Think I must have been really stressed because I caught a cold/flu thing this year. Don't know how many posts I will catch up with this morning because I still have a headache.

I spent Christmas Eve alone. My fault. A friend invited me over, but I thought the invitation was for Christmas Day. How did I manage to screw that up?

Christmas Eve, me and my puppies opened gifts. They were actually excited to receive new toys! Opening presents is not the same when one is alone. Joy- and the knowledge that one is loved and appreciated- truly are sentiments that must be shared.

I spent Christmas Day with friends. The dinner and the company were wonderful. Seeing a family together- adult brothers and sisters that enjoyed each other's company and children that were both loved and well behaved was a good, warm experience. I started the day out with a headache, and after a few hours, I felt sick and hurt all over. (Coughing, sneezing... the whole mess.) I went home and crawled into bed, which is where I spent all day yesterday. I can't stay up long because my head starts to hurt like crazy. I think there is a brick inside my skull, and the coughing has not stopped. Maybe later today I will find the energy to go to the drugstore and get something to help me feel better.

Did you notice that I have not mentioned my own family? There is a reason for that. My sisters are fighting- as usual- and not talking to each other. I had hoped that losing Tod would bring my oldest son, Michael, closer to me, but then again, I am the one who reads sci-fi and fantasy, which sort of makes some of my expectations unrealistic.

I promise I will be more cheerful when I am over this cold/flu thing.