Agree with Steph -- best gift!

I just had my teeth cleaned. The hygienest had to stand to get better leverage. That's a bad sign, huh? And this is my third cleaning of the year!

Also bad, a former coworker who is a few years younger than I with children roughly the same age, died last night. She was diagnosed with brain cancer 5 or 6 years ago, after the birth of her youngest child. She had to go on medical leave last December. She had a second surgery to remove a brain tumor in September and had been declining ever since. So sad.

In all fairness he got me a Neighborhoodie a few years back (when every 20something in NYC was wearing those Brooklyn neighborhood ones) that says Jackholia on it. He has proclaimed me the mayor.

OK, books for brother and brother-in-law purchased 2-day shipping from Amazon.

That leaves mom donation and Dad gift.

So sad, Kat.

Excellent gifts, msbelle!

I am so aggravated. I know I had my employee badge yesterday, but I couldn't find it this morning, and I still can't find it. i finally remembered that I put one of those tracking devices on it, but when I checked the app all my tracking devices are showing me a last known location from November. Useless.

Oh Kat, that is so sad! Her poor family must feel so bereft.

We have, I think, taken care of all gifts that need to be given by the 25th. House is still a wreck, which gives us 1 day to pull it together. There will be no tree this year I suspect, but that seems like a small thing right now.

That is such a bummer, JZ. My kids are definitely in the zone where they know all gifts come from mom and dad, but one proudly proclaims it is from Santa nonetheless.

my family means so well. "do something that makes you happy"

literally was told that me not liking that we all do not get together at the Holidays was nonsense and a crazy ass issue of my own making.

I reached out to extended family nearby (aunt/uncle and 2 grown cousins with their families) thinking I could go to see them all 1 day. We all used to get together one day of the holidays when we were kids and all the extended family would get together at grandmas. There would be card games and dominoes and tv watching in another room. Lots of visiting. It seems impossible to get to see all of them even though they are in the same town. Their family dinner is their family dinner and then they basically all split up for various other activities, so if I go I will most likely only see my aunt/uncle and my guess is just some sitting around the living room visiting over some sports something on the tv.

I thought I could maybe do something with a friend tomorrow, but people are either working still or being with family. Finally just now got in touch with someone to go have early dinner with, not even a friend friend, but my manicurist. at least something.

ok, I texted my 2 adult cousins and told them the plan to be there Sat and see their parents and I'd like to see them. They both texted back and I think they will both come over. feeling a bit better.

I think Christmas Day I will do much like Thanksgiving, get up and cook and watch stuff I like by myself with coffee and dessert for breakfast - that should help the mood.

Christmas Eve I guess I can make desserts all day if nothing else comes up.

the horror of having been little black dressed

I love this. There's a story there.

I did laundry. Dishwasher is running. Suitcase is packed. Everyone's Christmas presents are in there, and I'm pretty sure there's some clothes and toiletries. I've added media to my electronics. Taxi is coming at 5:30am. I put a sticky note on the door to remind myself to turn down the heat before I go and take out the garbage.

If there's anything I'm forgetting, it's too late because I am out of spoons.

I have achieved my usual Xmas state of bemused exasperation with my parents. They started the day arriving 2 hrs later than they said, and then wondering if I'd finished my shopping despite being home only with the boys and no car. Um?

We're due for a round of tornado & thunderstorm weather tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Tomorrow my mom and I are driving to Springfield, MO to take my grandmother out for Chinese food for lunch. It's an extreme round trip for lunch, but it'll be good to see grandma.

Today was my nephew's birthday. He wanted barbecue which is never my first choice since I don't like smoked stuff or eat anything that had hooves. On the bright side, I had more room for chocolate cake than anyone else.

A couple of times today my parents and I talked politics and it actually wasn't terrible. If we get into it again tomorrow I know my grandma will take my side.