I AM!!!

I listen to Christmas Carols in the car on the radio. I've done most of my shopping. I have everything up except my big tree and my lights which my husband and I are doing tomorrow as we both have the day off.

He doesn't peek and my family's presents get mailed so I don't have to hide them too much until I wrap and put under tree.

I am full of happiness and excitement this time of year for many reasons.

I saved up vacation days so I could have December 17-27 off to do my baking, fudge making, brittle making, etc.

I love this time of year. I understand about pressure, finances, depression, however I love the happiness and joy in the air and the cold bundled up hot cocoa feelings.

I like snow and staying home in my pajamas and baking and wrapping and donating and my ornaments some of which are older than I am. My pets love it they like their presents every year and the food is good the air is crisp and we still do our walking, jogging,and other exercises so we don't gain too much weight lol.


What do you like about this time of year?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I am big time we got our real tree today, and my lovely daughter took our annual christmas picture. Yesterday during the day we were christmas shopping and I also went today to Walgreens for christmas wrapping paper. Finally I have had the christmas songs on the radio in the car. Beautiful time of the year for sure.. Catherine

One of my favorite things to do, this time of year, is light my gas fireplace in the dining room. If the boys are at school, I fix my lunch and eat it at the dining room table, read a holiday cookbook and look out the front window.

One thing I always love to do, on the last day of school before the holiday break I make a pot of hot chocolate (real milk, real chocolate, a dash of heavy cream) and have the fireplace going when the boys get home from school. It's a welcome kick off to the break!

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Catt
~ Mirror Mirror on the wall, I am my mother - after all! ~

Mattcatt love your ideas, they sound so warm and comfy for sure especially this time of the year, while I am not a big chocolate love, I do love hot cocoa and home made whip creme on top sprinkled with some cinnamom sounds and is delicious enjoy. Catherine

Wasn't until yesterday---we spent the whole day dinking around, did nothing but goof-off. Actually found a couple of presents in pawn shop/second hand store.
And today, got our Christmas tree--a live one! The first one ever for the kids, and my first one in 16 years.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I am trying to get into the spirit. Its a sad time for me because this is the 2nd Christmas without my brother, but the first one where it has actually set in that he is gone. Last year I think we were all numb and it was like a dream we were waiting to wake up from. This year however is a little better than last year, siince we recently found out about his little girl, who we all adore. I am having a great time toy shopping for her and her sister, since my kids and the other neices and nephews are all older, and all they say they want is gift cards or electronics I did put up a small tree and did some decorating and next weekend I plan on baking cookies all weekend

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Not me. I'm trying to get there but with money being so tight it's hard. Plus all the years of working retail and my grandfather passing away on a Christmas morning it's hard for me to get in the spirit. I'm not a scrooge but it just doesn't feel the same anymore.

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~~just open your eyes and see that life if beautiful~~

I'm not much in the Christams spirit either this year.With Bf losing a job for the third time in 3 months and having no income It's hard not to feel stressed.

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To ladystrange and dollydeal many hugs to both and you in this holiday season. Sincerely hope that 2011 will be a better year for both you and your families again hugs and peace......... Catherine

Not really, 2 months of Christmas music gets really old. no money for the kids things that they really would like to have. Do feel nice about having a friend of my oldest son come stay with us, his family didnt want to even thoguh I offered {well offered to the mom cause I dont want the father in my house because of some things anyway she said she wanted to stay at their home) but they have no power, no heater so I had the boy come stay with us for awhile. so do feel good about that

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Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
www.geocaching.com

I'm sorry to hear that Dolly. I hope things get better for you fast. Lots of us don't have money this year. Christmas is about showing appreciation and love it's not about what you can buy. You're not alone if that makes you feel any better.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I am totally in the Christmas spirit. Our house is decorated and I'm almost done with the shopping. I will deliver to the two adopted families this weekend, so that will be done, too. I only have a bike and a couple of gift cards to get to finish those up. YAY! I always make Christmas trays of goodies for the teachers at DS's school, our family doctor, Trevor's asthma doctor, my immunologist, and our cleaning lady, so we will be making all that stuff this weekend. I put chocolate chip cookies, fudge, cinnamon bundt cake, peanut butter ritz cracker in almond bark, almond bark pretzels, and some little candies on the trays. My nieces will be spending the night with us tomorrow night, so they will help me. My DH and DS are starting to roll their eyes when I put the Christmas shows on TV each night, but they aren't saying much yet... We'll see how long that lasts.

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Kim