Once upon a time

I've been feeling pretty crummy the past couple of days. Weak, headache-y, sore, chills even when I'm bundled up enough to sweat... Not fun. I just confirmed I have a fever of 101.7, so I'm trying to rest as much as I can with an 18-month- and 2-month-old. Here's some other happenings since I last checked in.

The tree hasn't been touched since the last time I mentioned it. I'll finish the ornaments someday. And maybe even get another strand of lights for the last 10" of the top.

Bedtime story. "Once upon a time [Clara turns page] The end."

 Roses in December? I love this rosebush!

So sleepy and so chubby. And so cute!

Ceiling fan installed in the girls' bedroom. Tom wired the switch for it.

That's all, folks.

Christmas decorating

Instead of working on the girls' room, during naps I've been trying to get our Christmas tree done. I don't know how my parents pulled this off every year for 30 years and lived to tell about it. Day three and I've only just  now finished the lights. Of course I don't just wrap the lights in a spiral on the outermost parts of the branches - I run the lights down the length of the branches all the way to the trunk. I think my compulsion to do it this way is my mom's fault. "It's better this way." Yeah, she's right. It is. If all goes according to plan, I'll be able to leave the lights on it and have a pre-lit tree next year.

I  don't think I ever mentioned the tree before. We bought it last year at Big Lots after Christmas. It was originally $60, clearanced at 90% off. BUT, I also had a 20% off coupon, so I paid less than $5 for a 7' tree. It's not the nicest fake tree out there, but for 5 bucks I can live with it. My ornaments were also post-Christmas clearance items, though I think only 75% off.

I haven't finished decorating, so I haven't tried to get a good picture (it's going to be difficult since it's in front of a window in a tight spot), but here's a sneak peek:

I might have to go out on the porch roof to get a good photo.