Getting into the spirit of Christmas, or HoHum

Today is December 1. I looked at the calendar this morning and suddenly realized that there are only three weeks, or 22 shopping days, until Christmas Eve. I also realized I am not ready to have company over for my favorite holiday.

So, I am making a list and checking it twice -- not to see if I've been naughty or nice, but to see what I have to do to get into the spirit of the season. I started off by watching A Christmas Story last night. Husband had already gone to bed and I decided to watch it by myself. It wasn't as much fun watching it by myself, but it was still very cute.

Here's my list of things I should be doing to get ready for Christmas:

1. Writing our Christmas newsletter
2. Mailing our Christmas newsletter
3. Buying last-minute presents
4. Wrapping all the presents
5. Cleaning the house
6. Decorating the house
7. Putting up the tree
8. Inviting people/family to come to the house for Christmas
9. Planning the Christmas dinner
10. Buying the food for Christmas dinner
11. Getting into the spirit of Christmas

Why aren't I doing any of these things? Because I'm still sick with this lousy cold. I was planning to actually put on regular street clothes today and go to the health club to exercise. But when I woke up, I was still coughing, sneezing, snuffling, congested, and felt I was still contagious. I certainly didn't want to ruin someone else's Christmas, so I stayed home instead. (So much for Jewish penicillin!)

I hope I am better by next week. I have planned a Christmas party for December 7th for a group we belong to and I figure I should be there as husband and I are hosting the party.

I also have been avoiding other chores, like taking my van back to the shop because after they fixed it the last time, now the heater doesn't work. Grrrrr.

Now that I feel like The Grinch That Stole Christmas, how are your plans for the holiday coming along?