Very full day

Started out by breakfast and coffee and Skyping the FWiB. Then I showered and washed my hair and moussed it.

Then Oldest Brother arrived and we set out to do the Christmas Eve shopping. Plus some of my regular shopping. And the last few Christmas gifts too.

First we went to Party City and got plates and silver wear and some Star Wars stickers for Middle Brother, and some Avengers stickers for mashfanficchick.

Then we went to BJ's. BJ's just before Christmas is not a place for cowards, let me tell you! But we pushed through the crowds and got a good chunk of the list done. I earned Good Karma by letting the people ahead of me use my BJ's card because they had lost theirs.

Then we went to Target, and that also is not for the faint of heart just before Christmas. We had lunch in the cafe, to rest up. And then we finished the shopping, including gift cards for several people.

Came home and wrapped Aunt Helen's gift and got cards and gift cards ready for John, Denise, and Brianne. Oldest Brother took a short nap and I contacted the Kid , who had said she wanted me to come over and help her wrap.

So after Oldest Brother woke up, we brought the last bit of the groceries, the 42 lbs of kitty litter, in, and set off for the Kid's apartment. Oldest Brother dropped me off, and I went and helped out the Kid. She's still pretty raw about the whole thing. We ordered dinner, and after we ate I came home.

And on the way home I lost my Metrocard!!!!! It must have dropped out of my coat pocket on the N train. I'm not too upset about the card, because I can get a refund for the unused value, but my Metrocard holder, which was a souvenir... that I'm pissed about.

Anyway, I got home and filed the missing card report, and here I am.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Was able to help the Kid.

3. Oldest Brother.

4. Able to file for a refund on the card (It was almost brand new, and a monthly card is $127!)

5. Off work tomorrow.

6. Got all the shopping done.

Edited to add: Happy First Day of Hanukkah to all those who celebrate!

Not what I planned for today

So my original plans were to have today off, since the cleaner was coming tomorrow. I was going to wrap my presents today and then maybe go out with mashfanficchick.

Well, the cleaner crapped out on me again. I gt a text that she had an family emergency and was going out of state til Friday. In panic I contacted another cleaner and got someone in today.

It cost a lot, lets leave it at that. The guy got here around 5 and said he couldn't do it for the contracted price because it was too dirty. I am embarrassed and vow to do better. Get a cleaner more frequently, too. Maybe this guy.

Anyway, while waiting for him, I Skyped the FWiB, and advised the Kid and mashfanficchick, who were both (separately) out shopping.

The cleaning took about three and a half hours, not bad. Now I have got things moved back into place, and the tree skirt and Oldest Brother's bag of gifts from yesterday, laid out.

So now all is clean and ready for Christmas.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The cleaning is done and I could afford it.

3. The cats are settled after the upset of the cleaner being here.

4. Friends.

5. The leftover pizza the Kid gave me yesterday, which I had for both lunch and dinner.

6. All my shopping is done.