Month: December 2015

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The Day after Christmas

Today begins the annual week of Returns and Exchanges.

I have Zero intention of being anywhere near a shopping plaza for the next few days. Of course I’m mindful that; “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Or in the case of California, concrete and asphalt.

Our gift exchange this year was the gift of time.

The other half and I replaced a couple items that were worn out or lost. However most of our gift exchange was comprised of broken things we personally repaired or paid to have repaired. This is the first year we’ve done the season like this. I think I like it, there’s a thoughtfulness that is somehow more intimate and caring.

It’s also GREEN for those to whom that matters.

Our general philosophy is to reuse, repair, & retask, I guess that’s why our recycle bin is the bin that’s half full or less, each week and the landfill bin typically has only one kitchen bag of waste.

If I had a bit more property, I’d be composting a majority of the kitchen waste. I suppose I sound like a wing nut but I’m a believer that it takes remarkably little to minimize my impact on the environment. I believe that if everyone minimized, we’d make more of an impact than some arbitrary carbon tax.

So to those of you at the malls, Return and Exchange away, just make sure you’re not wasting stuff. Take advantage of the after Christmas sales and above all, be good to each other.

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Christmas Eve

The moon is going to be full or dang near full. The presents are under the tree and I’m doing nothing but watching Christmas movies.

I’m starting with The Bishop’s Wife, the one with Cary Grant.  I’m likely to watch Donovan’s reef and A Christmas Story. before the day is done.

Do you see a theme? Comedies and laughter.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas Eve as well.

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I forgot to Blog today.

Suddenly I realized I’d blown it.

Then I remembered Bea Arthur in History of the World Part 1

“Did you try to bullshit last week?”

In my defense, I have been Mr. Creative regarding gifts and stuff this year. With my continuing unemployment frankly I don’t have the cash to be able to engage in the capitalistic orgy that this season is renown for.

So I purchased one gift for the other half, replacing something they lost. I’ve also fixed one of the two defective key fobs which will allow the car to be remotely opened and locked. The remote start appears to be offline but I can hear the car attempting to do something. So that says the fob is working, but the problem is in the car.

I may try to take a look at the car but I’m probably out of my depth before I’ve opened the hood. I have no idea what the car does when it remote starts I don’t know if there’s a separate starting circuit or if the computer in the car just hits the starter bypassing the key.

Since I’m hearing the car clicking… I’m figuring that the remote start system is probably as complicated as it could possibly be. I may open the hood, then stroke my chin thoughtfully for a few minutes, then poke around and pronounce, “it’s broke”. Hey, don’t judge me. Can you fix your car?

I’m enjoying the creativity adversity has brought this year. I wrapped the one store-bought gift in wrapping paper I created and printed on the printer. 8.5 x 11 turned out to be the exact size needed to wrap the gift, so I photoshopped a Grinch motif and got busy wrapping.

Our Christmas may be minimal, but it’s going to be nice.

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The annual shopping trip…

NGWOW I needed that!

For many years now, a very good friend and I have been having an annual Christmas expedition.  This year getting away from the house was a welcome and much needed relief.

Somehow our once a year trip always goes off without a hitch.  This year no exception. As in the past several expeditions, all our shopping is accomplished in a single day. The tradition is to fortify ourselves with a little alcohol, a good lunch then shop. Then snacks, then more shopping then yet more shopping and the whole time we’re laughing and enjoying our time together.

This year my friend went above and beyond the call of duty and were it not for his expert driving I would probably have given up and gone home.  There were way too many cars, way too much busyness, and too dang few parking spots.

I don’t know if my friend knows how much I appreciate his efforts yesterday, but he and his other half deserve a round of applause and my profound and deep thanks for helping to make a wonderful Christmas for me.

Driving home I had a smile on my face that couldn’t be jackhammered off my face. I’m still smiling and it’s not from Alcohol It’s from joy.  I had such a good time this year that I’m looking forward to next year. My friend probably cringed at that, because it means putting up the Christmas tree. (But you do such a beautiful tree, and I’ve got a couple of laser pointers that might help!)

I can tell you, absolutely nothing beats love, kindness, and having truly outstanding friends. Except perhaps spending a day laughing your ass off with them.

I hope each of you has equally awesome people in your lives.