I knew this would happen....=)

{this picture really has nothing to do with this post, I just love this movie!}

Last night, I did an "inventory" and made a LONG list of everything I need to accomplish before our trip and before Christmas. Everything from take Bailey to the vet for a spa day, picking up a few more presents for this coming weekend, to GRADING FINALS and posting final glass grades next week, and OF COURSE -----> WORK WORK WORK......

Unfortunately, chaos always ensues at work before I plan on taking my vacation days. Always. I warn everyone for literally MONTHS of the dates I will not be in the office, but somehow, no one seems to notice, until RIGHT BEFORE I leave. Then it is a "The Sky is Falling/We are all Going to Die/Do this right now or the world will fall of its axis even though I have been sitting on it for three weeks already without letting you know" kind of thing. I am sure that happens at a lot of offices, but it doesn't make the weeks before a long trip very enjoyable. I expect it, but it still is the pits.

Finals are Monday through Wednesday at the college for the classes I teach. I have to get those given, graded, then the whole semester averaged and turned in. My goal is to complete each class and email it in the same day I give the final. It shouldn't be too terrible, as long as the formulas I have set up work as planned in the grade calculations. I know it is part of the job, but it's getting AWFULLY close to when I'm leaving on a jet plane........

The frustrating thing is that this is supposed to be the "Holliest, Jolliest" time of the year, but it can be pretty hectic. I think it's easy to COMPLETELY forget the whole point of Christmas anyhow.

But if we set all the hectic crapola aside, there are some good things happening. Our church's Christmas program is this weekend. We are going to the Sunday Morning Performance. I'm excited because all the music is "big band" style this year. The orchestra is REALLY good with that genre of music.

Even though my most favorite church Christmas music is classical, this will be a fun change. PLUS I will get my fill of classical Christmas music, as we get to see SEVERAL Christmas programs in London, one of which is Handel's Messiah at St. Martin the Field at Trafalgar Square. =)

I will probably tear up, because several of the movements are so moving and worshipful.

I cannot wait!

This weekend we have some Christmas fun with J's people as well. I'm looking forward to it. I'm not sure exactly what we are doing, but regardless, it will be a fun time with everyone.

This is the time of the year when we just need to sit STILL for a few minutes and attempt to grasp the magnitude of the season. WHY we celebrate. WHAT Jesus REALLY did for us when He came to earth. That He would do it ALL OVER AGAIN Just so YOU have the CHOICE to follow Him.

That's enough to change my spirit from Miss Bah Humbug to Miss Joy to the World!

I'm going to keep that in mind over the next few weeks. The hectic work and school stuff will all pan out. The last minute trip stuff will all come together just fine. And of course, Christmas will be wonderful, because of who He is.

*Happy Sigh*

I feel better already!!

=)