Mike and I have been having a 'discussion' the past few evenings about whether or not we should have presents under the tree before Christmas Day. I say yes; he says no.
My reasons:
1. We don't have any kids that will see the presents under the tree before Christmas.
2. We have to pack them all up on Christmas Day to deliver them to the family.
3. I want to take a freakin' picture of the tree with all the presents underneath it.
His reasons:
1. Santa doesn't come until Christmas Day.
2. He's stubborn.
What do you, faithful readers, do? Do you put the presents under the tree as you wrap them (the way it should be done)? Or do you keep them sitting on top of the guest bed all wrapped up and occupying space until Christmas Day (like stubborn men like to do)?
Please leave your preference in the comments section.
This afternoon, my office closes until the new year. I'm not sure how often I will be posting while on vacation, as I plan to go to as many movies as possible next week. I also have a zillion errands to run (one of them is getting my license renewed, which means a long long line at the DMV).
And so, I wanted to wish everyone a great holiday. As the Hawaiians say, 'Mele Kalikimaka!' May you, your families, and all those near and dear to you be blessed with joy, love, and health in 2007.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
The Year Santa Claus Brought Me a Box of Dirt and a Stick
I'm not sure when I learned there was no Santa Claus - it could have been when I saw pictures of my uncle dressed in a Santa suit, minus the hat and beard or when my two cousins sat me down and told me that Santa was really my mom. Both of those event may have come the same year, but I honestly can't remember.
All I know is that I knew the real truth about Santa at a very very young age.
However, since I was a really smart kid, I knew that I could never let my parents know because that would just ruin all chances of getting really good stuff. So, I never let on that I knew the truth.
In the years that proceeded 'the discovery of no Santa', I managed to figure out where my mom had hidden all my presents. Granted, all the presents were wrapped, but I could always count on finding them under her bed or deep in a closet. One year, I even found presents in the trunk of the car!
Eventually, my mother figured out what I was doing and mentioned it to my father. The following Christmas, I couldn't find a single gift. I searched everywhere - the garage, the basement, the cars, the closets. Nothing.
On Christmas Eve, two presents magically appeared under the Christmas tree. Naturally, I was excited that I hadn't been 'discovered' and that 'Santa' would be making a grand delivery as usual.
Imagine my surprise on Christmas morning when I opened the presents and found a two by four stick and a shoe box filled with dirt. I was devasted. What a terrible thing to do to a kid, right? But no, my parents were all proud of themselves; my father casually mentioned how children should never try to trick their parents, because parents will always find out.
When my tears had subsided, they presented me with loads of gifts, just like all other Christmases (as an aside, the reason I never found the presents is because my mother gave them to my godmother to hide - very clever!). I guess that's why to this day, more than 25 years later, I don't try to keep things from either one of my parents. I definitely learned my lesson.
All I know is that I knew the real truth about Santa at a very very young age.
However, since I was a really smart kid, I knew that I could never let my parents know because that would just ruin all chances of getting really good stuff. So, I never let on that I knew the truth.
In the years that proceeded 'the discovery of no Santa', I managed to figure out where my mom had hidden all my presents. Granted, all the presents were wrapped, but I could always count on finding them under her bed or deep in a closet. One year, I even found presents in the trunk of the car!
Eventually, my mother figured out what I was doing and mentioned it to my father. The following Christmas, I couldn't find a single gift. I searched everywhere - the garage, the basement, the cars, the closets. Nothing.
On Christmas Eve, two presents magically appeared under the Christmas tree. Naturally, I was excited that I hadn't been 'discovered' and that 'Santa' would be making a grand delivery as usual.
Imagine my surprise on Christmas morning when I opened the presents and found a two by four stick and a shoe box filled with dirt. I was devasted. What a terrible thing to do to a kid, right? But no, my parents were all proud of themselves; my father casually mentioned how children should never try to trick their parents, because parents will always find out.
When my tears had subsided, they presented me with loads of gifts, just like all other Christmases (as an aside, the reason I never found the presents is because my mother gave them to my godmother to hide - very clever!). I guess that's why to this day, more than 25 years later, I don't try to keep things from either one of my parents. I definitely learned my lesson.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
My Mom Used to Call Santa Claus
Apparently, when I was a little girl, I used to misbehave. A lot.
And I apparently knew it too because on December 1st I would start asking, "Am I being good? I am being, right?" And my mother would humor me and say, "Oh yes, you are being a very good girl."
At times during December, I would act out and my mother, not knowing how to handle my tantrums, would call Santa Claus. She would pick up the phone, pretend to dial, and proceed to have a conversation with Santa Claus.
"Santa? Santa? It's Annie's mother. She is very very very bad. Very bad girl!"
