It has begun.

Hard to believe that the Christmas parties are now upon us. First, I'll preface by saying that it is a blessing to be so close to family that we have parties to go to. But, there sure are a lot of them! :) This year is more 'tame' than normal because a few have doubled up. It just doesn't seem like it should be time for this already. I know that everyone says it, but it's true...the days and months fly by so quickly. Little Miss is already a month past a year and a half (which means we're on the downward slide to her "2 birthday" as we call them 'round these parts) and Buddy is nearly 3 and a half.

It is cold here. Really cold. I'm a wimp. I live here because, for the most part, it is mild all year. Sure, we get some snow so that we can say we've had winter, once in a while the puddles freeze, we have some "hot" days in the summer and we have markable seasons, but this aint no tundra. And, I'm not cut out for tundra living (nor am I ready to assume the natural gas bill that comes from heating a gigantic house in said tundra). See, it hasn't been above freezing in over a week! We have snow on the ground that shows no signs of melting and to top it all off, the blankety-blank pipes in my master bedroom keep freezing. It is now a sweltering 77º in that room and the water has been set to "perma-drip". I will not have them freeze again (if I can help it, which apparently I can't, or this wouldn't be the third time they froze!). Yes, I'm aware that freezing pipes is a bad thing. Yes, I know freezing them 3 times in a week is a bad thing. I'm aware. I just can't get it to stop. I guess the bright side is that the kids will be extatic to take their bath in their tomorrow and Buddy won't be giving me his sob story about how he needs to be carried because the tile floor is freezing!

So, I was supposed to be getting a new winter coat from Hubby and children for Christmas. I actually bought it myself on Black Friday because it was 60% off. But, I should have known, that is not good enough for my husband. Picking out your own gift is a no-no, and warrants a much bigger, secrative purchase. So, now I am the proud owner of an oober expensive Roomba. For those not in the know, that is a robotic vaccuum that will keep the pine needles and bread crumbs off my kitchen floor. Lord know my floor is disgusting and ridiculously hard to keep clean. But, I certainly didn't need him to spend all that money on one! He had to be tricky, too. Since I'm the "money" person in our relationship, I pay the bills, deposit the checks, keep the bank accounts, etc, etc, etc, it's pretty hard to pull a surprise gift off on my...espeically with the advent of online accounts. So, apparently he's been hording side money (I thought he was just delinquent in asking for people to pay him!) and giving it to his sister. He's been researching online (apparently when I'm in the shower) and then had her buy it and ship it to her house. And, like usual, he couldn't wait until Christmas, and gave it to me today as I was scrubbing the kitchen counter. He was worried the battery would freeze in his truck (remember the freezing cold I mentioned earlier?). So, he is a gift giver (obviously) and quite proud at himself for pulling off this without me knowing where the money or gift came from. And, don't worry grandma. Though this gift does plug in (a HUUUUGE no-no in your gift receiving book) it vaccuums by itself...so I don't think that counts. :) Though, what would you do after Sunday dinner if something cleaner the floor for you? :) Maybe the Pastors among us can clear one thing up for me. It needs to charge overnight, which means it won't be ready until Sunday to clean. Is it wrong for a robot to clean your floor while you're at church??? Hmmmmm....I'll have to see if it says anything to that regard in the paperwork.

Merry Christmas Everyone! May you all have time to reflect on the gift of God in sending His son to earth for our benefit. As Buddy gets older, it is harder and harder for me to understand giving your own (and only) son for someone else's benefit.