Let it Snow!

Hi, A,

No worries on the time you wrote today. This is the first chance I've had to sit and read, and I still have time to write tonight, so this works out well. And you may get a chance to read before bed. It's all good.

I took the time when I got home to sit and really plan a budget for bills and extras. The past few months have been all about catch-up and unusual expenses (e.g. Boston) and now I feel like I need to get past what bills can I pay with this check? or how can I make Boston/dinner out happen in the midst of this stress? So I got in my jammies, got out a new journal and a calculator, and I crunched numbers without the distraction of the TV or my cell (btw, thanks for the voice mail while I was in Boston). It took 2 hours, but it's done. My Dec. 19 will be all about Christmas shopping, then beginning Jan 2 I'm all set. No more catching up. Normal bills and expenses and much less stress. Of course, more money to spend would be nice and you know I love to spend when I can, but I can live with the budget. I'll have enough to eat out and do reviews with C, to shop on occasion, even enough to think about a summer trip to the PNW.

Okay, now that I have that brain drain out of the way...

I, too, am preparing for bad weather overnight, but it looks as though we may only get a delay tomorrow. Friday, on the other hand, looks more hopeful for a snow day, which, of course, would be glorious! I haven't done Christmas cards yet and honestly may not get them done at all if I don't get extra time. Also, I don't do cookie exchanges but would love to bake some oatmeal cookies and some peanut butter chocolate bars--just to have around, just because that's what Christmas is about, right? The girls may stay overnight during vacation and what kind of auntie would I be without cookies for them? It's all about getting in the mood for the season. Weather helps (I can't imagine Christmas in Miami) and Christmas decorations mean a little more when it's cold and snowy outside.

Speaking of, your Christmas decorations look great! (Are the boxes metal? Are they outside?) Sounds like decorating with your daughter-in-law was fun. The 12 drinks party sounds fun (can I have your martini recipe?), albeit a little more mellow than years past. Sometimes it's just better to grow old gracefully, I'm afraid. There's no turning back, A, we're in our 40s, as much as I still often wonder Oh my goodness, how'd that happen?

It would be great to chat sometime this week (if we have a mutual snow day) or weekend...Let me know your schedule; I'm around.

Great to read from you today.

Love, Barb

PS lol on Prozac doesn't cover that.
PPS Wrapping? You have enough to consider wrapping. Yikes. I'm really behind.