Merry Christmas

Christmas day didn't start out so well. :( No matter how hard I try at not being disappointed--I mean, after over 15 years, I should be used it by now--I couldn't pretend not to care, anymore. He told me more than once this month, that "he wouldn't have time" to go out and buy me a Christmas present. I KNOW he's been very busy, and I KNOW he hates Christmas, but those excuses finally all piled up this year, and I told him that I didn't want to hear any more excuses or half-hearted explanations anymore.

He has time to stop at a store to buy stuff for M, or himself, but never can find enough time to think about me--even if it's just a little token something. A gift card, for cripes' sakes, would do, just to know that he took five minutes out of one day for his wife. :(

D is really hard to buy for--whatever he wants or needs, he usually goes out and buys for himself. And, I was really at my wits end this year, with time running short, and I suggested that maybe we should forego an individual gift for each other and just go out and buy a new couch. That idea got nixed by him without a second thought, so I was back to square one when I saw an ad in the paper for the perfect gift. I drove through snowstorms, and battled the full parking lots and crowded stores in search of this lousy--but great and practical--gift, only to come up empty handed at the last minute. :( So, I bought a card and put a picture of the gift in it, and used it as an IOU.

Granted, I had more free time than he has lately. But, do you really think I WANTED to battle the snow, and the crowds, and the messy parking lots? That answer is a resounding NO! But, I tried--I really TRIED--and, that's my whole point. He never even tried. :( Usually, he manages to find at least a card for me, or he buys me something that I've not only hinted at, but need to explain--in detail--what type, and where to buy it. Even though I knew what I was getting...at least it was something.

He plows a jewelry store parking lot, for God's sake! And, an electronics store, and a World Market store (among others)! He's spent more time in that parking this month than he has at home. Don't tell me you can't take 1/2 hour break and find something. They manage to find 1/2 hour time slots to diddle around doing other things. So, I can no longer accept the "I don't have time" excuse anymore...just not acceptable! And, now he knows it, and feels lower than the scum on the bottom of a rancid pond.

I--and other people--have tried to rationalize it, with the his-brain-is-just-built-differently-type of excuses. Sorry...it's just not cutting it anymore. :(

But, I'm trying to make the best of it. Last night, we had a light dinner of shrimp cocktail, little smokies in BBQ sauce, chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, etc. I put it all out on my best serving dishes to try and make it festive, even if it was only the three of us. Of course, I get the "who's all coming" question. ;) But, what the hey.... And, this morning (after the argument), it was all about M and his gifts, where the focus should be--on the children. I made a HUGE breakfast for us, and now M's enjoying his gifts; I'm hanging out; and D's off somewhere.

He got a concerned call from his brother, regarding his dad. But, all is relatively well in that aspect, for now (and, is too much to get into at this time), so I don't know what he's up to for the rest of the day. As long as he's home for dinner tonight.

A "wheel-wind" weekend!

"Wheels" is the word of the weekend around here. :( First, my flat tire, and now D's snow plow truck!

He calls me just as I'm getting home from work yesterday. "Could you come rescue me and M from the freeway? We seem to have had some difficulties with the truck". :o Being as cold as it is, I'm thinking engine trouble, and worry they're not keeping warm enough. So, I head on out on the 20 mile trip to where they are, only to find out that he lost BOTH rear left tires on the truck, as he's cruising down the interstate--he said they just FELL OFF! :o At least the engine was in fine working form, and they stayed warm in the subzero temps. :) Luckily, with his driving experience, he was able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road without mishap, and traffic was light enough where the tires didn't hit any other vehicles on their roll into the unknown. However, he was able to retrieve both tires, so hopefully, they'll be able to save those-although, I'm not sure about the total damage to the truck, itself. :(

But, that calamity was one of the more minor ones, for the truck's owner. :( I guess, poor P went down to his shop yesterday a.m., and the furnace had broken down, thereby causing the pipes to freeze and burst all over the shop! :o Other maintenance vehicles were also broke down, for one reason or another. One trouble at a time is bad enough, but when it all happens at once...he's either going to take up drinking, or have a stroke. :(

This weather is either going to make, or break us, I tell ya! What a winter, so far! It's nice, steady money (the snowplowing part), but good grief, will the snow ever stop?! Just when you think you're going to get a break, the temps drop into the subzero numbers, only to climb again just enough for it to snow again. :p It's now predicted for 3-5 inches both tonight, into tomorrow, and again on Wednesday! Makes ya wonder what January and February will bring. :o

Lovely...just lovely!

