Life is Overhwelming, but Good

So our Thanksgiving week trip to South Carolina was quite chaotic, but it was great to see Hunter's family. The week was not without challenges on the health front, though.

#3 was sick the first part of the week with a pretty bad cold, and Daredevil got sick (fever and vomiting) just before we were to make the 12 hour drive home on Saturday, so we stayed an extra night (not good for my sister and law and her family, who were sharing living quarters with us).

Thankfully he recovered fairly quickly (after an ER visit) and we were able to make the trip home Sunday, and I continue to hold my breath that neither of my other kids (or their eight cousins we visited with last week) get it. We got in so late Sunday night that I kept everyone home from school Monday and called in sick to work. I just couldn't send the kids to school when they we got in at 2 a.m. the night before.

I should go on vacation more often. I returned to work on to find out (a) that I was promoted to Vice President (yay!), and (b) I won exclusive use of a locker at the gym at work for December via random drawing for loyal members. Yay!

Unfortunately, the VP promotion did not come with a raise (wtf?), which I really could have used, but OK. I'm just grateful to have a job , and it's very nice to be recognized. I interact with lots of executives in my job, so it's nice to be a little closer to their level.

Life is good, except, as usual, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Today is December 9th, and I have NOTHING done for the holidays. Well, not nothing - the tree is in a bucket of water in the garage and I've bought a few gifts online, but that's IT.

Christmas cards? Not even designed yet. Address labels? List not updated yet, and the printer is out of ink. Decorations? Still in the basement (Actually I think the box of Halloween stuff is still in the dining room). How many times the kids ask about when we will decorate the tree and house? Daily. However, I did fold the laundry last night and carried it upstairs! And I've been keeping up with my exercise classes!

So you'd think this weekend we'd get caught up, right? Not a chance. Friday night: a party for Hunter's work, the second of three parties we must attend, and Saturday: Diva has a dance performance, then Hunter and I are attending a family wedding overnight; and Sunday, birthday party at the local skating rink.

So I'm taking a day off tomorrow. Not to shop, although I need to do that. But to CLEAN and DECORATE my house. I'm afraid I'll spend all day cleaning and get nothing else done, and that might very well be the case. I was hoping to squeeze in an eyebrow wax, pedi, and possible spray tan so I don't look like a winter ghost with ape feet and caterpillar brows at this wedding, but at this point I think it's wishful thinking.

I realize why New Years' Day is one of my favorite holidays - it signifies that this holiday craziness is over and life will get back to normal!!