We got together with Tim's brothers and SiLs last night to eat all the appetizers and drink festive beverages -- and to exchange presents because we won't see them on Christmas this year.

For real, we all got each other the exact same present (gift certificates to a specific restaurant). That has never happened before, and it's not like we sat around in the past few months talking about how much we like this restaurant. Apparently Tim and his bros share a brain sometimes. That was hilarious. Plus, now we have 2 dates set up to go eat tasty German food with the bros and SiLs, so yay.

Wow, that's like a happy version of O. Henry!

Wow, that's like a happy version of O. Henry!

That's what I said! I was trying to figure out if it was an inverse Gift of the Magi, or what, but that doesn't quite fit. So I went with "Our gifts were scripted by O. Henry!"

That is so funny Steph! In early college, my BFF and I got each other Interview with a Vampire. And then we both confessed that we read the book before giving it!!!

I have retrieved the cookies, which is really a huge bag of Harry and David office gifts and a little thing of homemade pizzelle. I was pissed for a minute, but then decided they thought the pizzelle looked to little and went a little nuts!

I am going to repackage the Harry and David stuff and take it to Dunkin Donuts staff who are so nice, because I haven't had a chance to get them something and I am low on money and time

Bah! I seem to getting a cold for xmas this year. Throat gunkus, headache and a runny nose.

I'm drinking ginger tea with extra ginger, honey and lemon.

Side note: Some of you may remember that back around 2008 I was working on a temp job and bonded with a younger guy named Kevin who I described as "a rough sketch of Hugh Jackman."

Kevin's the one who did pro bono legal work for the Hmong people in Cambodia and ate a buffet of strange bugs whilst over there.

Anyway, I'd lost touch with him and he pinged me with an email last night. He's now one of the top trial lawyers in Northern California specializing in protecting The Little Guy (labor disputes, age discrimination, etc.)

Super fun, Steph!

Good timing with the gift! I'm sure the Dunkin crew will appreciate it.

So nice to hear from old friends. Feel better, David.

Haven't done much of anything today, and really should. Maybe watch some more mindless tv first.

Putting StY on a plane for home this evening. Don'wanna. Except he's got this life of his own thing going on, and his gf is gonna be happily surprised for Christmas. She was expecting him to drive back in a week or two, so it feels good sending him off, even though his visit was too short. He'll be back.

Dinner with the neighbors on Christmas Day. We got the outside decorations up a day or two ago, and didn't bother on the inside, since there are two cars' worth of boxes strewn around and yet to unpack. Still, Christmas spirit is pretty high around here.

Why do people have families? This communication thing is annoying and difficult. I have now talked with my sister, my brother and my niece all saying they don't want to stress me out. Just talking to them is stressing me out. I hide in stores from people I know so I don't have to talk

I like my once a week with my mom, three times a year with my aunt and uncle, and seeing my cousin on Thanksgiving or at a funeral. That is the connection I am up for, guys, and these are people I actually lived with as a child.

My new sister is grappling with the thought that her father abandoned me. I don't think he did. I think my mom never told him or cut him out.

If they don't take a hint, I think you can just tell them that you aren't looking for super-regular and ongoing contact. I'm not saying they won't be weird about it, but that's better than just you stressing out!

Son of a bitch. I have cream puffs in the oven, and because they are on two trays on two different racks, I just took them out to switch, and I'm afraid I killed the puff. Well, we'll see. Worst-case scenario, I should have enough eggs to make another batch. Medium-case scenario, the creme patissiere fills them up well enough.