Last-Minute Christmas Woes

Do you get to a point in your holiday preparations when you finally declare "I am finished!" (and feel good about it?)

Last year I vividly remember that it happened on Friday, December 23rd, early afternoon. I remember it so well because we came home, unloaded the final presents and groceries from our car after returning from Jack's preschool Christmas program. I put my jacket and camera on my kitchen island and put a few things in the refrigerator. A few minutes later, when I went to hang up my jacket, our camera came crashing to the floor. It's final and fatal fall.

Yes. Two days before Christmas and our camera was broken. So much for being finished shopping. Joe had to immediately turn around and head back into town to buy a new one.

Yesterday I had the feeling that I was finished my shopping. It's such a nice feeling. Too bad it didn't last longer than it did.

Yesterday morning I had picked up an order of 8x10 photos I had of the children. I should have looked at them at the store. Half of Carter's face (lower right) has been cropped out of the photo. Not by me. By the photo lab. I can't really give them away as they are. So, I uploaded my photos to Target's one-hour photo lab. When I stopped in last night to pick them up (several hours later, I might add), I was told that they are out of 8x10 photo paper and that someone should have called me. Well that would have been nice!

Then, while I was changing a messy diaper, I realized that I had forgotten to buy (or make) something to take to the cemetery for my beloved sister. How could I forget her? She's been on my mind so much lately. It's not acceptable to not visit the cemetery without something ... especially at Christmas. (And I didn't make it at Easter because I was on bedrest. I remember my mother trying to convince me that I should still go to the cemetery, as I would be sitting in the car most of the trip. I didn't.)

Anyway, later yesterday I remembered that I had left the gift buying up to Joe for his parents. When he came home from work yesterday, he had a gift card for his father. Nothing for his mother. Uh, excuse me Joe, I've officially declared that shopping is over until the 26th.

Uhhh! So now I'm stuck at what to do for my mother-in-law.

Oh, and I forgot a stocking stuffer for little Sawyer. Oh, and a stocking!

And the boys forgot to take the Christmas gift for their bus driver.

So that "finished" feeling was just a farce.

And while I have a little bit of wrapping left, at least I know that I can finagle some gifts for my boys, in case I realize they aren't "even." And that's a nice feeling.

And, again, Sawyer is oblivious and, obviously, enjoying the holiday season more than his mother at this moment.