It's beginning to feel like Christmas

Brr. It is cold here, and I don't say that often about South Carolina. But it is real cold -- whipping wind chilling you to the bone cold. I'm still sticking to the mid-weight coat.

The tree in the family room is up with most of the decorations on it. There are still more to come, just haven't had the time to get them on. Plus there's the smaller tree that goes in the foyer so people from the road can see we have Christmas spirit.

A good chunk of the shopping is done -- unwrapped still, but done. One more gift for the Dougs and that can go out in the mail. I just can't believe there's just one more weekend before Christmas. And it is chock-full, too. Fortunately I'm off next week. It looks like we'll be hanging out at home this year. Maybe we'll get caught up on things around the house. That's the plan, at least.

Last weekend we went to see the Nutcracker with Lisa and Gracie. It was so fun. This is the second year taking Gracie. She's 6 1/2 now, which is a great age for the Nutcracker. To make it more fun, our friend Alexis is one of the ballerinas so throughout the show Gracie kept whispering to Jeni, "Where's Alexis?" After the show Alexis met us in the lobby and Gracie got her autograph and her picture taken with her. Very cute. Gracie then went and got autographs from a bunch of the other dancers but no pictures with the boys, "Not the boys Mom!"