Here's a question for ya, Christmas cards

Do you ever ponder about Christmas cards? Some people don't send them, that's fine. If you know who they are, it doesn't matter I guess. Just a question to think about: Do you track who reciprocates with Christmas cards?

Mentally or otherwise? Do you care? Does it bother you when you get left out? Ever say anything like "Er... didja get my card?". Can you help but take note of receiving one from someone a week later, often after Christmas, and feel like you mighta been forgotten? Do you take note of who sends and who doesn't, and adjust accordingly? Does it mean anything ya think? Is this all sounding too vain?

Nearly every year, BG's card comes first. It's almost a given. I like that. There are a handful of old friends that always send cards, even though we may not have talked in years. Relatives are pretty predictable, those that do, those that don't, those that are late. I'm used to it.

How about the "family update" letters? Like them? Hate them? Some of them are amazing in how people change. Usually it seems to be finding God, and having children. Ever get insulted by one in an indirect way? I have, this year as a matter of fact. They don't even know it.

How about the photo cards of just the kids? Or the dog? Well, those are great but I'd like to see how my friends look. If anything, I like the family ones the best. The WHOLE family.

The worst? Cards from my investment company. Stop spending my money on this crap your secretary signs and concentrate on my future, idiots. It bugs me knowing those cards are an expense that are somehow paid for by me, the customer. My company has 20,000 brokers, I'm going to guess each has an average of 100 customers, that's a few million bucks or more spent on cards and postage. Oh, and a card stuck on my trash can, just a friendly reminder that Ann Landers suggested tipping in 1962, this to the same jerks that won't take all my trash if it's "too much" or "too heavy", charge me for an extra can, and make messes I have to go clean up in the street. Think again trash can man.

Memorial Day rambling

We had a great Memorial Day weekend, doing the kind of outdoor summer stuff we love to do. Lots of grilling, lots of yard work. A few weeks ago we went to an auction and picked up over 40 plants, CHEAP!
We're later than we were last year on getting tomatoes and peppers in the ground, but then again we had some snow just a few weeks ago. All of the above plants are non-edible though, so now we have TWO types of planting to get done. I'm happy to say that we got about 10 in the ground this weekend. Digging holes here sucks.

The grilling this weekend included bratwursts, fish, steak and ribs. Overall satisfied my grilling needs for awhile. Got a lot of other little things done too. Mowed, mounted the TV, turned the compost bin, extended the drip irrigation. Too bad the NASCAR race sucked.

It's happened. Call the media

At exactly 150 days, 8 hours and 12 minutes, it happened. The doorbell rang. It was not UPS. It was not FedEx. Too late for mail-lady. It was not the gutter salesman. Neighbors exists. Not only do they exist, I guess they party. At least once a year anyway. 150 days. Almost half a year. Half a year wondering what in the hell is wrong with this neighborhood, but 150 days, 8 hours and 13 minutes later, I had a party invite in my hand. Will the world continue to survive?

PS: Want to know what's sad? I only know their last name because they have wireless. SECURED wireless BTW, but savvy enough to name their wireless after themselves. Me? I'd name my wireless network "IMGONNASHOOTYOUALLANDMOVEBACKTOKANSAS" but the damn router wouldn't take it.

Merry Christmas, Damnit.

I vow to get in the mood this year! Last year (the entire year, but mainly the holidays) sucked because we were moving. Has it been a year? Yes. T started her job on December 18th, while she was home for a week over Christmas, we skipped a lot of things, including a tree and lots of presents (had to have SOME!). This year is going to be different. And to get myself in the mood, I stole this from Shelly:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Bags for most, but I do both.

2. Real tree or artificial? Fake. And after putting up with the fake tree made in O'Fallon MO for the past 20 years, we just bought a new 9 footer with built in lights.

3. When do you put up the tree? Supposed to be right after Thanksgiving, but we just did it a few days ago (12/09)

4. When do you take the tree down? Before New Years Eve

5. Do you like eggnog? You know, I do, but we don't have it much. Homemade is killer, and I'm looking forward to it this year (you do know it's made with raw eggs right?)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Radio Shack Electronics Kit, you could make all sorts of things, buzzers, radio, etc. I think it formed who I am.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? A what?

8. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmmm. My Dad is pretty tough.

9. Easiest person to buy for? When I get in the mode, my honey.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't want to be specific, but thoughtless gifts from certain relatives.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story. You'll shoot yer EYE OUT!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I start early, procrastinate, then catch up 2 weeks before. Hey, that's today.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hell ya.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Prime Rib, covered with salt, thyme and Farmland Cider House Bacon (sponsored by Pop-Tarts!), which I can't find here so hoping someone will overnight a few pounds.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored and blinky! But Noooooooooooooo!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the bells. I sing bass, "Ding dong, ding dong"

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home, always. Christmas Eve too.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Doubtful. I won't even try. Can't name the dwarfs either.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. Dog Toy. Beer can.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We had a tradition, we could open one present on Christmas Eve, and could not come downstairs the next morning until Pop was ready with the camera. And made coffee. I always thought the logic was so that it would keep us busy in the morning. Mom had to approve which present, and it seemed like it was often a book or puzzle. I still like that tradition and we carry it on. Stockings are done after breakfast dishes are cleaned up.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Politics. Merry Christmas is not a political statement. Happy Holidays is fine, but Merry Christmas isn't offensive, and if you think it is, likely YOU are. I hate that you never hear a lot of the songs that have anything to do with God, they've literally disappeared. Or they CHANGE the fricking words! Some companies don't have Christmas off, they have a family day. Whatever. Ho-Ho-Ho is offensive? Take my word for it, Yahoo will have turkeys and crap on Thanksgiving day, but look at how sensitive they will be around the 25th. Will we get a "holiday tree"?

23. What I love most about Christmas? Spending time alone with my honey and pups, eating lots, watching TV and feeling like a family.

24. Do you sleep in on Christmas Day? Nope, never can.

25th: Favorite Christmas cookies: Swedish Creme wafers and Spritz. First one is a family recipe coming soon to a blog near you, the other is a butter cookie, HAS to be colored red & green and not overcooked. Mmmmmmm