three dinner parties, forty to fifty gift wrapping jobs, and dozens of relatives later, i am somewhat free to do things. taking the kid down to skokie today for a little taste of cheesecake factory heaven then back here tonight. tomorrow means errands, prolly a little family time and other miscellaneous activities. gone noon on the 29th! not long, not long at all. if i see people, great. and if not, don't kill me. break is jam-packed with meeting people and i suck at initiating/making time for any relaxing/spontaneous/non-mom endorsed gatherings. hmm...hope you all had a happy christmas. all my best, k.