Bit of a Manic Monday

The hike was a lot of fun yesterday. For some reason the mountain doesn't feel hard to climb -- all granite, but it gets super steep the last 1/3 and you feel like you could fall back so easily. I'm scared when I'm hiking it, but really love it. Here a couple pictures from the very top -- doesn't do it justice at all (kind of blah pics actually). Then we hiked the wooded trail around the mountain. 

Kids were here when I got home. We had a fun day together. They stayed ALL day and evening (which is great), BUT, I didn't get to anything I needed to do. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today ahead of 2 trips this week and lots of chores before I leave. 

We also learned the kids are spending Christmas and that weekend with my DIL's family. My younger son is also doing in-laws this year (because we're all together for Thanksgiving). I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, we can plan a quiet, non-stressful Christmas, just us. Maybe Asheville. Doing something different. On the other hand, every time we've had Christmas (by her mom's choice because she wanted to do an early gathering), we've invited them over too. One year they came, one year they canceled last minute. Guess that's not going to be extended to us. 

We've also had a horrible run of hosting them at Christmas -- one year COVID, one year my son was sick, last year baby was really sick and got us all really sick too. 

I WILL be able to spin this to find the fun about it. Just a few prickly bits to work out. I think the only tough issue is the lack of reciprocal invitation and taking the ENTIRE 5 days around Christmas. We've always made sure to share. 

The dogs are headed to groomers this morning; I'm headed to hair appointment. The proximity means I'm taking care of the dogs and that's sucking so much of my time today. I might need to rethink and ask hubby to handle them (as originally planned). I can't stop at grocery store with dogs in the car. I have to leave early to get to the bank because I need cash tip for my hair (didn't get to go yesterday). I'll hit a bunch of schools too. It's all very tight timing.

Guess I'm a little grumpy this morning because I feel rushed and tired. I was counting on today to be downtime ahead of a week of social stuff and that's not going to happen. I'm taking point on all the things this week and it's a lot. I need to remember this is fun and remember to have fun. Telling myself it's hard is not helping. 

Hope you've started the week well. Later gators.