I dug out all the Christmas decorations on Saturday and began the decorating process. I love how the house looks when it’s finished, but getting there is craziness! Have packed up about 75% of my carnival glass and other collectibles from the living room, dining room and family room. That’s the hardest part. But I just don’t have enough room to keep all of that stuff displayed along with all the Christmas goodies. It does force the issue as far as cleaning everything and dusting off all the furniture and shelves. Am about 75% done with all the inside stuff, still have to do all the lights and decorations outside, and still have to put up the tree. “Light-Up” is next Saturday and, with Patrick’s help, should have all but the tree completed by then. That gives me two full weeks before Christmas to do baking, shopping and gift wrapping…more time than I can remember having in many years to do these things. Meanwhile, I have to get going on finishing up since I can’t stand all this stuff scattered around taking up every available space!

The holiday events at work are starting this week. Wednesday is the Volunteer Party…better known as the “Shrimp Party” in that we bring in about 50 lbs of cooked shrimp along with lots of other snacks, beer, wine, and sodas. The party begins at about 12:30 and runs for 2 hours. All the staff and anyone who volunteers for the church throughout the year is invited. It’s absolutely the best!

Next Monday we begin the Secret Santa event which last for a week. We all drew names and provide gifts daily with the “reveal” the night of the office party on 12/19. That party is held at the rectory from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Ed provides a turkey and a Honeybaked ham and everyone else brings some kind of a side dish or dessert. The church provides wine, beer, and soft drinks. It’s a really good party with lots of staff members bringing their spouses or partners allowing for socializing with folks you don’t get to see all that often.

And then it’s time for me to take a week off! That’s right, I still have 5 vacation days left to be taken this year! I’ll be off from 12/22 until 1/3. Hope to do lots of relaxing during the week after Christmas, getting ready for the onslaught of January and closing out the year 2005 at work.

Wish we could be traveling to Seattle to be with Kevin and Soula for Christmas, but Patrick’s new job precludes him from taking off any additional time. So, we’ll have to try again next year. Maybe they’ll have a new house by then…

And now, it’s time for a bit of Pad Thai for dinner and then trying to get the mess that is my living room organized.