Philip and I finished putting up the rest of the fir baseboards and the new lighting fixtures... so aside from not having art on the walls yet, the great room (entry, dining, living), kitchen and hallway are all 99% done (we still have to put in a few dimmer switches). We can hardly get over how nice the place looks. Just wait until I post before and after photos! It's like we're in a serene spa.

Philip and I drove into Mobile again to pick up dimmer switches and to look for Christmas tree scented air-freshener. We also put up our tree, since today is what I consider to be the first day of the 12 days of Christmas. And if you're wondering why (since 12 plus 12 would only get you to 24) it's because, for me, Christmas Eve was always the most exciting day of the season. As a child, anticipating Santa Claus always reached a pinnacle on December 24th... but the 25th was always a let-down. After opening all my presents and playing with them for 20 minutes or so, I was convinced I hadn't gotten enough! So that bratty disappointment (combined with the hatred of going to the Christmas Day celebration at my father's parents') just made every Christmas Day something for me to dread. But I never lost hope up until the Eve... so, out of a long-ingrained childhood habit, the Eve is when I revel.

I've been letting the cats play in the yard during the day, but I bring them inside for the chilly nights. Sangria was still not feeling better by bedtime... and she had vomited five times. I hope she is better tomorrow or we will have to take her to a vet.