Merry Christmas....

With all I've had to do lately, writing an entry was the last thing on my mind. Then the egg nog kicked in and I thought, what the heck. It's only the 23rd. I've got another day to shop.

Yes, once again I procrastinated to the point where I had to do all of my shopping, baking, and cleaning during the last week of December. Honestly though, it doesn't bother me. I enjoy getting out with all the other cheerful shoppers, ("Excuse me sir, do you see what I see? The sign says 10 items or less....that roll of Lifesavers counts as #11 so move it!) wayward seniors, (Grandma didn't get run over by a reindeer, but the line of traffic she just pulled out in front of), and all of those adorable kids waiting in line to see Santa at the mall ("No Billy, you may not text Santa your list. You have to stand in line if you want to tell him what you want!") All in all it went rather well. I just got home from taking Hayley to finish up her shopping. She is a clever one....she had saved $80 for shopping and every time we went into a store she would say, "Awww, man....I left my wallet in the car!" And every time I'd reply with, "Well, aren't you lucky you have a mom that looks out for you. I just happened to put it in my purse!" She had to buy gifts for her dad and Betsy. She did really well....and afterward we went to lunch together. We had a great time talking and laughing....until the end when I reached for my bag and hit the straw in my half full glass of rootbeer. The look on her face was priceless as we, the table and floor were all drenched. She waited to laugh until I did....lol....and then we couldn't stop. We both walked out of there looking like we hadn't made it to the bathroom in time. Our shorts were soaked....

Yes, I said shorts. It's a balmy 78 degrees here in festive Florida. I'm telling you, it's not easy celebrating Christmas when it's hot and humid. I started baking cookies yesterday and turned the air to 74. It's been overcast and rainy for the past few days, so I just pretend a snow storm is coming and crank up the a/c. However, I will admit that it is much easier shopping without wearing a winter coat, boots, mittens....

As you can see by the pictures, Betsy got a car. She is thrilled with it and wouldn't you know, has managed to keep it in one piece! She graduated last week and is working full time now. She will be going to college in the spring which will be very interesting. They all want to be adults....but let's see what happens when your research paper is due and you have to work till close! Hayley is doing great. She got glasses and says she can finally see in class. I love them....except for the fact that they make her look  so darned mature! I let her pick them out herself....and what an ordeal that was. After about 40 minutes she had it narrowed down to two pairs....the ones I liked and the ones she liked. In the end I told her that she has to wear them, so she needs to choose what she wants. (btw, she chose the ones she liked!). She did really well with them too. Had them an entire week before losing them at church. She did find them a week later in the gymnasium....Twas' a Christmas miracle!!!!

As I sit here I'm thinking of all the things I have yet to do. I've got to wrap everything, finish making the cookies, clean up the mess I made in the kitchen whilst baking said cookies, iron the growing mountain of clothes that are piling up in my already crowded closet (ahhhh yes, my ironing habits haven't changed), and a miriad of other things. I didn't even send cards this year. Then again, I didn't get any either so that pretty much worked itself out. I need to go get my mom's gift (she's in Indiana for the holidays....and here's hoping she doesn't read this), and I also need to get my mother-in-law's gift. I should probably try to squeeze in a trip to the liquor store too....I'm thinking I'm going to need a bottle of "Christmas spirit" to help me make it to Monday.

I suppose that pretty much explains what's been happening around the JBCoupe household this Christmas season. Nothing very interesting....but I wrote about it anyway. Think of this entry as one of those annoying "holiday update" letters people send with their Christmas cards. You know the ones...."Tommy made the honor roll again this grading period. We are so  proud of our perfect little genius. Marcus got that partnership and is now knocking down $500k a year....and as for me, I've had a bit of stress this year. You just wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a size 5 anymore!" You just know that Tommy is cheating, Marcus is going bankrupt, and  the 5 she is referring to is her ring size.

So, to all of my friends and family who may read this, have a very Merry Christmas....and Happy New Year!