The presents have been opened and the stockings emptied. My daughter seemed pleased with her loot. Breakfast cassarole just out of the oven. More family gatherings and feasts ahead! Merry Christmas!

Sure is a beautiful view out my window right now. I feel like I’m in the little house inside of a snow globe. I made sure to go to the grocery yesterday so we’d be stocked up with food while the storm hits. Since my normal grocery days is on Sunday I had to go yesterday with the Saturday crowd. All the other Sunday shoppers plus the “oops, I forgot something” crowd and of course the “world is coming to an end” crowd were there as well. The lines were pretty long but I was able to cruise right into a self check out line and get out pretty quick. Not sure how much we have but I’m glad mother nature is forcing us to stay home today. : )

We had quite the ice storm today and I’m going to attempt to upload some pictures I took:

Finally, I have an OSU fan in the house besides me…okay so it may not have been her choice. See, my dog has no meat on her bones no matter how much food I pour in her bowl. She’s a grazer so she doesn’t put on weight. Therefore, she freezes when it gets cold out. She’s been shaking even in the house. So, my daughter insisted that I needed to get her a sweater or coat.

I went to the general store in town I have a credit card to (with no blance until now but oh well – it’s cheapter than a vet bill) and found there were only two styles of sweaters – Ohio State or University of Michigan. Well, my daughter is a UM fan and I’m an OSU fan. I had my daughter the first few years of her life as an OSU fan but my best friend got a hold of her and converted her. (I’m still plotting my revenge on that one.) So, I purchased the OSU sweater for the dog. [evil cackle]

I realized I had forgotten to send my daughter’s medications with her to her dad’s and since one is for asthma and the other for thyroid they are pretty important. Well, I told my ex she was going to kill me when she saw the dog and oh yes she did! She pounded on me and gave me the evilist look! She insisted I needed to get a UM sweater as well. : )

In other news – I returned to work on Thursday. What a long hard day. Ugh. Friday morning was even harder but as the afternoon went on I seemed to feel a bit stronger. Today I overdid it a bit trying to do Christmas shopping but I am running out of time! I’ve got almost everything wrapped (I have such a small window of opportunity since my daughter is with me most of the time.) However, I’ve run out of “non-Santa” paper. Rats. I have a nice fat roll of paper but it’s for Santa only gifts. Ugh. So, my broke butt is going to have to go to the store and get some paper at some point. Not tonight – I’m exhausted and tomorrow isn’t looking good with the freezing rain in the forecast.

Well, I was getting in the xmas spirt and have had xmas music playing today for the first time this season. However, one song had me about sobbing. I’m sure you’ve heard it if you listen to xmas music – it’s the song about a kid buying shoes for his dying mom “so she looks beautiful if she meets Jesus tonight.” UGH. That song was sweet to listen to in years past but this year with my having been so sick and intensive care with an unknown diagnosis I about lost it listening to this song. If it plays again this season I’m gonna have to turn off the radio. I can’t emotionally handle that.

Okay, I’m going to bed. Night!

I’m trying not to think too much about it but reality is going to bite me in the but here really soon. See, I’ve been off work for a couple of weeks now. Short Term Disability is only going to pay me 70% pay and that’s only if they approve my claim. I’m going to have to wait for the claim to process and be approved before I’d get any reimbursement. So, my next check is going to be majorly short. That check pays the car and house payments. #$%&. I may have to call the mortgage company tomorrow and see if I can skip a payment somehow.

My daughter was begging to have xmas lights up outside this evening because so many others on our street do. I was hoping she wouldn’t say anything and I could save the money on electricity and stick to the inside of the house only this year as we light the mantel and tree. (Thanks by the way Darrell for your help with the tree!)

I received the first hospital bill today pre insurance which racked up to $3,000 + and that was just an ER visit. When the next one comes with the Intensive Care stay I’m really going to have to brace myself.

Please pray, cross your toes, whatever – that I can skip a payment or win the lottery.