KeEp ThAt TuRkEy StUfFed TiLl JaNuArY!

Okay. I have been very busy today trying to organize myself for Christmas card season. Yes - I do mean Christmas card season. The preparation and creativity that goes into getting the cards out, and dealing with what comes in makes this GINORMOUS. An event this big should theoretically be a season in it's own. Infact, it is my whole hearted belief that this task should be removed from the Christmas calendar of event completely, and relegated into November instead.

If we made a seaon out of it, losers like my sis and myself would never be late with our Christmas cards again! Infact, she and I have both been so late with our card mailings that we have left fully addressed stacks of cards unmailed. (TIP FOR LATE MAILERS - Never date your cards. Just in case!)

I'm tellin' ya: November 1 to 15 "CHRISTMAS CARD SEASON"
The Deal - You must have all your cards addressed and mailed by the 15th. No exceptions
The Penalty - You phone number goes out to ever telemarketer on the block. Not stiff enough to keep you inline? Fine. Nothing but 'PeNissss EnlarrrrrgeeeeMent - Freeee3' emails in your email box for the next year. ;)

Side Note of Worth: Corie was so late mailing her wedding invites, people that were invited, close family members were not sure if they were invited! It's a disease. From the 'Wharry' side. :)

I have been at this Christmas Card prep for about four hours now. I have yet to even crack open the box of Christmas cards. To shorten a long store and bridge what is my most important takeaway from this experience, here is a rundown of my time management through the process:

1. Turn on CPU (why I don' know...I'm hand writing them. Just seems necessary for some reason.)
2. Begin 'Address Book Search Olympiad 2005'. This happened last year too. It always takes approximately 1 hr. before it dawns on me to check the places where I stash my 'card writing paraphenailia'. Ahhh - new record this year. 1 hr. 38 mins. Nice. Where was it? On top of 3 unused boxed of Xmas cards.
3. Took place in midst of A.B.S. Olympics: Begin handwriting all addresses anew.
4. Ditch step 3 - who the hell handwrites anymore? Get the PDA desktop open and start writing down contact names
5. Go to the sources that would have the larges selections on hand to cover off your list. Leave messages. Those buggers aren't home - they aren't beggining their xmas card fiasco until December 12th. (Poor Aunt Susie in Texas. Receives all her Canadian xmas cards for Boxing day...)
6. Idea! Add some new names that deserve to see your finely selected xmas card offering (If only they could also share the glee of knowing that this fine selection was also bought in January on sale. AND IT WAS A STEAL!)
7. Reminisce about the elbowing and black eye earned while flinging xmas cards around the table at Chaprter with the other Boxing Day shoppers. Get a twinkle in your eye as you plan your attack on your fellow bargain hunters this year... (Pssst....where do I buy brass knuckles and mace?)
8. Have an epiphany as you recollect your assortment of Christmas Card Trophies... I mean selections. Maybe....you left the address book among the cards from last years 'Christmast Card Festivities'.
9. Dance with Glee as you clutch the beloved book with the addresses you seek.
10. Swear profusely as all your Hello Kitty and tropical fish stickers fall out. (Yes, I know I am not 9 anymore)
11. Race back to your warm and welcoming computer. Begin to enter addresses.
12. Also enter birthdays for every contact. You need to get all over birthdays again this year. You used to be the walking calendar.
13. Feel ashamed of you lack of follow through - as you see a couple years of old birthday cards peek out of the address book (It's also an organizer - not that it's helped of late.)
14. Go back and set alarms for each entry. Now you will be able to wish everyone a brthday 7 days in advance. Oh you superiour Monkey you!
15. Notice that January is the only month without a single event in it.....
16. Decide to spend another hour blogging about point 15....

KEEPIN' IT REAL (REAL STUFFED THAT IS!)

So Here we are at the point of this blog finally.

I have an absolutely SMASHING IDEA!!!!!!!!

It requires audience participation. Well. Only from one of you. Ahem...specifically the Cubmeister. All Corie needs to do is keep herself stuffed with my nephew until January. She's due the middle of December, but hey - what is 2 or three more weeks? Nothing! The little 'Ty Guy' is all homey in his cozy womb. He can camp out a bit longer! Like I'm not saying far into January. I mean...26 is my favourite number...but like I don't wanna be selfish here.

Oh - I know! We need a goal. Since we are now aiming for January (You've agreed right Cor?)- let's be the first baby of 2006!!! And we can have the Herald and the Sun photographers in the delivery room as Cubby shoots the little guy out!!! What the hell - we can even invite the radio station. This is the first baby of 2006 - we gotta go big or go home right!?

Man I am pumped for this. I've forgotten all about the Xmas card festivities by this point. I am moving on to planning mode for Tyler's 'Coming out of the Cub Party' WoooHooo!!!!!

Hey Cor - I'll call Cjay for you and request Gerry Forbes to be in attendance. You better tell Kerry and his Mom that there's not gonna be space in the room for them. ;-)

Love Ya!

>^..^<