Let the chaos begin

We're home!

The drive back from my hometown was uneventful.

Since coming home 2 hours ago?

Our Christmas tree is now up.

Yes.

It's up!

Let the Christmas chaos begin!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am thankful for:

• Being able to drive out early and safely to my hometown.
• Being able to spend Thanksgiving Day with 80% of my family and their families.
• Being able to talk and laugh all afternoon.
• Being surrounded by people who care about me without any reservations 
• Being able to eat whatever I wanted without ANY guilt. 
• Having nieces and nephews that my kids totally enjoy being around. I didn't have to talk to my kids but twice during the 6 hours we were at my sisters.
• The continued good health of my parents. My father had quadruple bypass surgery including a pacemaker in August. My mom takes care of my dad by herself.
• Being successful buying enough gravy (we didn't hand make it this year) and in making enough smashed potatoes for the crew.

I had an absolutely LOVELY afternoon with my family. It was so heartwarming to be surrounded in an envelope of unconditional love. It was glorious and I relished in every moment.

I hope each and everyone one of you had a terrific Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones!

Working then driving

Tomorrow I've got to work.

I'll be up around 5am to log in to tackle the mountain of work that's still in my work to-do list.

I worked until 9pm tonight and there are 44 tasks that I still need to complete.

And there is a bunch of stuff that I'm sure will come in -- last minute!

My positive spin on Sandy

I work in an industry that was affected by Hurricane Sandy.

My workload at least doubled starting October 29th.

For 2 solid weeks I worked. That's right folks. I worked 14 days in a row.

My arms and fingers were fatigued by the sheer volume of work.

Thankfully I made sure to take a number of stretching breaks during the day so no carpal tunnel symptoms occurred.

Definitely not Tim Gunn

My son is an easy-going kid.
He loves the simple things in life.
He likes cereal for breakfast. Honey Bunches of Oat or Mini Shredded Wheat.
He likes to use all inclusive body wash/shampoo gel when he showers.
He doesn't care about name brand items. Except Nike shoes.
And my son?
He has NO sense of clothing coordination.
He'll just throw on any clean pair of shorts and t-shirt.
It doesn't matter what color they are.
I used to cringe when I'd see what would select for the day.
Now?
I just know that he'll wear whatever is comfortable.
Today's outfit?
Dark navy shorts, an orange short sleeve shirt (with two black paint spots on it) and a long sleeve black t-shirt that was a smidge too short in the arms. He wore the long sleeve OVER the short sleeve shirt.
But I have to tell you about a repeat outfit that makes me CRINGE every time I see it.
He has some of blue shorts with yellow/white stripes down the sides.
He'll pair the shorts up with either his green camouflage or grey camouflage t-shirt.
There are NO similar colors.
And he's totally fine with it.
The last time he wore the outfit, I raised my eyebrows at him.
He looked at me as he finished tying his shoes.
He put his hands on my arms and said "It's okay Mom. It's not a fashion show."