lazy-ish day

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Secret Santa ideas: anything to help me take care of my poor feet -- lotions, scrubbers, etc. I despair of ever having heels that aren't cracked. Is it tacky to be specific? I'd like a big silicone scraper/spatula (not the spoon-scraper kind, the flat kind). I'd also like one of those gadgets that cores an apple and cuts it into 8 or so wedges at the same time, it kind of looks like a wheel? That one I would use constantly! Another thing I always look at but never buy myself are pretty hairclips or barrettes. I had short hair for many years and have finally found a good stylist who is helping me grow it out, so my hair is the longest it has been in years, and it would be nice to have some pretty pins or clips to put it back with. And that's quite enough of me being greedy!

It's 2:20PM and I haven't done anything yet today. I did do breakfast/lunch/snacks for the kids, took DD to school & picked her up again, but that's it. Finally cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast after lunch!

I had wanted to go through the photos and make up an order for both Christmas cards and reprints for all the relatives, but for some reason I just am not into it. Maybe later. It will happen, eventually, I'm sure.

DS2's Christmas fish fossils arrived today (I bought them on eBay), and they are BEAUTIFUL! Also, cheap -- only $16 for a set of 5, including shipping. I hope he likes them. I have to make a nice box for him to keep them in. I have some styrofoam I will carve out, and then glue fabric over it, and fit it into an old shoebox I can cover with nice fabric. That's a project in and of itself, but a fun one, so I'm not going to stress over it.

Finally baked last night -- my older sister's birthday was Tuesday but we didn't have a chance to talk, so yesterday we had a good "visit" phone call, almost 2 hours! But while we were yapping I made a double-batch of DC's gingerbread with zuchini, and baked it in my new silicone bundt pan. It did stick a little, but I think it's because I didn't let it cool completely before trying to get it out of the pan. Next time I may spray just to be sure. The cake came out fine, though, and I made a super-quick creamcheese "glaze" that I dumped over it, which is quite yummy. It's nice to have something around when I want a snack.

I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight. Whatever it is, it will involve leftover chicken, most likely. DH wants chicken quesadillas, but I have no tortillas that everyone else will eat. We do have some La Tortilla ones for him, though, so maybe I'll make something different for me & the kids. Or I'll just make chicken cordon bleu casserole... mmmmm.

Maybe my feeling of frustration/anticipation is related to the holidays. I am definitely feeling as if I have all this stuff hanging over me, waiting to be done, but I'm just not going to do it until my head is in the right place. If I try to do it now I will just get frustrated. Or maybe that's just an excuse, I don't know. I do feel as if I'm being a little stubborn about it, but it's not like someone is standing over my shoulder getting annoyed that I'm not doing stuff I'm supposed to be doing. Except, maybe, me! Damn Super Ego, there's no escaping it.

I'm trying to convince myself that keeping up the house is quite an accomplishment, what with the shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and driving around. Not to mention doing stuff with the kids like homework, reading, crafts, cooking. I still, after all these years, have a tendency to discount all that stuff and say "that doesn't matter," but it does. It certainly takes up a lot of time! This is something I have to keep working on.

Did better on getting to bed at a reasonable hour last night, even before midnight! However, the cat came under the covers and curled up in my "lap" and slept with me for about a half-hour, and she woke me up when she woke up and got out. She hasn't slept with me like that in ages. I think it must have gotten really cold last night for her to do that! Either that, or she just loves me but I don't think that's it.

So, after the cat leaves and I settle back down, DS2 comes wandering in (at about 12:30) and just wants to snuggle with me, so I picked him up and let him sleep on me like he did when he was very little baby, until about 1AM. Then I brought him back to his own bed where he snuggled right down in his covers and kept on sleeping. So even though I got to bed before midnight, I didn't actually get to sleep well until after 1! My dependents sabotage me constantly.

I have *tons* ideas for my Secret Santa person, I can't wait to shop!