Twisted Christmas

This is not turning out to be our typical Christmas.

As I mentioned before, I am miles behind where I usually am in my Christmas preparations. Last night at work I made a revised list of what I need to do and anything I think I might reasonably be able to accomplish.

So, on my way home from work this morning, I decided to stop by the little curb market to look for ornaments and/or stocking stuffers for J-Man and DD. This is a little building where lots of vendors set up their wares, and everything must be either made or grown in our county. I didn't find any ornaments, but found a couple of soy candles. The man and his wife use all kinds of containers, and will fill the small containers you bring in if you like, and will refill candles you've bought from them for only $2.00.

The thing is, DD has 3 odd teacups and saucers I bought years ago at an estate sale, but was going to get rid of when we decided to move. She asked for them, so of course I gave them to her. I'm thinking, if she has them out and not packed away, they'd make wonderful candle holders, as the soy candles burn cool and won't damage the china. I may get her to bring them with her so we can have the guy fill them with the color and scent she wants and I can ship them back to her.

But I still didn't find any ornaments, and this is a serious tradition in my house. It would never do for me not to buy each of them an ornament. I figured my best bet was to run home and get my Christmas money and head back down to the little shops on Main Street in search of unique ornaments and stocking stuffers. By this time I was getting a little hungry, so I hit the drive-thru at Micky D's for a chicken biscuit and coffee. While waiting to pay, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw an older man in the car behind me. When I paid for my food, I asked how much his order was; it was $3.80. I still had some money in my wallet, so I paid for his and told the gal to just tell him Merry Christmas. It was fun to watch him drive up to the window and be told his order was paid for. He kept peering at my truck, wondering, I'm sure, if he knew me. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Made my whole morning.

Until I got home, that is, where the TV is still not working. J-Man decided to upgrade the satellite dish to HD, so the guy came out on Thurs. and did whatever he has to do. Since I had to sleep before work, I didn't get a chance to check it out. J-Man was able to watch a little that night, but by yesterday morning, the TV gave up the ghost. He'd turn it on, and it would be on for about 2 seconds and audibly click itself off. It's the same thing the little bedroom TV was doing a couple of months ago, and that one was old enough the part needed wasn't available any more. Right now it's still sitting in the bedroom floor, waiting for me to haul it to the dump. In its place is a new little flat screen with a terrific picture.

We have an agreement with Sears that covers maintenance visits and service visits on 13 different appliances for one flat fee--and we just renewed it last week, so J-Man called to set up an appointment. Thing is, Sears contracts out on the big screen and we always have to wait for the guy to call us to schedule his visit. Sears always says he'll call within 24 hours, but he never does. And today is Saturday. I doubt he'll call before Monday, and if he does, who really believes he'll get out here to fix it before Christmas Eve? Could I see a show of hands? Of course, it is the season of miracles. Then again, it would be a miracle if he actually carries whatever part is needed to fix the TV and won't have to order it.

So here it is, Christmas specials and movies all over the place, and the TV isn't working. Since J-Man is disabled, the TV is his primary form of entertainment. Fortunately we do have one in the bedroom, but there is nowhere to sit in there, and he gets tired of lying down to watch television, even on the adjustable bed. Me, I've got plenty else to do, so I'm just playing Christmas music and burning a CD with some new favorites on it. Oh, and burning some scented oil. To get rid of a very un-Christmassy odor. A very sour odor. While I wash slip covers and crate pads and spot clean the carpet.

When I came home, J-Man casually mentioned Tandi hadn't eaten her breakfast yet, but he didn't think she was sick or anything. DUH! She's a little foodie--if she isn't eating, she's sick! Sure enough, she'd upchucked in her crate, and got it on her ears and the carpet and now everything smells a little sour. Before I could get her outside, she upchucked again. Two of her doggy friends came around while we were out there, took a couple of sniffs of her and left. Even THEY knew she was sick, but not the J-Man. Sometimes he can be so obtuse.

So there's a load in the washer, one in the dryer, and I'm boiling rice water on the stove to feed her. I'd really rather not spend another small fortune at the vet hospital (weekend again!) if I can manage this myself. Later, I get to haul her little self into the tub for a bath.

It's the guest bath.

I needed to clean it anyway.

There goes my nap.

So, since I can't watch any Christmas movies, we won't do the trivia thing this week. Instead, I'm going to do a survey here.

There have been many versions of Dickens' A Christmas Carol through the years, and I thought I'd seen pretty much all of them, til this year I saw a version with Cicely Tyson as "Ebonita" Scrooge. J-Man's favorite version is Scrooge, the musical with Albert Finney. I can't decide between the one with George C. Scott and the one with Patrick Stewart.

What's your favorite version?