It’s ALL ABOUT ME!

The day after Christmas. It’s kind of like the day after Thanksgiving, but on a toned-down level. Jennifer and I woke up super-early to find early-bird specials on Christmas decorations. Guy-Kelly and Gay went with us. We did find a few things, and as I dragged bags and bags into the house, I vowed that I was officially done shopping. Yes, I said it! I bought myself a few things that were on great clearance — 2 that I had been looking for: a bathrobe (14.00) and a new night gown (10.00). The rest I could have done without. So… I’m hoping I can stick to my ‘no shopping’ promise to myself.

Sue and I didn’t talk forever, although I would have liked to. I was so tired last night (not having the benefit of a 4.5 hour nap) and went to bed early. Not exactly early, but too early for a marathon-phone-conversation-with-Sue. I’m ready for a marathon phone conversation with her, especially since I didn’t get to go see her this week like I’d planned for the last year!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Like Jimmy reported, everyone got something they wanted. I think. Santa did a sucky job this year — he gave a few gifts and money. Why? Because my children have everything. And I mean everything. They have digital cameras, video cameras, cell phones, cars, what else could they possibly need?

I got a Bewitched series on CD (which I love), a tool kit (which I definitely wanted), a movie (Ghost – Patrick Swayze — yum, yum), an Auburn wind suit, and a beautiful cross necklace. Daddy gave me a bracelet that I just love. It’s called a “humanity bracelet” and has words like ‘family’, ‘honor’, ‘trust’, and ‘hope’ on it (among others).

We had lunch at Kay’s house and are having dinner at Gay’s house. Christmas with family and friends… who could ask for more? Yes, it has been a wonderful Christmas!

This is the conversation I had with Christopher today:

I called the house and Jennifer answered the phone. I told her to tell Christopher he could start using his checks with number 544 (he lost or had his checkbook stolen, but that’s another story) and to put the earlier checks on my make-up table so I could properly void them. He said (via Jennifer) “The next book starts at 551.” What?!?!?! I had Jennifer put him on the phone.

Me: What is starting number of the next book of checks.
Him: Whatever number I just told Jennifer.
Me: Go and look at the checks and tell me the next number.
Him: 551
Me: I only had a stop payment put through check number 543. You told me that the last check you wrote was number 515 and that that was the first book of checks out of the box.
Him: Yea.
Me: Well, assuming that the first book started at number 501 and went to 525, where is the set numbered 526-550?
Him: Maybe the bank didn’t send them to me.
Me: Banks don’t work like that. They send them all to you, not some of them.
Him: Oh.
Me: I guess I’ll have to call the bank and see if they can add these other checks to the stop payment order. I’ll call you back.

I called the bank and they confirmed they could add the additional check numbers to the stop payment. I would have to do it in person to avoid an additional $25.00 charge. A friend suggested, and rightly so, that I have Christopher go to the bank and handle it himself. I’m ashamed that I didn’t think of that myself! I called Christopher, and the following conversation ensued:

Me: I have a plan.
Him: Mom, I was looking in this box, and it says 5 pads were sent. There’s the pad in the lost checkbook, the pad I tore the checks out of, and 3 more in the box. That’s 5. There aren’t any missing.
Me: WHAT?
Him: There’s the lost ones, the ones on your make-up table, and 3 more in the box. That’s 5 pads.
At this point, I held the phone down, and semi-screamed while stomping my feet. Unbelievable!!!
Me: There are checks on my make-up table?
Him: Yes, you told me to put them there so you could void them.
Me: What numbers are they?
Him: I don’t know.
Me: GO AND LOOK.
Him: 526-550.

At this point I went off. What else could I do? I had my coat and purse in-hand ready to run out the door to the bank, and the “missing” checks were never missing to begin with.

Me: When I asked you what the next number your checks started with, why did you tell me 551???
Him: I thought you meant the ones after I tore the other ones out.

SIGH………

Jimmy bet me that he will get up earlier than me on Christmas morning. This bet goes way back to our childhood. There were years that I was positive that I got up earlier than him, but he still beat me. I think he set his alarm clock to wake up at 12:01 a.m. just to beat me! In fact, I’m sure he did — Jimmy never got up early on purpose in his youth. Truthfully!

I wonder if Sue will unwrap all her Christmas gifts the night before Christmas when her entire family is sleeping.

The wager is on!

