w00t w00t booyah

Beeswax for candles? Miller's Honey out in Colton has beeswax for a bit under $3 for an 8 oz. brick. For what I'm going to need, I'll have to go out there for it - shipping makes no sense and will be more expensive than gas.

Miller's Honey is at 125 E Laurel St., Colton, CA 92324 (909) 825-1722. They tell me the retail store is in the front.

Beeswax for candles? Miller's Honey out in Colton has beeswax for a bit under $3 for an 8 oz. brick. For what I'm going to need, I'll have to go out there for it - shipping makes no sense and will be more expensive than gas.

Miller's Honey is at 125 E Laurel St., Colton, CA 92324 (909) 825-1722. They tell me the retail store is in the front.

MAMA WANT.

Handblown glass pumpkins. Go look, and lose yourself for a few minutes.

That, and I just found a place that has orange hot chocolate. White hot chocolate mix that turns orange as you stir in the hot water. Maybe I can cadge enough to store for all year. *taps chin* MMM. Hoping it also has an orange-chocolate flavor, too.

Oh hells. People are getting food for presents this year. I've decided.

Well, most of them. Some of them. The ones I can't see. Yeah, those guys.

Coming up for air.

I can tell the holidays are coming, everyone is getting sharp-edged and pissy. This is the time of year, we of Danish extraction grow horns and tails. (Why else would you start wearing hats and long pants/skirts?) Anyone who would approach this time of year with the amount of sanitation vigor and extra cooking, present making and partying - this is HOSTING parties, mind - has to have only one thing on their mind, and that's evil.

Take your regular schedule, and SHOVE ten times as many activities into it. OH, and do it smiling and happy that this is just what you wanted.

*facepalms* Of course it is. I see some people at this time of the year I don't see any other. Begrudge it at my own risk, it is what it is. It's the holidays, and as they say - everyone suffers.

So.

I'm getting as much done ahead of time this year - as always - so I can actually sit back and enjoy some of the season. It's going to be a busy one.

1) I'm going to have my gifts done by Diwali for the guys at work - beeswax candles in glass jars. (Diwali is on Novemer 9th - I'm going to have to check and see if I need to be done a day or so earlier or not to be in line with the whole idea, since it's five days long. First night? Second night? Decisions, decisions.) The guys here are more than willing to send ME Christmas cards...not holiday cards, Christmas cards...the least I can do is reciprocate in kind.

2) Sis called yesterday - there are pomegranates. This means pomegranate jelly in our house, a traditional gift between family friends. Yes, I am going out to her house on Sunday to juice them. Be afraid.

3) I am paying closer attention to the guava tree out back. I think I'm going to do some guava jelly as gifts this year.

4) Get the Christmas card letter written, the list updated, labels printed and cards ready to mail before Thanksgiving. WHAT.

5) I already have Thanksgiving's menu planned and parceled out. All I need is a theme - I'm considering "World Travelers" this year. (Last year, it was luau - and it was FUN.)

6) I know what Jim is getting this year. If you want to help plot and scheme, the line forms on the left. Hint: one has already been in the house more than once this year.

7) I need to update my Amazon list. But - the standing order hasn't changed. You want to give me something for the holidays? If you smoke - quit. Period. I'll be delighted. Failing that? Bath fizzies are always welcome.

8) I'm doing Feast of Lights in Redlands this year. If you have a live music event this holiday? I am yours. Tell me.

9) The house opens on Christmas Eve at 10:30. Show up, be fed and make merry. After I put the food out, I am there for the hugging. We play anime, games, talk shop and have a blast. Last one home is me when I close the door after everyone has left. This is Cliff's tradition, and it's a keeper. I put out lunch, then dinner - and we sing songs, open presents and celebrate in the evening. Sweets are out ALL the time.

10) I am also doing yuletide this year. So help me.

My birthday is November 14th. I have missed everyone else's this year (except Jim's) equally. I only want cake this year, since it falls on a Wednesday and that sucks. My 6th anniversary with Jim is November 1st.

