Time For Joy & Time For Cheer?

Problem: An uncharacteristic Scrooge-like attitude brought on, in part, by the ridiculously hectic pace of the first two weeks in December. Baking, baking and more baking...unexpected schedule changes at work...one party or event after another taking away my precious evening hours...loss of workouts due to loss of evenings...waiting to see if finances came together for a Christmas trip to Connecticut...the general holiday rush of cards, presents (many of which I made this year), wrapping, mailings...the list goes on, and can I get an amen? :)

Basically, I had too many holiday to-dos to do to actually enjoy the holiday!

Solution: Friday. Jason finished classes, exams and projects. All events and parties (and related bakings) completed. Schedules ironed out. All presents made, wrapped, distributed and/or mailed. Most of our Christmas cards finished. Sidebar: By "our" Christmas cards, I also mean Fred's, who is participating in a card exchange with his little puppy friends. Latest count: Fred: 30 (regular) cards & 20 e-cards. Tiff & Jason: 12 cards...one from my dentist, which really shouldn't count.

Back to Friday...which ushered in a delightful weekend of spending relaxed time with the hubby; running outside in perfect 75 degree weather; browsing the stores just to enjoy looking; getting a free birthday meal at Red, Hot & Blue; taking naps on Saturday and Sunday afternoons; reading; drinking eggnog and watching A Christmas Story (my all-time favorite Christmas movie).

*Sigh*

I still feel like Scrooge...only now at the end of the story instead of the beginning.


Meanwhile, here are a few of the gorgeous trees we saw in Tuscumbia during Thanksgiving. These were taken on the TVA reservation and the Tennessee River. Enjoy!