Merry Xmas, guys, from Iowa. We've been here since Thursday, and I am ready to go home tomorrow. D's stepdad is generally a nice man, but he loses his temper a bit, and has said some things to his wife and D's brother that I was NOT comfortable with. I am ready to go.

I guess a LOT of relatives are coming over tonight. Being around 4 adults and 2 kids for 2 days has made hermity me twitchy enough; I may lose my mind tonight.

But it's been doable. M has been very excited for his presents, and D and I got a KitchenAid stand mixer from D's folks, which is wonderful.

Love arugula! Did you know John Larroquette's surname means arugula? You do now.

Glad most folks (that celebrate it) seem to be having a good Christmas. I hope it shapes up for those for whom it isn't behaving.

I had a helluva time sleeping last night because if I slept in a way that was took my RSI into consideration, it was bad for my back/hips. If I slept in a way that took my back/hips into consideration, it was terrible for my RSI. I tried MANY different positions. Which would sound fun if I wasn't talking about sleeping...

Consequently I'm up earlier than usual for me. I put the finishing touches on my gift wraps, then went downstairs. No one was up. And my dad is normally up and around by 7am. This is my first xmas here in maybe 15 years. I don't blame them for sleeping in. My mom was probably up late wrapping stuff. And the entire brood will descend later today and the house will be bedlam, so it's best to save their strength.

I took advantage of the emptiness to slip my presents for my parents under the tree. Then I heated up some chicken broth since I'm trying to stick to a liquid diet for at least a little while longer.

Then back up to my bedroom. Not only do I want to avoid the bedlam, I want to avoid other folks just to reduce my chance of getting some sort of cold/flu right as I need to have my voice in good shape.

We are up and have done stockings and presents. The kids are happy. CJ ended up with a bunch of shirts (Hero of Canton, DeLorian crashing into the Tardis, I Void Warranties, Evil League of Evil...), Kelly got the things she had asked for (makeup brushes, waterproof snow gloves, a trp, and I got some wonderful slippers, some clothes, and an electric tea pot.

The kids loved the photo books of grandma. They will be heading over to KCD's place soon for second Christmas.

Good luck getting through it, Erin.

Spidra, I hear you on the sleeping thing. Sleeping on my stomach is most comfortable, but bad for my neck and back. Sleeping on my side hurts my hip and shoulders. And I just don't sleep well on my back.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate! Happy Four Days After Solstice to those that don't!

I am celebrating from the Sickroom of Doom, but that's not as bad as it sounds, what with the tv and the books and the Nook! whoo! and the internets. The SO went to midnight mass last night (not Catholic, just wanted to go) but apparently got mostly announcements instead. Too bad, since we missed both of our Christmas eve services, and will likely miss Sunday's, too. Boo, sickie!

Otherwise, it's been a lovely break.

My brother is off playing with the nephews' toys. SIL and I are cooking. Or rather waiting on things cooking. Epic carnage for the boys, and a satisfyingly small number of useful and/or heartfelt gifts for us grownups. SIL custom made one of those smashed wine-bottle trays for me. Kinda really cool. And my parents bought me an iTouch, which I won't see until I return. Some of you can commence laughter now. Also a really cool set of mixing bowls from SIL, and hand painted ornaments from the boys. And hardware gift cards, of course.

Mom "got" (well, I picked it out) my brother a zebra striped snuggie. Which he posed in with the beer holster belt SIL got him. I love my family.

Snow is sticking here in Birmingham. I'd post photos, but my brother's card reader won't read my card. But seriously. I CAN'T ESCAPE THE SNOW.

I am heading out shortly for Indian food (yay, one restaurant in town IS open!) and then to see Tangled.

I went running with my sister & niece, while my other niece took my BIL to the ER because he has an infected cut on his thumb and it swelled up ridiculously overnight. Here's hoping it's easily dealt with.

Now I shall bundle pie crusts into the car and shuttle them back up the hill so I can have tea and bread pudding for breakfast before the mad rush of cooking and presents begins in 90 minutes. Argh.

And Yuletide is open, but I shan't be reading anything probably until tomorrow.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry christmas to those Christmassing. Merry day to everyone else!

Bob has received his kindle, I my food processor (the stand mixer having been returned). Cats are celebrating the season by charging around and fighting like crazy. French toast is soaking.