Wendy, given the havoc it created on your dome, I can see why you don't love it. LOL

I love that you gave them cookies! Hey, everyone loves a plate of cookies. What a great idea! I wish my clients were local – I'd do the same.

I baked homemade cookies on Saturday for two of my big local clients' staffs–and they're all sending emails today telling me, "Yum!" I hope to do the same for another local client this week.

It's just a little holiday goodwill that I'm hoping will make them remember me when they have work that needs to be done!

Then, sadly, I wrote yesterday because I've got a bunch of articles due before Dec. 23. Oh, well. One of my friends reminded me that I'm taking the last week of December off, so I only have another week and a half of busy-ness. True, true. Friends can be helpful in making you see the bigger picture.

This morning, an article I was rushing to finish got spiked because the main source was acting fishy, and it made the editor uncomfortable. So half the fee as a kill fee (fine with me) and one less assignment to rush to finish before the holiday.

I know what you mean about the holidays. In my case, I don't have kids, which I think is why I don't have that joy. I don't hate the holidays, but I don't happily decorate and listen to carols, either. I'll be glad when it's over!

Funny thing, Wendy. The first time I shoveled this year I felt it in my forearms. Yesterday I pushed more than anything in a valiant effort to remove ice from the pavement. Last night I felt it in my thighs. Why is it that the neighbors with the snowblowers only decide to go up and down the public sidewalk *after* I've already cleared it?

Lori, you'll be glad to know I didn't even turn on the computer Sunday. Saturday morning I had to, just to get the Santa letters out. (Last year I did enough Santa letters to cover probably half my Christmas shopping. This year: three letters.) Then I put up the tree – as keeper of three-generations worth of ornaments it's an all-day effort. Sunday I shoveled and put out a few more decorations (have a lot more left to bring up – the entire village, stuff for the mantel, and about four more boxes), made the chocolate-almond toffee and cleaned the guest room, which somehow had been invaded by several huge boxes of yarn. I have no idea how that happened, LOL.