And on top of all this I have two project bids out that we are trying to get to final contract so that I can start to schedule crew. These have been dragging out for months, and now it's the holidays. Also a very large RFP landed last Friday that is due by end of business on January 4th. Again, right over the holidays, so I'm trying to get other vendors to get prices back to the business so that we can hopefully get all this done. Of course all of my employees already have vacations booked, so we're just trying to get all the pieces together while everyone is in different places.

I hope to get some rest, but I don't know what's going to be happening with these bids, and there's just no option but to keep working on this. So yeah, I've been really stressed about all of this, and then...mold, sick cat, grading finals, and somewhere in here I need to put together syllabus and curriculum for a class that I'm teaching starting at the beginning of January...I'd actually forgotten that I needed to get that done.

Oh msbelle, I am so sorry that he won't get it. I don't know how many times I foolishly tried to explain to the boys how much better life would be if they would just do what they were supposed to do. Wasn't asking much, really, and life would be grand. Frustrating.

Pix and ND!! How overwhelming. I hope the construction goes quicker and easier than anticipated.

And boy do I understand the whole stupid work stuff. I was just complaining to my sister. I have purchased 1 thing for Christmas. For my 2 yo nephew. Period. I got 1 day off work for surgery then came home and was propped up with pillows working on my computer. Work, work, work. Business work, house work. Sucks. We got a Christmas tree over a week ago and it still has no decorations on it. Smells nice. It may just stay green at this point and not get lights.

My dad is getting all sorts of donation gifts.He's gonna be sporting serious Baltimore reform pride. Ahahahah. He wanted goats. I got goats, clean water, waterwheel, raised him housing reform, 300 men anti violence, moveable feast. AND got him a 'Baltimore: Actually, I like it' shirt.

Gonna confuse the hell outta the locals in NM.

I love that gift, sara!!! of course!

My brother is getting one of the latter as well. But only dad is scoring a slumlordwatch t-shirt. I love her.

...I may pick up a tea towel with a goat on it to wrap with a list of monies given in his name at market tomorrow.

Oh no, Pix and Drew, your beautiful house! I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this.

What Liese said. What a nightmare.

Ugh, Pix and ND. That's awful.

And msbelle, you are doing evetything you can. I'm sorry it's not working. :(

I went with a friend to see a show tonight--"Come From Aeay", which is about all the planes that landed in Newfoundland on 9/11. Didn't realize it was a musical!! But it was awesome...even though we missed the first 20 minutes because my friend who bought the tickets told me it was at 8. We got there at 750 and found out it started at 730 (better than at 7?). Then we went dancing where we got to meet our friend's out of town girl that she's been mad texting for the last month. We approve. AND, the 26 year old was there...and then apparently got mad I wouldn't come beg her to be on the dance floor (?? I was dancing, she could've just...gotten up) and stormed out. Uh, ok girl. Wtf. Rolling my eyes forever.

Pix and Drew, how awful! And poor Wilson... I hope the little guy is feeling better.

Back from an early trip to market. Gotta finish packing and go swim. Which I really don't feel right at this moment, so packing. Flight isn't until 6, so.