Hanukkah begins December 5th. *plots and schemes*

Anybody for another advent calendar series?

Surprise me.

Coming up for air.

I can tell the holidays are coming, everyone is getting sharp-edged and pissy. This is the time of year, we of Danish extraction grow horns and tails. (Why else would you start wearing hats and long pants/skirts?) Anyone who would approach this time of year with the amount of sanitation vigor and extra cooking, present making and partying - this is HOSTING parties, mind - has to have only one thing on their mind, and that's evil.

Take your regular schedule, and SHOVE ten times as many activities into it. OH, and do it smiling and happy that this is just what you wanted.

*facepalms* Of course it is. I see some people at this time of the year I don't see any other. Begrudge it at my own risk, it is what it is. It's the holidays, and as they say - everyone suffers.

So.

I'm getting as much done ahead of time this year - as always - so I can actually sit back and enjoy some of the season. It's going to be a busy one.

1) I'm going to have my gifts done by Diwali for the guys at work - beeswax candles in glass jars. (Diwali is on Novemer 9th - I'm going to have to check and see if I need to be done a day or so earlier or not to be in line with the whole idea, since it's five days long. First night? Second night? Decisions, decisions.) The guys here are more than willing to send ME Christmas cards...not holiday cards, Christmas cards...the least I can do is reciprocate in kind.

2) Sis called yesterday - there are pomegranates. This means pomegranate jelly in our house, a traditional gift between family friends. Yes, I am going out to her house on Sunday to juice them. Be afraid.

3) I am paying closer attention to the guava tree out back. I think I'm going to do some guava jelly as gifts this year.

4) Get the Christmas card letter written, the list updated, labels printed and cards ready to mail before Thanksgiving. WHAT.

5) I already have Thanksgiving's menu planned and parceled out. All I need is a theme - I'm considering "World Travelers" this year. (Last year, it was luau - and it was FUN.)

6) I know what Jim is getting this year. If you want to help plot and scheme, the line forms on the left. Hint: one has already been in the house more than once this year.

7) I need to update my Amazon list. But - the standing order hasn't changed. You want to give me something for the holidays? If you smoke - quit. Period. I'll be delighted. Failing that? Bath fizzies are always welcome.

8) I'm doing Feast of Lights in Redlands this year. If you have a live music event this holiday? I am yours. Tell me.

9) The house opens on Christmas Eve at 10:30. Show up, be fed and make merry. After I put the food out, I am there for the hugging. We play anime, games, talk shop and have a blast. Last one home is me when I close the door after everyone has left. This is Cliff's tradition, and it's a keeper. I put out lunch, then dinner - and we sing songs, open presents and celebrate in the evening. Sweets are out ALL the time.

10) I am also doing yuletide this year. So help me.

My birthday is November 14th. I have missed everyone else's this year (except Jim's) equally. I only want cake this year, since it falls on a Wednesday and that sucks. My 6th anniversary with Jim is November 1st.

Hanukkah begins December 5th. *plots and schemes*

Anybody for another advent calendar series?

Surprise me.

There are a lot of leftovers.

I got a Christmas card from Cliff's Mom and Dad at work today. Dad obviously wrote it to me - I recognize the handwriting. The family wants to see me. One, I have to get correct information to him - and make more efforts to stay in touch. I am floored. Floored. I haven't had such an olive branch offered since Cliff died. And I barely have contact information for them. I'll see what can be done at this point - I got to see Cliff's best friend George last year at AOD for a few moments, and I was just as floored that he was glad to see me and made a HUGE effort just to get a hug and an update while I was staffing Con Ops.

*sigh* I am missing people a lot right now. The season can be one of a lot of happy memories - and can just be full of memories, period.

