Presents and Gifts December 23, 2008

I love presents!  I love shopping for presents, making presents, wrapping presents, giving presents, opening presents, watching people open presents.  I’ve decided the trick for shopping for presents is that you have to let go of the idea that you’re going to find the perfect present.  The recipient will appreciate the present because it came from you, their beloved friend or family member.

And then, I don’t mind if you return it or sell it or re-gift it to someone else.  If you can’t use what I gave you, or you already have one, or whatever, please do use it however you can, to get something else or to pass a thoughtful gift forward.  Tell me or don’t, it’s up to you.  This present, this thing, is my gift to you.  But the gift is whatever you make it.  Please, take my present and enjoy it.  My gift to you is the enjoyment that you might receive from this present.  Or, please, return it to the store.  Exchange it for something else.  In that case, the gift is the opportunity to go shopping for something you would enjoy.  Or, save it until you think of someone who might enjoy it, and then wrap it up and give it to them.  In that instance, my gift to you is the joy of giving a gift to someone else you love.  Just, whatever you do, take my present, and turn it into a gift from me.

Merry Christmas! December 26, 2006

Here’s wishing you a blessed Christmas celebration! I have spent the past few days playing The Farming Game and Monopoly, making cookies and fruit cake (the good kind), and helping with the last stages of my parents’ kitchen renovation. In case there is anyone who still reads this, I just want to let you know that I can’t update my blog at work anymore. The website blocking system is more sensitive and blocks anything with the word “blog” in it. So, until I get internet at home again, you’ll have to be satisfied with a short update every few months. Have a wonderful New Year!

missing out April 20, 2006

I’m going to make this one really quick.  It’s been a while since I updated my blog, but it’s 6:24 a.m. and I need to get ready for work.  But I thought I’d better do it quick, because I’m pretty sure I won’t get to it tonight, and then it will be next week before I get back to it!

I hate feeling like I miss out on stuff!  While I was home for Easter, I was miserable sick for most of the four days, especially on Sunday and Monday.  So I missed out on the good holiday food, because I didn’t feel like eating.  I missed out on watching The West Wing because I was so miserable that I forgot about it.  (Not exactly an Easter thing, but I missed out!)  I missed out on going riding with Sarah and Megan.  And the least of it, I had to leave in the middle of church on Sunday morning because I was very dizzy and lightheaded, so I missed out on “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!”  I don’t know why THAT of all things should bother me…  Plus then Sarah came to stay with me until Wednesday, and I felt bad because I wanted to go to bed early and just lay around when I was awake, so I feel like maybe I wasn’t as good of a hostess as I should have been. 

I went to the doctor on Monday when I got back, and you know what he said???  “You have a cold.”  A COLD????  All that misery for a stupid COLD???  But I am finally starting to feel better, so I will just be thankful that my immune system is taking care of it. 

Becky and Blake are coming to Omaha this weekend to hang out with Tara and Chad and me, and some other people that they know.  So hopefully I will feel completely fine by then, so I don’t have to miss out on any more stuff!

On a brighter note…While Sarah was here, we stopped at Goodwill and we found a beautiful headboard for my bed!  As you probably know, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for one since I bought the bed, a few years ago.  I didn’t want to spend money on a new one, because it’s a headboard, it’s not that essential, and at some point I’ll probably want matching bedroom furniture when I get married or buy a house or something.  But I finally found one that was just right!  It has wood posts, with iron swirly stuff in between.  It’s exactly what I had in mind.  Now I’m thinking that even if I were ready to buy new bedroom furniture, I’d just want to find the furniture that matches THIS headboard…

Okay, I’m off to get ready for work.  I hope everyone is having a good week! 

New Years January 1, 2006

Friday was a movie day.  Bristol and I had lunch at Red Robin, and then went to see Walk the Line.  It was excellent.  Trust me, even if you don’t like Johnny Cash’s music, which I definitely don’t, the story is worth it!  It’s right up there with Ray and Selena…GREAT movies about musical performers!

I cooked supper for us at my house, pork chops and mashed potatoes.  Let me just say, if mashed potatoes is all it takes to keep that boy happy, this is going to be easy!    We rented Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Hitch.  I had seen Hitch before, and I’m starting to think I should buy it.  It’s very funny.  I especially enjoy Kevin James (from King of Queens).  Mr. and Mrs. Smith was even better than I expected.  It’s such a hillarious concept, to have a husband and wife trying to kill each other.  The movie was done in a way that kept it fresh and funny.  The emphasis was on the comedy and on the relationship between John and Jane, not on violence. 

Saturday was “friends day.”  I met Bristol’s friends Ryan and Ashley for lunch.  They were really nice, and not at all afraid to tell embarassing stories about Bristol, which was fun of course!  And Bristol and I got together with Tara and Chad for fireworks, supper, and some card playing.  We ate at a Japanese steakhouse, where they cook your food in front of you.  It was really fun!  Playing euchre was fun too, although I would like to know if I really am starting to understand what the heck I’m doing at that game, or if I was just lucky.  I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing! 

This morning I got up at 8:00…  The dog does not understand my weekend schedule.  I baked a pie and took Pal for a little walk, and finally got around to getting out of my pajamas around 11:00.  This afternoon I took Bristol to the airport and picked up some of Chad’s family, since I was there anyway.  In case you’re still counting, that will make six flights all together.  Then Tara and Chad and I ate supper at Grisanti’s tonight. 

Tomorrow it’s back to work again.  It’s going to be an eventful week.  Poor little Pal has to get neutered on Tuesday, so I’m sure getting him back home after anesthesia will be an adventure.  And the best part, on Thursday Bristol will be back from Florida and spending the weekend with me again.   

I’m putting up some photos from Dean and Betty’s house the day after Christmas, and maybe some from the restaurant last night, if I can steal them from Tara’s blog. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!