<p>I’m not “smug,” but am very grateful. Our kiddos have had chronic health issues but have managed quite well so far in their lives anyway. S is still home with us since August & helping us de-clutter & do projects around the house (as well as maintaining my non-profit’s website). D has gotten into the major she really wanted after her THIRD application. (She was also waitlisted but ultimately rejected for a physically more demanding major that caused H & I & D to breathe a huge sigh of relief.)</p>
<p>D & I went shopping for 12 hours yesterday, where she diligently worked with me to get S a new professional wardrobe as his Christmas gift, as he starts working full-time (as soon as his security clearance is finalized) in early 2011 and can’t continue to have mostly cargo shorts & t-shirts as his wardrobe, especially on the East Coast. (He does have a few things but really wants to upgrade and honestly most of his wardrobe doesn’t fit as well as it should.)</p>
<p>H and I continue to be relatively healthy, as are our extended families. We have food, shelter, jobs we enjoy, and earn more than we spend. How can we not be happy? :)</p>
<p>I am smug that the 2Kids_ and I managed to have the Christmas cards mailed, the gifts shipped, the laundry done, the house clean (not white glove test clean but clean enough to leave town), and the suitcases zipped shut and in the trunk by 5:30 a.m.!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that is when Continental called to say our flight was canceled. Rebooked for later today so we are all right. D went back to bed, S is playing Xbox, and I am trying to figure out what to do with myself :o and decide how early to call DH (who flew yesterday) to say we’ll be arriving four hours later than expected. I should probably take a little nap - we were all up nearly all night long getting ready to go.</p>
<p>More gratitude–D just passed her driver’s license road test so she won’t be fretting about it for the entire vacation! I’m very happy about that! It was weighing on her & the rest of us. </p>
<p>Am also grateful that we were spared the worst of the flooding that has hit parts of our island and caused 3 power outages in 2 days at many parts of our major shopping center (boy are the merchants upset)!</p>
<p>Will work on getting more gifts wrapped & shipped. Am still trying to get S to get the artificial tree from carport to house, after vacuuming.</p>
<p>I am smug that the 2Kids_ and I managed to have the Christmas cards mailed, the gifts shipped, the laundry done, the house clean (not white glove test clean but clean enough to leave town), and the suitcases zipped shut and in the trunk by 5:30 a.m.!</p>
<p>Every year at Christmas I feel completely overwhelmed and cranky. This year, though, I am relaxed and happy. The change is due to the fact that, this semester, I was taking two graduate classes in addition to working full time. I had my finals last week and as soon as they were over I realized that focusing just on Christmas and work was not that big a deal after trying to stay afloat with the two classes!</p>
<p>I’m not even sure I have a gift for everyone and the tree isn’t up yet, but whatever! :)</p>
Am still trying to get S to get the artificial tree from carport to house, after vacuuming.</p>