<p>They (Target) had little ones for 12.99 - 20 lights. You could possible buy a few of those along with the fancy Leader guy for effect. </p>
<p>As for me, I wish it were january already. I need a nap</p>
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<p>I LOVE December 27th. (I would love the 26th, but it is H’s birthday.) While everyone else experiences a post-holiday let down, I LOVE it when there’s no more to wrap or cook or mail and I can just kick back and snack and enjoy the decorations, watch a movie, etc.</p>
<p>MissyPie - that sounds so lovely about now. </p>
<p>Well H and I are empty nesters again. Both are back at school. One had a flight yesterday at 6AM and the other this morning at 6:30AM. I could really use a nap. I’m too old to get up at that hour 2 days running. 
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<p>Loved having them home but they will be back in 2 and 3 weeks.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to get all the presents bought and wrapped, the rest of the cleaning done, most of the baking done, finish decorating the house, etc., etc.,… before they come back. Not sure why I’m doing this as I’m sure once they are home for more than a few days I won’t see them as they will be off with their friends but I would love to NOT be stressed at the holidays. I’ll try to get everything done now…</p>
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<p>Thanks, moda. I will check these out.</p>
<p>Count me in as another one who wishes Christmas was over. On a brighter note, I wrote out about half of my Christmas cards this AM before I ran out of cards. I’m planning to return to work on Wednesday and this was one project I had hoped to complete. Feels good to have some done.</p>
<p>I have done a lot of on line shopping. so have made a big dent. Although I dont like the reason, there is something to be said for simplifying. I am a good gift giver and I spend too much time trying to make it just right. In some ways I enjoy it, but it can be stressful especially when working. this year I am keeping it simple and realizing that it is ok. I want to enjoy the reason for the season so to speak, and the atmosphere, the music etc… I dont want it to be over just less hectic. I usually do professional cards but not this year we did not get them done this summer, in fact unless my H does it there will be no cards at all. Its kind of a relief, but I doubt I will change and next year will be doing what I usually do and be thankful for it. I will live virtually through all of you I enjoy the visuals.</p>
<p>The best part of Christmas, for me, is the anticipation of it … I have learned over the years that I create my own stress at Christmas; if I don’t stress, the family doesn’t. </p>
<p>And we have really scaled back on gift giving in our family. None of us needs anything and so we have a small gift exchange. My parents graciously and helpfully sent out a note last Christmas saying just that: please don’t worry about us. </p>
<p>And anyway, they just gave us an amazing gift: they have told us they want to host my daughter’s wedding reception next summer. </p>
<p>My dad has just come through major surgeries at 80 years old. We weren’t even sure he’d be alive to see the wedding. What could top that? This year, it’s more than enough.</p>
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<p>z - Nothing could top that, it’s a PRICELESS gift.</p>
<p>dte…I have skipped sending cards several times over the years for different reasons. One year I used Smilebox.com and sent email cards. Do what feels right for you and your energy!</p>
<p>Glad so many liked the corn casserole! :)</p>
<p>Missed D1 so very much! She was busy and stayed in touch throughout the weekend but it just isn’t the same. D2 went back to school yesterday. She said it was a long, lonely drive. She hit the submit button on a transfer app and sent her optional ACT scores and letters of Rec. Spent lots of time with BF and definitely no turkey drop! She heads home again for Christmas on the 16th. The house seems so empty today without her!</p>
<p>H and I are simplifying decorations this year. Bought a new prelighted slim tree and changed the location of where it will be displayed! Instead of placing it in the living room in front of the big window (where we never see it!), we have set it up on the 4 season porch off of the family room where we will enjoy it every day! Have not done much shopping and am way behind schedule for me. To be truthful I don’t think my family needs much! I did get cute zebra and multicolored purse sized umbrellas as stocking stuffers at Target. D1 needs basics for work wardrobe so I’ve been trying to watch for sales at J crew and Banana Republic. Just haven’t seen much clothing that appeals to me!</p>
<p>Ok–now I seriously forgot about sending cards. I send only about 40 but all have hand written notes. H and wish Christmas was every other year. I wish we only had to eat every third day. Everyone is gone today except the birds and dog and me. I am loving it. S will be home this Sat. night to take GF to her HS semi. No breakups here. Actually, now hoping it doesn’t happen until summer as I think he is going to be a mess when/if it does.
