Fact: MB and I do not do anything Christmas-related until the middle of December. (Except for decorating, because I do the decorating and I like to maximize my Christmas decoration enjoyment by decorating as soon as possible after Thanksgiving (...or, shall we say...three days before Thanksgiving...).
Got the Priority 1 (ie. family) packages out. Designed, printed, wrote, stamped and mailed all the Christmas cards. Looking at the card, one wouldn't imagine that it would take one 50 MILLION YEARS to design, but it sure did take that long!
Tangent: FTLOG, retailers, SELL SOME DAMN 5x7 ENVELOPES ALREADY! My cards are 5x7 photo cards. Same as last year. NO ONE SELLS THESE EVELOPES. (Technically, I mean the 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 envelopes, FYI.) Not even f***ing paper and office supply stores like Office Max and Staples. (That's right Office Max and Staples, you suck.) Last year, out of desperation, I bought a cheap box of cards at Target, and used the envelopes. So now I have all these envelope-less Christmas cards. This year? Whaddaya know, I had to do the same damn thing. (I really need to think of some kind of use for these extra Christmas cards...) Apparently, Amazon (I see right now, as I am typing this) sells these mythic 5x7 envelopes, but naturally I forgot up until yesterday that it was difficult to find envelopes last year, and by then it was too late to order them ahead of time. Must remember this for next year. ...I mean, I would think that people needing JUST envelopes, given the advent of digital cameras and home printing, would influence retailers to offer a larger selection. (Instead, they have the 4x6, the "Christmas card size" that is 5 1/2 x 8 3/4, and the 6x9. *groan*) But noo-oo-ooo.
In between all the gift-buying, gift-wrapping and Christmas carding, Liz and I have been texting plans for Christmas dinner. MB and I are staying in Monterey again, and having dinner with Anree and Lisa, Liz and Francois, Francois' visiting mother and sister, and L&F's friend Noel. L&F's baby Helena will be here, too, but I don't need to count her in for the glazed ham. She'll happily partake of milk, and nuthin' else, thankyouverymuch.
Right, so we're having a glazed ham. Which is... Well, I love ham, but honestly the glazed ham was somewhat of an uninspired choice. We considered prime rib, but that meat is pricey, yo. (I am still going to price compare, when we go shopping for the meat, which is happening...maybe tomorrow? Huh, tomorrow, I guess! Which as I write, is actually later today, after I've slept and then had my coffee.) Last year we had lamb and Yorkshire pudding, and it was awe-some. The year before (in San Diego), MB and I had Crab Legs and BBQ ribs For Two. For this year, I was also debating making cheesy scalloped potatoes, but then The Pioneer Woman posted her Duchess Potatoes recipe, so now I am making Duchess Potatoes (thank, PW!). (Except, all the egg yolks, really? Do egg yolks make potatoes taste better? They are already potatoes. Potatoes taste amazing. ...And "heavy cream?" What about just whole milk? It would still taste yummy, right?) (Does anyone know the answer to any of those questions?)
Despite the complaints and questions in this post, readers who know will detect the underlying satisfaction I feel in being busy and focused on a series of tasks. I am happy right now. Things are good. It was so cheerful today to drive around listening to Christmas music (this music, the music that I listen to every Christmas), and then listening to more Christmas music while shopping. (Yes, happy. Despite the appearance of the crinkled eyebrows I tend to wear while figurin' things out.) It was silly-warm and sunny today, too. Over my short-sleeved t-shirt, I wore a very thin cardigan. I wore my flat-soled tall boots over skinny jeans and felt a little too hot, temperature-wise.
Times like these make me think that what I need in my life to be happy all the time are deadlines. Non-negotiable deadlines (because believe me, if there is any leeway at all, I will negotiate the shit out of those deadlines). Christmas is a non-negotiable deadline. Sending late cards and packages detracts from the fun. (I know.) Not having fun food for a Christmas dinner detracts from the fun. So I make myself do these things (despite the inevitable bit o' procrastination). With work that I do, I need non-negotiable deadlines, and I need it to be work that benefits from excruciating attention to detail and a significant investment of time. I have an unhealthy obsession with details, definitions and clear communication. Because that is what I have to offer. It will take me a Long Time to do what needs to be done, but when I'm done, that thing that I do will be perfect. Or, as perfect as I can make it.
Unfortunately with the blog, I am forced to compromise perfection with the desire to publish posts occasionally. This damn post, for example. I need to publish it, and get some sleep.
So tomorrow! The agenda will include possibly shopping for Christmas dinner items, doing a table setting rehearsal (seriously), and perhaps...picking up a couple more gifts I am missing? (Whoops.)
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