Merry Christmas to All!

Merry belated Christmas everyone! It has been a busy holiday season. I worked the weekend before Christmas, but have lucked out enough that I have gotten these last two days after the holiday off as well. John automatically has it off since he has that lovely school break. :) He will be returning to work on Tuesday the 2nd, and I will be going back on either Thursday or Friday this week. Crazy crazy!

Our holiday was split between the Hortons and the Schillers - both with differing traditions, and both a lot of fun. I think our Christmas lists were wiped clean this year.... guess I'll have to start working on the next one soon. :)

On these last couple of days off, John and I have been working on the house again (go figure). This time, we are working on John's closet. It is now sheetrocked, and the first coat of mud is going on. It will be so nice to have two closets with functional curtain rods! Next we'll have to work on doors... But no worry, fair readers, it has not been all work. We have spent a good chunk of time watching the West Wing Season 7, finishing various holiday projects (Christmas cards are now out! John's stocking is done, and mine is on the way), and shopping the post-holiday sales a little.

Another time consumer has been playing with Sabrina. She is a trixie little cat, and therefore is elusive to the camera, but here's some fun pics of her:

Oops

Sorry to all our loyal (or not so royal) readers. I just realized that I have neglected this form of communication for nearly a month! Yikes! Well, here's the summary...

The reason I have time to sit and write today is because I have the day off. Granted, I work this weekend, but I have today off. And what do I do first thing in the morning of my day
off? No, not eat breakfast. Not get a hot cup of tea. Not sit and listen to the news. I change into my grub clothes and start putting on the last coat of mud in my closet. I have time to write now because I am still dirty from that task, and am waiting for it to dry so I can prime it.

My day isn't going to be all work, but there is quite a bit lined up. Here's what I'd like to get done today on the house: finish mudding closet (done); prime closet, kitchen, pantry; paint kitchen, pantry; touch up ceilings (bedroom, kitchen, pantry, office). Of course, I also would like to type up our Christmas letter, buy stamps for Christmas cards, go Christmas shopping, swing by the bank, pick up a pile of stuff at the Horton household. Yea, I'm not biting off more than I can chew....

We did get quite a bit done last weekend, including getting set up for Christmas. Here's the current status of the house:




























Over the last couple of weeks, we've had new doors put in for the pantry, laundry, and a couple of closets. The window jams have been extended, so we are all set to put up trim. And as I type, the front half of our roof is being torn off. Luckily, we've had a warm front come through, so the roof will actually get done.

I'm still hoping for a white Christmas though....