Good Morning. Only 2 weeks left?!?!

I think I need to step up the pace at getting ready....no, seriously!  I'm almost almost done, almost. Yikes! What else have you got left to do?

I wanted to add this morning that we have a new LW having surgery this week. Please send LisaLooLoo your good wishes and swing her some lizards. See my post from yesterday with the link to her surgery support page.

Thanks, guys. Y'all have a great Monday.

--gina

Yikes only 2 weeks!! I've got to get moving    I better revisit my list and  finish up. i have to go back to work next week!

I think I will wrap today though, too cold to go out...lol!

This last couple of years I've tried to be less frantic with the holidays. Sometimes I succeed.

This week I need to do a couple online orders, put a few things in the mail (will delegate to DH), and wrap gifts. I'm feeling pretty closes to being done,

It helps to be ready when you have no money to spend for presents...our budget is totally broke again. Last year, we gave ourselves our health.

This year, it was our house. That will change in the next few years as a grandchild and new niece come into the picture. My daughter may be having a boy but I also get to shop for a little girl...my niece is due in late Jan.

We have reached a temp stopping point on the bathroom too...we need to work on the plumbing and do the floor but that will be after the first of the year.

Good thing, as the other day while I was cleaning the upstairs, dh was in the bathroom using the wet/dry vac...I heard a LOUD clatter and commotion. Do you see the squarish looking thing that looks like an attic access in the ceiling here.



Come to find out, it used to be held in place by four wood screws 1 inch long (if that long). he put one knee down and the flooring gave way.

Next thing I know, he is looking down on the "Blue Room" through the floor.

Oh !!!!!!!!!  Luckily, he was still upstairs but one leg hanging thru the hole he had accidently created. .

Next, we went downstairs, cleaned up the mess that was made due to the falling ceiling access, and reattached the access panel with four 2 1/2 inch long deck screws. We could park a Mack truck on this space without it falling through.

Hi Gina!

I'll try and wrap up my shopping on Wednesday, with Saturday being a backup.  Need to figure out what to get for "exchange" gifts - where everybody brings 1 gift, you draw numbers, etc.  I don't want to do gift cards as they are impersonal, but everyone seems to enjoy them.  Last year I bought $25 worth of lottery tickets - that was a lot of fun for my nephew, who got them, but didn't win on 1 of them!! That may be on the list again this year.  My mantra is "never take a present you don't want yourself, as you may get it back!"

I got Wynn a tricycle that can be pushed by a handle initially, then converts into a real one.  She should be able to use for that 4-5 years.  I also am getting her a 2 year community college education.  Michigan has a Michigan Education Trust where you can purchase college education at today's rates.  The enrollment period opens the 15th, so I need to get it done to get the tax deduction for this year.  It will be peace of mind for the kids knowing she has 2 years paid for, at least. 

What a great idea for a college savings acct - something that will actually pay for two years when the time comes, I've never heard of that!!

A quick comment on the office gift exchanges - I ended up with $20 in lottery tickets and actually won $50!!!  That's a first for me!!!

I finished shopping yesterday for what is going to be done.  Haven't done anything about personal friends.  My brain power just isn't up to speed coming up with stuff.  They will understand if it doesn't happen before the holidays. 
I need to wrap some stuff today to get in the mail to my DD.  No decorating done, I think I will get the tree out after the cleaning lady comes on Friday.  That will be the total of my decorating this year.

I've never been this close to finished this early out!!  DD and I are going Friday to finish up their shopping.  I actually have everything wrapped that I have bought.  I usually procrastinate on that because I hate wrapping presents.  Other than that I have a few money cards to do and I'll be FINISHED!!!  Hooray.

Linda

My hardest one to buy for is DD#1.  She made a list but her DH bought her everything on the list (with my help).  I feel like I finished her shopping but actually I have only one thing bought for her.

Grandkids were pretty easy.  I'm still looking for a Leapfrog Leappad for my Sister-in-law (who's been sick) to give to her DGD.  I lucked out early one morning and got our 2 each one.

I feel like wrapping so I might start that tonight. 

Sheesh. I still need to do cards, buy 2 gifts, wrap those gifts plus 3 others, and make a decision of when exactly to visit my aunt's house.

However, I will NOT bake any more cookies!  That was a bad decision.