(insert big raspberry here)

Plans for shopping today have gone out the window! Not that I was really looking forward to fighting crowds, but it was an opportunity to do it ALONE! But, that is not to be, as a tire on my vehicle is completely flat---flatter than a pancake! :(

It was low the other night, and we pumped it up. Yesterday, since I was snowbound, I didn't really pay attention to it, so didn't notice if it was going flat again. And, this morning...well, you know. I've already called D, and he'll be home in a few hours, but not sure if there will be enough time to take it down to the local garage to get it fixed so I can use it to go to work tomorrow. I'll go out in a bit (when I'm done here) and try to pump it up with M's little (itty bitty) compressor. If for nothing else, to see how fast it deflates again. If it can't be fixed right away, I guess I'll be driving the Black Beast for a few days--yay rah! :p

Ya think this is just one more sign that I should get a newer vehicle? ;)

Please make it stop!

...the snow, that is. At least for a little while, anyway! :( Twelve inches in as many hours is a bit ridiculous, don'tcha think?! And, that's not all...tomorrow night and into Sunday morning is the start of another predicted 3"-7", with blowing and drifting (blizzard type visibility) and subzero windchill factors. Have I ever told you I'm not all that fond of winter?! Did I tell you I'm scheduled to work on Sunday?! I'd threaten to fly to a warmer climate, but the damn airlines are cancelling flights left and right (they're open now), so that doesn't do me much good. :p

I've got a small reprieve tomorrow, and I'm going to take advantage of it. I need to go get one more big Christmas present, and a couple stocking stuffers, along with some household essentials. Maybe, I'll even pick up a movie. ;)

I baked a couple different kinds of cookies today, amongst the shoveling and the plowing. I'm not sure I'll be making much more, as no one really eats them, and if they're laying around I eat them, and that's not a good thing. :p Although, I'm really craving chocolate covered pretzels, so if I don't see them in the store tomorrow, I may just have to make them myself. :D

HIVES!!!

Egads, at first, I thought it was just my sweater and dry skin irritating each other, but it got worse and worse as time went on. The sweater is old and soft, and I haven't used any new detergent recently, so I ruled that out. It could've been something I ate, but I've never had a reaction to food--ever--and, I didn't eat anything I haven't ate before yesterday. Loratadine and Benedryl weren't doing the trick, and I got barely any sleep last night. :( I finally just got up really early for work, and headed to Urgent Care, because I knew they'd give me some prednisone. ;)

As the day wore on, the itching finally subsided, for the most part, but the red splotches are still in some spots, yet. It was mainly on my torso and neck area (thus, thinking it was the sweater), but by morning, it had spread to my legs, arms, hands, and face, hairline, and scalp. How miserable. :(

But, on to bigger and better(?) things. It's snowing--AGAIN! According to the meteorologists on television, this is the "easy" storm...3-5 inches of light, fluffy snow throughout the night. Then, Thursday, the "big daddy" moves in, with a possibility of up to 12" of snow, with rain/freezing rain beforehand. :P Just can't wait for that one. ~~rolling my eyes~~

I've got most of my Christmas cards addressed. I just have to make a few more copies of M's school picture to include in them, and I'll be able to send the balance of the cards off this week. Nothing like waiting till the last minute. LOL

I've got it arranged for someone to cover my hours all of next week! Now, I just have to figure out what I'm going to do about the following week. :p I hate to take the both weeks, as that would deprive me a whole 2-week paycheck! I'm just going to hope and pray that M can go with his Dad, so I can get some hours in.

