The benefit of last minute shopping

As long back as I can remember, my Dad always did all of his shopping on Christmas Eve. I always thought he was crazy. Not to mention he would bring back all his gifts and give them to me to wrap. I don't think he ever wrapped his own gifts.

Anyway, this year I did almost all of my shopping on the eve of Christmas. I think I liked it. Here is why. Let's say you start shopping early (like Oct. for my friend Hope). You have your list of people you will buy for and you start looking. You look and look. You think "maybe" but you keep looking. (Kinda like those papers for college, much better to just sit and write the whole thing at once).

If you are shopping last minute, you have little option. Hmm, would Mark like this? Who the hell cares, I have to get it today or he gets nothing. See, then your mind is at ease. Plus you start being creative. I think Krystal might really like these slipper socks. You see where I am going. I did one store, Target, and I got gifts for everyone (except Eric, I got his somewhere else, no choice). Not only that, you know EXACTLY how much money you have spent because you did it all in one swoop. No holding onto receipts from here or there.

I think I will make it my tradition now. Too bad it is too late to do it with my Dad. Instead I will take over. Took me a few years to think of it, but better late than never. Right?

Favorite Holiday from work

I decided that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday from work. Here are my thoughts behind this; already I am off two extra days. We usually have this week as casual as well. I took Wednesday off because Siobhan is off school. This is something I will attempt to do every year.

On Thanksgiving Eric and I are very low key. Basically we have one big meal for the day but it does not require us being in the kitchen all day. I buy a Honey Baked Ham which requires nothing and spend maybe 30-45 minutes on everything else. Therefore I am not tired or overwhelmed or even busy. I enjoy my day.

So this year I had FIVE days off work with only one of those as vacation time and it is only Friday and I feel as though I have been off work for a week already. It is because there isn't anything I HAVE to do. I am not driving around, picking up and dropping off. I don't have to go anywhere or do anything other than those things I want to.

Now, on Christmas I will have quite a few days off as well. I think I will be off nine days but they will be busy days. Shopping, getting ready, Christmas, cleaning up, food shopping, New Years. Busy. A break from going to work but not from work.

Last night the kids watched movies. We rarely watch more than one movie around here per weekend so that was a nice treat for everyone. So when I say a favorite holiday from work I mean just that. A favorite holiday FROM work.

October? What the...

Two more months until December? Where has the time gone? Then it will be Siobhan's SEVENTH birthday!
Bradley turns 18 next month. 18! My kids will be 4, 6, 18, and 19. Somehow I manage to stay 28 so I guess that is really great!

Tomorrow we are going to Octoberfest. I don't like beer but the company and shows should be fun. Our friend Ken is going and we haven't seen him in a long while. That man is funny! (He doesn't try to be but just is a crack up!)

We have S's Parent/Teacher conference today.She is a good one so that should go well. Next year with Diego...