It's Monday.  Again. The weekend was pretty low key as it appears the husband, the blonde and myself are all attempting to get sick - but fighting it off with all of our might.  So we spent quite a bit of time sleeping.  Maybe we're getting ourselves prepared for later this month when activities and festivities will rule the universe and sleep will become a rarity?  Kind of like squirrels preparing for winter?  I had 10 hours of sleep last night and I'm still exhausted.  Maybe I'll get a nap in today?!  That would be wonderful!  I love naps and think everyone should have one daily!

I have a horribly busy week ahead...AGAIN.  Last week was total chaos for some reason.  Projects were taking longer than originally anticipated, shit was coming up at the last minute - it was just total insanity.  Let's pray that this week isn't a repeat.  I actually have some meals planned out for the week - things with lots of vitamins and vegetables - hoping to build up everyone's immune systems as we move into this winter wonderland!  Last year I was so "on the ball" with the immune building plan - this year I feel like I'm behind the ball and trying to catch up. 

Anyway - I've been listening to Christmas music on Pandora and after 3 or 5 days of listening to it non-stop - I've decided to purchase the Martina McBride Christmas CD.  Some of the songs have this great middle-Eastern sound to them - and her voice is so lovely.  And I've decided to buy ALL the Jessica Simpson Christmas CD's and burn them - ALL of them - woman cannot sing.  And she shouldn't be allowed on the radio.  Or Pandora.  Or anywhere else.  I was told I could get a better selection if I streamed through my laptop instead of my iPhone - but then I would have to purchase speakers for the laptop - and blah blah blah - it was just getting too expensive - all I wanted to do was hear some Christmas music!  For FREE!!!  And something more than the same 5 songs over and over.  But that's what has happened on Pandora's free app for iPhone - I'm now hearing the same 10 songs over and over.  And that makes me sad.  I think there are other stations - I'll have to try to figure out how to get to those and mix it up a little today!

I see on my gift list, I only have two people for whom I have purchased nothing.  Why do I ALWAYS end up with these two people lacking a gift?  Why don't I tackle them first?  They are always the most difficult to buy for.  And I usually end up getting them each the same thing every year.  How boring.  And non-personal.  Dang it.  I'm likely stuck this year again.  Here's your obligatory g/c!  Merry Christmas!  B.O.R.I.N.G.

I've gone pretty light on Christmas this year.  And I'm proud of myself for sticking to my intended budget.  Online shopping has really helped with that.  I determined what I wanted to spend.  Then I determined what I wanted to purchase - then I shopped online for those items.  Using coupons and promo codes, etc. as they became available.  Every day there is at least one, if not multiple, deliveries here - and I just simply wrap the item as it arrives - or save it for the blonde to wrap when she gets home from school.  It's been SO non-stressful this way.  AND I will not have the after-Christmas angst of having over-spent like I normally do.  See - about this time of year when I go to the stores - I just start buying.  And buying.  And buying.  And then one person ends up with a lot of gifts, so I have to even the score with the other kids and pretty soon, I've spent the whole budget on just the kids.  I vowed to NOT do that this year.  And so far, I've adhered to that plan.  Thanks to Al Gore and the innernets.  Although I do need to go get some stocking stuffers and such - but if I could THINK about what those would be - I could get those online also! 

Maybe I'll peruse the lines today and see what I can come up with..........