Tomorrow night I'm going to see the White House decorations, though, so that will be very Christmassy!

So fun!

I have wrapped all the presents (well, put them in gift bags and tried to tuck in tissue paper to make it look somewhat acceptable) and Tim is bringing home pizza. I'll bake the pumpkin bread later tonight, do a grocery pickup tomorrow, and we'll be all set.

all of my clients are not paying on time

Will you have leverage for better contract terms (up-front deposits, bonds, escrow, etc.) next year?

Will you have leverage for better contract terms (up-front deposits, bonds, escrow, etc.) next year?

Yes, all of these clients have been moved to the Payment in full before work begins category. Pretty much all of these were bigger projects where they have paid at least 50% of the project already, they are just lagging on milestone or closeout payments.

Sorry for the headache.

My grandmother worked for a contracting firm in the D.C. suburbs. (I'm ashamed to admit I don't remember the name of it.) She had a company swag T-shirt with a Frito Bandito logo inside a double circle with the motto: Beltway Bandit Protective Association -- "If you can't make the payments, you don't get the contract."

That must be intolerable, ND. I'm so sorry that your (presumably well-funded) clients are such assholes.

I got a bunch of books for the kids, and a bunch of socks as stocking-stuffers (which is a bit meta, I guess). Now my back is really acting up and I'm back on the couch, not looking forward to doing more baking.

presumably well-funded

One of them is a Vegas sports book, so yeah, well funded.

Ugh. My very bad miserable cold is indeed Covid. Tested positive this morning. Worst part is that I can't read without it hurting my head. If I am going to be sick I want to stay in bed and read. It seems only right.

Ugh indeed, Laura! That sucks.

Boo, Laura, I'm sorry. May it pass quickly.

I'm about to head out shopping. Wish me inspiration, please. I'm going to wear.my plaid Santa hat -- it seems to take the edge off for anyone who might be feeling... edgy. Gives poor randos like me out in it a little cheer sometimes.

Still not sure when Christmas w/ the fam will be for us, but I suppose I still need to act like it'll happen soon.

Ugh I’m so sorry, Laura. We’re in Chicago for one night only and spending some time reporting Bob’s lost credit card. Womp womp. It’s the card all the bills go through so will take some work to redirect everything to the new card when he gets it. But at least it wasn’t stolen! Which I want to spell “stollen” because we’re about to head to the christkringlemart!