This sums it up

Haole Barb has hit the nail on the head. I'm better off topically applying Holiday Christmas confections; it’s messy and generates laundry, but it comes off easier!

We're gearing up for the big Christmas push! Today we run errands, one of which is to get the kids' bikes off lay-away. (Yes, they do sometimes read the blog, but they picked the ones they wanted. There is no element of surprise on this one. The fun part will be keeping them in the garage and not letting them ride until Christmas morning AFTER church! That's one of the perks of parenthood!)

We start Christmas break next week, and I, for one, will be very happy when it gets here. I didn't realize until I worked at a school that teachers look forward to long breaks more than the kids do! I thought it was just me that needed those breaks, even though I have only ever had two students. (Except the week I subbed in the 2nd and 3rd grade class in Verona. That was the week from Hell!)

We don't have a lot planned for our break. We'll have grandparents here for a chunk of it, which will be fun. I'm tentatively planning to read a couple of books and work on the house. We mostly need the R&R, and if the weather is nice maybe we'll go do something in St. Louis.

Or maybe we'll just stay home and let the kids ride their bikes. I'll be sure to post pictures of that little escapade!

Checking in quick-like

When we got home from church and errands, I set up camp in the kitchen. I made a huge pot of minestrone, and then moved on the Christmas Chocolate Bars and Lemon Snowdrops. The Lemon isn't done yet; I have to make the filling, assemble them, and roll them in powdered sugar. THEN they'll be done.

I think I need to go make a cup of tea before I get too deep into that...

Blog recommendation for those with SAD

I was stubborn. I don't read romance. I read romance in Jr. High. All the stories were the same, with one exception and while I don't remember the title or author, I do remember the ending blew chunks. The 'hero' (using the term loosely) got on a ship with the baby, and left the heroine watching from a windown, knowing she would never see her lover or child again. Madame Butterfly with a twist.

Then I read about Jenny Crusie. I think Holly was the first to blog about her, followed by Jean. I figured if Holly and Jean love her work, there must be something to it.

Oh! My! Gosh!

I got one from the library and laughed until my sides hurt. Seriously. I cried all my make-up off. I bought two for a flight to Dallas and back and drew strange looks from those around me who were trying to decide if I was trying not to laugh too loud or choking on a peanut.

Jean, I think, was the one who posted the link to her blog. Have a peek, and if you like what you see there, you will LOVE her books. She writes with a single man, Bob, and he looks like I pictured Gabe in Fast Women. Or maybe Zack in Getting Rid of Bradley. Then again, he looks like Jake in another of her books, but I can't remember which right now. Hmm. I have it upstairs...

Oh, um, anyway, check out her blog and if you like it, buy her books for yourself and all your book reading loved ones still on your Christmas list. If she doesn't make you feel better, nothing will! (One editorial opinion: She doesn't update nearly as often as I would like.)