Dec. 22 - been a while since I wrote!

[Ky_Mama]

Wow, I didn't even realize it had been so long since I last wrote something!

WLJ - well, I pretty much fell off the wagon there.  For now.  My goal as been set for Jan 20, to be at 194 again.  That's 10 pounds... yes, I did put 10 back on.  That happens when one eats too much Halloween candy when her children aren't looking, and then doesn't do anything about the fact that she knows she 'should be walking or something'.  Yep, I went into full-on lazy mode for a bit.  Then Thanksgiving, with a wonderful dinner with my ILs and a long weekend alone to cuddle up with DH while the kids camped with the ILs.  No real exercise then  ;-)  December was here too soon, and wrapping and making gifts makes for a lot of opportunity - to sit and get it all done.  Today, I'm almost finished with it all.  December 28 we'll be headed up to Mom's for a week, and I'll start anew then.

Holiday stuff - I made a few gifts this year.  Less than I'd hoped or wanted, but I still got some done and had time to make something new for me.  I have two things left to make and they don't "have" to be finished until Saturday since they're for Bro's girls.  After we return from that weeklong visit, I promise to have pictures of everything up somewhere!  Heck I even have the pattern links for those of you interested  :-)  Trying to make gifts for the kids only while they were at school was fun, other than having to put everything away by 2 p.m.  I don't have a dedicated sewing room, so my stuff ends up in piles all over the bed while I'm actively sewing!  Sometimes I just had to laugh at the sight while DH rolled his eyes jokingly.  Amid all this I managed to keep everyone in clean clothes and on top of dinner and dishes - but I was so praying for a nonhuman dishwasher in our next place... ahh, that will be nice.  Y'know, cause that leaves more time for sewing.  :D

Here's the catch-up stuff - Christmas is Thursday, and I think everyone is excited here... grownups included!  But we know what we're looking forward to, and I for one just cannot wait to open my new warm cozy wool socks!  Yes, that's the one gift I'm looking forward to more than any other!  Hey, I always have cold toes.... bless DH for getting me socks  :-)   My BIL and his wife (from MI) will be here in town tomorrow!  They will be able to stay until Saturday!  We haven't seen them since July, and thanks to them I have the *sweetest* little nephew - I'm itching for some little (3yo) boy hugs!!!  I always enjoy their visits and visiting them when we can.  Nephew is big into dinosaurs right now, and I have a bag full of dinosaur stuff for him  :-)  They're staying with my ILs for their visit, and MIL is making a dinner Thursday, so we will head over there after we've opened everything here and had a bite to eat (and some blessed morning coffee!).  Saturday, DH is off work so we'll likely just hang out here and I'll finish packing for our trip up north.  Mom and/or Dad will be picking the kids and me up on Sunday - DH has to work all week, and I want him to have the car since it's December - where we'll stay and visit with everyone possible until Jan 3rd or 4th.  The return-home date is never set in stone, other than "before sunset please".  Kids go back to school Jan 5th so we have to be ready for that.

If I get around to it this week, I'll try to update the family blog.  I'll have my computer with me at Mom's so I can do it anytime there too.

Happy Holidays to everyone!  Blessings to you and your families!!

~Julia