planning ahead

I'm grateful I planned ahead again this year and got most of my shopping done early.  I ordered my cards early -- even though they didn't go out until last Friday. I shipped the few gifts that needed to be sent on time. All that's left before Friday morning is baking Christmas cookies and wrapping gifts for the family.

Which is good, because I'm down with a rotten winter cold.  Bo has been sick with a rotten cold for over a week now (but is improving). Nate is recovering from pneumonia and ear infections. Colin has a cold / asthma act-up.  And, Lydia has a few sniffles but I'm hoping that's as far as it goes with her.

But, since I planned ahead -- and managed to stay well until I finished my last class of the year on Tuesday, it's easier to roll with the illnesses.   I picked up some gift bags to make the wrapping easier, and if I don't get all the cookies I wanted baked before Christmas, there's always next week.  

My mom ordered groceries for us as part of our Christmas presents and had them delivered, which included our Christmas dinner, so I don't have to worry about that!  And, I'm so very lucky that Bo steps up to cook meals and take care of all of us.

It feels more laid-back this year, which I like.  We didn't decorate outside as much as previous years -- but Bo was sick and it has rained a lot.  We do have some lights up which are pretty, and it'll be easier to put it all away in a few weeks.  Our tree went up a couple weeks ago, but wasn't decorated until earlier this week.

I'm hoping everyone is healthy enough to make it to Christmas Eve Mass tomorrow, but other than that there's nothing on our schedule.  Christmas Day will find us at home, opening gifts and playing.  My sister will come over in the afternoon and we'll enjoy a simple dinner.  If the weather cooperates and everyone is feeling up to it, maybe we'll head out for a walk at a nearby park.

Next week, I'd like to see some closet cleaning before we end 2009, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it.  I also hope to geocache some, and maybe hide one of our own finally.