Christmas Round-Up

 It's almost 10:30 and I am just completely worn out from the days activities. The family met up finally around 2, and we had some lunchmeat sandwiches with chips and a veggie tray. Then it was on to some games the Wife had decided to do. I had to do a quick trip back to our house to get the stocking ball she had made (and forgotten) and also grab the summer sausages I bought for the boys (because I forgot them). After said games were played, the opening of gifts came. I was surprised by a few of the gifts I got (that I hadn't bought myself) and everyone seemed happy for those we gave. Having that time together and letting the siblings catch-up, tease, and love on one another was the best part.

We finished up and then headed to RM's for more gift opening and dinner. It was nice getting a couple new T-shirts with snarky phrases, and a Washington football shirt. RM always knows I like jerky and summer sausage, so I got a bit more of those, along with some Little Debbie oatmeal cookies that I love. Throw in a few other candies and snack mixes, and my stocking was complete. Dinner was cooked ham we could eat on the plate, or make sandwiches, potato chips, potato salad, mashed potatoes, and corn. I probably forgot something. Dessert for me was some blueberry cheesecake with a lemon flavored cake-like bottom, and a slice of a turtle pie I think it was called. Everything was good!

by a little after 9, I was getting tired so forced the Youngest and the Wife to pack up and left. RM sent home quite a bit of the leftovers, aside from what she split off to the two older Sons. I think by this time next week I am going to be tired of ham, and other lunchmeats, and potatoes. So now I am kinda kicking back with my new slippers on. I put up the gifts I have received, except for a couple that need to go back to the car. I got a lot of pickles and snacks this year, which is always a good buy for me. I enjoy them whilst working. 

Been a damn good day.

PeacE

Christmas Day 2021

 It is mid-morning here at the D00d's house. The Wife is finishing up Christmas stuff - in particular the saran wrapped stocking ball we started for all the kids a couple years back. It is so much easier than having to do individual stockings, and they all get pretty competitive when playing the game to unwrap it all. We have discovered we have "lost" a couple gifts, or stocking ball items, that were picked up earlier in the year, and we just cannot remember where they were put at the time. I am sure it is someplace out of the way of normal day activity, but we cannot figure out where.

The car should start being loaded up with gifts in the next hour, and probably around noon we will head to the Son's apartment with gifts and food to began our day of togetherness. Daughter's family should be up around 1 I believe. Then after that is done, we will head to RM's for the last of gifting and a ham supper with sides of potato salad, corn and mashed potatoes. At least that is what I heard from the boys. There will be dessert, but I am not sure what will be left as we are the last family to do dinner. I'm hoping for some blueberry cheesecake or the turtle pie...but will have to wait and see.

Yesterday was good as I met up with some friends for pre-holiday drinking. The family was invited to a NYE party next week, and we may be doing that.

I guess I should get my things done before we start loading things. No one likes Dad to use the restroom at their homes, so best I take care of that now.

PeacE

The Eve of Destruction

There is a distinct possibility I will be able to actually get to bed at a decent hour tonight. I am sure I have mentioned the Wife's penchant for doing all the wrapping on Christmas Eve, resulting in me not being able to get into bed until the wee hours of the morning. Well, I did do some wrapping the other day. The Wife did some more wrapping last night. So, in my thinking, there shouldn't be much left. With the kids being older now, there are fewer gifts (and more expensive). I might be able to come home from the pub and go straight to bed.

Which brings up my other dilemma: What to do today? I was thinking head to the bar this afternoon, get some reading in. I have read 209 books this year, with the goal being 150. I am sure I can finish one, maybe two more this next week. Be the largest amount I've read in a year, based on the last six years goals.

I think we are pretty much set for tomorrow. The Wife picked up some deli meats and bread last night, that we will take over the the Son's apartment where we are doing our family Christmas around 1pm. Figured something light as we are doing a ham dinner at RM's sometime near 6'ish.

Welp, outta ideas to write about.

PeacE

Holiday Spirit

 It's only the 23rd, and I am starting to feel the Holiday Spirit. Well, my version of it. I never have cared for Christmas and its marketing scheme brought on by businesses. I hate the crowds at stores when I am trying to buy something needed, not wanted and not to be given away. I hate the number of idiot drivers on the road, out to do their "shopping". Of course, here in AZ it is snowbird season, which doesn't help that last point at all. I'm grumpy and irritable more than usual. I'm Scrooge. Bah Humbug.

I got some wrapping done yesterday. I worked on it for like three hours and managed maybe 15 presents. Very ugly, wrapped presents. I re-learned/remembered why I don't do the wrapping. I can't cut straight lines. I tend to use 4x the amount of tape, as I put pieces on to cover the gaps because I can't cut straight. I don't care what the wrapping paper color is, a scrap is a scrap and if it fits, I'm using it. I also don't have the patience for it. Not today anyways. I guess the Wife is going to be up late tomorrow night.

Talked to the Daughter and discussed times for Christmas planning. I need to contact RM to push back dinner a bit. I know it is sometimes a hassle to try to accommodate in-laws and regular families. Especially when that other side of the family is a controlling geriatric, that you *have* to meet their demands. Sigh. Spineless sheep. 

Bah humbuG

F the Worm - Being Early Bird Sucks

 5:11am.

