I'm trying to be less bitchy

OK, people, I lived through Christmas Day but just barely. My last post was extremely whiney and bitchy and I'm now trying to be a better person. I had been a real crab and bitch to Bob and I'm trying to make it up to him. I made dinner (a real dinner - not warmed up leftovers) TWO nights in a row. Come on, people, that's love don't you think? Bob is enjoying my guilt trip.

I'm going to take Cindy's advice and inform Bob that next year there will be no golfing or any activity where he could possibly hurt himself. He only uses the crutches about half the time now so his ankle is getting better.

I worked yesterday (Thursday) and today and it's great because only about 15 or 20 people are in the building. So I have got a lot done with no distractions and irritations. I brought in most of my Christmas goodies and left them in the community kitchen and voila - they disappeared. Awesome. Bob and I are going on a cruise in three weeks so I'm going to try to behave myself foodwise. My tummy has been in knots for days from holiday anxiety and it's still not back to normal. I'm laying off the coffee and trying to eat healthy so hopefully it will get back to normal.

I have been reading and I have several half finished reviews that I'm going to try and finish.

Reading now: Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd
This book has been languishing in my TBR pile for years. I'm really loving it but it's been slow going. The language is a touch too "old english" for me and I find myself re-reading several passages trying to figure out what they mean. It has a very medieval-ish feel with the language and social mores and attitudes. I love the hero and heroine.

Merry Christmas... shoot me now

You'll never believe this. Yesterday (Saturday) morning Bob went golfing (in the rain) while I hit the stores and after making about 10 stops manage to finish most of my shopping. I walked in the door at home ready to start wrapping, decorating and baking. And what do I find. Bob is 'braced' in the kitchen trying to fix his lunch. And he casually mentions the fact that while out golfing he hurt himself. Come to find out ... he has severely sprained his ankle. He was in pain and couldn't put any weight on it. I was stunned. Okay, I admit, I'm a selfish bitch, but my first thought was "how am I going to get everything done without him?"

Bob said he was walking down a slope (11th hole) and slipped on the wet grass and tried to catch himself and heard a loud pop (that was probably the ligament tearing). I was ready to be all sympathetic when he goes on to say that he thought he could just walk it off so he plays the other 7 holes limping. So here is where I get pissed at him. Walk. It. Off. ???? Are you kidding me? What is with the male macho shit? How he made it home driving I have no idea (it is his right ankle). So now his ankle is so swollen and black and blue he can hardly move. I had to call the neighbor to get him in the car so I can drive him to the emergency room because I wanted to make sure no bones were broken.

So I get him in the wheelchair at the ER and fill out the forms and we are sitting in the waiting room when I remember that I forgot to buy a toy for a 4-yo that will be at out house on Christmas. I left Bob at the ER and went over to Toys-R-Us (Bob said it was okay). Yeah, I'm a heartless bitch. I get back to ER and he is in the trauma room waiting for xray. No bones broken thank goodness but the doctor said sprains sometimes take just as long to heal but he should be able to move around in 5-7 days! I get him home and barely managed to get him in the house by myself. My neighbor (same one) happened to have a spare pair of crutches and they are a godsend.

Did I mention that Bob has NOT done ANY Christmas shopping (Mr. Procrastinator - worse than me). He usually shops Christmas Eve day, but that's out now. So he called our daughter and she went out tonight to get my gifts. Today was unbelievable. We have an artificial tree we keep in the attic in a HUGE box. I dragged it to the top of the stairs and made numerous trips up and down to empty out all the branches. I put Bob to work unfolding all the branches and I set it up. I also wrapped presents, baked cookies, cleaned and de-cluttered, and fetched and carried water and food for Mr. Grumpy-Pants. He's a very bad patient. He supposed to keep it elevated, on ice and take ibuprofen but I had to nag him about it. But I give up... he's on his own tomorrow. I'm not a very sympathetic nurse. I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store and I think I'm ready for Christmas Day and Eve. I feel pretty good about being ready. But really, I think I deserve medal ... or maybe diamonds, yeah, that would do it.

I am having my daughter and boyfriend and son and girlfriend Christmas Eve, then we go to church and I play in our handbell choir. Christmas morning is quiet, but just as a prelude to my whole family coming for dinner (19 people). I am making a turkey and ham and everyone else brings the rest. Then we are doing a secret santa gift exchange.

Wake me when it's over :)

Hope everyone has a lovely holiday.

I'm still alive

I'm still alive but I haven't done any blogging for a couple weeks. The Christmas tree is not up, nor are the decorations, and my shopping is only partially done. BUT I did finish my Christmas letter and got my cards mailed.

Renee=>Queen of Procrastination

The other girl I work with is gone for a MONTH to India and I am stuck with EVERYTHING. My boss said she would help me but she hasn't done a single thing. So I'm tearing my hair out at work. I am in two handbell groups and this is our busiest time of year. We had a concert and just practiced last night for our Christmas Eve performance at church.

This year is my turn to host Christmas dinner which is stressing me out since I have no furniture in my living room (long story) and Bob is not cooperating with my ideas about rearranging the furniture in the family room so everyone will fit (I'm expecting about 20 people). Sigh!

I'm going shopping after work today (in fact I should leave work right now) and hope to finish up. Then the wrapping begins. God, I feel like such a disorganized mess!

But I have been reading. My current book is The Lawman's Bride by Cheryl St. John and wow, it's a real tearjerker. I love a good tearjerker.

I have some time off next week, so I hope to get back to writing reviews next week.

Quick Post

Just a quick post to let you know we arrived home safe and sound from North Dakota. We flew into Minot on Friday and the weather was cold and sunny. But a snow storm blew in on Saturday and dumped about 4 or 5 inches of very dry powdery snow. I was very worried about getting back home because Minneapolis was also dumped on and there were multiple flight cancellations. But Sunday morning was again clear (and very cold) for our flight out of Minot. They de-iced the plane but we were late getting into Minneapolis. They again de-iced the plane in Minneapolis and we arrived in Seattle a mere 45 minutes late.

Sunday and Monday Seattle was hit by torrential rains which we call "The Pineapple Express" because the weather system originates near Hawaii and blasts through with warm temperatures and heavy rains. On my way to work yesterday I came across one intersection that was a lake with water more than a foot deep and water pouring down the street like a river.

My parents in law absolutely LOVED the digital picture frame. It was a HUGE hit. Thank you Cindy! If you are having trouble thinking of a gift idea for your mom or dad or grandparent, this is the thing to buy.

I brought 3 books along to read on the plane and I'm glad I did. I finished 2 of them and started on the 3rd one. I just finished that one last night. I'll post about them soon. I enjoyed all three.

Reading now: Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
I just started it and I'm only a few pages in so I don't have any impressions yet except that it's already quite intriguing. I can hardly wait to get home from work and start reading some more.