Christmas is When!!?

Like many of you December is whizzing by at a speed faster than light. Its adding to my stress, which so far has been way more stressful than any December should be. I officially entered my final year of graduate school and to reward me the classes increased in intensity and demand, my current class ends December 22, it has proved to be very demanding in terms of research and papers, causing much sleep deprivation so my Christmas will not officially start until this is done. Work is its usual crazy and I had 2 days out last week when I attended a meeting in Baltimore, which was very interesting but will only add to my "must read" pile. As a result had minor meltdown at the weekend, told the family I cannot do Christmas on my own this year and assigned everyone jobs, Katie and Elliot are decorating the house, Colin is wrapping every gift (poor boy!) and I am on kitchen duty - we shall see how it goes. It did snow this weekend though which made everything feel so much more festive. Adding to my worry is a close friend who was just diagnosed with cancer, having surgery today, praying for and expecting a good outcome. Joe comes home in less than 2 weeks, really looking forward to that, not looking forward to the daily fights over who gets the car, the extra laundry and huge grocery bill of having 2 hungry teenagers in the house.
Katie had a great weekend, completing her snowboarders instructors course at a local mountain and getting hired - good for her, now carrying a full load at college and holding down 2 jobs - awesome girl.
Elliot is doing his own bit too to become fiscally independent, working hard at a local tavern which gives him his own gas and mountain money.
Me, all my money flies out of my purse as soon as it arrives, I dont see much of it with 3 teenagers in the house but I am going to try and slow down one day soon and enjoy some of this Christmas season. I am really holding on for Jan 1 when we plan to fly to Miami, pick up a boat and cruise around the Caribbean for a few days, just what we need......take me now!!