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After years of sharing the same alarm clock, I purchase one of my own. No more sitting up to see the time in the middle of the night when the clock is on his side or setting the alarm for Jeff (clock on my side) when I don't need to get up early. Mine hides behind a picture on the dresser, angled perfectly for me to spot in the night. Two of the numbers only partially light though I usually remember this. Is it 2 or 12? So much for my less than $20 bargain. The forty-two-year-old clock on Jeff's side has no issues. It's 4 am and my brain just won't shut off tonight. The lists are written but everything is on replay in my brain. My helpers are set for Christmas decorating tomorrow. Will we be two days or go into a third? Do I have enough energy for a third? My knees say NO - too many stairs and ladders. Jamie, Jack and Charleston are sleeping over Saturday. What do I need to get ready? Number one - clear the bed of cards from my open studio last week. Check for sprinkles. Do I have some good Christmas colors? Make the dough or let them help? They want to make gingerbread men. I will likely dream about gingerbread men - probably a nightmare knowing my typical dreams. They help plan the evening: dinner, decorate cookies, walk around the block to see Christmas lights, watch Home Alone.

Let me try counting sheep. Will that work? I try but begin thinking of the card I made with a little lamb on it for a friend and how I am trying to create one that is just right to have printed. Maybe I should count something that I won't draw or paint.

So many Christmas Eve nights I remember waking in the middle of the night while everyone else is asleep. Quietly creeping down the stairs with the bathroom as my excuse, I peer through the stairway spindles to spot some unwrapped gifts. Santa is never able to wrap everything as some are too big or are funny shapes. Crawling back into bed my sister inquires about my discoveries. Hoping for sleep again, I want morning to arrive quickly.

I no longer care about finding a present under the tree, but still love to see a beautifully wrapped package. I am happy for Christmas with all its celebrations and the memories to be made.