Busy? Um, yeah.

Besides the usual crazy-busy-Christmasy-stuff going on, we've been...

... taking down the old and installing the shiny & new!  (Yes, it was a just-for-looks replacement.  But at least I waited patiently for over a year!)

... trading front loaders for front loaders.  (our current washer/dryer set is going over to our new rental house -- um, did I tell you we bought a rental?  Yep.  It's crrrraaaaazy!  So we bought ourselves a shiny new set, arriving this Sunday.  Woohoo!)

... digging trenches and destroying the patio.  (sniff, sniff. -- Did I tell you our house is sinking?  So much to share!  Apparently when the people before the previous owners added the 3rd car garage, they didn't do the proper drainage.  We've had water in our crawl space for years and our foundation is actually shifting.  And this is NOT the kind of remodeling you get any enjoyment out of... unless you value staying above ground, which I guess is good.  I always think of "The Secret of Nimh" when Chad says our home is sinking.  heehee)

... buying a rental house, signing massive amounts of papers, and madly getting it ready for tenants on Monday.  Yes, two stinkin' days after Christmas.  What?  You mean contractors take off the holiday?  Nahhhhhh.  (Ugh.)

... crying over the death of my computer.  And kicking myself that I didn't finish addressing my Christmas cards before said incident.  Sending cards ASAP!

... staring at Lilah's hair and wondering if it will ever lay flat.  Or if she'll ever like hair bows.

... creating holiday DIY art.  Cut-out trees, digital scrapbook paper book covers, and framed paint swatches.

... getting together with a long-time friend from NY and cooking a fabulous meal.  Too bad our Aero bed decided to have a ssssssssslow leak and Starlet and her boyfriend ended up on the couch at 4am.  By the way, Starlet is actually the matchmaker that brought Chad and I together! Well, she took me to the party where I met him anyway. Truth be told, Chad was more interested in my spunky redheaded friend at first, but I quickly won him over. : )

(menu: "seafood fra diavolo" - from the back of Ronzoni Gemelli noodles - used bay scallops instead of shrimp this time; "antipasto salad" - from Rachael Ray; fresh bread with oil & vinegar for dipping; wine; Kam's broiled asparagus; lemon & peach sorbet, berry gelato, and my addiction = Breyer's Special Edition Hot Cocoa ice cream. Not all mixed, of course.) Didn't get any dinner pictures, but these are the leftover shots.

... shopping here!  Came away with 2 big square frames that I hung above Aidan's train table, complete with his scribbly artwork inside, a $15 duvet cover (seriously??), a new set of curtains, more white DVD boxes, a faux sheepskin rug I threw on the back of the leather recliner, and a $15 easel for Aidan's big Santa gift.  I {heart} Ikea.  : )

... revelling in the fact that my winter musical is OVER.  And that we got a standing ovation at the evening show!  Jazz hands are the best, aren't they?  (thanks, Andrea, for the great pics!)

... staying up way too late.

Happy Christmas Eve.  And Happy Birthday, Dad!!  And many, many thoughts and prayers, Uncle Jerry.  We love you!