Great. I just checked Amazon tracking for a package that I thought would arrive today and USPS says that they attempted delivery and left notice twice TODAY. I have not received even ONE notice. What is up with that?

Should I just leave a note for the mailman to leave it on my doorstep?

Go, brenda! You are a total rock star.

mac is exerting independence in a BIG way. and while I am happy because 1) I am big on independence. 2) it means he feels comfortable enough to act out. 3) It is normal. I am also just a wee exhausted from being told no to everything and having a pouty mc pouterspants every 10 minutes or so.

Aw. It really is a good thing, especially #2, but part of it is being five. And probably being five in a whole new world, with all sorts of temptations and new wonderful things to touch and eat and see. And not being able to sass fluently probably results in more pouting, too.

I can't wait to hear about your first Christmas together, though. And I still have to put those books in the mail to you -- it may be after the holidays at this rate, though.

ION, the velociraptors chasing the baby Jesus was the funniest thing EVER. And the Shirley Temple version of A Little Princess is the lamest thing ever, especially if you adore the book and pretty much know it by heart.

I, er, bought cigarettes? (steph, you feel better now?)

Heh. You know, I do. Sarameg brings the Christmas miracle!

Oh, and -- "Dick in a Box"? Damn near the funniest thing EVAR.

But for tonight, funniest thing EVAR = Bringing Paxil Back (also YouTube, also Justin Timberlake....kind of).

I'm seriously stilted on Christmas presents this year, due to general crappiness

This is me. I want a break from crappiness for both of us, ita.

msbelle, I'm sorry about the rough transition. May things go smoother very soon.

Tonight I volunteered to make a Jewel run for roommate. Or more particularly her cat, who will kill us while we sleep if she doesn't get her wet food.

Jewel carries Home Depot gift cards. Dad and brother-in-law now done, so I only need to buy a Christmas gift for my sister now.

Also, I now have rum. Yay, rum.

Sarameg brings the Christmas miracle!

Hey, my vice is your redemption!

msbelle, I know it is trying, but I rejoice at that rebellious stuff. (update more! more!) I was hesitant to mention his little shows of comfortability/pushy as yay before so as I didn't sound all never-had-a-kid-yet-advicey. I've only a history in talking with another friend with a stepson with serious, serious baggage issues. Abandonment, neglect, etc. It's quite ridic when I tear up because a teenage boy is acting like a normal teenage boy ass. But I have to point it out to her. His being an ass is a function of his age, not his baggage! And that's good! We want ass-ness! It means he feels safe! Rejoice the ass-ness! It just reassures us that he is Home.

Which is to day, sorry it's been a rough day, but I'm also grinning that he's getting Home.

hey, shrift! Will you do Christmas shopping for me too?

Depends, Kat. Will people think you suck if you get them nothing but gift cards? So far only my mother has an actual present to open.

I still have stuff to get for my family. iPod, sports bras, men's underwear.

Not Christmas gifts, just part of the standard "going back to Jamaica" stuff. It means at least one trip to the mall, and either an Apple store or Fry's. Why the fuck didn't I do this on the internet? Maybe when I'm out I'll get inspiration for that one gift instead of a headache.

I've been napping fitfully so far this evening. I gotta get up to hydrate (colds suck) and check my voicemail. Suddenly the apartment is too big.

Kat, I second your emotion. Both of them--the crappiness and the shrift shopping.

Who are OKGO?