Last year Chris was in the nursing home for X-mas - it was actually a horrible day. I did bring him home for the day - but sending him back to the home that evening was the worst thing I think I have ever experienced.

Our tree has been up now since Thanksgiving - and it seems like every week another decoration is found in the attic and placed around the house. This year has been crazy. In past years I would take a day and completely decorate the house - this year it has been done in bits and pieces.

I now have 1 week to finish the shopping for presents for the family. I know exactly what I need to get - but the big problem is finding time or should I say finding someone to stay with Chris so that I am able to get out. I am hoping that this weekend my mother and I will be able to go out one afternoon and I can get it all finished. My father is a "gem" - he will stay with Chris whenever I ask. So maybe I can impose on him again.

For the past 5 years I have made X-mas dinner - my mother would always make Thanksgiving and X-mas and I deceided it was time to give her a break. I know that it is going to be a hetic day - first getting Chris his breakfast, bath and trying to get cooking at the same will probably end up being a zoo!!!! I really should not be worrying about it - because I know my mother - she will probably be at our house by the crack of dawn to help me.

So now - once the shopping is all done - I need to wrap everything!!!!!!!!! Oh man - I forgot I haven't even made out my Christmas cards. So lets add this to the list for the weekend. Oh - I still need to make 2 more batches of cookies for our gang!!!!!!!!

Oh well - I know me - it will all get done and the day will be great!!!!!!!! The best thing this year is having the whole family together and having Chris home - getting up with the kids and Christmas morning will return to the way it always used to be.