Finals Have Arrived and My Christmas Tree is Naked!

It's finally that time of the year, and no, for us teachers that doesn't mean Christmas, it means FINALS!! Whether it's 9weeks test or college finals, it's the signal that the year is coming to a close and you get more work right before Christmas break, which I know I can't complain because I do get a break, and I LOVE that break!! For me, finals always bring about a hectic 2 weeks of playing catch up with grading and catch up with students. I haven't even gotten my Christmas tree fully decorated yet!! Isn't that sad? It's up with lights on it, but looking so sad with no ornaments! Alan asked last night if we were going to even put ornaments on this year. I hadn't realized it had been up naked THAT long. Anyhoo,this time of year is always the time when students suddenly become worried about their grades. Now, and not 2 months ago when I asked to meet with them or suggested that they get some outside help or when they failed to turn in that paper/homework/presentation. They all want to make up in one week what they didn't do for 4 months!! It only gets better once the finals are over, and I've posted their grades. I will then receive multiple emails that will cover the following topics:
1. Why/How did I receive this grade? I want to tell them it was all those homework assignments you didn't turn it or remember that paper you never did?
2. What can I do to bring up my grade/Is there any extra points I can make up? My response: If the final grade is in the computer, it's too late! Where was this concern 3 months ago?
3. The third type of email is always the most distressing for me because it always includes a family member's death or someone's college career hanging in the balance because of this class grade. There will always be varying accounts of sob stories also. I feel for them, I really do, but I didn't give you these grades in one day right before the end of class. You have earned them over 4 months! If you thought it was going bad, why didn't you do anything about it!!
And that's how my semesters usually end. Same types of questions, just different quantities. Hopefully, this semester will be different. Thanks for letting me vent!

Oh! another thing that helps make this more bearable: I'm getting a new car!! It's actually used, but it's new to me!! I've had my Galant for about 8 years now, which hasn't been too bad, but it's getting on up there in mileage (130,000) and the biggest concern- the radio doesn't work! It drives me nuts! But I, or technically my dad, have found a GMC Envoy, a maroon envoy. It means it was meant to be. You know the best part? The radio works!! It not only works, but has XM radio and a disc changer!! Love it!! I don't get it until Saturday, but it's help make finals more bearable :)