I'm up! I was awakened by my doorbell, which turned out to be FedEx, which is good, but they never want to just leave the box downstairs. She kept yelling my name and saying I had to come get my package, if I wanted it. So I opened the door anyway, threw on clothes, and ran downstairs. To find the box left on the stoop. So I came back upstairs, and a minute later the doorbell rang again! It was a different person from Fex Ex! Who also wanted me to come down right away!

ISTG. Remind me only to get weekday UPS deliveries in the future -- that guy and I have a good routine that does not involve me running up and down 12 flights of stairs.

Hmmm. My plan for the weekend was to go to my parents' both this afternoon and tomorrow, but maybe I should plan on just sleeping over? I don't really want to, but it's supposed to snow here tonight through noon tomorrow. I'll wait and see if my mother suggests it.

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet, which means I'm going out in the snow today to do it. Except that I'm having trouble getting lists from anyone.

Does anyone have any good general ideas for an eight year old girl?

Beverly Cleary books? I like to give everyone books, and have been known to ask random children and parents in bookstores for advice.

Do you have a Target near you? If she likes jewelry, they'll have some good sparkly stuff she might like.

eta: Or DVDs. 8 was a big dvd year for both my nieces.

Also, those make-your-own-jewelry craft kits or scrapbooking kits.

It's weird to be the ones *not* getting snow, for once.

Beverly Cleary books?

They have a box set of all of the Ramona books, which is AWESOME. I got it for Em this year. If those are alittle below her reading level, the Anne of Green Gables series is good for that age. Or Emily of New Mooon.

You know what sucks? To have NO CASH when a neighborhood teen offers to shovel your walk. And I'm totally pro-paying other people!!

My brother got Joe this [link] for Christmas last year and Emeline is playing with it and our magnetic David on the frig right now. She asked me who "this guy" is, pointing to Pres. Obama. I said he's the President. You know his name. She forgot so I told her, Barack Obama. She says, "Buh-rock? Like Buh-Rock On!" And then she aked why I was laughing.

OK, I don't think I have a very healthy relationship with my vacuum. Wait, that sounds wrong.

ANYWAY, "fuck you fucking vacuum" was uttered too many times. It falls over if you look at it funny, usually stabbing you. I need a new vacuum.