Christmas is coming, and it's not The Goose who's getting fat!

By which I mean, of course, "The Goose," which is my husband's only term for our youngest child (I persist in calling her Lucia [Italian-style] since David rejected that name, but I assume since he has gone so off track with her nickname I can call her whatever I want). The Goose refuses to grow still and is simply burning more calories than ever zipping about the house. As for me, I'm actually skipping regular meals now to make up for chocolate eating--I'm hoping the calories will even out. Yay, Christmas!

It's been a nice, relaxed week. I've just lowered my expectations of myself, and, lo and behold, I'm a much more accomplished person!

Ben is anxiously awaiting a bike from Santa, Sophie asked for a "Puppy grows and knows your name." We've been planning menus and shopping a bit, but have succeeded in having a more modest Christmas overall that is heavy on the Christmas Spirit. Forgive me if I've mentioned this already, but David made me an MP3 CD containing every song from every Christmas CD we own, and it plays on our DVD player--that does much to spread the cheer. He is so useful! I forsee his obituary: "He was a very Useful man."

Ben and Sophie are happy to be done with school for the year. However, now, Sophie is totally sick. She planned on going to the zoo with her best friend Sydney on Saturday, but acted weird in the morning, crying over everything and saying she had a headache. She put herself to bed for a nap at 10 a.m.--very weird. Then she acted all fine, so I proceeded to tell them to pick her up, but while they were on their way over, she commenced throwing up. She has had weird sleeping patterns the past few nights, also. I stayed home with her during church today and her fever got up to 102.5. She's also had a mild cough--random set of symptoms. She has enjoyed all the snuggling and coddling immensely. I might be fostering a future hypochondriac.

Noah needs a 3-year-old-sized hamster wheel. I checked Freecycle, but no go.

I had the greatest night last night, when my friend took me to "Joyful Foot Massage" for their $15 Reflexogy foot special. It was a 60 full minutes! It started with a full neck-to-hip massage (clothed) by some super-strong reflexology genius named Tom while I soaked my feet in hot herbal tea in a darkened room with soft music and animated photographs of waterfalls on the walls. Then I put my feet up in a recliner while Tom kneaded my shoulders, neck and face into rubbery oblivion. Then, we got to the feet part ("foot" apparently includes everything below the knee), which was probably wonderful also but I fell asleep for most of that. I left there a different woman.

I decided that I will give up every treat and non-necessary expense for the rest of my life to go back there on a regular basis. Reflexology is amazing.

Then late last night I started worrying about Tom, and wondering if my $5 tip was all he got out of the deal, and knowing he didn't speak English so I couldn't ask him. I assumed that he was probably illegal, as he is a clearly very talented 40ish man but couldn't possibly be making much even if they did supplement the tip. So, now I still want to go back, but when we're in the money I want to get the $150 for 11 visits so each visit is just over $13, then I will only go when I have at least $10 for Tom's tip. Darn the wonderfully effective Story of Stuff for breaking down my happily compartmentalized consumerism.

So, I guess it is really $25. Email me if you want me to take you some Tues or Thurs night. It. Is. Amazing.

Merry Christmas & Joy to the World!