Through a combination of cordless drill, hammerS, wedge, screwdriver and brute force, we've got most of the nails out.

bon and bob have discovered the true meaning of Christmas!

Seven nine- inch nails seem a little excessive for a disposable stand.

That's how Trent Reznor likes it!

bon and bob have discovered the true meaning of Christmas!

Have they ever put together a bicycle in the middle of the night? That's when I learned that Santa swears.

zuiza, if it's an expensive moisturizer and she has any remnants of puritan guilt, she probably feels vaguely guilty buying it and would think it's a great present. I once gave my mother 12 bars of Dove soap, so what do I know?

Yes, we have taken it off the cross. It yet lives!

That's probably more the true meaning of Easter.

That's probably more the true meaning of Easter.

Tim made a joke last night about Easter and a Lazarus Pit.* This proves that I have REALLY succeeded in (1) making him a more blasphemous person and (2) info-dumping Batman knowledge into his brain.

*(A Lazarus Pit is what R'as al Ghul [and other characters] has used to rise from the dead. Repeatedly.)

OK! I have had choir practice, finally went to the new burger place on my corner, been to the post office, and definitely DEFINITELY finished Christmas shopping. Now I'm going to sit for a while, then I will clean and wrap.

The entire bonbob tree saga had me giggling, but Ginger cracked me all the way up:

Have they ever put together a bicycle in the middle of the night? That's when I learned that Santa swears.

I'm also giggling at the tree saga. Including Easter tree.

I knew I was being too cocky about being done with my shopping. Despite poking, prodding, talking with the other adults in his life, CJ had one small gift for his dad and nothing for his wife. So, out we went last night and I think finally has them covered. I already got him stuff for his sister. No clue if he has anything for me...but whatever. It is better to give than to receive and all that.

I am virtuous. Well, mostly. Everything that was being wrapped had to be mailed, and my mailables went out Tuesday, including the few cards we send, to the half-dozen people in the world who are not on the internet. The tree is up and lit (take out of box. Put together, plug in. Fluff), and the boxes of ornaments are at hand. The outside of the house has been decorated for nearly two weeks, and most of the inside decor that isn't tree is done.

I asked for a dozen-ish Satsumas, clementines, the little wee ones, mainly to add to tablescapes. I got two whopping bags of near-tangerines, most of which should be eaten or used somehow in the next day or two. Ideas, anyone? I should buy a juicer, right? I can't just peel and throw in the blender?