Absent!

I called in sick today and stayed home. I've been fighting a miserable cold all weekend and just didn't feel like forcing my poor immune system to take any more from the kiddies.

On Friday, 5 of my 19 kids were absent. So, 14. I was already feeling awful sick and told them to be nice. They ALL proceeded to tell me how sick they felt. After lunch one told me he felt hot. He definitely had a fever. Sent him to the nurse to go home. One down. 13. Not two minutes later, another girl threw up all over her desk. One more down, 12. Obviously I didn't care to return today.

I haven't been keeping up with blogging. Or cleaning the house. Or the laundry. As much as I love having a home of our own, a husband to cook for, a job that I love, and EVERYTHING else, I am tired. Really exhausted, actually. And I don't know why. And no, I know what you're thinking. I'm not pregnant!

I'm long overdue for an update!

Because I'm still in the Christmas mood...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags. I can't wrap for beans. Thank goodness Damy was here this year :)

2. Real tree or artificial? Real! Artificial trees don't have the same scent. :)

3. When do you put up the tree? This year? We had the tree up early but nothing on it until a week or so before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's. It'll come down this Saturday to make it in time for curbside pickup :P

5. Do you like eggnog? Yummy :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Seriously? A handmixer :P

7. Do you have a Nativity scène? I was hoping to find one this year, but no go. Maybe next year.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents. Especially my mama.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Damy. He's always telling me things he wants. Christmas time or any time.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Old people clothes.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? I'm usually really good about mailing out Christmas cards. Unless I get married. :P

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Little Women. I dunno if that counts though. Maybe White Christmas, then.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? It's never too early.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? *gulp* Guilty as charged. But it's all honest, I swear!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Gingerbread. Candy canes. Pumpkin bread. Tamales!

16.Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night. Joy to the World. Sleigh Ride. THE CHRISTMAS SONG - Michael Buble. *sigh* I love them all!

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, always! Although travel BEFORE Christmas is not bad. (woo hoo Hong Kong 2006)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Rudolph, Donner, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid....okay no I can't. Ohh...Damy just said Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen. Nice! Between the two of us we got 'em all! :)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I've never had an angel, only stars.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning with the family, this year I hope we started a new tradition with H, J, and hubby to open gifts at midnight.

22. Do you watch football on Christmas day? I don't think the tv even goes on Christmas day.

23. Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Hearing Santa on the roof. I swear! And seeing an empty glass of milk and an empty plate of cookie crumbs Christmas morning when I woke up. It was so exciting!

24. Did you participate in Christmas programs as a child? I had to sing "All I Want for Christmas (is my two front teeth) in my pajamas. Not my proudest moment.

25. Do you sing Christmas carols? Yes, but only to myself, in the car, with KOST on really loudly.

26. Favorite place to be at Christmas? At home with the family.

27. Do you have to work on Christmas day? Thank goodness, no.

28. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crowds at the mall. The cold.