'Twas the Night Before Christmas . . .

Well, technically, it's the afternoon before Christmas, and all is relatively quiet in the house. Except for the cats who are doing laps. I took a half day at work today, had a nice lunch with my fiend Kathy, bought one last final gift, and thought I'd sit down for a few before ousting Sophie from my overnight bag, so I can pack my warm fuzzies and Teddy, so I can go out to Wadesville for Christmas Eve/Day with the 'Rents.

The last couple of years, I AND the cats have gone out to Wadesville for Christmas, but last year seemed to be overly traumatic for Gizmo, so I figured my present to them this year would be that I'd let them stay home for the holidays. Besides, carting their litter box around is quite a chore.

So far this has been a very nice Christmas. I and most all of my friends decided to give each other time for Christmas. Becky and I went out for a nice dinner together and then over to her new home for a nice long chat. Jennifer and I went out for Garlic Chicken - in our continuing quest for the perfect Garlic Chicken - and shopping. Kathy and I had a nice sit down lunch today. Since none of us really NEED anything, this way we all got something we wanted, and the sizes and colors were perfect!

Yesterday I gave Steve (Boss #1) his present - a Pittsburgh Steelers Mr. Potato Head - he's a Steelers fan, duh. And I think it was well received. He immediately went into his office and put it together - it's sitting on his desk. I gave Carrie (Boss #2) her present - a beautiful snowglobe - today. So the only gifts I have left to give are for mom and dad. Christmas is really hard on me. I'm one of those weirdos who, after getting a gift for someone, HATES having to wait to give it to them. I've had Steve's Mr. Potato Head wrapped and under my desk for 3 weeks and it's been horrible... well, he was in Baltimore for a good part of that, but once he came back it was horrible!! :)

Well, I've rambled long enough. I suppose I should oust Sophie and pack my toys into my little red wagon and head west. Although I feel sort of guily leaving the kids here by themselves. I know they'll be happier.

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family. Merry Christmas!

Dad's Oncologist Appointment

I just got back from going to the oncologist with the 'Rents this morning. The reason for the appt was because dad's nephrologist (?) said his problems going wee were cancer related, not bladder related. And then dad was in the hospital last month. So, the neph told the onc that it was time to start chemo.

We asked a lot of questions, got satisfying answers, and long story short, they'll insert a port in dad's chest first of the year (so they don't have to keep bothering veins) and then start chemo - about an hour once a week for a couple of months to see if it's going to help the wee problem. If the chemo does what we hope it does, it'll shrink the prostate and take pressure off of the tube thingee that goes from the bladder, thru the prostate, to the sea (so to speak), and he'll be able to wee w/o the catheter - in fact, his PSA levels are so low, that really whether or not he can wee will be the only way to tell if it's working. This particular chemo is NOT supposed to make him sick, or tired, or lose his already-thinning hair. After several weeks, he'll probably get tired and worn out, but..

We really like this doctor - he's down to earth and willing to just sit there and talk to us and answer our questions over and over again until we understand. I know I understand things better.

Christmas 2008 - halfway there...

So as of today, I am finished with my Christmas cards. I have all my presents bought; although there are a couple that need wrapping still, but do you know how hard it is to wrap with a cat in the house?!? Today was our firm's Christmas luncheon at the Kennel Club. I thought I might not be able to go because my father had an appointment with the oncologist today, but since we were blessed with some ice and since dad isn't all that stable, physically, at least... hahahaha. Where was I? Oh, yes, it's been rescheduled for tomorrow. So I was able to go to the luncheon. I enjoy going to these things - you get to sit and talk with people who you normally don't see much. And today, the food was pretty stinkin' good! (A couple of years ago, the pecan-encrusted chicken breast was tougher than shoe leather)

So tomorrow, I'll be leaving work about 10-ish to go to the oncologist with mom and dad and hopefully get some answers as to why dad's bladder appears to have gone on permanent strike. People keep asking me what I'd like for Christmas. I hate to be sappy, but I'd like dad's cancer to disappear and for the big strong daddy of my childhood memories to come back to us. Failing that, I just pray that the oncologist has some positive answers and suggestions. Pardon me as I wipe away a couple of tears. sigh..

Hopefully, after the appointment, dad'll feel like going out to lunch. Today is mom's birthday - and it occurs to me that I'm a horrible daughter... I talked to mom on the phone today and didn't mention her birthday or sing happy birthday to her. I'll have to call her here in a couple of minutes. There's a Los Bravos really close to the doctor's office, maybe we can have some queso dip (yum) and celebrate mom's birthday. I'm packin' her birthday loot around in my bag. Since dad hasn't been going anywhere without mom since he got out of the hospital a month ago, I'm doing his shopping and wrapping. Frankly, I think I deserve a medal for not opening and watching her Mamma Mia DVD!

