Pop a la Mode

I didn’t make it to California this year for the Rose Parade.

I was all packed; had my boarding passes and ready to go when, WHAM! The stomach flu hit me - and it was evil. I hadn’t been that sick in a very long time.

So now I get to swipe a family vehicle to drive back down to Birmingham tomorrow so I can be at work on Tuesday.

It really is a bummer - the Rose Parade is my favorite event all year to work. Thankfully I have a very nice boss and client that are very understanding. And I get all my stuff done beforehand so that the others just follow my instructions.

We’re still waiting on baby - Little Merricks hasn’t made his appearance yet and doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. Mom is sitting on go and of course the minute the phone rings - she’s gone.

After this hectic Christmas, I’m sort of looking forward to getting back in the groove in Birmingham. A little normalcy seems like a good thing right now.

So I finally have the Christmas spirit everybody! We had a program at church last night that my bells played in and the children’s choirs sang. It was one of the most special services I’ve been to in awhile.

Christmas really is all about the children. Take a look at some pictures after the jump.

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Unless of course you end up on Jeopardy! or in a championship crossword puzzle competition.

Do you know what obdormition or chanking is? I thought not.

An addendum to yesterday’s post - I really like Christmas.

I like how every home is lit up and neighbors actually talk to each other; I like getting Christmas cards because they’re pretty; I like getting pictures of all my friends’ kids; I like peppermint mochas from Starbucks; I like Christmas music; and I like how I’m always suprised by a few of my gifts.

I just wanted to clarify that.

Christmas will be here in less than two weeks. Can you believe it?

I have my tree up but one strand of lights has already gone out. So I either have to live with it or take all the ornaments off and put a new strand on. What a bummer.

I have a few more presents to buy but I’m completely stumped on those. I hate to give gift cards because they’re so impersonal. I like to give a gift that tells that person, I was thinking of you when I picked this out.

It’s supposed to be 70 degrees here this week. Not exactly putting me in the Christmas spirit.

I haven’t watched White Christmas yet this season nor have I see Rudolph, Frosty or Charlie Brown.

My living room is a disaster area from wrapping presents. I’m a horrible wrapper. I make a mess and it’s not even very pretty when I’m done.

I have so much work to do that I can’t even begin to know where to start. Between my California work plus all my other clients, it’s a little much. Plus I’m still training our new girls (they’re doing fabulous) but it’s still one more thing to do.

When did Christmas become so much work? Was it after I learned about Santa Claus? Was it when that last speck of childhood vanished completely?

Every year I think, this year I’m going to enjoy Christmas like I used to - with anticipation and excitement. But every year I end up wanting to take a long winter’s nap.

I recently acquired a Costco card through my neighbor’s friends and family account. If you’ve never been to a Costco, it’s like a Sam’s. Maybe a little bit nicer.

Yesterday I was looking at their web site to see if I could do any Christmas shopping there and I saw a tab for “Funerals.” What?

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Costco sells caskets. And urns and other keepsake things that collect dust after a funeral. I really don’t understand the circumstances under which you would buy a casket from Costco. I really hope the family isn’t that cheap that the feel the need to do that.

But I guess it’s better than a pine box.

My favorite part about their service? They offer overnight shipping. Because you know, it might be an emergency.

Or if you’re pre-planning, you can order it in advance. They recommend storing it in a cool, dry place until ready for use.

Ew.