I'm having a hard time coming up with gift ideas for my mom & dad and my brother & SIL. My dad's post retirement purpose has been getting rid of stuff so my habit has been to give tickets to theatre or the symphony, but now my mom is recovering from surgery (with future treatment TBD) and I don't want to overestimate her energy level to get out and do things. My bro and SIL have moved back into their house after water damage 18 months ago but are still working on getting everything fixed back up. I have no idea what belongings were lost to the damage and therefore no idea what they might need or want.

gift ideas

My fallback has long been pears from Harry&David.

I’m sorry things have been rough, Beverly. And I hope your DH’s recovery becomes more smooth.

Effective partying, Hec!

The Krampus walk sounds fun, Steph.

This weekend I’m trying to finish unpacking. Today was all about getting the office/library set up. I still need to finish getting the books into half of one bookcase. Then two more unrelated boxes, and the room will be done. I might even get some wrapping done.

Next Friday I have a party with my sister’ “boat friends,” people they hang out with at the marina. It’s a “charcuterie” party. On my sister’s suggestion, I’m going to get a Christmas themed platter and arrange a bunch of those miniature bottles of booze on it: char-booze-eri. Apparently this is the crowd for that. Then on Saturday I’ll have my sister and brother in law over for dinner at my place—something I’ve never really been able to do before. I’m planning on pot roast, fettuccine with butternut squash alfredo, minted peas, and a pear-cranberry tart.

We do wish our dearest, near and far, a happy and joyous season filled with light, laughter, hope, and love.

I wish the same for you and DH. There was one year when I was just not up to decorating, so a drive through a local park with miles of lights and a boat ride to see the decorations on the Intracoastal were all I managed. There are a few Christmas movies I find and stream.

We have migrated away from the pumpkin spice coffee creamer to the peppermint chocolate variety. After years of drinking black coffee, the sugar-free coffee creamers have become my go-to treat.

I have to look at my list. I've done stuff for my son and his girlfriend, and one SIL, but nothing else. I'm hoping to find inspiration at one of the Out of the Closet Thrift stores here. [link] I thought they were just a local thing, but apparently they have locations around the country. I'd rather give my $$ to them instead of Amazon if possible.

Calli, both the char-booze-eri and your Christmas dinner menu sound wonderful.

Woot! DH canceled his LA Christmas tournament trip. The boys and an adequate number of coaches are going and he really didn't want to go with our son visiting and his 60th birthday is on the 28th. So now he will be home. I think he may have noticed my pouty face that he was going to be gone the entire time B Jr was here and for the birthday.

Now I have to organize a last-minute birthday gathering. But I can manage that!

(((BevDog)))

Aurelia would a Lowe’s gift card be of use to them?

I thought my family had agreed to no gifts this year, but my brother apparently already had something and it’s in the mail.

I’ve got a cookie exchange party tonight, so very soon I’ll start making 5 doz cookies.

I did put up the big tree and do most of the mantle. Not sure if anything outside will get done as all I want to do is sit under blankets, but it would make me happy to come home to each night. We shall see. Putting forth effort is a struggle.

It is gray and rainy here right now, so I’m definitely feeling the “sit under blankets” urge. If I can finish the office today, I might give myself the rest of the day for sofa, blankets, and non-improving literature.

Yay Brendon being home, Laura.

We decorated the tree yesterday, and made very unfortunate sugar cookies—I had bought cookie cutters but my friend got the sugar cookies dough that is break into squares. So we tried to roll it out, but when we pulled it out of the oven most of the shapes were totally unrecognizable. We also ate a lot of Chex mix and muddy buddies and watched some hallmark movies while playing bingo (with tropes we put on bingo cards last year and had leftovers) Good times.

I’m so sad to miss cookie swap tonight but we are going on a river cruise on the Seine so…not that sad

Effective partying, Hec!

Party efficiency achieved! I realized there were people there I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. Highlight was seeing their eldest daughter (and Emmett's godsister), Emily, who gave me a huge, welcoming hug. She and her fiancé moved from NYC to LA (Glendale actually) a year ago so it was good to catch up with her. It's wild to me that she's 36 since I saw her as a newborn.

One couple that I used to see at Karen and Frank's parties had both done ozempic and looked great. A few other people who were a few years older than me (so more late sixties), really looked so much older. There's just no getting around approaching 70, I guess.

I realized most people didn't know about Jacqueline and I didn't bring it up. I did get to meet and talk with several people who had either lived in Japan or had recently traveled there, so that was exciting.

I’m so sad to miss cookie swap tonight but we are going on a river cruise on the Seine so…not that sad

Good consolation prize!

On my sister’s suggestion, I’m going to get a Christmas themed platter and arrange a bunch of those miniature bottles of booze on it: char-booze-eri. Apparently this is the crowd for that.

You already have a social life! That's impressive.

I've been managing to maintain an every other socializing night with Matilda whilst eating cozy food and working our way through the Harry Potter films. I think her bestie Iris (back from college) might come over tonight, and do a sleepover too.

I've been sheltering at home this weekend -- which is really not different than most weekends, seriously -- except that my car is at the mechanic's garage, and I'm waiting on hearing whether this is going to be terminal or they can bring it back for a couple more months. (It already needed a new catalytic converter, which is why I've been driving around with a failed inspection sticker for the past, um, year.)

Exploring alternatives -- a friend may have a working car I could have for a song -- but I'm also contemplating something like Carvana, if I go with a make and model that I'm sure I'd like without having to drive it. Anything I should know about experiences with buying online like that?