Merry Christmas People...

Gifting Extended Family

Growing up, my family was never been huge on buying Christmas gifts. We did it, but it wasn't a huge deal - one inexpensive gift per person. It's even less of a deal with Chainwhip, but that's another story.

Every year for quite a few years now, I've been in charge of buying gifts for my cousins. I only have four... that celebrate Christmas. The other four in China don't really count since I've only met them once. Is that fair? And a few years ago I whittled down my cousin list two by enacting a no gifts over the age of 30 rule. Well, I also took into consideration the fact that those cousins hadn't bought my brother and I gifts for years anyway.

So now I'm left with just two lovely sun-kissed California cousins. Every year I hunker down with my computer and buy their gifts online. It's an interesting endeavor because I hardly know them. You'd think it'd be difficult to buy gifts for relatives you hardly know, but it's actually fun.

What do I get them? Well, I get them what I would want! Since I have no other criteria (except for maybe age appropriateness), the golden standard is me! And it's fun having the license to buy gifts for me, especially when the me is too cheapo to buy gifts for me-self.

Will they like the gifts? I don't know... and I'll probably never really know. Heck there's no pressure at all because they don't even live in my state, and I see them maybe once every 5 years. At best.

I have to admit, though, that I sent them gift cards for many years in a row. And maybe they enjoyed the gift cards more than the random gifts I buy them now, but it's not nearly as fun for me.

And in case you're curious, I purchased this year's gifts from UncommonGoods. They have lots of nifty goodies. So gals, if you're reading this, your gifts are on the way. Merry Christmas! I enjoyed gifting you :)

Neglect and Happenings

I know I have been neglecting all of my faithful readers. Or at least my one self-professed faithful reader. (Thanks Karen!) I do have a backlog of interesting things to write about - health articles, food thoughts and more. But, alas, I am little motivated. I'm not sure why.

Maybe it's because I've been wrapped up in preparations for the holiday. We're planning on a real, live Christmas tree this year, and the dumpling and I have started crafting ornaments to decorate the tree.

Maybe it's because Mr. Happy has decided to have a little playtime IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREAKING NIGHT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! And I'm tired.

Or maybe it's because I'm just a lazy bum.

As a consolation prize, here's a list of KKRRR happenings in the last few weeks.

* After being tired of disappointing restaurant, Chainwhip and I dined at the faithful Seastar Restaurant in Bellevue. And the food was divine.

* The parents returned from their Mediterranean cruise with exciting photos. My mother declared Corinth as her favorite destination - increasing my state of jealousy.

* Among the other fanciful ideas I often create, I've decided to amass a personal cookbook of favorite recipes. I haven't started.

* I tried really hard to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but I couldn't overcome the disappointment when the dumpling came down with a fever and we had to nix our plan to go to a friend's house for dinner. The following days were much better.

* We started to seriously look at a couple of adoption agencies. I'll choose one before the end of the year and start the application process.

* Christmas preparations have begun including crafting new decorations and brainstorming dishes for Christmas dinner. So far my mother and I have agreed that we want roast duck. We'll buy it.

* I listened to president elect Obama say way too many uh's this morning.

Happy December!