Christmas is in the air

As tradition has always been in my family we go get our Christmas Tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. So off we trekked. We found a nice place to go last year, but this year we were better prepared. Both girls with snow pants and all bundled up and the jogging stroller for the uneven terrain. I some how let Joel talk me into a blue spruce (I prefer a Douglas Fir) and it has been nothing short of a nightmare. The darn thing is so prickly it was tough to decorate. Then we went to Michigan to visit my grandparent's and left our neighbors the wrong key to the house, so it stopped drinking water. So with it full decorated...the next morning, before work Joel pulled it out of the stand far enough such that I could take the sawz-all and cut a notch out of it. The tree looks nice, but never again.

We have of course gone overboard as we always do at Christmas. Joel and I have been getting things here and there (me a new iPod, him a GPS, etc), so we will not be exchanging gifts on Christmas (and yes Joel if you read this, I mean it this year...I did not get you anything). After one toy shopping spree I told Emerson she had to pick out a few toys that we could give to boys and girls who aren't as lucky as we are. She did pretty good at picking things she doesn't play with anymore. I donated the toys along with car seats, strollers, etc we have grown out of to Child and Family Services of Buffalo. While it broke my heart to hear some of the stories, I was very happy to see that we filled their empty storage room to help their foster families.

We are looking forward to time at home over the next few weeks and a little break in Joel and my travel schedule. Last week we literally passed in the air...I don't know what we would do without my parent's here. Joel's travel picks up again at the beginning of next year, so I hope to keep mine to a minimum. I used to feel productive when I traveled...go to a plant, get your hands dirty, actually help someone. My last few trips have literally been for 2-4 hour meetings. Doesn't matter if the meeting is in Ohio or Colorado, still have to go. I knew a management role would be different, but I do miss some of the operator interaction. Anyway how cares about work. I have a job and I am darn happy about it, considering what people are dealing with every day.

With vacation coming up I hope to get my Christmas posts up before Emerson's third birthday:)