I’m working on very few cylinders here. Logan coughed all night long the last two nights – you’d think I had a newborn the way my body is reacting. Mom is taking him to the doctor today. But I’m hanging on by a thread here at work. My eyes are bloodshot like I went on a bender last night. The cleaners are coming today. My dad finished the renovations on the kids’ room yesterday. So Jay and I spent last night cleaning out their clothes, toys, and putting everything away in their proper place. In addition, I had laundry to do, plus picking up the whole house, so they could spend the time actually cleaning, instead of picking up after us. As a result, I’ve got all the unwrapped gifts in my truck, as they were covered with blankets in my room. That’s all. My mind just officially turned off.

I’m here, and I’m writing, but I’m not sure what I’m talking about… My brain has officially turned to mush. I’m confused about much. Let’s take a look at my life in equations, shall we? Kitty + Christmas tree = disaster. Let’s just leave it at that. Kitty + Christmas tree water = disaster. A messy one at that. Logan + Santa = disaster. \”I don’t want merry Christmas.\” My father + construction on my house = disaster. Student loans + student loans + student loans = disaster + headache. Kitty + ribbon = very humorous disaster. Joseph + Logan + any toy in vicinity = bodilly injury. my house + Christmas + in-laws + extra grandchild + parents = much alcohol. Logan + nightmare + parent’s bed = terrible lower back pain. Kitty + mysterious ailment + limp = pathetic. I’m trying to find something good right now. But the good news is, I finally have the Christmas spirit. Saving all year little by little has done a lot in saving my sanity. I’ve been doing holiday prep little by little. Wrapped a little last night. Have made all the gifts I need to make except for two bracelets, which will probably get done tomorrow night. The house will be clean, it’s already decorated, I sort of have a menu. I think it’ll be just fine. In other news, my husband – who’s a rather scary looking man – agreed to take ballroom dancing classes with me. Oh dear. This ought to be interesting. 6 week class at the local community college. We really needed something to do together that didn’t have to do with our finances, children, the house, messes, etc. My mom agreed to babysit, so we’ll do this together. We start the first week of January. I’m really excited about this, and just was amazed when he said yes – immediately, with no hesitation!

I totally forgot to write yesterday. I blew it. Yesterday was very busy and full. Went to Target and finished up all the shopping. All wrap buying, presents buying, and stocking stuffers are all done. I was really dreading it, but it wasn’t too bad. The crowd wasn’t too bad, and they weren’t rude! Next stop was Santa. Joseph talked to him a long time since the camera shut down… Someone had stepped on the cord, and so the computer had to boot back up again. Joseph talked to him, and then got his picture – which was very cute. Logan wouldn’t go near the man. I don’t hold with getting the picture with the crying kid anyway. So later, I’ll just tell him the reason he didn’t get any pictures with Santa for the first few years is because he was deathly afraid of him. Next stop – Christmas tree. Found a great tree place. Very Very fresh, even though we’re doing it a little late this year. Competitive prices (still too high if you ask me). Very friendly accomodating staff. One hitch. Santa was there too. We had to tell Joseph that Santa was just very very fast. Got home, got the tree decorated, and it was time to get ready for Jay’s company Christmas party. Jay told me business casual. Uh huh. I knew where the party was, however – the VP’s home is in a very ritzy area. I’m so glad I dressed properly. Jay was dressed nice, and then he put on his flannel jacket. Well, I convinced him that maybe he should wear his suit jacket. When we got there, if he felt uncomfortable he could take it off. We got there, and saw through the window the caterers in black tie. Wow. My premonition was correct. Very ritzy affair full of pretentious people. But we’re chameleons and got along just fine. Even eith the- um- eliteness of the party, we had a good time. And WHAT a lovely home. It really was. So, we had out first taste of a company Christmas party. But that’s okay – we did fine, and did what we needed to do. All in all, a very busy day. The christmas tree is just lovely. I’m satisfied.

There is much to do around our house. Shopping, menu planning, tree buying, tree decorating, house cleaning, gift wrapping… All to do this weekend in preparation for the influx of family. I’ve got to start making lists, that’s for sure.

We don’t know what to do about Bandit. Jay’s going to talk to the vet about it again today. The Xrays were clear. Rest and steroids didn’t help. So now what? Anyway, I’m not going to worry about it on top of everything else. You know work is bad when your boss forces a vacation on you. As a result I will not be working between Christmas and New Years. And boyo, could I use the break – not to mention it will be after Christmas, and guests, and I can put my house to rights again – literally and figuratively. I thought I had the Christmas shopping all done – until Jay dropped the bomb on me and told me that we had adopted a family rather than gifts at his work. Ugg. I didn’t budget for this. I’m all for helping a family in dire straights as we’ve been there – but on the other hand, we’re not that far out of the dire straights and stuff like that takes financial planning on my part. Oh to have the extra to not have to think about it… My mind is so chaotic right now I can’t think of another thing to write about, although there’s a lot going on.