Decorating… check.
Baking… sorta check. Still cookies to make.
Gifts and cards… also sorta check. Still have to wrap a few gifts.
House ready for company… check as soon as I get all the wrapping paper and bits of ribbon off the guest bed.
Now to just close down my office for the rest of this week. Company arrives later this evening and staying until Friday. Christmas Day festivities at my house on Thursday with the rest of the family still in this area. I am right and truly blessed to be able to celebrate with most of my kids.
Thinking back to Christmases past, I have such wonderful memories of when the kids were little, my husband and I were young, and our house was a bedlam of Christmas fun each year. That’s what these kinds of holiday celebrations are all about. Making memories that become like Hallmark moments that live in our hearts.
Keeping in mind that that some of the best memories carry more than a hint of humor.
In fact, I dare say that humor always trumped sweet in our house, and I suspect that is true for my friend, Slim Randles, who can spin humor with the best of them; as illustrated in this story about poor ol’ Dud. Enjoy!
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When it comes to romantic flops, it’s hard to beat ol’ Dud. He and Anita have been married for about five years now, but sometimes we question why she puts up with him. He has all the courtship skills of a flea collar.
“Dud Campbell,” Anita said the other night, “what are you getting me for Christmas?”
“Now Honey, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?”
“That means you haven’t bought it yet, doesn’t it?”
“Well, I won’t say I have and I won’t say I haven’t, but, uh, don’t get in that cupboard out in the garage now.”
“I won’t, Dud,” she said, purring.
Ten minutes later, Dud was flipping his coffee cup upright and sliding into his place in the line of scrimmage at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop.
“I’m dead meat, guys,” he said.
We inquired as to why this emotional putrefaction should be setting in, and he said, “I don’t have anything for Anita for Christmas. And I have no idea what to get her.”
“Let’s look at this scientifically for a moment,” said Steve. “What kinda stuff does she like?”
“Uh … well … “
“You don’t know, do you?” said Doc.
“Not a clue.”
“Does she read? You can pick up a couple of books.”
“I don’t know. I never really paid attention.”
“Does she knit?”
“Knit what?”
“Never mind.”
“I got it,” said Herb Collins. “You can get her a gift certificate to a store and let her pick out her own gift.”
“She said if I ever did anything so insensitive, she’d brain me with a skillet.”
So Dud headed home, only to find the garage door open and Anita standing there holding his brand-new Homelite XL Chainsaw. He only had time enough to mumble “Our father…” when Anita set it down gently and flung herself in his arms.
“Oh Honey, how did you know I wanted a Homelite XL with automatic oiler and a 16-inch bar? I couldn’t help myself. I looked in the cupboard and found it. It’s just what I’ve always wanted.”
“Well, Darlin’,” Dud said in his most debonair voice, “I do try to be sensitive to your needs.”
Brought to you by the Homelite XL Chainsaw, which fended off the Alaska cold for ten years for this family. Found at Home Depot and Wal-Mart.
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I do hope you are more aware of what folks you are buying gifts for might like and if any of those wishes might be for books, check out the huge sale at Smashwords. All my ebooks from Next Chapter Publishing are available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale, and there are many more titles to choose from on the site. I snagged a few for myself, as I do like to get books for Christmas, or any time for that matter.
Some books are free, with others discounted as much as 75%. Sale ends Jan 1.
That’s all from me, folks. I do hope your preparations are going well for however you will be celebrating these wonderful winter holidays. Or summer holidays if you live in the Southern Hemisphere. Take care. Be safe. Be happy.