I gathered all of my wrapping supplies in the living room. Then I noticed that the couch was looking a little . . . crumb-y. I dug out the vacuum, dismantled the couch by pulling off all of the cushions, and then vacuumed out its contents. I sucked up enough crumbs to feed a small unincorporated town, which is strange to me because I don't actually allow eating on the couch. Hmmm.
Then I got back to business. I settled on the floor, tape and scissors in hand, and then turned on the TV. What's this? President Obama delivering a special news conference? On every bleeping channel? Son of a !!! President Obama, I voted for you and this is how you repay me? I didn't just vote for you - I've maintained steadfast loyalty since the election. I can't believe you could be so thoughtless as to deprive me of the opportunity to watch roommates battling it out over a cell phone bill on The People's Court.
Plan B: I had a couple of Netflix movies to watch. I recently re-ordered our Netflix list and bumped my stuff to the top, much to my other half's chagrin. The Netflix account was my idea to begin with, but he quickly took it over and nothing but crap has shown up at our house since that day ("Blood Creek," anyone?). But this tyranny had to end sometime. Anyway, I had "The Lottery" so I watched that. It was a very interesting documentary - really made me think about education and how few opportunities are available to children in some areas of the country.
I started wrapping gifts and quickly discovered that:
WRAPPING PAPER + PUPPY = IRRITABLE SANTA
I put up a baby gate (with pup on the other side) and completed the project. Now we're all set for the big event. Hiding stuff has gotten more challenging over the years, though. It was a lot easier when the kid didn't know how to work a doorknob. Also, she never bothered to figure out those doorknob covers where you have to pinch the sides together to get enough traction to turn the knob. Those only came off within the last year or so. The least-used room in our home is a dank little room in the basement. It contains an old futon, a filing cabinet, some random boxes, and oh yeah, my father-in-law's ashes. Nobody goes in there unless they have to. Hence, the perfect spot for hidden gifts.
I'll leave you with a photo of my favorite Christmas decoration. My mom got it for me years ago. It's an image of Santa that just really works for me . . . an image of kindness and giving that is extended to all (even adorable woodland creatures). Rock on, Father Christmas, rock on.