I would completely freak out and beg her hang up the phone. Then I would try to hang up the phone myself. Then I would get a beating. And it would always end with a promise from me to behave so Santa Claus would leave me presents like he did all the good boys and girls.
This repeated itself throughout the month of December. But in the end, Santa Claus always brought me some cool presents.
Well, except for the year that he left me a box filled with dirt and a stick. But that's a post for another day.
And I apparently knew it too because on December 1st I would start asking, "Am I being good? I am being, right?" And my mother would humor me and say, "Oh yes, you are being a very good girl."
At times during December, I would act out and my mother, not knowing how to handle my tantrums, would call Santa Claus. She would pick up the phone, pretend to dial, and proceed to have a conversation with Santa Claus.
"Santa? Santa? It's Annie's mother. She is very very very bad. Very bad girl!"
I would completely freak out and beg her hang up the phone. Then I would try to hang up the phone myself. Then I would get a beating. And it would always end with a promise from me to behave so Santa Claus would leave me presents like he did all the good boys and girls.
This repeated itself throughout the month of December. But in the end, Santa Claus always brought me some cool presents.
Well, except for the year that he left me a box filled with dirt and a stick. But that's a post for another day.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The Trip
Yes, I survived the 2006 trip to Buffalo.
No, it wasn't horrible. It was actually nice and I had a lot of fun.
Unbeknownst to me, the first stop of the trip was not Buffalo. It was Niagara Falls. I loved being there, having not seen the falls since I was a little kid. Mike had never seen them, so it was great to share that with him.
Luckily, the weather in Ontario, Canada, was ideal. It wasn't cold, so we spent Saturday afternoon walking around the falls and taking in the 'tourist' attractions of the area.
Sunday, we drove into Buffalo, to tailgate and enjoy the game. About an hour before kick-off, however, it began to rain. Large, cold drops of rain fell on us for the entire game.
So, no snow, but plenty of rain.
I can't believe I am even writing this now: I would do it again next year if asked.
Ugh. Mike has turned me into a monster. An awful sports watching, couch warming sports fan.
As an aside, I must wish Mike a happy 38th birthday. Yes, I married an older man. He got lucky when he married a baby like me. Ha!
No, it wasn't horrible. It was actually nice and I had a lot of fun.
Unbeknownst to me, the first stop of the trip was not Buffalo. It was Niagara Falls. I loved being there, having not seen the falls since I was a little kid. Mike had never seen them, so it was great to share that with him.
Luckily, the weather in Ontario, Canada, was ideal. It wasn't cold, so we spent Saturday afternoon walking around the falls and taking in the 'tourist' attractions of the area.
Sunday, we drove into Buffalo, to tailgate and enjoy the game. About an hour before kick-off, however, it began to rain. Large, cold drops of rain fell on us for the entire game.
So, no snow, but plenty of rain.
I can't believe I am even writing this now: I would do it again next year if asked.
Ugh. Mike has turned me into a monster. An awful sports watching, couch warming sports fan.
As an aside, I must wish Mike a happy 38th birthday. Yes, I married an older man. He got lucky when he married a baby like me. Ha!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Leaving... on a bus trip?
I have embraced the fact that I am spending the weekend before Christmas in Buffalo. I have even embraced the fact that the reason I am going to Buffalo is to see a football game.
However, as of last night, I had not embraced the fact that Mike wants to leave tonight for Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to meet up with friends before meeting the bus that will take us to Buffalo tomorrow morning.
Mike assured me that he would do whatever needed to be done so that I felt alright in leaving the house tonight.
And thus, this morning I created the 'Honey Do It Now List'.
This is what I left for him on the kitchen counter this morning:
1. Laundry - finish the last load, pseudo fold it, and put it all away
2. Sweep entire house (start at the top and make your way down the stairs)
3. Go to post office and mail Christmas presents to Florida and Massachusetts
4. Dishes!
5. Buy your wife diamonds
I felt better knowing that he was taking care of these things. And not one bit guilty and demanding all of it be done by the time I got home from work.
I didn't even feel guilty about number 5 on my list.
However, as of last night, I had not embraced the fact that Mike wants to leave tonight for Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to meet up with friends before meeting the bus that will take us to Buffalo tomorrow morning.
Mike assured me that he would do whatever needed to be done so that I felt alright in leaving the house tonight.
And thus, this morning I created the 'Honey Do It Now List'.
This is what I left for him on the kitchen counter this morning:
1. Laundry - finish the last load, pseudo fold it, and put it all away
2. Sweep entire house (start at the top and make your way down the stairs)
3. Go to post office and mail Christmas presents to Florida and Massachusetts
4. Dishes!
5. Buy your wife diamonds
I felt better knowing that he was taking care of these things. And not one bit guilty and demanding all of it be done by the time I got home from work.
I didn't even feel guilty about number 5 on my list.