Christmas eve eve, or the day before the day before

This was, quite possibly, the laziest day ever.   We put a roast with some potatoes and carrots in the crock pot this morning, and it made for a great dinner.  There is enough roast left for BBQ beef sandwiches tomorrow.  I've already gotten into the leftover taters and carrots.  That's one of my FAVORITE leftovers in the world.

The girls have felt, shaken, and closely examined their gifts several times tonight.  There is one that Monica has decided is an accordion.  ????  OK.  Sure, I have always wanted some good, old fashioned polka music in our home.  NOT.

The girls were in bed early tonight.  They were up very late last night, hanging out with Grandpa, so they were tired and grumpy much of the day.  Not grumpy, really, just emotional.  Monica asked if she could go to bed at 8...We sent Natalie along about 20 minutes later.  Tomorrow will be a big day, and they need to rest up.

Mom and Dad will come over to watch the girls open their gifts on Tuesday morning.  I was thinking about making some great breakfast treat, but I'll have to see what ingredients I have on hand.  Mom would say, "NO MORE FOOD!" but if I can find something that I can throw together, I will.

On Tuesday afternoon, we'll probably take down the tree, so I can reclaim my living room.  The tree itself will be hauled off and trashed.  It's been a bit more lame each year, and the cats have finished it off, I'm afraid.  I can't blame them entirely, since it was a discounted tree that we bought about 6 years ago.

Hawkeye ran off this afternoon.  Usually, he stays within a square block of home, and when we callhim back in, he comes running in a matter of seconds.  Today, we called and called, and no response.  Kevin was getting ready to get in the truck and go find him, when I gave one last call and he showed up.

I was so worried.  I pictured him being hit in the street or something morbid like that.  I'm like my mother and grandmother that way...it's not my fault.  Anyway, I hate to admit how attached I am to that stupid hair ball.  He sleeps all day, gets underfoot and is generally a pain in my butt.  But I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to him.

Now, the useless twit is lying in the doorway, not a care in the world.  I think I'll go nudge him awake just to be an annoyance.  The cats are just as bad, curled up in a chair together, napping.  I won't diss them too badly, though, since that's how I spent a large portion of my day, curled up and napping.

I don't know what the point of this post is.  I guess it's just that I am at peace.  I am warm and content.  My children have gifts to open, my husband loves me, faults and all, and my pets add something special to our lives.  It's been a good year.  Sure, there have been struggles, but we all made it through just fine.

Now for some rest, in the Midwest.