I WISH it looked a little more like Christmas around here.  I did manage to put up the (artificial) tree during our recent power outage.  There are even a few wrapped gifts beneath it.  But I really need to start/finish my shopping for family and friends.  I'm just fresh out of ideas.  Except for my husband's gift - killer idea, and it's really bugging him that everyone at work KNOWS what it is.  

I have a profound Holiday Spirit Deficit this year. Not sure why.  Too much going on, I guess - but then that's the case every year.  Maybe it's the losses in the family; deaths, kids moving out.  Maybe it's work-related stress.  Or both.

Here's a photo of our doggies (2005, I think).  We lost Sonny, the little American Eskimo, in April.  We're still grieving and missing him so much.  Our big dog, Misty (Aussie and Great Pyrenees?) is still with us, and is such a joy.  I made them pose for this picture, and they wouldn't say "cheese."