Friday is our support staff luncheon and Secret Santa identifying. My secret pal suggested a scarf and gloves as a gift for her. If I had a wee bit o extra time, I'd have quick like a bunny knitted her a scarf. I can do scarfs really well. But I suppose that if I were to pick up my needles and start knitting and purling, I really ought to finish the pillow I started for my parents... or the other sock to match the sock I gave my mother last Christmas. Sigh..

Dear Santa,

Hello, it's that time of year again, where all good little girls and boys write to you with their Christmas wishes. I've been very good this year. Well, let's put it this way, I don't think there were any witnesses and no charges have been pressed, as of yet. I do have a passport now, however, and I am compiling a list of countries without extradition treaties with the US in case I have to make a run for it. Either way, as far as you're concerned, I think I fit your criteria for "good little girl," although I am not "little" in ANY sense of the word. Where was I?

Looking back at all my Christmas wishes over the years... BTW, thank you for the new fuzzy bunny slippers last year, the old ones were getting rather holey... But bunny slippers aside, I'm thinking that my priorities may have been slightly askew for some of the last 40 years, and hope to rectify those mistakes this year. Therefore, in no particular order, what follows is my Christmas list for 2008.

1) Better Eyesight - I know, it's not like I'm blind or anything. And thank God for the vision I DO have, but I'd like to be able to NOT have to fumble for the glasses each morning and I'd like to NOT have to remove the contacts each night. Ok, every other night. Don't get me wrong, I'm adorable in my current glasses - after years of Coke-bottle thick lenses, technology at least has given me that much. But just think how pretty my peepers would be without the vague "hey wait while my eyes focus on you or whatever you're holding" expression that shows up frequently. So, some Lasik surgery would be appreciated. Or some hunky eye surgeon who falls for me and offers to fix my eyesight and marry me all in one romantic swoop! :)

B) Minions/Henchmen - The villains on the old Batman TV show always had henchmen. The bad guys in James Bond movies always have henchmen following their evil whims and machinations. I want someone to do stuff for me. It doesn't have to be evil stuff - after all, I try to use my powers for good and not evil. (See first paragraph re: my "good girl" status.) But like the villains, there are things that need done and I just don't want to get my hands dirty. Like the laundry. Or mailing my latest Netflix movie back, so I can get the next one on my queue. And if said minion is hunky and falls for me and offers to keep me in the style to which I could easily become accustomed, mores the better!

Thirdly, Retirement - I told Steve (boss #1) a couple of years ago that my professional goal was to retire by the age of 42... 42 being my favorite number. I told him this with the thought that he, as my boss and a partner in the firm, could assist me in my goal by giving me whopping raises each year. Well, Steve has this insane idea that I'll work with him until HE retires and he's FOUR YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME!! So he isn't going out of his way to help my cause. Although I've gotten nice raises, they aren't boosting me toward the million dollar mark that I'd like to be at by now, and what with the economy in the dumper, I need help of a higher nature... I know several people who are retired and they thoroughly enjoy it, so I'm thinking that I could enjoy the heck out of not having to go to work all the time. I mean, I enjoy my job, and wouldn't mind working a few hours a week to keep my hand in, but .. I'm sure you know what I mean. YOU only work one day a year, am I right? Anywho... retirement would me to the next item on my list...

D) Time - specifically, to do what I'd like to do. I have books that I've never read. I have DVD's I haven't watched. I have a pillow and a sock that I really need to finish knitting. One of my memories of my grandmother is the bookshelves that she had filled with books that she never read. Her comment was that she'd read them when she retired. I don't know if she ever did. But if I could retire at 42, and if I had the good vision (see #1), I could start working on those books. One of the good results from the recent writers strike was that I had time to catch up on some of the shows I'd Tivo'd.

Finally, I think I'd like to have someplace to take that passport - Ideally, an English-speaking place, because my year of French in high school and my 2 semesters of Italian in college can't even help me figure out crossword puzzle answers. Although I am pretty good at Italian restaurant menus.

Well, Santa, as I'm not a greedy goober, I'll stop right there. I'll go bake some cookies and put them under the tree for you. I hope you don't mind the occasional cat hair - they are a wee bit unavoidable with Sophie in the house. Just consider it her love offering. She probably wouldn't mind a few less hairballs in the upcoming year. And Gizmo, well, you know Gizmo, he has simple tastes. He's just happy with a never-ending supply of plastic milk rings.
Merry Christmas, lovies, Rose