My shopping is done. 2 Scarves aren't. I had to go home and stop freaking out about presents becuase I was about to go into a spending frenzy of "omigod! I didn't spend the same amount on everyone and my presents are lame and small and my family will hate me!" Which they won't, I just do this to myself every year.

Mom came over and helped me clean house so it will be nice when brother and his new gf are here. I have a present for her, spent a bit more than I planned on but it's a nice gift. It was hard to shop for her because, well, he says they are getting serious, but then again this time last year he had just proposed to his ex Fiance.

Now I have to go over to Mom's and get some wrapping. THere was a family Open House to go to , but Dad never called me back with details. I'm a bit worried about him and I'm thinking about running over to his house and making sure he's okay and make sure he hasn't had another heart attack or something.

Tomorrow Dad and I are going over to Mom's for breakfast and token present opening. Then later lunch with the extended family. Monday my brother and GF should be here, sometime in the evening. so we'll go over to Dad's and have Xmas there (his place is decorated). Which means I actually do have one more day of shopping available. If needed. Which it won't be.

Yeah, I didn't get paid by any of my clients, so I'm broke at the moment and the family is getting both jack and shit from me under the tree. I'll be mailing them presents sometime in January. Pretty much all of the accounting departments just decided to take December off, you know, since everyone is on vacation anyway. Must be nice to get a paycheck every week and not actually have to depend on clients to pay their contracts.

Fuck this holiday.

Phew. All done with grocery shopping. Bought some pretty flowers for the table. Started picking up the living room. Started the dishwasher so I have clean stuff to bake with after dinner tonight. Next up, going out to dinner with the family that's local: daughter, dad, brother and nephew. It's very nice having my nephew local to us now, it makes for larger holiday gatherings again. The more the merrier!

Pretty much all of the accounting departments just decided to take December off, you know, since everyone is on vacation anyway.

Yup. DH is dealing with the same thing. We'll be rich in January, but right now...feh. Freelancers get a raw deal.

Fuck this holiday.

Hey, buster, that kind of attitude is what got you your first Buffista CARE package in the first place. You slap yourself into shape right quick, or you're going to find yourself with another kilt and a bottle of scotch, got it?

Was that a terrifying threat, or was that a terrifying threat?

Also, fuck the fuckers who didn't pay you.

It's just the same bullshit that I deal with all the time. The folks that have to write the checks have no clue what it is like to not have regular check coming it. When 4 clients all drag their feet on paying it means that I drain my savings. For them they wonder how a week or two could really matter, for me it means that I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I've got enough in savings to make it through the few weeks that I'm waiting.

Today we went shopping and the babies and I hung out at the mall play area while Greg went and finished up his shopping. Then we came home and I went and did the grocery shopping for tomorrow. Dinner tonight was the totally un-festive meatloaf, mac and cheese and corn. After I post this, I will be reading the nativity story, we'll watch the Grinch and everyone will be tucked into bed.

Christmas dinner will be a pre-cooked, spiral-sliced, honey baked ham; a caesar salad; baked potato wedges; steamed broccoli; and pumpkin pie. We're not even seeing any relatives, other than my FiL, who stopped by with gifts for the kids this afternoon and then went back home to prepare for a dinner party, which is nice. We're having a low key, peaceful Christmas.

If I could, I'd send Paulie Walnuts to their houses. You'd...get your money. "Mr.{Drew} is not gonna have this problem again, is he?"

"No, no, God, no. And where are you taking my dog?"

And probably a very sweet apology. Some Christmas, I want a Paulie Walnuts. Not for porn, for enforcement. (I'm feeling the Sopranos love again cause I watched "College" yesterday which is on my Top Twenty Brilliant TV Hours EVAR list and not only because it features that most perfect malapropism "knight in white satin armor." I'm a sucker for Tony and Mead cause of all my Dad Issues and shit. And, yet, TS hurts people...I think that's deep.)

kicks ND's clients. just 'cause . they won't learn anyway. and the post office people that didn't tell Jessica the truth.

DH and I took a long walk in the city and just talked. It was fun, we don't get as much of that as we used to. then we came home and fixed the washing machine . whee. But it was something we could fix, so we will leave it as an unenthusiastic whee. Tomorrow will be a bonless rib roast. I am thinking we need brownies. But i would also like the house just a bit cleaner...But since the only other thing that is happening other than food and presents is that Matt might get to help someone load presents into thier truck ... there is plenty of time to do things or not do things as i please...

Merry merry! I'm waiting for DH to finish showering and changing so we can go have dinner at my my folks'. After spending the night in our very own bed in our very own (rented) house! All my stuff is in one place, and it's the same place I am! Yay!

I should look for my parents' presents. I think they packed them up yesterday when we were moving stuff...