My dad watched some football when I was a kid. All I remember about football in the 60s was the commercial with Santa riding a Norelco razor. There were some about car batteries, motor oil, and Firestone steel belted radials.





Now, they show this commercial. Once (sometimes twice) EVERY commercial break. It's only a matter of time before our 9yo son asks "What is ED?"

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, and chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair, I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men".

Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs.

That time of the (school) year...

... when the seniors hate everything to do with school, don't care about the rules or petty consequences of breaking them (white slips? please...) and never ever miss an opportunity to remind you of what they think.

... when planning for next year's classes - and teaching assignments - begins, and I begin wondering whether to keep doing what I'm doing, and why I decided to do it again for one more year.

... when the enthusiasm and optimism that I had in August begin to fade, and my focus and effort in planning seem to falter.

... when I head to monster.com to remind myself that I really will never go back to what I was doing before I started doing this.

Looking forward...

Things I am really looking forward to, with the upcoming holiday:

1. Having many kids at home together under one roof. Usually the noise makes me nutty, but I will enjoy it - for the first day, anyway.
2. Working a jigsaw puzzle.
3. College football.
4. Sleeping late - spending days in my pjs.
5. Pictionary (per daughter #2's request).
6. The possibility of spending an hour or two alone with my dear husband.
7. A bookstore crawl, with coffee.
8. Speaking of coffee - double Gingerbread latte, extra hot, WITH whipped cream. (I think this has as many calories as one complete thanksgiving dinner, with dessert and dressing...)
9. Watching A Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf.
10. Maybe a bike ride or two - depending on the weather.

I'm ready.