Went to Kingston Kitchen today. It's a tasting, I guess--you pay a cover charge, and then you can sample small bits and buy more from a variety of vendors.

We wandered around, pigged out on purchased and nibbled stuff alike, told people how to do their jobs (the cheesecake would be improved by sour cream!) and I bought preserves to take back for co-workers.

We were chatting with a cousin who had just put a gazebo in her front yard, and was second-guessing the placement.

"Oh, you can't do that!" I exclaimed. "It's against the Gazebo Rules. They Gazebo Voted on it in the Gazebo Meeting of the Gazebo Committee!"

"You go to that?" she asked, somewhat breathlessly.

I couldn't--I fell out. But this is why my mother beseeches me to act normal around some of my relatives, because they don't get me. She took it really well when they told her I was being an ass, but still. If I can't flatly bullshit, I don't feel like I can breathe.

Mother later went on to express significant disapproval of me wearing ties to work, because it's not womanly and most women don't do that. I asked her if it was important to her that I calibrate by what most women do, and she gave me that "Don't be stupid, you know what I mean" look that actually makes me want to dismantle her point of view, but she refused to concede that I was being womanly enough by sheer virtue of being a woman in body and mind, no matter what I wear.

I'm now going to ask my father. I predict he will care less, in general, about the entire thing.

Oh, right--I need to work out how to post pics, since I didn't bring a laptop. Shenanigans.

I do think your father will care less about the tie debate.

I cut out 3 pairs of pajama pants and made 10 bowties for Grace. I also argued with UPS and got the most painful yet most precise eyebrow shaping ever.

Thank you Tom. That was lovely.

"Oh, you can't do that!" I exclaimed. "It's against the Gazebo Rules. They Gazebo Voted on it in the Gazebo Meeting of the Gazebo Committee!"

"You go to that?" she asked, somewhat breathlessly.

That's fantastic.

I am dorkishly excited that the forecast is for an inch of snow over Monday night. A white Christmas!!!

Moderately more human. But I think they boys might be getting it. Merry Xmas from aunty Sara!

Most of the shopping done, my parents are getting goats,alas. And tjs chocolate.

The tree is up chez Burrell! Up and lit, no less, and lighting is a PITA because when my beloved departed MiL gave us her fancy 7 ft artificial tree she also gave us all her bubble lights and now DH feels obliged to use them. PITA I tell you, but it makes a purty tree. Tree still needs trimming however as we decided to see The Hobbit instead of trim the tree. Good choice, we all found it very satisfying.

I have two more gifts to buy but have lost all motivation to go buy them. Oops. Well at least I got the sugar cookie dough made so we can bake cookies now. And cousins are coming today. I may not be fully prepared for Xmas, but at least it won't knock me on my ass this year.

I finally made it to my sisters last night, and later went out to karaoke at their favorite dive bar, with my sisters BFF who is also visiting (from NYC) and my bro and another friend of theirs who is visiting from Amsterdam. It was fun but odd. Now I curse the getting home two days late part, because there is not nearly enough time to laze on the couch and do nothing. Have to finish shopping (sister present and dad, have one thing for both but need another)., and some how agreed to do with my mom. When I got in last night she had this idea we were going to go straight to her place (at least 30 min from my sister) for a drink, and I had to be like "no, I want to put my stuff down and chill, if you want a drink you come down here" and she gave up.

I have been wrapping presents and am now thinking about lunch. I don't really have anything to eat here, but have also not gotten dressed yet. Dilemma!

...found some ancient potstickers in the freezer. Hooray!

I finished my shopping and wrapped all the gifts last night. Today I need to do All the Laundry, get the house ready for the house sitter, and pack for the next week of travel. However, the pets let me sleep in this morning. No one woke me until I woke up at 9, which is pretty amazing given how many we now have. It's a Christmas miracle!