Dang, I hate it when I realize that I really am getting old. Recently I've switched to decaf coffee because I started to notice that I wasn't feeling oh-so-great soon after my morning cuppa. This is big news, really, considering coffee is my favorite beverage of all time. Luckily I'm not too much of a coffee snob to turn my nose up at decaf--you really can find some decent ones out there--so I still partake every morning (and often afternoon) and enjoy every sip.
The other night I was getting the coffee ready for the next morning and saw that I was just short of what I needed to make my 4 cups (which is actually 1 and a half big cups) to have upon waking. I threw a little of Coreman's 'real' stuff (he refuses to do the decaf, we have two coffee pots going!) in there figuring a couple of tablespoons-worth wouldn't be a big deal. Not so. I couldn't believe how crappy I felt! Nauseated, lightheaded, just generally yucky. I had errands to run, one of which was to use a $15 coupon at Sephora that was soon to be expired and I was not to be denied--hello, $15 whole dollars at one of my favorite stores evar?? Honestly I wasn't sure I would make it. Walking around the mall I felt short of breath and horrible. But armed with my coupon I soldiered on and miraculously as I got in there and started poking around I did start to feel a bit better. Make-up Therapy!!!! After spending time in there I did just decide to come on home instead of doing my other errands so I could get something in my stomach and try to kick the yucks. Man, that was weird--and as I said, makes me feel OLD.!
I was actually hopeful to get a nice pleasant little kick from that caffeine, considering the busy weekend I have ahead. Last night we hosted our gourmet dinner group here--I love it when our turn falls around Christmas-time, which it did last year too. (check out that amazing cake Rosemarie made!!!) 
We always do a 'white elephant' gift exchange that totally rocks. Every year we'll pull something hideous and/or unused out of our closets, dust them off (sometimes we don't even bother doing that) and wrap them up. They all get put into a pile and we then draw numbers. The first one gets their first choice of Mystery Gift, then number 2 picks, and so on. After everyone gets their gifts there is some sort of stealing rule--Coreman keeps it all straight, I certainly don't. It's a pretty good time. 
I did score myself a pretty dusty candle, some cute Christmas dessert plates and some ADORABLE Christmas dish towels! (hey, one man's junk...) Rosemarie breaks the rules and every year goes out and buys some really cute things. I think we all know to go for Rosie's gifts first. It feels a bit funny to steal a gift from the Pastor--our beloved Pastor Tim is part of our gourmet group--but hey, it's all part of the game. I think poor Tim ended up with some frog magnets.
And tonight, the Hot Mama Christmas party! I'm so looking forward to hanging out with my fun co-workers. It's for spouses too, so it will be fun for the Coreman to meet all of the ladies he hears me chat about all the time. And I'll see them again tomorrow, as I work in the afternoon. Busy Busy!
I have to admit it's been tough for me to feel the Christmas spirit these days. I feel so rushed and busy lately that it's hard for me to just take it in. Next week should slow down and hopefully I'll be able to get there. At least maybe make some Christmas cookies?!
