Here we go again! So much to do, and so little time
to do it.
My third Christmas on the net.
The shopping - That
was my parking place! I know they hire sales clerks, don't they? Does every
one wear the same size? After all they always have every size other than
the one I'm looking for. We won't speak of the budget
or lack of same.
'98 update - Can you say Furby?
Boy am I glad I started locating them back in October.
The kids and grandkids
- Their vocabulary turns into two words, "I want". However, that's OK,
for they will learn the true meaning
of Christmas.
The decorations
- People that have the greatest taste in decorating, 11 months a year,
appear to loose it during the Holiday season. Just how many lights can
you put on one house? Then there is the rule of physics, a 8 foot tree
will not fit in a room with a 7 foot ceiling. Then there is of course the
untangling of the lights, wondering how that well wrapped blown glass ornament
got broken. Has any one ever figured how much time and energy is spent
bringing the decorations down from the attic, putting everything up, taking
it down and replacing to the attic?
Homemade stuff - For
some reason, many folks get the urge to start new craft projects, and use
new recipes for the holiday season. Of course, they had 11 months to learn,
practice, and finish these projects, but everyone waits to the busiest
time of year to start them.
The animals -
Sumic is in the tree again!! What was that crash, opps forgot to tie the
tree up. Now lets think about this, dogs
and trees in living room together, Hmmmmmm.
'97 update - Sumic died this past
November, However I can count on FF to bring the tree down, if given a
chance. With any luck the snakes will stay in their tanks.
'98 update - Sumic now has a new
friend, "Cotton". With FF being almost 15 pounds of kitty, and Cotton still
being a kitten. Christmas decorations will be hung high this year!
Ohhhh the Food - One of
the few American sports that every one loves to participate in, "Eating".
Roasted turkey, turkey sandwiches, turkey with noodles, turkey with anything.
Why does the turkey last for days, but there is never a piece of pie the
next day? The odds of your oven going out is in direct relation to how
many people you promised your special dish
to.
'98 update - Well last year I ended the season having
made 17 baskets of goodies, that included
over 100 pounds of homemade candy. Would you like to guess what everyone
is expecting this year?
The parties can be so interesting and fun.
People whose names you can't remember.
Finding a conversational topic.
Well in the old days, you asked about the Cubs or the weather. Now its,
"Are you on the net?".
'97 update - Now you ask, "What's
your e-mail address?" After all everyone is online now! Can you say "Flat
rate"?
'98 update - If I hear another "Clinton
" joke I'll scream! Rumor has it the company my other half works for is
going to try a new idea for the Christmas Party this year: $50 a couple,
that includes one free drink. Excuse me, but I always thought Company Sponsored
Christmas parties were meant to be their gift to employees, not a for-pay
function. Guess who won't be going?
The lack of sleep. The brain
is fried. No one is hiring, or
even wanting to meet with you. This can be a problem when your job is finding
jobs for people with a disability.
'97 update - The "org." I worked
for cut my program due to lack of money. Nine years of helping people with
disabilities, now I'm a full time webmaster. (still help people every way
I can)
'98 Between hunting Furby's and
running the Elf Alert page, not only is
the brain fried, so is the body.
The disasters - the word
"disaster" describes the condition of my house. The last class
is finished December 7, the fire pager
works overtime, and still looking for that special Star
Trek gift for mom.
97 update - Taking this season
off from disaster work, unless they run short of volunteers. So the house
looks a little better.
So the house is a mess, the brain has quit working, I'll
just grab a big mug of Coffee, sit
down in front of Mac, and work
on my humble page. Thinking
about how warm and relaxing it is in the Caribbean.
'97 update - OK so the house is
still a bit of a mess, with 6 tanks of fish, 2 snakes, 2 tanks of rats,
1 cat, and 1 dog . It's my body that has quit working.
'98 update - Well at least the dog
went back to his home, of course the new kitty more than makes up for him.
The house will always be a mess, I give up! II can write a whole page of
tips and tricks to make the season easier, but never take my own advice.
So many people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
-
Its a time of love and caring.
-
Its the time to set aside differences, and forgive.
-
If you are lucky enough to have a little extra, share. For
not everyone is so lucky.
-
Its a time to remember the people we have loved and lost.
For this is the World Wide Web. Your race, religion, age,
financial situation, or even the country you live in, doesn't matter for
everyone is truly equal.
I wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday - no matter what you
call it.
'97 update - This may never change.
'98 update - I do have one little
extra wish: Take the time to help someone else less fortunate than yourself.
As of 11/24/98 this site is receiving over 9,000 hits a day, and only 3
to 5 visitors a day ever visit the Elf pages on helping
others. It makes me wonder.
Robin