What if you called in sick to work and no one noticed? This happened to me on Monday. After the craziness of the past two weeks, and feeling the old familiar tickle-in-the-throat, I decided rest and recouperation were required, so I called our department secretary's voicemail and went back to sleep. Little did I know that she, too, was off Monday (despite her voicemail, email and calendar not suggesting such). When I came in Tuesday, no one knew I'd called in. The one person who noticed my absence figured I'd scheduled a day off or else was offsite at meetings.
Where was Thom Filicia when we needed him? Dan's mom shopped via Pier 1 Imports this year. Either she didn't ask for gift wrap or they don't do it, but all the items came unwrapped, with the prices still attached. He received:
- A metal peacock
- A bamboo tray
- A clove candle
- A glass candleholder, at least two times too large for the candle
The gift that keeps on giving, or else keeps on getting given. We scored the classic white elephant gift last year: a Chia Pet. So, quite naturally, I passed it along at a white elephant gift exchange this year. I wouldn't have believed it, but someone actually took it away from the first recipient. Apparently, Chia has a following that far exceeds initial expectations. (Someone at CNN.com has a sense of humor: the URL for the article includes the catchy jingle: "ch.ch.ch.chia.")
I feel like the cad at work. Not only did I not do cards for the co-workers, I appear to be one of the few who did not come up with little gifts for them, either. (At least none of the other guys did it either — is it a chick thing?) I have received a small box of Knott's Berry Farm cookies, a little tray of Lindt chocolates, a ceramic Santa tealight holder, a beautiful glass ornament, and just now a gift bag with two fruit-shaped ornaments and homemade cookies.
I'm done, for the most part. Last gifts wrapped last night. I did receive a Christmas card yesterday from someone I didn't send to, but it's too late now, and in my defense I didn't have his address until I got his card. Now we just need to decide if we're eating at home on Saturday (and if so, I need to grocery shop) or if we're dining out (and if so, where, so I can try and get a reservation). I'm leaning toward dining out this year, if only so we do not have leftovers. I've managed to gain nearly 10 pounds since August, and I need to make room for cruise-ship dining.
Speaking of which, 23 days and counting.
I finished my shopping, too. Just have to wrap the few last things. With Mark doing Candle Light I have the whole evening to do it in. I will need to hit the store and buy a few things for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteAs for the office girls giving everyone gifts: In IT even though we have ladies, none get THAT crafty. Reading that makes some gay-craft gene twitch becuase I'd love to do it, but my inventive skills aren't that great. I'd need one of those holiday craft books with ideas (AND directions) to make stuff like that. I'd also need a visit from the time fairy, as well.
Goodness! Is this a Mid-Afternoon Snack record for posting topics in a day? I should have curled up with a good book.
ReplyDeleteI had a Peppermint Mocha at SB's today; it also says "Christmas"! Yummy.
ReplyDelete~Bert