We took a four day weekend this weekend for the first time in 16 years. Oh. My. God. you can get a lot done when you have that much time to work with. The yard looks much better, the son's hair is washed and braided, everyone has had at least 8 hours of sleep for 3 nights in a row, the laundry is almost done, and the kitchen is clean.

I may even pull down the Christmas decorations and start putting lights up on the house. Then again, maybe not.

Usually I HATE Christmas, but this year seems different. I only buy presents for my husband and kids and that is almost done. I may even wrap them this week and get really ahead. Something is definitely different and I can't quite put my finger on it. And for some strange reason, I really don't want to figure it out, but instead I just want to enjoy not hating Christmas. Hmmmm.

This week doesn't look too crazy. Husband's band is taking two weeks off and won't be practicing in my living room tomorrow night. All three schools pushed hard to finish up major things before the Thanksgiving break, so no big school projects are looming. (The kids here get a week off for Thanksgiving. It is hunting season.) Work is busy, but satisfyingly so with things that I can "cure".

Maybe having a little sabbatical has just adjusted my attitude.