Not a lot has been been going on the past few days, and I like it like that. I was sick most of the weekend so I didn't do much but laze around, but on Sunday the kids and I put up the tree. Monday night Ian and Sean decorated the lawn, and all I can is that that Jeff Foxworthy should come and do a skit about our house. Four of the 5 things out there don't light up more than halfway. It's lovely.

I can't wait for Christmas! I love the holidays anyway (as most people know because I listen to Christmas music all year round), but this year is going to be different. My brother and SIL won't be here for our traditional Christmas Eve, and the people at my MILs house is going to be few this year for Christmas day, so it should be quiet. I don't mind though, because this year I feel totally different so the quiet should suit me fine.

During the past few months I've realized how few friends I really have because I decided to let the word "friend" mean something more to me than in the past, and I've also stopped trying to make excuses for people and thus feeling badly that I didn't "measure up" to whatever deserved their time and attention. Because of the change in my thinking I have, in essence, freed myself from feeling less-than-worthy and thinking that there was something lacking in me as a person. With that came a great calm and a fullness in my heart, and an even greater appreciation for the true friends and the family I have. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I can't think of a greater time to have come to this honest and amazing realization than around the holidays!