That would be Sunday and Monday to the uninitiated.
Since it’s late Monday I am going to breeze through what we accomplished on Sunday though it is amazing. And historic.
On Sunday morning we decided to go to Grass Valley to do advent shopping. I know, some are unfamiliar with advent. Some have heard of advent calendars. Basically, you will receive a gift every day of the advent to Christmas, December 1 to 24. That requires someone, Emily and I, to acquire said gifts. Back to Grass Valley. We decided that’s where we were going to start our advent shopping.
The trip up was so fast. I always forget how close it is. Grass Valley had it rough during the power outages and many merchants are in bad shape. Another good reason to shop there.
Store to store we went, up and down all the streets of downtown. Not saying much, it’s a small downtown. We spent 4 or 5 hours prowling through the stores. This is the historic part, we managed to complete advent for both kids and Carly. 72 gifts. Lots of looking. A lot of pain. In perspective, never before have we finished advent shopping in an afternoon. Usually takes weeks. See? Historic.
The trip home was just as fast or faster than than the trip up. We discovered a Mexican restaurant just 5 miles up 49, which is under 10mins from our house! Can we all say, new taco Tuesday place? Yes we can. Tomorrow, actually.
Great news! Since we now have completed all 3 advents, 72 individual, daily gifts, all we have left to do is wrap them. The joy continues. We got home, sat down and wrapped every one of them. Not a hell of a lot of fun, but we are done in one day. Now I only need about 18 more things for Emily’s advent.
All that was left of our day, after the advent ordeal, was dinner and bed.
Ok. Monday now. Monday is the third day of the holiday but it’s also a weekday too. So lots to do weekday wise but all the benefit of a holiday.
Weekday Monday started as usual. Got up and fed me and the dog. Coffee for the wife. Marika is away for the evening. I went to workout, gym is open 24/7, no excuses. My trainer was there too. She makes no excuses. Although, the workout was holiday like from my perspective, though the trainer thought it was tough. Strange.
After the strenuous workout, I took my car into the shop. Making strange sounds from front end when backing up. Not a normal thing. They need it a few hours to determine and fix it. I caught a shuttle from the repair place to home. Had a nice chat with the shuttle driver. Not sure anyone ever talks to him.
Done and home. Usual weekday get ready. Shower, shave, etc. Snack. Normal morning. Emily was doing much the same.
We are going shopping again today. No more advent. Hardware, craft store, grocery, car wash. The usual.
Off to the stores. At Home Depot I got necessary supplies to hang a closet rod in Marikas closet. There is nothing in there at present and she has a lot of clothing to hang up. Of course buying all the hardware needed to hang it means I have created a job for myself later. Should not be too tough. I am capable of a minor carpentry task.
The craft store was another matter. Emily was in charge of getting her school crap. Of course she refuses to ask for help. I don’t know why. I finally asked for help so I wouldn’t be there all day. After assistance the collection of craft crap moved much faster.
B ack to grocers. We got groceries. Duh. Not sure what anyone expects.
Same goes for the car wash. I can only hope y’all realize we washed a car. That’s about all you can do there. It looks great.
I tried calling the auto repair to see if my car was ready and it wasn’t. Which means, we will be heading home now and prob get home and get the call from the shop and have to turn around right away.
strange, we were home 10 minutes before I got that call. Haha only. It funny. Emily gave me a ride to the shop. My service adviser had gone home early and was not there to help. I was upset until I was told his dad died and he had to leave. I think I have that kind of grace for anything he does.
Car was not broken it turns out. Rock caught between rotor and a rake backing plate. Lots of noise. No damage.
I did not go straight home. Instead I went back to the hardware store for more screws I needed and forgot. I went to the grocers for missed items, then home.
Em was downhill of the house decorating one of the trees on our property. Kinda funny, but cool too. A decorated tree in the middle of nowhere. Not something you see every day. But I will, now. Till January.
We fixed our dinner. Steak and potatoes. Wine. Nice. Now watching TV while Emily snores. Surprisingly, Marika has joined us in the front room. She is glued to her phone but most nights she does that in her room. Some things never change. I may have dessert or not. But bedtime is here. I like bedtime.