exhausted...

... staying up till 3:30AM two nights in a row is just too stupid for words.

I'm having a lot of fun today working on generating a product name for my freelance job. I love doing this kind of thing, and being paid to do it is very cool.

Today was DS2's b-day, which we kept low-key until supper time. I wrapped up his presents in the afternoon so he did have a couple of hours of temptation/anticipation. He made brownies with his Gramma this morning while I was at DD's parent/teacher conference and DD was in Atrium (pre-school religious education). We have eschewed cakes entirely the last couple of birthdays, we just make brownies in a 9-inch cake pan, and I whip some cream and write the "Happy Birthday" on it, make a few candle-holders, and do an edging... everyone is just as happy. None of my kids are all that keen on cake, and they all love brownies. There is no point going to all that trouble if no one is going to eat it or really enjoy it.

DS2's favorite present (so far) is the MegaBlocks Adventure Castle. I wish I had realized that it needed some sticker-assemble, because I would've done it beforehand. Still, it only took about 20 minutes or so to get it all set up, and it is very cool. He especially likes the little him-sized sword and shield that came with it.

Oh! I heard back from the g/e doc's office, and I am being referred for surgery... I managed somehow to get an appointment for next Wednesday. This seemed shockingly soon to me, but I'm happy nonetheless. I want to get it over with. The few folks I've talked to who had gallbladder surgery said the recovery is pretty easy, since they do the laproscopic approach these days. I hope that holds true in my case.

I had a very bad time with my RA today. I was on Keflex for the strep throat and yesterday was my last day. Whenever I am on antibiotics, my RA calms down a lot. I was still having some morning stiffness, though, and had been thinking, "I guess the anti-biotic thing isn't working anymore", when low and behold this morning I could barely move... yesterday was my first day off the Keflex. I kept dropping things, couldn't screw the tip on the pastry bag to decorate DS2's brownie cake... frustrating.

In spite of various aches, pains, and exhaustion, it really was a pretty calm and happy day. The contractors have made great progress and the doors and framing will be done tomorrow(!). The kids all had a good time together playing with the new stuff. No one complained at dinner (of course not, they all love steak!) NO online drama/trauma. Lots of fun with work. DD's p/t conference went as well as it possibly could, too. She's such a beautiful girl, and has no problems in school... she saves all her bad behaviors for home!

I need to sleep for about 3 days straight. I have to get back to that New Year's resolution!