Oh–a good thing–his adviser is recommending him for the Kemper Scholarship. Some $$ and two summer interships in Chicago. It is very competative and the application rivals any college essay so not getting hopes up for him but still proud.</p>
<p>Congrats to oregon101S!!! Gosh…haven’t even thought about scholarship apps for D2 and her transfer!! :eek:</p>
<p>All of you are so far ahead of me in your Christmas preparations. I’m determined to enjoy this holiday season and not get stressed out with what I “should” be doing. </p>
<p>Last year I discovered Smilebox and was very happy to send greetings to most of our friends and acquaintances that way. I had lots of positive comments from the friends who received it and it was better than not getting anything sent. </p>
<p>D broke up with her bf this fall, but she was home for the first time since then and seemed a little melancholy during her visit. Kind of difficult, as they run in the same circle and still see each other. The plus side was that we saw more of her than I had expected. </p>
<p>I sent D back to school with a tin of homemade cookies and a few other seasonal decorations. No pink flamingos, but that’s a great idea Her college offers a finals study break treat box which is kind of fun. We’re trying it this year and we’ll see what she thinks about it.</p>
<p>I was surprised at how sleep-deprived she was when she arrived. I wish I could magically give her a couple of days to relax and sleep before she heads into the final stretch. I’d probably have to tie her down to accomplish that so we’ll just have to pick up the pieces when she returns at winter break!</p>
<p>Wondering if that cyberbus could bring MissyPie and RochesterMom on a McTour-de-force my way to ratchet up the holiday prep. Great weekend with s. but due to some great visiting from his pals and the 3 dinners in 3 nights, we ran out of time to get the outdoor xmas lights up…and now that DS is back in school, I have no spotter/ladder-holder. And neither the roof nor heights in general are my friend…
H and I have learned to not require things from one another that qualify as “Don’t give a crap about…” meaning he doesn’t help me decorate but I don’t help him shovel snow (unless he’s looking REALLY pre-coronary…and unless it’s too deep for the Rover, which like, NEVER happens ; ) Generally, it’s a pretty good bargain. But I may have to rethink this strategy before I do the roof!</p>
<p>Mostly I’ve only lurked during the last year, but since I so enjoy reading everyone’s posts about Thanksgiving- thought I’d share my own. S arrived home and I am amazed at how much he has changed. He refused to let me do his laundry,(!!!) told me his bed is more comfortable at school than home, (therapudic mattress pad beats hard mattress), has a hickey on his neck, (wasn’t sure, but asked him about it), and reads cover to cover Forbes, Fortune and WSJ. He loves his school and his professors, and although some classes are very hard and he is working more than in high school- he wouldn’t change if for anything. Best comment in the four days he was home? “Boy, you and dad are really getting old, don’t you remember I already told you that…?” Brought back memories of returning from college and looking at my parents with fresh eyes. H and I are happy he has found the right place. Hoping junior D will do the same. And yes, I do feel older!</p>
<p>Fingers crossed on that scholarship OR101. An honor just to be nominated, I am sure</p>
<p>See, this is why I can’t afford to be away from a computer for too long – way too many posts to catch up on!</p>
<p>Overall, out Thanksgiving was uneventful, which means it was great! D (not 2013) got in late Tuesday night; we picked up S (2013) at school Wednesday afternoon since H’s relatives are all in the next town and that’s where we gather for the feast. At one point it almost didn’t happen since Wed. morning D answered my cell, saw that it was S calling, and started gabbing, only to find out it wasn’t S but the guy who found S’s phone. Since D was sure H would be really ticked off, she proceeded to have a lengthy text exchange with the guy, who turned out to be another WPI student. The result? This guy took the phone to Lost & Found at WPI Campus Police. Of course it left us with no way to contact S when we arrived on campus … Anyway, it all worked out – S got his phone back, we got S, and it was all good. Three cheers for the honest students at WPI!</p>
<p>Tomorrow I’m sending off end-of-semester/term exam packages. D will be back home in 12 days; S in 19.</p>
<p>4everamom, great report on your kiddo. Love to see them happy. Thanks for posting</p>
<p>19 days! Oh my, I hadn’t counted. Thanks for the reminder CBB</p>
<p>what is the right time to give SAT subject test in Literature?? My daughter is a freshman
she is in English Honors. she reads sometime not too much any ideas</p>
<p>19 days! I wish Thanksgiving was in late October; it would break up the fall, the long stretch from late August to late November, and not cram so much travel into a 4-week block of time…</p>
<p>Zetesis What a lovely gift from your parents to your daughter! I’m sure it must make them feel just terrific to be able to do that for her!</p>