Last Monday... B4 Christmas

[penguin129]

[wannabmama]

Hi y'all! The workmen are finishing up the basement tile today, so I'm working from home by the fire for most of the day...not so bad! I can't wait to hang out in the "new" basement...planning to watch Monday night football there tonight!

[penguin129]

I'm getting my iud put in today. Before that we're dropping off the gift bags I made for the Moms staying at The Ronald McDonald House. Then we're going to Bass Pro for our family outing and to finally see Santa.

[rooskie]

I am so glad we are done with shopping. Our last Amazon order is expected to come in tomorrow.

I have to go run errands later this week while I'm off work and I totally plan on going at 9am to avoid people.

[daisy818]

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

[lilsneezy]

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I feel you on the grandma thing. MH's grandma is the only person we have left to buy for and I'm stumped. She's 90 something and blind. I feel like she's always getting robes, slippers, and blankets. I'm thinking cozy socks and... that's all I got. 

[ironbaby]

I have one gift left to get, and I already know what, just not which particular one. Everything that has arrived is wrapped. I am feeling rather accomplished.

[daisy818]

Dec 19, 2016 11:14:54 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

I have one gift left to get, and I already know what, just not which particular one. Everything that has arrived is wrapped. I am feeling rather accomplished.

I did all my wrapping this weekend and it really does make you feel accomplished!

[diamondsndaisies]

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I got my grandma a coffee cup that says "I love how we all know that I am your favorite grandchild"
She is going to get a kick out of it. 

[diamondsndaisies]

penguin129, that is so awesome!

[PirateCat]

Dec 19, 2016 11:13:26 GMT -5 lilsneezy said:

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I feel you on the grandma thing. MH's grandma is the only person we have left to buy for and I'm stumped. She's 90 something and blind. I feel like she's always getting robes, slippers, and blankets. I'm thinking cozy socks and... that's all I got. 

H's grandma is getting harder and harder to shop for, too. She is 86 and her eyesight is failing so I've been sticking to food items for the past few years but now she can't taste well either. We got her a scarf this year and I am going to make her biscotti and maybe chocolate caramels, even though she may not be able to taste much of them...

[easilyunamused]

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

Is she involved in/like charities or anything like that? MHs grandparents don't need anything, so we all donate to this Heifer Foundation (their choice) in their name.

[PirateCat]

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I am also feeling stressed about the amount of work and trying not to feel guilty about taking time off. It's hard because no one else in the office travels for the holidays and never takes any time off. 

[ohinvrtedworld]

Hi gang! I'm working from home today, aka watching the new President Obama movie "Barry" on Netflix and cleaning the house. It's a little slow but not bad.

Jealous of everyone done shopping -- I have a bit left! Which is my fault. I am not good at gifts. I'm not creative generally, and not great at figuring out the most thoughtful thing to get someone. My mom is the only one that I'm not worried about because she is pretty easy to shop for.

[daisy818]

Dec 19, 2016 11:48:57 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

Is she involved in/like charities or anything like that? MHs grandparents don't need anything, so we all donate to this Heifer Foundation (their choice) in their name.

Let's just say, the places she would like me to donate money are not places I would ever want to donate money.

[daisy818]

Dec 19, 2016 11:49:34 GMT -5 PirateCat said:

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I am also feeling stressed about the amount of work and trying not to feel guilty about taking time off. It's hard because no one else in the office travels for the holidays and never takes any time off. 

It's now looking like I'm going to have to work at least part of Thursday and Friday despite having scheduled to take those days off - booooooooo.  Although I can request to have my leave restored since it was use-or-lose if I do have to work.

[daisy818]

Dec 19, 2016 12:23:49 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

Dec 19, 2016 11:48:57 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

Is she involved in/like charities or anything like that? MHs grandparents don't need anything, so we all donate to this Heifer Foundation (their choice) in their name.

Let's just say, the places she would like me to donate money are not places I would ever want to donate money.

Quoting myself because it got me thinking - I should really order her something on my Amazon Smile account, which donates to Planned Parenthood...

[PirateCat]

daisy818, ugh that sucks. I had planned on taking Friday and Tuesday off but now also taking a half day Thursday since we had to cancel our trip to see my parents this weekend due to the weather. I told my boss today and he didn't seem thrilled but oh well.

I like your devious idea of secretly donating to PP.

[wannabmama]

That's brilliant daisy818 I love your subversive act ha!

I know what I'm getting for the two of the last things I need...but I need some little thing for my dad and have zero ideas. We don't often do gifts but we are going to be there on Christmas Eve this year and I knew the perfect thing for my mom so now I need to get him something. He buys everything he wants and isn't a guy's guy in terms of liking typical dad things (not a tools guy, not a drinker, not a golfer, etc.) I asked each parent for ideas...and neither one responded. Sigh. Coal it is!

