to go out tomorrow.  Every gift is wrapped!  Every single one!!  What a relief- it was a big job.  I spent all afternoon in the kitchen today.  I started a pasta sauce this morning that has been cooking in the crockpot all day.  I will assemble a veggie lasagna later this evening so dinner tomorrow will be simple since I have to work all day.  A home made brown sugar & bourbon bunt cake is in the oven for tomorrows dessert.  Chili is on the stove for tonights dinner and tomorrow's lunch.  Kendall is setting the table for tomorrow night and next, we will made butter & walnut cookies.

Despite the tragedy in Connecticut Friday, which had me in tears for hours when I found out, I am going to be thankful for the blessings I have, pray for the community and families affected, pray for our country, and go forward with celebrating and enjoying my wonderful family.

I will say that, (and this may come as a surprise after my last post), I saw Obama's response on the news after the shootings and I cried with him!  And for the first time in almost four years, I wasn't disgusted with him.  I've had some comforting words from some special people since that post that may have me thinking a little differently about life and politics.  You know who you are.  And I thank you.

Merry Christmas to everyone and God Bless you all & this Country :-)  xoxoxo