It's late in the 4th quarter and we're trailing by 10 points. Still time to make up ground, but time is running out. I've knocked off a few more gifts, but still have stuff to get for nephews. I got some new/updated requests yesterday that sent me out in search of new stuff (don't you love people who change their lists late in the game?) and I have still not found the right give for my brother and his kids. For some reason, this year I have not been able to come up with any good ideas. My wife suggested gift cards to various stores, but I have always felt that was a cop out. I tried a few on line orders, but it's too late for anything to arrive on time. I am debating getting gift cards to some restaurants but haven't reached that threshold (yet).
Today is more shopping. Going out to pick up a ham (seems to have become our annual tradition) and some more wine. Stephen is due in sometime today and will stay through Monday.
Every year I seem to wind up at this point. Rushing around the final days before the holidays trying to get "just the right gift", spending more money than I had planned, buying stuff we really didn't need (Ooooh - Wallyworld has lights on sale), trying to get into the spirit. Regardless of how much I plan or worry, Christmas will come and go and next week we'll be looking back wishing it lasted longer. I hope to have some of the last minute shopping done today and kick back to enjoy the season, but I know that I will probably be sitting here tonight thinking, did I get a gift for whatshisname, or should we get some more for themfolk?
Ah, I miss the simpler times when I looked forward to the Dolly Madison Christmas specials and show on Christmas eve. Holiday stress - the gift of the season. I know that, in the end, it is all about spending time with your family and friends. Maybe I'll go listen to some more Barking Dogs Christmas.
I hope you guys are ready for the holidays.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
23 December 2011
16 December 2009
Life's never simple
More drama. Just what I need to enjoy the holidays.
Was hoping to coast tonight while doing some on line shopping, finish up some chores at the office, wrap some gifts for my buyers, get ready for another 4 day weekend, and prep the LZ for junior's arrival tonight. He was supposed to be home yesterday, but he stayed over another day in college to sign up for a course next semester and transfer the utilities on the apartment to his name. He woke up late and finally started south toward home around 1700 (5:00 pm for you nonregs). This is typical for him but it drives his mother nuts. Anyway, I'm sitting hear trying to enjoy my solitude before the swarm decends upon the home when I get the call. Remember - I only get called when it involves some expenditure or there is some technical problem. It appears he has a tire problem on one tire somewhere west of Columbus (small Texas town). He was stopped by the side of the road trying to diagnose the problem. I felt like technical support trying to talk him through the issue and figure out what the problem was. He was able to limp into a local gas station with lots of lights and open parking lot and finally see the problem (thrown tread). Now, if it were me, I'd cuss a lot and swap out the tire with the spare and limp on home. Junior is a whizz with computers and high tech stuff, but he is not as handy with auto repair and I was not comfortable with him trying to do this on his own. I have loaded up the truck with my tools & jack and prepared to head north, but he is a good 1.5 hours away. Fortuneately, a long time ago, I signed up for AAA roadside service for this very situation. I was worried that he might be way out of the range for a service call, but they have dispatched someone to go help him so I am hoping they can fix the tire and get him back on the road shortly.
Kids. So much joy, so much anxiety.
I'm already making plans to get a new set of tires on my day off.
- - - - - -
Corollary: AAA showed up at 9:20 pm, changed the tire, and he is back on the road. Should hit the doorstep in an hour. Glad to have AAA available. I am mildly surprised that they were able to make it out that far into the countryside, but then again, that is why I signed up with them.
Was hoping to coast tonight while doing some on line shopping, finish up some chores at the office, wrap some gifts for my buyers, get ready for another 4 day weekend, and prep the LZ for junior's arrival tonight. He was supposed to be home yesterday, but he stayed over another day in college to sign up for a course next semester and transfer the utilities on the apartment to his name. He woke up late and finally started south toward home around 1700 (5:00 pm for you nonregs). This is typical for him but it drives his mother nuts. Anyway, I'm sitting hear trying to enjoy my solitude before the swarm decends upon the home when I get the call. Remember - I only get called when it involves some expenditure or there is some technical problem. It appears he has a tire problem on one tire somewhere west of Columbus (small Texas town). He was stopped by the side of the road trying to diagnose the problem. I felt like technical support trying to talk him through the issue and figure out what the problem was. He was able to limp into a local gas station with lots of lights and open parking lot and finally see the problem (thrown tread). Now, if it were me, I'd cuss a lot and swap out the tire with the spare and limp on home. Junior is a whizz with computers and high tech stuff, but he is not as handy with auto repair and I was not comfortable with him trying to do this on his own. I have loaded up the truck with my tools & jack and prepared to head north, but he is a good 1.5 hours away. Fortuneately, a long time ago, I signed up for AAA roadside service for this very situation. I was worried that he might be way out of the range for a service call, but they have dispatched someone to go help him so I am hoping they can fix the tire and get him back on the road shortly.
Kids. So much joy, so much anxiety.
I'm already making plans to get a new set of tires on my day off.
- - - - - -
Corollary: AAA showed up at 9:20 pm, changed the tire, and he is back on the road. Should hit the doorstep in an hour. Glad to have AAA available. I am mildly surprised that they were able to make it out that far into the countryside, but then again, that is why I signed up with them.
If you ain't the lead sled dog, the view never changes...
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