A link-ful post

First, let's just get this out of the way: It's THREE degrees outside. But that's good for you folks, because it means the longer I stay in my nice cozy apartment typing, the longer I don't have to go outside and get frostbitten.

As originally seen on NancyNall.com, and later in my forwarded e-mail to friends and family who I thought would find it amusing, not offensive, I bring you: A "kitchilicious" Christmas, as Sal dubbed it.

Speaking of Sal, he's helpfully provided this link for your further enjoyment.

My three (or is it four, now?) readers may have noticed my lack of blogging lately. It's not because I hate you all. I've been busy.

Last week, it was this: The Nutcracker. My boyfriend's mother invited me to see the show at the gorgeous Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne. Her friend's daughter was one of the children who had been invited to dance with the Moscow Ballet for the Fort Wayne show. I was really excited, because I've always loved ballet, but had never seen the Nutcracker before except on TV. (I'd only been to one ballet -- Sleeping Beauty.)

The show was really beautiful, although I've always found the storyline of the Nutcracker to be a little trippy. My favorite part of the experience was seeing all the little girls who had come to watch, all dressed up, and especially the little girls who were dancing. It took me back to my days as a hopeful ballerina (about ages 7 - 11)... before I realized I had no coordination at all. Just as well, because I'm just slightly too tall to dance with a partner anyway. Alas. I went on from the ballerina years to have a distinguished softball career of about four seasons as a right-fielder. (Where my sister, the pitcher, would always catch me pirouetting in the outfield.) But I digress.

Anyway, the ballet was nice, and the boyfriend's mom gave me a nutcracker to remember the occasion. All together now -- Aww. :) As soon as those male dancers came out in their white tights and pink shirts, we were very grateful we'd left our manly, football-watching men at home. (Although not as grateful, probably, as the men were!)

In other news -- my Christmas shopping is almost done! OK, I'd understand if you hate me now, but in my defense, let me just say that it wasn't easy. I knew I didn't have much free time before the holiday, so when I realized I had nothing to do this Sunday afternoon, I had to jump on the opportunity. There aren't many good shopping opportunities in our small town, so I knew I'd have to make the 20-minute journey through the snow to the metropolis of strip malls that is Fort Wayne.

I descended on the mall around 2 p.m. with a sort of blitzkrieg strategy -- i.e., speed is of the essence, take no prisoners. For the first 20 minutes, I hit about five stores, walking away from all empty-handed. (Frankly, I felt like a big loser, walking around the mall with no shopping bags. Everyone else had them!) But soon my luck changed and by the time I left the mall, I had shopping bags from 8 stores... had already made one exchange (found something better)... and it'd only been two hours. Onward to Dick's Sporting Goods across the street, where I was looking for a particular item requested by my brother. Unfortunately the not-so-helpful Dick's didn't have it in his size, but they told me the Dick's on the other side of town did. Now 4:30 p.m.

This is where things got a little tricky, as I was supposed to stop by the office in downtown Fort Wayne at 6 to drop off my laptop for software updates, and then meet boyfriend and his family a few blocks away for his little brother's holiday concert at 7. There were still a few crucial items on my list that I wanted to get before I left Fort Wayne. First stop, Borders. You have to understand, I've never, NEVER, been able to dash into a Borders, or any bookstore, and not browse, just a little. But I was a woman on a mission. I saw the book I needed on the second table in the store, and made a beeline for the nearest cashier with my blinders on. Mission accomplished; time, approximately 4:45. Next mission -- returning a purchase made a couple weeks earlier to Target, down the street, pick up some wrapping paper and other items. Mission accomplished, time, approximately 5 p.m.

I made the 15-min. trip to the southside (OK, Jefferson Blvd.) Dick's, which had said it would hold my brother's gift for 48 hours. Got there, and the four (FOUR!) cashiers who were standing around doing nothing were like, "Uh, we don't have one on hold... uh... we can't find it... uh." Son of a... Finally, I gave up on the customer service desk and marched over to the section of the store that sold what I was looking for... and there was an entire rack of them. Hell-O! Idiots.

I had time to grab some dinner (Arby's) and head to the office, where they told me they weren't ready for my upgrades, but I could leave my laptop there, which I did, after wolfing down my dinner. Now I had 45 minutes before I needed to meet the Boyfriend & Co., so I headed to the nearest grocery store and actually got my grocery shopping done as well. And was early to the Christmas concert.

Now THAT is what I call an afternoon of shopping. The Christmas list is nearly wiped out... the checkbook is still in the black... and I have blisters on my feet. I challenge any of you to try and top my success. ;)

Anyway... that was a really long story with no particular point, I know, but I was (and remain) immensely proud of myself. Gotta get ready for work now! (Late start today, because I have to cover City Council tonight... aren't you jealous of my exciting life?)

* Sidenote, to anyone who's from "around here" -- remember when they had the ice skating rink in Glenbrook Mall? I miss that! :(