crucible of ennui

We decided to move up our Christmas this year to Sunday the 19th. So technically I have only 3 days to get ready for Christmas. And I really haven’t finished my shopping. I tried. I really did. Every time I went out this last weekend to shop, I couldn’t find anything. I just may be in a mood. I have Friday off, so I’ll have to break out the serious shopping then. I decided that the theme to dinner this year is…. Appetizers!!! Yes, we’re having an appetizer Christmas. No need to really do a formal sit down shin-dig, just little yummy munchie things, very casual.

It really doesn’t feel like Christmas yet, even with all the vacation time I’ve been taking. Obviously I NEED to have a tree in my house before I can really feel like it’s Christmas.

And I’m waiting for one of my best friends to get off his ass and get his LiveJournal up and running again so I can continue my voyeuristic predilections.

Every half hour or so I think of Glenn and project good/happy thoughts to Dallas where he’s interviewing at Southwest Airlines.

Go Glenn Go! Yay Yay Yay!!!

We made tamales last night - all the womenfolk got together and assembled. We finished in record time last night due to our new folding technique - it was a snap. I go the traditional route - pork. One red, one green. Basic and delicious.

Catherine was a sweetheart and kept on schedule last night, but still I’m pretty tired. I think that I may need to take a nap when she goes down. Then we can finish up our Christmas shopping.

I’ve had the past five days off. It’s been marvelous. It takes three days to unwind from the week, then another two days to have a weekend. Thankfully I have this Friday off too, for another long weekend after a two day work week. I have to take Monday off so it’s a four day weekend. Then a three day work week, then another three day weekend. Then a four day work week. Then another three day weekend.

I could so get used to this schedule.

This weekend my life simutaneously got easier and more difficult.

Catherine can now hold her bottle on her own. She recognizes that if she can slam that bottle nipple into her gaping mouth - mmmm…. food. She will sit in her bouncer/high chair, as long as she’s in a bit of a recline and suck contentedly while I can now attempt to pick up the house, load the dishwasher, do some laundry, etc.

Catherine can also snake her hand out and grab onto things that can easily be knocked over. Vases, tablecloths (that was lovely since everything on the tablecloth fell over as well), the cat’s tail, weird things that shouldn’t go in her mouth.

It’s only a matter of time - I give it two months tops - that I’ll have to baby-proof the house. Can’t have her drool into an open outlet or go exploring in the kitty litter (mmm… Satan’s Almond Roca).

I have to beg Santa to bring one of those neglect-o-circles of activity to hopefully keep her entertained. I’ve been good this year. Promise. And if that doesn’t work, I can kick in a lapdance.

Inappropriate clothing alert!!

She was intentionally wearing white socks and black high-heeled shoes with her high-water black pants. I think she even had little christmas ornaments earrings

At least she not like hooker grandma who works at my office. She has to be at least 65, but wears the SHORTEST skirts with heels. Eeewwwww.

Every day my boss e-mails us “motivational” quotes to start our day.

Today the quote was, “You can’t fake listening. It shows.”

This was immediately followed with replys of, “What”, “Huh” and “Is someone talking?”

Every morning when I hear Cat start to wake up, I love to poke my head around the corner into her room and wait until she sees me. Then she breaks into a HUGE smile which starts in her eyes and ends in my heart.

She is absolutely the most wonderful person I’ve ever met.