Have a Merry Christmas

wow! i wished for a better christmas for 2008 and it wasnt half bad really..now its already 2009 and yup im wishin for a merrier merrier christmas!! how about a masters degree santa?

We had a lot of snow here in Seattle. We got the chains on the car early on and so were able to get groceries which was a good thing. Paco also mailed the packages which arrived in Colorado well ahead of Christmas! We went to visit Paco’s sister and her family for Christmas Eve (which is the big-deal night in Mexico: feasts, present opening etc) and had a really nice time! It snowed Christmas morning and most of the day. Max got great stuff: legos, puzzles, the dvd “Horton Hears a Who”. This year was a good balance; charitable stuff plus taking care of our own family. We spent what we could afford and bought hand-made and/or local goods.

Everyone was really happy with their presents. Mom got teary when she saw the necklace I got her. Dad loved his keychain. (They also really liked the other presents I got them, and the ones they got from each other. :) We ate great food, listened to good music, and enjoyed each other’s company. I wish I could have spent more time with them, but last night I was in too much pain to do anything but writhe on the couch. :(

R adored his presents…I think he thanked me ten times! Best of all, the outfit I got him fit; it came from an import store, and he’s 6’3”, so I was worried it’d be too short. It’s a little shorter than it should be, but fits reasonably well. (You can only see the shirt in this picture – the pants are under his mirt.)

And I got some cool stuff, too. :)

I’ve told Mom I’ll go shopping with her tomorrow. I must love her…

And I’m in an exceptionally good mood, considering the circumstances. (Five hours of sleep plus a wall of pain from my waist to my knees, which is the reason I only got five hours of sleep.) It’s a beautiful morning, and today I get to spend time with my loved ones. And give them presents. I adore giving presents.

I just love Christmas!

I should get ready now…miles to go today. Literally. Merry Christmas, everyone!

The necklace and keychain I ordered for my parents have arrived! And they’re gorgeous!

Tomorrow I’ll wrap these, and pick up a few last-minute items for Christmas dinner, and I’ll be ready! (Just in time, too. :)

and ready to relax! A little more Lost, a little more wine, and bed. :)

Wrapping the ShopVac Mom bought Dad. Oh, this ought to be fun. (The Netflix and wine take some of the sting away.) The bow will actually wait until I get the box there…no sense mushing it needlessly!

I’m on vacation. 2 weeks’ worth. It still feels odd yet…I keep stopping myself from setting the alarm. I could get used to this, though. :)

I bought the last of R’s presents last night. I won’t say what they are, in case he stumbles across this entry between now and Christmas, but I will say they were heavy. And I had to walk a very long way carrying them. My arms are still sore. Well worth it, though. I think he’ll love them.

Last night and earlier today with R were…as close to perfect as I expect these days. Times like that restore my faith in a lot of things. Love. Happiness. The chance that my life might not suck at some point.

Tonight, I went out to my parents’. Delivered Dad’s presents to Mom. My tree looks naked now. The picture was taken before the present delivery. Most of those are Mom’s. Though not the huge bag, or the penguin bag.

Anyway. We baked two batches of oatmeal cookies (one with pecans, one with chocolate chips and coconut) in their new oven – the first time they’ve used it since they got it a week ago. (Also taught them to use the oven in the process…it’s quite complicated.) Plotted Christmas dinner (though we didn’t get much past dessert, which is still undecided).

Tomorrow, Mom and I will shop – she’s got one more thing to get for Da, which she wants to hide here until Christmas. (It’s a ShopVac. I know darn good and well neither of them will ever visit this site, so it’s safe to tell you that.) Then, if he’s not hurt himself too much with the drinking he and his buddy are doing right now, R will come back over and spend the rest of the day with me.

Hopefully Monday the last-minute presents for my parents will come. Once they’re wrapped, I’ll be all ready for Christmas. Tuesday, we go to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And then we’ll be almost to the big day itself.

And I’m starting to get really excited about Christmas.

I was given a large gift by the custodian as I left work today! (I have ordered him bandless ear muffs. I hope they arrive before Christmas!) I have received 3 gifts for me and 2 for Miss Lily Belle (She must dash off in the day and help at someone’s house that I don’t know about!) Plus, when my Mom was dying she asked me to always buy myself a Christmas present from her. So I have that one too! (I thought it would be my only gift.)

(big shopping mall) tonight for more prezzies with my boyfriend, his best friend and both of my best friends.

His best friend fancies one of mine, but she wouldn’t touch him with someone else’s

s’a shame

wish me luck!