That's how late I made it sleeping in after not falling asleep until after at least 2am. These past couple nights have been pretty rough, but I have been able to make do with at least an hour nap around mid-day. Today probably won't be much different. Part of it may be the 'illness' I have been feeling. A few short days ago, I notice that with my usual morning blast of the horn (blowing my nose) There seemed to be a bit abnormal amount of green-yellow snot. A sure sign that I have at least in some small part, a bit of a sinus infection. No big deal as I tend to get small ones throughout the year due to my allergies. I made sure I took my allergy med daily, and after a couple days noticed the discharge was clear again. But now I was having "drainage" issues. Down the back of the throat, tickling enough to cough. Two days ago, my abdomen was sore from the coughing. Yesterday I felt a bit better, but still coughing. LAst night, I noticed it had dropped to my chest.

So now the sinus infection has dropped, and is trying to start up a case of bronchitis. Over the years, this has happened several times, and usually I catch it, as I started to day on a decongestant, added with some Vicks rubbed on the chest. Hopefully a day of this and it will clear up (like normal). I would hate it to ruin what little good I feel for the holiday season.

Speaking of that, I guess this morning will be spent wrapping gifts. I tried (really!) to start it yesterday, but as I started looking into the multitude of shopping bags the Wife has, I realized I had no clue who got what, was it actually for one of the kids, was it for some one else? I gave up. Last night I explained it to the Wife and she had already split the gifts amongst the kids, and labeled which bag was to whom, and all were from us. The Youngest had already picked out what he was getting his siblings and had those in his room to wrap himself. Definitely makes this easier, and I think I can knock it all out within a couple hours over the next couple days.

No word from the Company for a project. I am not surprised with this holiday week and all. Hopefully by the first part of next week something will come along.

A bit after 6am now, guess I should get the Vicks on now that I just took the pills for the morning.

PeacE

Getting Things Done?

 Well, my work project ended yesterday as I had predicted. Since I was up early due to my sleeping issues, I was able to max out the time working at least. Now it is sit back and wait to see when the next project comes. I know the offices are closed Friday, and I think they were closing Thursday as well, so I might not hear anything until next week. Almost fine for me, with it being this close to Christmas, it frees me up to do some other things.

I told the Wife last night we are doing things differently this year. In past years, she would do the majority of the wrapping of presents, and since she is a procrastinator, it always went undone until the 24th. Then it would last until 2-3 in the morning, because she had to have each child that lived at home come in and wrap presents for their siblings. With only one child at home, I said he and I could at least wrap several each day, which would lighten the load and leave her only the things she doesn't want us to wrap (aka our own gifts). The Wife actually agreed, so in a couple hours I'll wake the teen and we can get a couple hours in today.

The Middle and Youngest went to RM's house yesterday early afternoon for some Christmas baking with Grandma. They must have had a good time, as they didn't return back here until 6:30. Daughter checked in about the time her family was to be here for unwrapping of gifts, and was informed (again) it was at their leisure, so they would not have to rush their own family time that morning. My guess is noon'ish before they make it up. Then we have the afternoon for Family, followed by early evening and dinner with RM and PT. Makes for a long day, and though we have been doing similar with small variation over the years, it is very tiring.

Hoping I will be feeling a bit better by then. Yesterday, I was having bouts of nausea, but not bad enough to be sick. Also, I am hoping it was bad allergies, but the nasal draining and coughing from it, have my stomach area muscles hurting today. So far the drainage isn't bad today, and haven't felt sick, but it is still early. 

Welp, I guess I should get on with the day, and see what I might do.

PeacE

Grumpy Hump Day

 The Company is trying to kill me with anxiety attacks. Monday they sent an email stating a project was FINALLY ready to start up this week. They were expecting Tuesday or Wednesday to be the start date, and those selected for the project would be notified. Within five minutes of receiving that email, I responded that I was available for the project and ready to start immediately. Tuesday I get an email stating that "with this being a holiday week, project plans have been changing minute by minute; however, there will be no projects this week". WTF? This is like the third time they have sent out notice of a new project, then the next day, say no, no new project. I'm at like week nine of not working now. Yet they left me with hope, as "there should be several projects ready to start next week". We will see.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and it will be a nice one. All my children are getting together at the Daughter's in Tucson for the meal. I was hoping Oldest Son would be able to make it, and he has confirmed he will be there. Oldest and the Wife were going over the list of items Daughter said would be needed for the dishes and whatnot, plus we were to bring any dessert we wanted. SIL is making his chocolate pumpkin pie. Oldest Son is bringing an apple pie, and he specifically requested I make my Cherry Delight. I rarely make it - maybe once a year, if that. Not that it is difficult, I just usually don't make it.

So I got "our list" from the Wife of what we needed to get/bring. I wanted to get out and do the shopping for supplies on Monday, but didn't get around to it. So yesterday I waited until the Youngest got home from school and asked if he wanted to go with. Surprisingly he said yes, and we were off. Took us three grocery stores to get everything needed for the dessert. The list of things we filled at the first store. Hard to believe that graham cracker pie crusts were in such high demand this holiday! Either way it was nice to hang out one on one with Youngest, and all supplies are ready for our trip tomorrow.

I guess after tomorrow all thoughts turn to Christmas. I know I am waiting a couple (few) more packages to arrive. I know there are a couple more gifts that need to be bought yet, but I have no idea what to get that person(s). Then there are the plans and times to be places for Christmas day. I am sure within my immediate family we will be talking about that tomorrow.

Well, I guess I have rambled enough. Been sitting here for fifteen minutes ruminating on a mish-mash of stuff in my head, and none of it worth writing about.

PeacE