I think I'm about done

...with Christmas decorating, anyway. :) I finally got the tree up these last two days...just not in the mood this year. :( If it weren't for M, I probably wouldn't have put it up. :p

Now, I just have to figure out what to do about xmas vacation! I don't want to lose hours at work, and yet I don't want to leave M home alone all day for 2 weeks straight, either! He could go to work with is dad, for the most part, but gee, what kind of 'vacation' is that? :p Doesn't help, that the boss would rather hire extra help (the usual college kids), than just trade one employee for another. I have a new plan, though, but I have to talk to him about it on Monday, first, before I ask the one girl to cover my hours. ;)

There's also the matter of doctors' appointments the week of Christmas, too. M's appointment with the orthodontist is Monday afternoon, and I have an appointment with a new GP on Tuesday afternoon. :p Then, there's the Christmas cookie baking, and last minute shopping to do. Gosh, I might as well take the whole week off, since my weekends are already shot. :(

I have to type quickly now, because I need to get in the shower SOON, as we're going to an out of town wedding today. Don't want to go, but it's a PR kind of thing, so I'll suck it up and waste two more precious days of time off. :p D will be home in about a half an hour, and he'll have to get in the shower and pack, too. At least I've got MY stuff packed. Ugh. The last thing I want to is get all dressed up and put a smile on my face, when I'd rather just hang out in my loungewear and cuddle up with a good book. :p

What a week!

Man oh man, I'm just whipped! :( Monday and Tuesday was a madhouse...almost 500 scripts each day! :o Wed and Thursday wasn't TOO bad, but today was another scramble, for whatever reason. :p UGH!

Thanksgiving was great! M and I traveled up to the cabin Wednesday, but didn't get up there till about 11:00 p.m. That sucks, but I spent most of the day with my elderly lady friend, and she cooked us a little T-day lunch. Had a most enjoyable visit with her, while the boys did their he-man hunting thing. :) Then, I cooked a dinner for us and the neighbor couple that evening.

Friday, I left M with Dad, and I traveled back to my hometown for the weekend. Saw some old friends and relatives, and had a great time...until the snow warning came, and I had to head back home much earlier than originally planned. :p But, it all worked out, as I traveled with fairly light traffic and it didn't start snowing until about an hour after I got home. :) Then the work week started. ~rolling my eyes~

Last night, I had been invited to a "Women's Advent Dinner" at a local church. One of the neighbor ladies invited a group of other neighbor ladies, and we had a very nice time. It's hard to explain in short, but it was beautifully decorated...each lady of the church had a table to decorate in whatever Christmas theme they wished (ours was Scandinavian); there was beautiful singing by a women's quartet, and a short play with the theme on the order of losing the spirit of Christmas and letting God back into your life. It was quite inspirational (with a humorous touch), and pretty emotional for me, because some of the dialogue was like they were talking directly to me (with being the first Christmas without Mom, and how Mom wasn't afraid of dying, yet the children of the parent worry about that, etc.). I have to admit, that I had tears streaming down my face for part of it. :( Then, the damn quartet sang "O Holy Night", and got me crying all over again because it brought back memories of singing with Dad in the choir. :(

Tonight, we took M into town, as his school choir sang for the tree lighting ceremony on the sqaure. Oh BOY was it COLD!!!!!! Good thing it was a short ceremony! Even with insulated underwear and my heavy jacket and boots, I was freezing. :( Then, dingbat D--I told him to dress warmly--he was complaining that he should've left his insulated coveralls and boots on. :p Dumb, dumb dumb! LOL M's following in his footsteps. I also told him to put his longjohns on and wear his snowpants...he refused. Now, we'll all probably be sick by next week. :o

Tomorrow is another busy day. My plan is to get up early and go xmas shopping. I don't have much to get--just for M--and I know what I WANT to get. It's just a matter of trying to get it done by one-stop shopping. Cross you fingers! ;)