Open my Christmas decorations, and it sometimes makes me think of a time capsule. Places I've been (because it's traditional for me to pick up a tree ornament from wherever I've travelled), with whom, doing what - and people who have given me things that no longer have any contact me with me. Former bosses. Ones I've really loved. Gone, gone, gone -

I have a set of Yacko, Whacko and Dot from Animaniacs up in the kid's bedroom - they were one of the first things to go up.

Joyce gave those to me.

We parted company in a fashion I had feared would come to pass - watching patterns form in relationships she had with other people who came into the circle briefly, and then dissapeared when money issues came around. Oh yes. It was a helluva ride as long as the money lasted.

And I miss her. She had the most fantastic sense of purpose - let alone her sense of humor, and she could sing with a voice like deep, warm cocoa.

I don't know what's up with my older brother. That's a whole 'nother post in itself. I haven't spoken to him in two years, and I won't force the issue any harder than I have already. Suffice it to say - this was someone who couldn't have been more key in my life growing up. And just - gone. For some time now.

I had a boss when I worked for one of the start-up burn-ups in Brea some years ago - he was based in Chicago, I was in Brea and we had the best working relationship, with the possible exception of the one I'm in now. He was the one who introduced me to unagi, and I've never regretted it. I have the loveliest Father Christmas-in-White decor piece that comes out every year at this time. He was fired, in an equally spectacular fashion that I've never really gotten over - nearly taking me with him, when Cliff was first diagnosed and desperately needed services. I had to stay in that nightmare for almost nine months after that - and I never really got comfortable in a job again until I started here.

I was able to send presents to my friends in Cleveland this year. Last year, I was too broke. Terri, I've known since I was 21 - that's saying something. She dropped me an email letting me know she'd gotten the package and how much it meant to her. *sigh* I miss her, too.

It can give one pause to consider the whole "spirit residue on things" theory. After all - just things, right?

Right.

I got a Christmas card from Cliff's Mom and Dad at work today. Dad obviously wrote it to me - I recognize the handwriting. The family wants to see me. One, I have to get correct information to him - and make more efforts to stay in touch. I am floored. Floored. I haven't had such an olive branch offered since Cliff died. And I barely have contact information for them. I'll see what can be done at this point - I got to see Cliff's best friend George last year at AOD for a few moments, and I was just as floored that he was glad to see me and made a HUGE effort just to get a hug and an update while I was staffing Con Ops.

*sigh* I am missing people a lot right now. The season can be one of a lot of happy memories - and can just be full of memories, period.

Open my Christmas decorations, and it sometimes makes me think of a time capsule. Places I've been (because it's traditional for me to pick up a tree ornament from wherever I've travelled), with whom, doing what - and people who have given me things that no longer have any contact me with me. Former bosses. Ones I've really loved. Gone, gone, gone -

I have a set of Yacko, Whacko and Dot from Animaniacs up in the kid's bedroom - they were one of the first things to go up.

Joyce gave those to me.

We parted company in a fashion I had feared would come to pass - watching patterns form in relationships she had with other people who came into the circle briefly, and then dissapeared when money issues came around. Oh yes. It was a helluva ride as long as the money lasted.

And I miss her. She had the most fantastic sense of purpose - let alone her sense of humor, and she could sing with a voice like deep, warm cocoa.

I don't know what's up with my older brother. That's a whole 'nother post in itself. I haven't spoken to him in two years, and I won't force the issue any harder than I have already. Suffice it to say - this was someone who couldn't have been more key in my life growing up. And just - gone. For some time now.

I had a boss when I worked for one of the start-up burn-ups in Brea some years ago - he was based in Chicago, I was in Brea and we had the best working relationship, with the possible exception of the one I'm in now. He was the one who introduced me to unagi, and I've never regretted it. I have the loveliest Father Christmas-in-White decor piece that comes out every year at this time. He was fired, in an equally spectacular fashion that I've never really gotten over - nearly taking me with him, when Cliff was first diagnosed and desperately needed services. I had to stay in that nightmare for almost nine months after that - and I never really got comfortable in a job again until I started here.

