Outside: the weather outside is frightful.  Seriously. The wind is whining and the carpeting is billowing up and down.  Seriously again.  I have a boy flying this direction right now.  Praying it settles by morning. 

Listening to: Hallmark Christmas movies.  By the dozens. My oldest daughters have taped as many as they possibly could.  I sit down, roll my eyes, and then watch for a minute. Or 120.  

Reading: Shadow of the Titanic just arrived.  Looks promising.  

Around the house: It was spotless and party-ready last week this time.  It's been on a bit of a slow decline since with lots of late nights and late mornings, and general merry-making.  There is a son arriving who has never seen any of this house however.  By tomorrow noon we will be whipped into shape.  

Noticing: I shared on Facebook that another son had washed his wool sweaters, on the proper settings, and had them air drying.   When did this happen? Where is the boy with the shrunken shetlands? 

from the learning room:  We took it to the streets, or the store.  The littles took the money they have saved to buy their brothers and sisters gifts. Try as we may they are steadfastly refusing to draw names and want to buy everyone something.  There was a LOT of applied math and comparison shopping to cover that list! I can now tell you every under $2 item that store carries….

This week: London and Oxford in the planning stages.  

Thinking about:  peace on earth.  Specifically how I can maintain it in my little corner of the world.  There have been some challenges to that goal but we are back to center again.  Key has been to let go of hypothetical disasters and stay focused on the present moment delights. 

Picture share: there aren't a lot of pictures to share. : )