The year is almost over and the holidays are upon us! It amazes me every year how fast the year goes by.

Spent yesterday at a water polo tournament for one of my boys. It was incredibly cold, windy, and rainy. The highway speed was about 45 mph on a good stretch. The pop-up tent I brought to give up a bit of protection from the rain was useless. We couldn't sit under the tent because the rain went sideways and got the parents and chairs all wet. We wound up holding it down so the wind wouldn't get it. Can you talk drenched? This is supposed to be sunny California!

The games were good and the kids had a great time. A trip to Starbucks and some good hamburgers after the games, followed by a nice hot shower made everything right!

Just some food shopping this week to get ready for the holidays, an appointment with the ENT for one of my boys with chronic sinus infections, and some get togethers is all that is on the calendar.

Here are a few questions that will end this year's questions.

1. Do you bake during the holidays? If so, what are your favorites?

2. Are you ready for the season?

3. What temperature do you set your thermostat?

4. What's the weather like in your neighborhood?

5. Are you feeling happy, stressed or other adjective as the year comes to an end? Why?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Cool Kwanzaa and peace!

Sharon
13 year old b/b/b + 17 year old son

1. Do you bake -- do frozen pizzas count? Also biscuits. The thermostat in the oven does not work -- the first pizza I cooked in it for the boys could have been used as a Viking war shield.

2. Are you ready for the season? Winter starts today with a lunar eclipes...ready as I'll ever be. But if you are referring to xmas, no. I have not bought any presents yet.

3. What temperature do you set your thermostat? I keep the heater off. If I get cold, I turn it on until I am warm enough, then I turn it off. It stay off at night.

4. What's the weather like in your neighborhood? Normal -- wet.

5. How are you feeling -- good, I think. Had a late night in the darkroom last night -- developed some film -- one image in particular looks very good. Time for breakfast, but I'm out of soy milk and eggs, so looks like pancakes will be on the menu...and maybe some bacon. That is how I feel right now.


Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks

Hello All!

It's been busy, busy, busy around here! Today was my last day of the semester....THANK GOD!!! It was a challenging semester, but I've learned a lot. 4.0 so far! One more semester and then I can get certified and hopefully find a job.

1. Do you bake during the holidays? If so, what are your favorites? Yes. I love to bake the standard cut-outs and Mexican Wedding Cakes. I'm mixing up the dough for both tonight, baking them tomorrow and the kids will decorate the cut-outs tomorrow night.

2. Are you ready for the season? Almost. I have been so busy with school and I've had a hard time keeping up with the housework. I only have to pick up a few little gifts, wrap them and then clean my house. We are hosting Christmas Eve with my side of the family.

3. What temperature do you set your thermostat? Between 68-70.

4. What's the weather like in your neighborhood? Cold. We have about 12 inches of snow on the ground and are expecting more tonight and tomorrow. It really is beautiful. It looks like it's going to snow on Christmas Eve and Day too. Yay!

5. Are you feeling happy, stressed or other adjective as the year comes to an end? Why? A mix of emotions.

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

Am busy at the moment! Also doing a huge sigh of relief as money finally came in from a late paying client and we can now have Christmas.

1. Do you bake during the holidays? If so, what are your favorites? I'll make mince pies and banana bread.

2. Are you ready for the season? No! I've just finished DD's today, but still have loads to do.

3. What temperature do you set your thermostat? Our thermostat doesn't work properly, so our heating is either on or off. Mostly on at the moment.

4. What's the weather like in your neighborhood? It's very cold, with temperatures of -12C and compacted snow on the ground.

5. Are you feeling happy, stressed or other adjective as the year comes to an end? Why? I was very stressed and rather down as I thought we couldn't buy presents, but now I'm very happy and relieved.

Merry Christmas from the UK!

UK mum to Aaron 18, and Jasper, Eleanor & Nathaniel 11 born 17/3/99 33wks2days