Christmas time shouldn't be a humbug, now or later

I’m having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. Normally I would have had my tree up and house decorated about a week or so ago.

Instead, I just finished getting lights and some decorations on the tree, a couple nutcrackers in place and a few other knickknacks set up. I still have more to go, and I’ve had my boxes of decorations in my living room and kitchen for over a week now.

I think part of it is a time thing. Since changing our coverage beats and assuming all news reporting duties, I have had less free time than before to spend with family, friends and personally. What spare mom...