I mean, not NOW NOW but soon. And too soon, if you ask me. Though, I am basically done shopping. I think I am happy with where we sit. There’s a lot of (size-wise) big gifts this year: Dakota got a Barbie house (garage sale find but she was super excited; she already knows about it but had to wait) and the boys got gaming chairs. Isaac got a new bike and for Elliot, I fixed his up. The tires have been flat/irreparable for two years! So I think the tree will look rather encumbered on Christmas day! There’s some “small” gifts too but that pack a punch: Elliot is getting a newer phone (LG Stylo 5) and Dakota is flying with Ash to Chicago to see our newest family member! My brother-in-law and his wife had their first baby, a girl, last Thursday. We went back and forth for months on whether the whole family would be visiting and they seemed reluctant to have us so this was the compromise. Twp of us go as ambassadors this time then for Spring Break, we’ll drive up. I actually kind of like that trip: Eight hours to Nashville, stay overnight, then about 7ish hours to Chicago the next day.

So yes, I think we’re ready. I have to get some last minute meal items for Wednesday and then make it through the next couple days. I’m grading papers today and I have to still wrap gifts of course. The kids are home on break and it’s not a device day so it’ll be interesting to see them entertain themselves. They started building a fort last night but as it is with all children, that moment of getting along and being excited is tenuous; it could collapse any second. So let’s see if they pick back up with the imagination play.

So, this holiday season really got to me the last few days. I was very happy about our plans and my gifts and being off from work. But then it all just sort of crashed down on me. I asked our friends if they wanted to have drinks or dinner and it seems like no one could do the one night, but then said Saturday was doable and they’d check. But not a one said anything back. My other friend and I keep missing each other too; she wanted to have coffee Friday but I had plans to shop with Ash since he had a half day.

I don’t know what it is; either the end of the year blues or what but I just go back and forth between loving everything about the season and being super depressed. The rain doesn’t help, I can tell you that. I have to really calm myself because I don’t like feeling this way. I will say, little things help. We went and looked at lights last night, despite the light drizzle. I have been making cookies and trying holiday beers. In fact, last Wednesday was very nice. I went to Ash’s office party and they had it outside at a nearby park. Though it was FREEZING, we had fun. Burgers and a fire and Secret Santa. I ended up with an LED lantern light that Isaac used to love having in his room. Score! I was a little mad that I didn’t win in the ugly sweater contets; I was going for most inappropriate. Ash had a Die Hard themed one that said ‘Yippee Ki-yay Motherf*cker’ and he won over mine which is literally Death riding a reindeer killing elves. I mean, come on! Oh well. Can’t win’ em all. Anyway, after we cleaned up, I went with him and four of his co-workers to have some beer and that was fun. It was the relaxation I needed.

Anyway, chances are I won’t be blogging for a bit. Tomorrow, I have some stuff to do early on and then we’re seeing Star Wars at noon. I’m planning on going to church at 5. It’s funny; I told them I was going and my middle volunteered to go too. Then my daughter and then my oldest. Now we have to see if Ash will go. He asked if he has to dress up and I told him church is a lot more relaxed now than it used to be!

So anyway, Merry Christmas everyone, if I don’t blog for a week or so!

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You know me, Carpenters all the way.