Wow - where have I been?

I don't really know the answer to that. I guess going through the motions of the holidays. Thanksgiving is just a blur. We went to the in-laws and had roasted chicken. It's like anticipating steak, and being given a teensy, weensy burger with no toppings. So I had a free turkey I got with my store card bonus points, and I planned to cook it that weekend. It was still frozen - 6 days in the fridge and it was icy. So I made it on Monday. It was good, and we used up all the leftovers from Thanksgiving day. I fixed gravy out of a jar, and my snotty son thought it was wonderful until he learned it wasn't homemade. Whatever. Gravy is one of those things I've never cared for, and I don't really feel the need to learn how to fix it.

Christmas. I endure it for the sake of my children. DH brought the tree and decorations down, and the kids decorated it. DH hung a couple ornaments at the top and put up the star. We have a garland and lights on the mantle, and DH decorated the porch. Our friend who cleans put up the Christmas shower curtain. OH - I bought a new Santa soap dispenser, and I got out the Christmas window clings for the kids. I guess that was my contribution. DH bought me a beautiful Christmas floral arrangement for the dining room table. I let the kids put precut Pillsbury cookies on the pan and sprinkle them with colored sugar. DH wrapped 95% of the gifts this year. Really pathetic when I read blogs of people who spend all year preparing for the season, or so it seems.

Christmas morning I woke up with one of the worst headaches I can remember. It's a sinus headache that has hung on for 5 days now. I spent some time with an ice pack on my head. The kids opened gifts, ate breakfast and got ready for church. After the presents were open, Baby asked if that was it. Really? I think I've done my kids a disservice by spending what I do. Next year, I think they'll each get 3 presents and a stocking. Seriously.

DH and Little Boy got ready and left a little early to get some AV stuff set up for the service. Baby threw a little fit about tights, and I cried. I was tired, my head was pounding and I didn't want to fight with her.

Church was nice. I didn't have children's church; watching Baby take communion for the first time was sweet and special - almost like she and I were the only ones there. When she ate the "bread", she wrinkled up her nose and told me in a loud whisper, "It tastes like cardboard." lol And when we drank the juice, she told me it's yummy, like the kind we have at home.

We came home from church and walked next door. The kids opened their stockings and we ate lunch. After lunch, the kids opened their gifts. I kept looking at the pile of presents off to the side that were for DH and me. Which one held the featherbed I asked for? None of the boxes looked big enough. I opened several boxes of junk catalog junk. And that was it. No featherbed. I just wanted to cry. I was so looking forward to putting it on our bed. And I sat there and wondered what on earth to do with the junk in front of me, trying to smile with gratitude, trying to not look at the piles of toys and STUFF my kids had opened and I just wanted to crawl in bed and stay there for a couple days.

I can honestly say that December 26th is one of my favorite days of the year.