Self-confidence is huge. I amuse my family and customers by always responding the same way to the frequent request:

Doctor: I have a question. Laura: I have the answer. DH: I have a question. Laura: I have the answer.

Seriously, I do this a dozen times a day, and they keep asking. Maybe I need to say look it up your own self a few times, but whatever, I don't mind being considered an encyclopedia.

In seasonal news! I have a boxed Christmas tree! We went with an LED lit variety. It stays in the box until the weekend. Also, because you know how much I truly hate shopping I ordered a list of 28 items to be delivered tomorrow afternoon from the grocery store, and was extra generous with the tip, because the stores right now are stupid busy. So worth it.

Laura: I have the answer.

Probably a better answer than, "Only one question? Yay!"

The one I hate is "Just a quick question...." It's never a quick question.

Calli, can you take a half day?

Oh, I'm taking a whole day, except for a Zoom meeting at 1.

Can I borrow the idea of awarding a Very Poor Behavior Trophy?

Absolutely you may! Now that I have a more complete picture of what's been happening, though, I'm gonna need the one we've been sharing around.

The closest I am getting to a lighted tree is this. Yes, that is a statue of a historically inaccurate Viking wearing a Santa hat. I love Poulsbo.

There's a little bit of decorating the apartment? Wreath and a silver-plated mistletoe sprig on the door, some mercury glass trees and a silver-plated reindeer candle holder on the dining room table, and a Swedish candelabra in the window facing the street; mine is from IKEA and is not offered this year, confirming my attitude of "Grab it when you see it". I still regret not picking up the small SINNERLIG table lamps. They looked like Lego heads!

I do say "just a quick question" but I tag an "I hope" on to it and usually it is and I can say "yay, it really was quick" when I get an answer.

I hope whatever it is passes, Calli. Not being able to get warm is a feeling I haaaaaate.

My boss bought me and a coworker lunch today for helping another coworker with unexpectedly huge orders on Friday. I usually find the "incentive" lunches not very rewarding, but for something specific like this it does actually feel pretty good.

Omg. Y'all. My mom just texted us kids and said "I thought of a good Christmas present you can buy us—urns, for our cremains!" We are all flabbergasted. Like, what? She said she wants a pretty one that she can use for flowers in the meantime. Wtf. My sister was like "are you planning to kill dad and need this sooner rather than later?!" Like "merry Christmas! We are ready for you to die!" Dear lord.

My brother: "uh, maybe socks instead?!"

Me: "I was thinking of fancy face cream..."

My mom: "well those would be nice too but an urn would be special"

Me: :0

I apologize for bursting out laughing at that one, meara!

That is kind of a nice thought in the abstract, but I don't know if I could do it if that's what my parents wanted. I mean, going with them to pick out something nice, I can see that, but not really as a Xmas present?