Boog,

While I agree that you should be concentrating on the near future and your recovery, I find it encouraging that you are thinking of the future well past this bump in the road. I hope you find it encouraging as well.

Christmas at my house with older kids (practically young adults) can be really stressful; it's not as special as it once was. Now it is "what is the budget for my big gift?" because they want to spend every red cent. Well, 2 of the 4 do. More stress - I think there is about a 50/50 chance that my position at work will not be funded next year. That would make it a Merry f'ing Christmas to remember.

I would appreciate a day or two by myself. If there is an unseasonably warm day during the holidays, I might drive an hour south for another degree or two of warmth and go fishing.