Merry Christmas to Me!

Wow!  I've already had a great Christmas!  As in, lots and lots of great gifts!  Including silver earrings and bracelet, a fluffy pink bathrobe, lots of baked goods, and some great smelling potions for my body/bath/hands.

As usual, I'll shop until the 11th hour.  But I must admit, my gift closet is well stocked.  I bought a mixed case of wine and lots of great smelling things from Claire Burke.  Their Original scent is my favorite.  They have great gift sets, and all my friends seem to love them.  Now, using a gift closet might seem impersonal, but I refuse to regift - so that counts for something!  And I make plenty of handmade gifts (like the best chocolate-chip cookies in the world.)  I found the cutest Christmas cards with a sparkly Dachsund (like Lovely Lucy,) but of course, I haven't managed to get them in the mail.  Maybe next year...

I've been celebrating non-stop.  I started with a huge Christmas dinner a week ago.  Turkey and the works.  Cornbread dressing from scratch.  Orange-cranberry relish.  China and crystal.  Presents under the tree.  Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

Since then, I've had wonderful meals at Erling Jensen's,  The Pancake House, and Slider Inn.  Don't ask...

Unfortunately, Kiddo is his usual, ummm, obnoxious self.  Which is why I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about never being home.  His dad has, in keeping with the typical non-custodial parent, assumed the Buddy Role.  Why am I surprised?

The Daddler is happy as a clam.  He enjoys the role of patriarch.  What does that make me?

Oh.  That reminds me.  The other day, a big styrofoam box arrived on our doorstep.  Full of inferior animal flesh from Omaha Steaks.  I took the high road, and dialed her number, thrust the phone into The D's hand, and stepped back to hear his haltering attempt at leaving a voice mail message.  It pissed me off to hear him say, "I love you" before hanging up.  WTF doesn't he ever tell me that?  Even though I know it's natural to take a caregiver for granted, it still makes me cry.  And it makes me want to throw the cheap meat on the floor for Lucy to devour.  I really should regift it, to avoid any reminder of The EV.

Oh, well.  It's time to do a little laundry and wrap a few presents, and get ready for the next installment in my social whirl.

So, if I don't post before the big day, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...