Jury slaps Wal-Mart with $172M ruling

Jennifer is having a hard time waiting on Christmas. Every night she asks me if we can just have an early Christmas. Of course I laugh and tell her no. You’d think she was 8 years old instead of 20!

Patti mailed a box of Christmas goodies to us. I’ve been letting Jennifer open all packages and Christmas cards because she just loves to do it (Ok — I do too!!!), so I let her. She opened that box and then proceeded to unwrap all the gifts inside! Can you believe it? I was powerless to stop her! Completely powerless. Now I have the nicest houseshoes and Magen (Santa’s little helper) sent me a really cool calendar. I must say I like it better than the Maxine calendar from last year. Maxine is good in small doses — not for a daily reading! The purchase of the houseshoes supports breast cancer research — Patti knows me SO well. Jennifer got the SOFTEST socks from Magen! Jennifer allowed me to touch them, but that’s all.

I’ll admit it — I’m ready for Christmas too.

I got a call last night from Jerry Still. I sent Jerry and Martha a Christmas card (as I do every year) to wish them a Merry Christmas. On the phone, Jerry told me they only sent a few cards out and wanted to call me with my card! It was even better than receiving a card in the mail. We caught up a bit — Martha broke her hip in October and is making a steady but slow recovery. I think Jerry still works some. We talked about family and the other cousins (I’m a second cousin to them). Jerry told me that, of all the Calvert brothers, “Uncle Ed” was his favorite! Imagine that. He’s not the only cousin I’ve heard that from.

It’s funny that I should have a cousin just a few miles away that I never visit. Yes — Jerry and Martha live between me and Arab, probably about 15 miles away. Maybe this year I can remedy that and visit Jerry and Martha. And maybe go to Cullman and visit the cousins there.

For those that are unclear — Jerry is Aunt (pronounced Aint in this case) Alma’s son. I always thought her name was “Omer” as that is how it was pronounced!

The other night I accidently broke the showerhead off the shower. Has this ever happened to you? Let me tell you — it’s not fun! The water now thrusts out in a single line about 3/4″ in diameter. Hard. The spout (or whatever it is called) points in one direction, and it won’t move, so you have to stand as close to the wall as possible to get in the line of fire (so to speak). Jim equated it to showering at the local carwash. I thought that was funny until this morning. I realized it’s more like showering in a garden hose with the water pressure you would find at the carwash. Loads of fun. But, hey — I’ve been complaining about the lack of water pressure for years! Be careful what you wish for………..

Update: Jim bought a new showerhead last night. When he turned the water on, we have the same water pressure. I’m not sure why I thought maybe a new showerhead would help. Now it’s like showering in a light spring rain. Sigh!

Nothing much going on lately, so nothing to blog! Sorry…. maybe I should retitle this blog “My Boring Life”? Christmas shopping is all done and, as of last night, all wrapped, so we are just waiting on Santa. This weekend I went with Gay to Kris and Chris’ house to see Jeremia’s new puppy. It’s a sweet little thing. Yesterday I went to Cullman and put Christmas flowers out for Granny, Grandaddy, and Mother. Pretty flowers — poinsettas of course. Hopefully I can get over there and change them to something springy before decoration!

That’s it… nothing else fun going on like getting a new horse or anything. I bet Summer and Bryn are loving their new horse! Christmas came early to their house!

A long way down, that is. I took Wilson outside Wednesday morning for his morning walk. (Per his doctor, I am to carry him outside and put him down — not let him walk on his own). I got outside, shut the door, and took one step toward the stairs. That is the last really logical thought I had! I slipped on the frost and went flying. I think it was kind of a cartoon moment… where your feet are slipping one after the other and you can’t get traction. My first thought was to drop Wilson. It was either drop him, or land on him, so I dropped him. I continued my rapid decline — apparently I tried to break my fall with one hand and one hip (judging by the bruise on it). I landed with a thud on my face in the dirt (mud?). My head head even had the nerve to bounce once!

Other thoughts that ran though my head in the 2 seconds it took me to complete my fall were:

1. What bone will I break?
2. Will I have to go to the hospital?
3. I wonder if the neighbors saw me?
4. My head bounced just like on tv!

When I got up, my slippers were across the way, I had dirt on my jacket, on my knee, on my face, and in my mouth. I guess I could have really hurt myself, but I got lucky! I only have a few bruises and a couple of really sore muscles. Good thing Wilson can start taking those stairs by himself again!