Oh good heavens, that Pachelbel bit is awesome.

Thanks for the advice regarding a prezzie for my aunt. I decided to give her a homemade beaded ornament. I make a few each year and love to give them as gifts. (Anyone who has been my secret santee over the last few years has gotten one {no promises regarding this years package}).

I figure, I love to crochet and stitch and such, but I'd still love to receive something hand made, so... And it is small and easily packable.

Nice choice, Suzi. I always like the home made things.

I bought all the groceries for the next few days and man, did that hurt. But, all our favorites, which is good. It's going to be an eclectic Christmas, that's for sure. Nick can't go without mashed potatoes made with creamed cheese and heavy cream; Greg has to have the pistachio pudding with marshmallows and pineapple thing that he calls watergate salad (I've heard it's called other things); and I am making for me what I always used to make and take to my mom's, a seven layer salad. They want ham, and so it shall be. It's easier to cook than a turkey, though it's a lot harder to make my turkey enchiladas with the leftovers.

For dinner tomorrow night, it's chili, mac and cheese, corn bread, Nick wants to make home made tortilla chips, salsa, sour cream, diced tomatoes, baby carrots and celery sticks, possibly some rice for to make absolutely everyone happy, and my SiL is bringing cream cheese brownies for dessert. Nick's GF is bringing a selection of sodas and the Bob is bringing a bottle of red wine.

Chili, present opening, dessert, then kicking everyone out... that's the plan.

Christmas morning my FiL and his BF will be coming over and we'll be having cinnamon rolls, quiche and probably some bacon or something, juice, coffee, milk... I meant to buy fruit, but it was expensive and I'd already spent my life savings. There will be a tangerine in everyone's stocking, (and a pomegranate in Nick's, because that's what we always did pre-Greg) and we'll open presents during, in-between, whatever.

Man, I talk too much.

Man, I talk too much.

You talk just the right amount and that sounds lovely.

I finally made it! Up in 29 Palms, CA. I left the house at 11am, and arrived up here at 8:15pm.

Aimee, I may need your help. Could you do your magic on the following:

• FedEx ground (no pick up counter!)
• UPS (make me drive to Aliso Viejo cuz THEY can't tell the difference between 655 and 695... grrrr)
• OC/LA traffic (sig alerts and stupid drivers!)
• CalTrans (construction on getaway friday??)
• whomever decided to take all but American Greetings gift cards out of all stores. Where are the shoebox? Hallmark? Maxine's? c'mon people!

wow, I got the highlights of all the angst. I'm impressed. If y'all want the full stories, just ask. :: holds breathe ::

ETA: Aimee, did you make it to the show??? how was it (being optimistic)

Omnis_Audis the next time you're in my neck of the woods remind me to take you to Hillside Pharmacy. Best selection of greeting cards I've ever seen outside of Boys Town in Chicago.

Thanks Laga. I should have bitched about that earlier in the week. Alas, I'm in the desert now, sans ANY holdiay cards. Sis says the drug store has a good collection. Thanfully xmas isn't till monday.

o hey, for those in the SoCal area... I heard about this on KPCC, a United Nations Gift Store in Santa Ana!

Too bad it's closing shop next month. Big sales, plus selling furniture and stuff. Why do I learn about cool stuff as it's closing?!?!

I write "for so-and-so Merry Christmas love, LIZ" on a piece of wrapping paper and tape it to their gift.

Gronk. Time to pack up and head out. Need. Coffee.