Nice While It Lasted

One of the few perks we get at work is the week off between Christmas and New Year's. It's supposedly a cost-cutting measure but whatever it is, I'll take it. It does make for some crazy work before the holiday, given that as soon as we wrap up pledge in the middle of the month, I am then plunged into working ahead so that everything is covered during the holidays.

Is it any wonder that by the time this week rolls around, all I want to do is be lazy? And this year, the record cold December only encouraged me to stay inside.

It hasn't been a total waste of time though... Before Christmas I began experimenting with felt ornaments, jumping off with a published pattern (the owl) then making up my own.

I wound up giving most of the owls away as Christmas gifts - and the weiner dog was a one-time effort as a gift for someone who hasn't received it yet. I've also made a fish (loved that one) and these bunnies. It's fun and relatively inexpensive - I already have lots of crafts stuff and felt is cheap. I may be doing these for a while.

Meanwhile, the guys have pursued other activities. I bought a used XBox360 for Christmas and a couple of games - and that's what they've been doing. Walking the dogs early, or riding the bike - then back to the house to become zombies in front of the TV screen.

Z didn't even blink when I took that first picture. The flash went off and after a minute, he turned and looked at me and said, "Mom... you're distracting me!" Maybe, but it took you an awfully long time to notice that...

I'd hoped to be bit more productive during this break - maybe get a few projects done, but I think I was so tired that I just couldn't. I've enjoyed sleeping in until 8am, getting up and realizing that I didn't have to do anything if I didn't want to. It all ends tomorrow. School is back in and it's back to work I go.

That's not a bad thing though. My brain feels ready to go again. But it sure was nice to be idle while it lasted!