Christmas is exactly one week away, are you ready!?! I made some good headway on my wrapping yesterday, but I still have some gifts yet to purchase.
Paul went out to run some errands, Becca had Indoor Drumline rehearsal, and the college kids were sleeping late, so I put on some Christmas music and made another cup of coffee in my favorite Christmas mug and tackled the stack of presents I was storing under my desk.
I did pretty well until I ran out of boxes. I was going to pack it up and wait until I could get some more, but then I decided no one in my house cares if their presents are wrapped in proper gift boxes or Amazon packing boxes, so I used a few of those so I could finish up.
After that, I went online to try to “even things out” for my kids and order for a few last minute gifts for family members in Virginia. That’s when I discovered that not every area of the country has such easy access to Amazon distribution centers.
I really take for granted how quickly we can get things shipped to us. It’s literally an extra 7-10 days to have the gifts sent there rather than here. Fortunately, none of them are depending on our gifts to make their Christmas magic happen, because they won’t get there until the following week sometime.
In other news, Caroline drove herself and two friends home from college on Thursday and just missed the winter storm that was moving its way up the east coast. I was worried all day, but I just tried to stay busy and not think about it.
She actually made it home in record time, and said that it wasn’t bad at all. I guess she didn’t run into any major traffic or anything, which is some kind of Christmas miracle. Maybe all the news of the impending storm worked in her favor; it sounds like everyone stayed off the roads. At any rate, I am equal parts relieved and proud of her.
Now to get her back up there in January… I guess we parents never run out of things to worry about, do we???
Speaking of things to worry about, Becca is doing a lot better. She’s been able to do half days at school this week and attend some of her band practices. She’ll probably crash today, but at least we’re seeing some improvement, and she’s acting and sounding more like herself.
With Christmas and Caroline’s birthday just a week away, I have a lot of loose ends to tie up over here. It’s going to be a crazy week. I really need to make some lists and get myself organized so I’m not scrambling at the last minute. I hate that feeling, and I know it all too well.
So that’s my plan for the afternoon! It’s a cold but pretty morning here, so I’m going to try to get out for a brisk walk before church.
Also, if you’re not a newsletter subscriber – or even if you are, because there are some new additions – I copied my Weekend Sale Picks from yesterday’s email and expanded on it a bit and put it into a blog post. If you’re doing any shopping today, you may want to check that out.
Okay, that’s about it for me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
20 Responses
That storm that hit was a big one. I’m glad she is safe at home ahead of it. I’m
always amazed how much you get done at the last minute. I don’t run well like that. Also, you buy a lot of gifts outside your family. Years ago our family scaled down when we had our own families, so we don’t buy for my brothers and families or my husbands. My mom is the only parent left and so we buy for my kids and grands and my mom and my friends and I even quit buying for each other years ago. It just got to be too much. We all were on the same page about it. All my moms relatives live in the same town as me and my husbands just 20-hour away and there is no way we could buy for all the aunts and uncles and cousins. So all that to say I don’t have many to buy for compared to you, so I can see how you are still ordering gifts. Amazon prime here is suppose to be 2 days, but this time of year can vary some. Have a great Sunday.
Kathy, our family does the same. I buy gifts for my sister, nephew and mom and dad, but my husband’s family is much bigger and we agreed years ago not to exchange presents. It’s a relief because Christmas can be a financial burden, with buying gifts, food, decorations, Christmas cards, etc. and the work disproportionately falls on the ladies of the household. I work full-time and my kids still live at home so I appreciate the scaling down. My husband does shoulder a lot of the load, but I do almost all the shopping and buying. I am good at it, but it’s still a lot of work and worry! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
I have noticed that flair or bootcut jeans that are not ankle length are very long and need to be hemmed. I am 5ft 8 and I have never hemmed any pants before this year. Thoughts?
You can always cut them for a raw hem. Or most dry cleaners do tailoring.
Hanukkah starts tonight and goes for the next 8 nights. Just letting you know. TG I was organized this year!
Is it earlier than usual this year? Happy Hanukkah!
I’m so glad that Becca is feeling better! Yay on Caroline having an uneventful drive home. We don’t have that many people to buy for, but because we live in a very rural area where it takes longer to receive packages, even with Amazon Prime, I do most of the gift buying late summer/early fall. Since I was having shoulder surgery on Nov. 18 and did not know how extensive it would be, that pushed me to get it all done even sooner. Larry’s birthday is today, and as usual I struggled with what to give him today and what to save for Christmas. It was in the upper 20’s and very frosty this morning. At least it’s feeling more like Christmas and winter. Have a blessed day!
So glad to hear Becca is feeling better and all the kids are home under one roof! I know that makes a moms heart full! I’m ready for Christmas with just a quick run to the grocery store early this week to pick up a few items.. last week I did a grocery order pick up and they are becoming more and more convenient to save time and dealing with the crowds.. I’ll do a final house cleaning mid week then our daughter and granddaughter will be out to do some Christmas baking ..
Sounds like you are well prepared! Have a merry Christmas!
So glad that Caroline got home safely and Becca is feeling better. Just to have everyone feeling healthy at Christmas is truly a miracle at this point! My handicapped hubby has a really bad cold and won’t hydrate because he doesn’t want to get up and use the bathroom. In the past this has led to kidney stones! That and the fact that he is scheduled for some surgery Jan 4 have me all nerved up. Keep us in your prayers!
Oh, dear. I will definitely pray for you all. I hope you can enjoy your Christmas celebrations!
So glad to hear Becca is getting better and Caroline had a safe trip home…. I’m sure everybody is looking forward to Christmas It’s such a great time of year Happy shopping….
I am so happy Caroline came home safe!! (WAY To Go!!!) I am so happy Becca is feeling better!!
Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Thanks Sandra!
We Moms never run out of something to worry about and then the grandkids come along! Even more to worry about…..lots of trusting and praying. Glad yours are home well and safe.
Thanks, Judy. So true!
Hello, I just want to wish you and your family a merry Christmas. As a retired teacher, I have really enjoyed following you and getting fashion tips. I went from having a mainly work wardrobe to now having a more casual wardrobe. I live in the Midwest and it looks like we’re going to have a bitterly cold Christmas. Praying that everyone stays healthy.
Thanks, Deb! Merry Christmas!!
SO glad to hear your Caroline made it home safely! I always thought as kids got older, we moms would worry less. Turns out we worry more! 🥴 Also thankful your Becca is starting to feel better. It’s awful to be sick at Christmas. I had a terrible migraine yesterday and had to leave our ladies Christmas church party early, and completely missed our band besties parent party last night. 😔 Most things from Amazon will not arrive here for at least a week. I’m thankful that we are finished shopping for the most part. It’s supposed to be in the teens (for lows) this week, and that’s pretty much unheard of here in Southwest Louisiana, so bundled up we will be! Have a blessed week and enjoy your family all being home!
I’m so sorry you missed out on some of your holiday festivities. Hope you feel better soon! Stay warm!