The perfect gift...

You know how it feels when you've made all your lists, checked them twice, crashed your way through the hoards of shoppers, and managed to get the exact, perfect gift for someone? That happened to me this year.

Last spring, my brother, who is a history buff happened to mention a hat he saw at Kenosha's Civil War Museum gift shop. He liked it a lot but didn't get it for himself because he thought it was too pricey. Fast forward to last Monday, I was out Christmas shopping, wondering what the heck to get my brother, when I somehow remembered him talking about that hat. So I went the museum and there it was.

The look on his face when he opened his gift on Christmas Eve was priceless. He was shocked that it was the exact hat he wanted and even more shocked that I had remembered he wanted it. He put it on his head and wore it for the entire rest of the evening.

At one point, he pulled it down over his ears and made this face.


Yup, that's my bro. He's a bit of a goofball but I love him and it was great getting him the perfect gift that he'll cherish and remember for a long time to come.

The Power of Positive...oh, shut up!!!

Today being Tuesday it felt like Monday and dragged longer than a gorilla's knuckles. I took some time to revise my list of things to do before December. I realize there are only a few weeks left until December and though I have done blessed little on the list, the list itself is quite a neatly organized wonder. I'll take that as a victory. I have much to do before December.

December is when Alex will be coming here from Sweden for the holidays. Cleaning this hell hole of an apartment is Job ONE on the list. I have a whole plan for that and I go over it nightly in my head before I fall asleep. One of these days I'll actually put this grand plan into play!

There is also the shopping. I was thinking since he'll be here for the holidays and away from his own traditions I would try to find some of the traditional foods he's used to to incorporate them into our festivities. I know I can get herring here and something close to the type of cheese he's had there. I did find a site where I could order some caviar cream cheese called Kalles that I thought would be fun to surprised him with. I also found ready to drink Glogg - a spiced wine concoction mulled with raisins and almonds. I placed the order (grand total = $11.00 USD) but when I checked the shipping and handling I was floored! They were going to charge me $48.00 US for shipping! And it wasn't even being shipped from outside the US. Pffft! We can make do with Kraft cheese and Door County Red!

Speaking of shopping, I have to start thinking about what to get my mother for Christmas. She's 90 years old and every year insists that she doesn't want anything at all. This, of course, is a lie because if any of us showed up with nothing we'd never hear the end of it. She is impossible to shop for too. Very picky and very practical. No knick knacks, doo- dads, clothes or cash. I'm thinking lottery tickets may be the way to go.

As for me, I'd like to be all sweet and kind and giving and say I just want peace on earth and whatnot. But I am really hoping for a new digital camera! hahaha!