Is everyone still surviving? It's freezing over here and I have a giant pile of blankets next to my television because I'm afraid to turn the thermostat above 65. Well, that's not true. I kick it up to 70 when I get home after work, but I turn it right down again when the house warms up. Oh, and guess what? I sealed my windows this year with that clear garbage bag looking shrinky dinking with the hairdryer stuff. We'll see how this works. Now if I can only find some weather stripping for my ill-fitting doors.

Usually this time every year finds me stocking up on food for our very large Holiday Party and buying presents every day on my lunch break. Unfortunately, I subscribe to the "one for you, two for me" method of gift giving. I solemnly swear I'm not doing that again this year, but I just might break down. I really want a dutch oven. For my kitchen. Not for my bed. Definitely not for my bed. I figure with the amount of soup and stews and chili I will make in a good pot, the money I spend will be the money I save by the end of winter. Who knows. And as for the party, it is still on but you'll be finding lots less exotic cheeses and meats this year. Oh stop. Fatty. You don't need eight pounds of prosciutto wrapped freshmozz anyway. It's not like I'm serving hotdogs and chips. You'll still be impressed, don't worry. And this year when people ask me what to bring, I'm telling them.

Anyway. That's not why you came here. I wanted to let you know that I've been doing a bit of rearranging and redecorating in my house. For practically free. I bought the kid some paint and brushes and only give him the color options that match my rooms and having him make me some art to hang in frames that I have lying around. Is this obnoxious mommy behavior? Yes. Is it cheap and cute? Yes. So it works. I'm headed to Staples on my lunch break to pick up some posterboard, red and green paints, glitter glue or some type of sparkley nonsense, and a cheapo frame so the boy can get all Picasso above the mantle this year. He is so damned proud of his work hanging around the house that I could just die. And if you are related to him, don't be surprised if all your presents are handpainted this year. I promise to at least put it in a nice frame. Not the $5 Walmart plasticine wood one like I gave you last time.

By the way, you look pretty today. Pale skin becomes you.