Decembering

Hello! Are you thinking positive? Good! Just say no to suicide! I know it's December and all, but life goes on!

All cheerful yet? Then I'll tell you how I've been. Oh, wait. That would just ruin the mood. except it is a little funny, if you look at it the right way.

Tuesday I shot myself in the foot, figuratively. I found a rare work from home opportunity, and blew it on the test. Well, I haven't actually finished the test. I had to log out and cry hysterically because I still have no idea how to fix whatever is wrong. I am avoiding jumping back in there to complete my failed examination until I'm pretty sure I can take it. At the time, I had absolutely no sense of humor about it, but I'm starting to see the anecdotal possibilities, at the very least.

Yesterday was a blur. I needed to get lots done, and didn't. That was my day. I went grocery shopping, and it took 2 hours! I didn't even go to the pharmacy. What's up with that? And I did lots of cleaning, just not as much as I had intended. We had Asian helper for dinner. Ever try it? The noodle one is Abbie's favorite.

Today, I woke up and the kids were sick with colds. WHAT? Naturally, on the day when my mother is driving 2 hours to watch Abbie while Grant goes to the dentist to sit with his mouth open, breathing through his nose, they have colds. Ah, well. What can you do?

Mom brought an entire car load of goodies. Wrapped Christmas presents for all of us, toys for Grant and Abbie, a new dress for Abbie and a very orange winter coat for Grant, gingerbread men from St. Louis Bread Co. (6 of them), cordial cherries, tea and pirouettes (the cookie "sticks") for me, hot chocolate for Josh, tons of snacks for the kids, canned ravioli, a turkey breast and a roast, and some Uncle Ben's microwavable jasmine rice, which I am unexpectedly excited about.

I had cordial cherries for lunch.

Grant's appointment was at 12:15, and we had a longer wait than usual at the dentist office. Grant did wonderfully with keeping still. I was more than impressed. But the dentist could tell it hurt Grant, especially toward the end, so he only did the pulpotomy. I was glad I didn't back out and reschedule. Dentist said we couldn't have waited much longer. (Did I mention Grant has another abscess by that tooth? That's why.) There are still a few herds of cavities, but they now must wait until the end of January.

After Mom left the kids were both horribly mean and cranky. Abbie easily was put down for a nap, but not Grant. He's playing by himself in the basement now. I had to email and ask Josh's parents if they would still take the kids tonight, even with colds. Fortunately, his mom read it first and agreed, so I quickly thanked her and said they'd be there tonight.

I don't have any brilliant ideas for dinner tonight, so we might end up with a frozen pizza.

I still need to get stocking stuffers for Josh. What I am looking for is an opportunity. Driving home from taiko seems my only choice, and I will be pretty tired, and don't want to take even longer getting home. One hour seems enough, don't you think? We'll have to see what comes up this weekend. We have another Christmas on Saturday, and Sunday I plan to go to taiko and then spend the rest of the day making cookies and stuff.

Actually, besides the hysterical part, my week wasn't all that bad. But there is one thing I haven't mentioned. I am not sleeping, again. I don't know what it is. It's not a full moon or anything, not that I ever could definitively call that a contributor to my insomnia. I am so, so SO tired! I think I was unnecessarily short with Josh last night at least once. I'm trying to keep it together, so let's see how I do.

Oh! Here's a belated rundown on the Christmases: First was the one at Josh's paternal grandparents' house in the city. Josh spent the whole time setting up phones and other electronics for them. I brought sliced cucumber and Ruffles and put ranch dip between them (I like this plan. It embraces both varieties of holiday diets!) and spent a lot of time slicing more cucumber, as it went fast. Josh's sister, Becky, mentioned babies more than twice. I am not indecorous enough to ask directly in front of a large group, but I would speculate that she and Paul are preparing to start their family in the near future. Grandma (the one who occasionally makes hateful statements about me or my children) stayed in her room until the food was served, and the only thing I heard her say was "That's ENOUGH!" when the girls were taking pictures of her. We were given wine, Josh beer (Schafly's this year, since Budweiser sold out!) and chocolates for me. The kids picked a plastic train and a game of magnetic dinosaur bingo out of the box. And that's all that we had to take home, besides our own stuff. For those of you who may be unaware, these grandparents collect junk (it has been said that they take it from the Goodwill box at church) and give and give and give it to us when we come. LOTS. All third or fourth hand. So, I thought this year was much nicer. A great success.

Second was given by our friend, Lisa. Her brother (our dear friend) lives in Guam, and Josh claims that her family has adopted us as surrogates. This year, she also invited Heather, one of my all time best girl buddies, and her family, too. A good time was had by all, I think. The kids were restless, but charming, on the whole, and Josh took a picture of me and Heather before the wine made my face too red.

That might be a lie. My face turns red somewhere around the third sip. Don't know why. Perhaps it's endearing in some way, and excusable? Hope so, because there's not much I can do about it.

Bringing the ranch, chips and cucumber to the next Christmas party, too, and maybe a cake with holiday sprinkles, but I'm not sure yet. I had this great plan that I could bring holiday nuts because my grandmother sends them every year after Thanksgiving, but this year they haven't shown up.

Taiko! Lots of new people! We had kind of a party atmosphere on Tuesday, but that's not such a great thing. I anticipate a more organized practice tonight. I forgot to ask Josh if I can go out after. I think it will depend on how I feel, really. Unless there is something extra going on Friday that I need to be prepared for. Friday is Josh's work party. Last year it was at Brunzwick Zone XL, and included bowling, two free drinks, and a dinner for each employee and one guest (that'd be me). This year, they're closing early and having it in the break room. No spouses. [Insert foreboding music here.] *sigh* And no new job to look forward to.

Yet.

The roses Josh brought me died, as was expected, and I took the Baby's Breath and put little sprigs of it in the little Christmas tree in the kitchen. It makes for a nice effect. I recommend it as a sweet ornament. I might go so far as to buy some next year.

Are you singing Christmas carols? You should. I'm sending you all great, big, warm hugs. Remember - December can't last forever! (Then we just have to get through January and February!) Just get me to crocus season!!!