WRAPPING WRAPPING WRAPPING

You know in the last post I was reminded that for every single item you throw into the shopping cart, you have to handle over and over and then finally, put it away.  The same can be said about presents.

I get each of the kids a gift.  This gift is wrapped and opened on Christmas eve.  Our family tradition is presents on Christmas eve and turkey dinner on the day.  I still adhere to that, but the difference in my house now is I do up giant fun stockings (read garbage bags).  Christmas morning is a gong show of garbage bags, wrapping paper and fun.  And I wrap every single present in those bags.  Actually, I used to get Spod to wrap a lot of it.  After everyone was out or in bed I would bring out someone's pile of gifts and I would give him one role of paper for that person and he would sit there and patiently wrap every one.

Well this year there is no Spod.  The wrapping is now one of my jobs.  So yesterday, before everyone was here and while those that were, were out, and busy, I headed out to that garage.  I set up my boom box, organized my wrapping table and set to.  And its freezing out there!  But slowly but surely I worked my way through it all.  Each bag had about twelve gifts.  There were four bags. That is approximately forty eight gifts.

  The secret to easy good looking wrapping is GOOD wrapping paper.  Thick with a grid guideline on the back just makes it easier.  Also buy a heavy tape dispenser, one handed tape is invaluable.  Also I use big stickies to write their names on.  Too many of us are either half blind or very young and just learning to read!

Anyway I thought I would be cold and lonely and annoyed but you know what?  It was awesome!!!  I had JackFM on and they play such a great variety of music and because it was so organized the wrapping was easy.  And, finally, a workplace that was cold enough!

Last night Emily, Austin and Big Dorothy (such an awful name but with two Dorothy's in the family you gotta do what you gotta do), Monte's friend Jamie, Aryn and the Kevin crew were here for sushi dinner.  It was so tasty!  And then we played games and had a great time.

Today I was up early and made a massive potato salad for tonight.  I told every one that they had to vacate the main floor of the house between 12:30 and 2:30.  Housekeeper takes total precedence!  Especially today!  I can hear her out there swiffering the floor, but I can also hear a child.  Hmmmm…..

anywhoo….time to kick a couple of hung over boys out of bed downstairs.  Monte has laundry and a bedroom to clean.  I ain't doin' it for him.  

Merry Christmas to all of you that are reading this.  I love you all and I am eternally grateful for all the support and love sent our way this year.  With Mom's funeral on Oct 31st 2013 weekend, bookended by Spod's on Oct 31 2014, its been quite a year, made a whole lot easier by all of you.  Thank you.   TTYL