I was able to send presents to my friends in Cleveland this year. Last year, I was too broke. Terri, I've known since I was 21 - that's saying something. She dropped me an email letting me know she'd gotten the package and how much it meant to her. *sigh* I miss her, too.

It can give one pause to consider the whole "spirit residue on things" theory. After all - just things, right?

Right.

Okay, I think I just finished the Christmas shopping. Of course I did it online - now all that's left is the shipping.

And, uh, ahem. I'm no longer a W00t virgin. Yes, folks - I've participated in my first W00toff for Christmas presents. It was awesome.

Last chance for shoes orders - last call. After midnight tonight, there's no more until after the beginning of the year.

Folks, you see something suspicious coming from Amazon? Don't open it until Christmas. Oh, and I found some really old wishlists out at Amazon today - really old. Like, names out of date old. Just saying. It's not my fault.

Then Sis calls me and tells me what she's getting Jim for Christmas. Oh, he is gonna plotz. (Uh, oh. That reminds me. I'm going to need something for that...better get it ordered.)

Shipping like a mad, mad thing next week. So help me.

Beginning to think about the menu for Christmas Eve Open House. Made my first batch of homemade baba ganoush last night, and I deemed it palatable - and definitely on the list for experimentation. Except for having to use the food processor (and slicing my finger open when I had to clean the damn thing), it's dead simple to make.

I need to ask Jim about it, but I'm thinking BBQ for dinner. Hamburgers, sausages and I'll throw some veggie burgers in the oven - and have some grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms handy to go with. (I've discovered that I love veggie burgers - so far, I haven't found a brand yet that sucks - add greens, mushrooms and grilled onions with a little mustard and it's heaven on a bun.)

I'll have the IKEA meatballs and rice out all day, like before. Fresh veggie trays. Sweets table, and cooler full of drinks. Maybe I'll add some Indian vegetarian dishes I like - maybe some Malay Kofta, which I really really love a lot. (But the idea is to stay as finger food as possible.) I'm also thinking about putting out some oden for all day as well. Steamed buns.

Pondering.

I need to get some more Hikaru no Go. I only have the two discs.

I need to get over to Alpine Village for some lebkuchen. BADLY. A trip over to Cost Plus for the sweets table. I'll bake some no-pudge brownies during the day to make the house smell good - oh, and I need to get some sugar-free options, right!

Pondering.

Jim found all his Christmas presents in their hiding spot last night. Didn't even have to try hard.

*blows air*

Guess I get to start over, try to think of a better hiding place...and oh yeah, think of something else. This year is going to be a toughie - he either has everything he wants, or it's out of the budget range this year.

AUGH.

Me?

So far, all my birthday presents have been for the kid. Yanno, the one we're adopting? Maybe? Someday?

I might also add - my Amazon list is largely used for reminding me to get things I want - you can use it for a guide, but they are largely things I'd buy myself. Eventually.

It's not that I'm asking for anything, mind. Presents are optional, etc.

But let me make a few suggestions.

1. You wish to gift me? Gift me. Not something to be used by me for someone else, okay? (Is this a hard one? I feel stupid for having to say it.)
2. I really hate gift cards. I lose them. Always. Want to give me cash? Give me cash. Attached to a brick or something I can't misplace.
3. I really hate bell peppers. I'm allergic to mangoes. Take a risk on something you think I might like to try, that I haven't. I get very locked into routines - breaking me out of them is a Good Thing. Seriously.
4. I'd love some favors. Volunteer to wash my car or help me clean out the closet. Seriously.
5. Think of something we can do together after the holidays, set a date and let's do it. I don't care of it's pie, coffee and karaoke. After hosting all the parties lately, my social bar is full but my fun bar is completely in the red. Let's not talk about how low the energy levels are, 'kay? All I wanna do is show up for a change. I do dishes -

It really is the thought here, guys - I'm a very cheap date, just be clever.

And that is the whine for the day. My to-do list runneth over.