I hope everyone had a fantastic week! We left on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with my brother and his family. They graciously welcomed us to their beautiful new home, cooked a fabulous spread and in general allowed us to relax and enjoy their company. I loved spending time with my adorable nephew and niece too! It was a great getaway.
Thanks to nap times for my aforementioned niece and nephew, I was able to start and finish quite a few books this week: Everything Sucks by Hannah Friedman, Spellbinder by Helen Stringer, and The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel. I started my chosen book for The Classics Circuit’ Elizabeth Gaskell Tour and was able to put a hurt on my book club book. I also weeded through the various 2010 challenges and decided which ones in which I want to participate. We shall see just how well I do!
Speaking of accomplishments, I did sign up for the ominous third exam in my certification process. January 23rd is the day. I am a little uncertain about that date because it is literally following budget week, during which I get to spend my days in meetings with account managers and upper management as they negotiate their sales budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. It is a painfully long albeit necessary process, one that will not afford me much free time for studying. I guess this means I need to start studying sooner rather than later. Sigh.
I really need to start Christmas shopping. I have ideas but have not actually purchased anything yet, and that includes for my Secret Santa in the blog world. I am finding it rather difficult to get into the holiday spirit this year, though. Unfortunately, I am not certain why. I hate fighting the crowds, and knowing that we will be gone for the holidays puts a damper on me wanting to decorate or bake. Hopefully, once I get started, I will break out of this ennui. How about you? How is everyone doing on their holiday shopping? Does anyone else get rather unenthusiastic about the holidays, or is it just me?
That’s about it for me. I wish everyone a wonderful week to come and happy reading!
Stacy – Thanks! Online shopping may be the way to go, eh?
Readerbuzz – I didn't have to prepare anything for Thanksgiving, unless you count packing and unpacking and traveling in a car for six hours one way with two kids and two dogs? Here's hoping we both get into the holiday spirit!
Jodie – I've done nothing but online shopping for the past few years. I was hoping to actually get out into the world and shop in the stores this year, but I'm not certain that is going to happen. We shall see!
I typically do study on my lunch break, but I'm afraid with the way work has me running ragged between now and my next test, I will not be able to rely on that as much as I would like. Hopefully things will start slowing down soon. It would be very unusual to continue at this breakneck pace through the end of the year.
Glad you had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I need to get started on the shopping too.
I did almost all my shopping online this year, last weekend was the first time I'd been to the shops since begining of Nov and while it was lovely and quiet in the morning it was crazy in the afternoon. So good luck with your shopping and your test studying (how about using your lunch break to study?)
I've not yet started shopping, but I think it's because I'm still getting over the exhaustive preparations for Thanksgiving.
I can see myself getting into the spirit next week at school. I hope I will.
Good luck to you as well!