I feel a little wacky, but last night we finalized out Christmas plans. Unusual for me as frequently I don't know what we're having for dinner until 3 some days. But I love to plan travel.

We've decided to go to England for Christmas--a week in London in an airbnb and another week with friends in my DH's home island,also an airbnb. The last few years at my brother's home in the Twin Cities have been fun, but it's a precarious icy drive with lots of planning and a hotel stay since they've downsized. This is in lieu of our summer UK trip, and we're looking forward to a lovely London Christmas. We miss our UK friends too.

We still haven't figured out summer vacations here. Tonight perhaps. I also need to do some budget adjusting as I'm still in the "just our of school" mode. But I've got a load of laundry on the line, one more in the washer, and actually have thawed some chicken for tonight!

I'm almost done with all my grading and admin. It'll be done tonight. I've also been busy on a grant application. It's the first time I've been part of such a huge team, and it's very interesting work. One of my fun tasks for the evening is assembling the names for the "excellent student" letters our department sends out. It's far too easy to remember the bad students, and I enjoy putting together the names of the great ones. Our department chair sends out letters to them. For many of them, it's the first recognition they've received since high school, and I've heard many tales of their moms posting the letters on the fridge.

I have a lot of digging out to do--much decluttering and planning, but that will be fun along with some gardening. I don't have another class until July, but it's a class I've never taught before so that will involve some planning. We've also got to tighten the belts a bit--the dog somehow got conjunctivitis and that's another sizeable vet bill.

Tomorrow is service day at our church so we've been assigned to help clean the warehouse at Lutheran Social Services. They house furniture and household good for families they resettle. It'll be good service hours for DD and necessary and inspiring work for us.

Glad to be back on track here. Also happy that my big goal has had some $ added to it.

Yay Hooray! Today was the last day of classes! Days of grading and admin lie ahead, but the load lessens.

I had sort of an eventful last day. On my way to the university I stopped for a last day doughnut treat for my favorite class. Unfortunately for the store, my handy reusable bag caught a wine bottle display and off went two bottles of Riesling smashing to the floor. The clerks were great about it, but I was a bit abashed.

I've somehow got put on a huge, intense, grant- writing committee that looks like it's going to require some work well into the next month. If we get the money, it'll be great, but more committee work was not on my wish list.

There's plenty more to chat about, but I am indeed just edging my way into summer break.