[PirateCat]

wannabmama, does he read? I feel like books are good for most people...

[ceejay]

Dec 19, 2016 10:42:25 GMT -5 daisy818 said:

I am down to needing a gift for my grandma. What do you buy the woman who is very picky and has had 9 decades to accumulate everything she actually wants? I'm thinking chocolates.

I also am panicking a bit about the amount of work I need to do this week at the office. Why does everything pile up around holidays?

I always buy my grandma food items since I don't think she wants or needs anything else. Typically dessert bread, cookies, brownies, etc. You can't go wrong with yummy food.

[ceejay]

I thought I was done with my Christmas shopping but just learned that we are supposed to get presents for my youngest sister's new boyfriend... at least, my other sister and parents got him something, so I would look like a jerk if I didn't have a gift for him. I'm hoping I can find something on Amazon Prime cause I need it ASAP and I'm absolutely not going out to the store again....!

[rooskie]

I need a new book to read. I just finished "Me Before You" if anyone has suggestions.

[wannabmama]

Dec 19, 2016 12:44:19 GMT -5 PirateCat said:

wannabmama, does he read? I feel like books are good for most people...

He does read...but he reads so much I can never find something he hasn't read yet unless I'm way ahead of the game. I did introduce him to Ready Player One after I read it on book club here and he loved it and had never heard of it...but I'd need to find something obscure that he's unlikely to have heard of.

[teraiin]

I have everything wrapped and good to go.

I'm a little annoyed at my in-laws because they decided since younger sil and her new hubby can't come into town until later Christmas Day (7pm) we aren't going to do Christmas until then regardless of bedtimes and stuff.

I'm just annoyed we can't do a mini christmas earlier in the day so the young kids can open their presents before it's night. Plus also this means they aren't doing breakfast and I love their Christmas breakfast.

😜

[ohinvrtedworld]

Dec 19, 2016 13:22:31 GMT -5 teraiin said:

I have everything wrapped and good to go.

I'm a little annoyed at my in-laws because they decided since younger sil and her new hubby can't come into town until later Christmas Day (7pm) we aren't going to do Christmas until then regardless of bedtimes and stuff.

I'm just annoyed we can't do a mini christmas earlier in the day so the young kids can open their presents before it's night. Plus also this means they aren't doing breakfast and I love their Christmas breakfast.

😜

Waiting till 7 on Christmas to do anything?! Ugh! At least breakfast and little kid presents would totally make sense.

[PirateCat]

Dec 19, 2016 13:22:31 GMT -5 teraiin said:

I have everything wrapped and good to go.

I'm a little annoyed at my in-laws because they decided since younger sil and her new hubby can't come into town until later Christmas Day (7pm) we aren't going to do Christmas until then regardless of bedtimes and stuff.

I'm just annoyed we can't do a mini christmas earlier in the day so the young kids can open their presents before it's night. Plus also this means they aren't doing breakfast and I love their Christmas breakfast.

😜

What?! That would be torture for the kids (and let's face it, for me, too). 

[teraiin]

They also don't want to do anything Christmas Eve since younger sil won't be here.

Older sil is grumbling that we all know who the favorite child is now. 😂

[PirateCat]

Dec 19, 2016 13:12:15 GMT -5 wannabmama said:

Dec 19, 2016 12:44:19 GMT -5 PirateCat said:

wannabmama , does he read? I feel like books are good for most people...

He does read...but he reads so much I can never find something he hasn't read yet unless I'm way ahead of the game. I did introduce him to Ready Player One after I read it on book club here and he loved it and had never heard of it...but I'd need to find something obscure that he's unlikely to have heard of.

Ooh, that's tough. You'd either have to get an obscure book or a brand new release. What about a gift card to a bookstore or Amazon or wherever he gets books from? 

I'm getting desperate and will probably buy a book off of H's wishlist. I usually like to leave those for other family members that don't have any better ideas but it looks like that'll be me this year. Lame.

[daisy818]

Dec 19, 2016 13:22:31 GMT -5 teraiin said:

I have everything wrapped and good to go.

I'm a little annoyed at my in-laws because they decided since younger sil and her new hubby can't come into town until later Christmas Day (7pm) we aren't going to do Christmas until then regardless of bedtimes and stuff.

I'm just annoyed we can't do a mini christmas earlier in the day so the young kids can open their presents before it's night. Plus also this means they aren't doing breakfast and I love their Christmas breakfast.

😜

Ugh, that is ridiculous - no need for the kids to miss out just because some adults won't be there till later. I'm sorry your ILs are being that way.