Christmas Eve was wonderful. If by wonderful you think I mean it was perfect – not exactly.
You see, I was sick with the flu on the 23rd so for my Christmas Eve dinner, I swapped the caviar pie hors d’oeuvre for cheese and crackers; the spinach soufflé for cooked carrots; and called a guest asking them to bring dessert.
But I was still looking forward to a festive time as I happily bounced out to the car to get that last item I had forgotten. The trip resulted in a $95 bill – I decided to buy one bottle of wine for a gift so had to buy 6 to get 30% off. You know the drill.
When I returned, humming “What child is this”, I saw a brown spot and silver foil on the carpet.
Lady, my “perfect” cocker spaniel had enjoyed the 8 chocolate Santas I had left on the floor to wrap for a few children who would now celebrate a chocolate-free Christmas. Lady had dined in all three bedrooms and there were spots and crinkled foil in each room.
I screamed at her, of course. For those of you who say, “Scolding an animal after they have misbehaved is confusing and does nothing,” well, I really didn’t care about the learning experience for her. It was about doing something other than tossing her over the fence, which is loving in its own way.
But it’s Christmas, time for joy and forgiveness. So I pet and love her little chocolate face, Next I pop the massive roast in the oven and turn to the sink. It’s backed up and full of water and “stuff”. Of course I turn on the garbage disposal. I got a B- in plumbing 101 but I must have failed that test as everything simply went to the other side of the sink. I put Draino in the sink. No bueno. I plugged the GD (garbage disposal, you potty mouths) side and started plunging. Nothing.
Oh well, guests arrived and we had a lovely evening. Throughout the evening we played our new favorite game. Plunge the Sink. Each guest took a turn plunging when going into or passing through the kitchen. But nothing helped. But we all chuckled.
I wiped the dishes, rinsed them in a bucket and hid them in the dishwasher to wash after someone who really understands plumbing helps me out. I’m going with the Scarlet O’Hara theme: I’ll worry about that tomorrow – the 26th as I’m going to spend today with friends and family.
But, my Christmas Eve was truly wonderful: full of love and happiness with family and friends. I wish the same for each of you!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Shopping
Did I ever say I liked to shop? Well, I do and I’m darned good at it. Saks was having a sale. So I spent $3,000 on things I don’t need, but I liked, to get a $600 gift certificate I can spend next year. Technically, I can spend it now but don’t want to because it will take away from my shopping points and freebies for this year.
My shopper Connie had texted pictures of things she knows I need. Unfortunately, she also includes the shoes to “just try with the dress”. I have an entire closet full of shoes. I have 5 pairs of black heels, 3 pairs of beige, a pair of blue, and six pairs of boots, not to mention flats, sandals, and tennis shoes – for the gym, of course. But I love them all! Thanks to Connie, I have my own shoe showroom. Maybe I’ll have a two-for-one shoe sale. I can give points redeemable for tax research articles. Or, maybe not!
Of course, I also must get makeup from Katie so I can get the free gift with purchase. A free gift with purchase is an important part of my family heritage. Dad used to say that we bought something we didn’t want to get something we didn’t need. He was right. But what’s wrong with that?
My shopper Connie had texted pictures of things she knows I need. Unfortunately, she also includes the shoes to “just try with the dress”. I have an entire closet full of shoes. I have 5 pairs of black heels, 3 pairs of beige, a pair of blue, and six pairs of boots, not to mention flats, sandals, and tennis shoes – for the gym, of course. But I love them all! Thanks to Connie, I have my own shoe showroom. Maybe I’ll have a two-for-one shoe sale. I can give points redeemable for tax research articles. Or, maybe not!
Of course, I also must get makeup from Katie so I can get the free gift with purchase. A free gift with purchase is an important part of my family heritage. Dad used to say that we bought something we didn’t want to get something we didn’t need. He was right. But what’s wrong with that?
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Travelling the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend
We always fly to Sacramento the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. It’s a challenging but often entertaining experience. This year was no exception: a plethora of “Huh?” and “Oh, wow” moments.
First, I was fortunate enough to get a TSA prescreen check-in so I didn’t have to disrobe, take my shoes off, or put my drugs and potions in a plastic bag for the world to see. I thought all people in this line were experienced travelers. I was wrong. There was a gentleman who tried to send his coffee through the scanner propped up in a bin by his murse (man purse). Following him were the two ladies with the dog in a carrier who thought they had to send the dog through the scanning machine and were practically hysterical. No. ladies, dogs – like children – dogs go through the people machine.
Second, some unfortunate individual left his or her shoes at the security checkpoint. TSA announced “Would the person who left their shoes at South screening checkpoint please return for them?” Three times in a half an hour period the announcement was repeated. How do you not know you forgot to put your shoes back on?
Third, Dudley and I met early to have breakfast and go over some things and although we had arrived 2 ½ hours before the flight, we almost missed it. Luckily Sean and Kerry were able to evil-eye people away from sitting in our preferred row. And what do you know – behind us in the plane was the dog – barking!
I saved the best for last. When we were on the tram heading to the terminal, there was a woman and her probably 10-year-old daughter. The tram was jerky and the girl wasn’t holding on. She grabbed her mother who promptly hissed in a loud voice, “I am going to kill you.” She was serious. After she realized everyone was watching her, she announced, “She was supposed to fly home but pitched such a fit they kicked her off the airplane!” Imagine banned from flying at age 10. She won’t get a TSA pre-check notice!
Finally, I’m tucked into my satiny Hilton-sheeted bed. I did need a room change, though. For some reason they thought I wanted a low floor and my first room was a superior room overlooking the accounting department. They seemed to be working hard but I didn't find this particularly superior.
It will be an interesting week!
First, I was fortunate enough to get a TSA prescreen check-in so I didn’t have to disrobe, take my shoes off, or put my drugs and potions in a plastic bag for the world to see. I thought all people in this line were experienced travelers. I was wrong. There was a gentleman who tried to send his coffee through the scanner propped up in a bin by his murse (man purse). Following him were the two ladies with the dog in a carrier who thought they had to send the dog through the scanning machine and were practically hysterical. No. ladies, dogs – like children – dogs go through the people machine.
Second, some unfortunate individual left his or her shoes at the security checkpoint. TSA announced “Would the person who left their shoes at South screening checkpoint please return for them?” Three times in a half an hour period the announcement was repeated. How do you not know you forgot to put your shoes back on?
Third, Dudley and I met early to have breakfast and go over some things and although we had arrived 2 ½ hours before the flight, we almost missed it. Luckily Sean and Kerry were able to evil-eye people away from sitting in our preferred row. And what do you know – behind us in the plane was the dog – barking!
I saved the best for last. When we were on the tram heading to the terminal, there was a woman and her probably 10-year-old daughter. The tram was jerky and the girl wasn’t holding on. She grabbed her mother who promptly hissed in a loud voice, “I am going to kill you.” She was serious. After she realized everyone was watching her, she announced, “She was supposed to fly home but pitched such a fit they kicked her off the airplane!” Imagine banned from flying at age 10. She won’t get a TSA pre-check notice!
Finally, I’m tucked into my satiny Hilton-sheeted bed. I did need a room change, though. For some reason they thought I wanted a low floor and my first room was a superior room overlooking the accounting department. They seemed to be working hard but I didn't find this particularly superior.
It will be an interesting week!
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