The Freezing Has Begun…

Y’all.

I did it.

I went to the post office today.  I deposited Matthew and his crutches at school and went to the post office.

On the 10th of December.

And even though the sign said they were open at 8am, they weren’t.  Which meant I had to stand there in line with the other 50 people who were attempting to use the automated mailing center.

Can I just state, and I apologize in advance if I offend anyone, but seriously…

Old people shouldn’t be allowed to use anything that has automated in the title.

Ever.

Like there should be a law against it.

That doesn’t mean that young people are off the hook, because there should be a clause in there about them as well.

I fought the urge to go up there and ring every one through a little faster so that we could speed up the line.

But seeings how my one prejudice in life is stupid people, I thought better of it.  No reason to ruin my holiday mojo because people don’t know how to use the machine and in their defense, I’m sure they wouldn’t be using the machine if the post office was open like the sign said it should be.

Wow.  That was a runon if I ever saw one.

So, the packages are mailed and my parents, grandma, grandpa, brother, sister-in-law, yet to be born nephew, bff and her clan (along with a giveaway that I had sitting in my house for way too long that it’s embarrassing) will be getting their gifts within two to three days.

Do you realize the importance of this?  People will actually have their gifts by the 15th at the latest, which is TEN WHOLE DAYS before Christmas.  They’ll be able to put them under their tree and stare at them wondering what’s inside for at least TEN WHOLE DAYS.

I’m just so tickled with myself.  I know, it probably seems silly and something that I, as an almost 32 year old woman (FYI, my birthday is a month from yesterday), I should be able to purchase gifts and mail them to the appropiate IMPORTANT people in my life on time.  I should also be able to get birthday cards mailed on time as well.  Shoot.  My Dad’s birthday card (from July) is sitting on the ledge in the kitchen.

Their anniversary card (from November) is sitting on my dresser.

I’ve always been horrible about it.  Always.

But not this year. This year, while everyone expected me to be late or non-existant with gifts, I will have shocked them all.

And while we’re on the subject of mailing things…do you know how many Christmas cards that I’ve gotten this year?

Four.

Now, I know that not everyone can be on top of things like I am and get them mailed out, but Christmas cards are one way that I base my popularity.  Never mind the fact that the people closest to me don’t really send cards and I won’t get ones from them, but you know, I might want to know how my Aunts first cousin on her father’s side once removed is doing.

Ok, so I don’t.

I just want mail that’s not bills.  Christmas is good for that.  But not so much this year.

And while I’m on the topic of Christmas, do you all tip your delivery drivers?  My poor UPS man has been here every day, sometimes twice a day for two weeks now.

I feel like I should get him something.  It’s gotta suck when your busiest time of the year at work is also stressful and chaotic in your normal life.  I don’t know how they do it, but I’m appreciative of them out there delivering my packages when it’s cold and snowy and yucky outside.

And why did the founders of UPS decide on brown and yellow for colors?  It’s so boring.

So, anyway, the gifts are mailed.  Except to the boy’s nephews.  I forgot that I had picked up something little for them and didn’t realize it until I was wrapping up the gifts for those that live in the area.  It was really bothering me that there were no presents under the tree, so I wrapped them up this morning.

So, I’m going to have to go back to the post office.  But that’s okay.  I have time.

And the tree is decorated.  We did that last night and it’s gorgeous.  The presents under the tree are a nice touch as well.

The boy’s gifts are wrapped as well, but they aren’t under the tree.  They are in a box in the craft room because Santa will bring them Christmas Eve when he brings everything else.

So, all that’s left to wrap are the things for my kids and his kids.

No, I realize that it doesn’t sound like a lot, but I went Christmas crazy again with the kids and so it will take some time.

But I have FIFTEEN days to get it all done.

Know what I hate about being on top of things and done early?

Typically, I finish up Christmas Eve with everything which means that I get to be a kid and open and celebrate a few hours, eight at most, later.

But now?

I have to wait FIFTEEN WHOLE DAYS.

That just sucks.

So maybe I’ll wait until Christmas Eve and go out and buy the stocking stuffers.

Or maybe I’ll go get them this weekend like I had planned and for once, know what it’s like to have a stress free Christmas.

Then I can know and decide how I’ll handle things next year…

Until next time…