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INSERT BUC-EE PRESENT WRAPPED

Wow, we're really almost there.  This morning Maddie got yet another gift from Santa Buc-ee, and it was actually a really great one.  Take a look!

INSERT BUC-EE PUZZLE

She got a Buc-ee's jigsaw puzzle, a 1000-piece one.  It might take a while, but nowhere near as long as the one we just finished.  Today was a day of last minute work.  I was actually in the office for a bit, and the plan was to get some things lined up for the first Sunday of the year at KidPak, but we did a few other things instead, such as give and open various Christmas gifts.  

I got home in time to pick up Mom, the two of us heading to Cracker Barrel for a pick-up.  Once again, we're getting our Christmas meal catered, and that should make things easier for Mom on Christmas Day.  We looked around inside for a few items, but Mom didn't see the sweater that she was wanting anymore - they were out of her size.  What a bummer.  But Santa knows that Mom has been good all year, and Santa made a dash over to Cracker Barrel for this very same sweater while Maddie was at taekwondo on Friday.  That was a bonkers trip, and I'm so glad I made it - Mom was looking at that sweater twice now.  Third time's the charm though, as she'll open that on Christmas morning.  Tee-hee!

So Mom and I also went shopping at Kirkland's a bit after that.  We ran into Mrs. Diane Callahan there, the amazing founder of Gainesville Ballet.  Very random meeting, but it was nice to see her.  She recognized us, and we talked for a few moments before resuming our shopping.  Mom and I were there for some candles, but we also picked up a great reindeer mug.  I mean wow.  I love this thing.  It's so over-the-top!  

So I was doing a lot of wrapping today, but Maddie did a ton of it.  She was wrapping while we were out shopping, and I'm super grateful for that, because it takes me a while to do that sort of thing.  Mom was getting things together for food today, but she also did something really awesome.

INSERT BEDROOM TREE PICS HERE

She decorated our bedroom tree with lights and ornaments, and it looks wonderful.  These are the cardinals and birdhouses from our tree we decorated at the botanical gardens one year, and another tree a little later.  The result is nice, a great looking tree for our room.

INSERT FINISHED PUZZLE PIC HERE

We all finished the puzzle, and that was a challenge.  But we overcame and did it!  Yay, us!  Now we can quickly clear it so that we can get the dining room table all nice and decorated.  

INSERT PICTURES OF DINING ROOM HERE

And doesn't it look magnificent!  Mom's new Christmas plates are just gorgeous, and the entire table is just a beautiful thing to look at.  It's what we always wanted, and it's just a really beautiful place right now.  We can't wait for everyone to come over again to enjoy it.

I did do some more walking on the treadmill, and I finished "Rocky III," another great entry in the Rocky series.  I was remembering this stuff as I went along - it's been so long since I've seen these movies.  The fun thing is that I'm getting to "Rocky IV" on Christmas Eve, which of course is "a Christmas movie."  Meaning, part of it takes place during Christmas, so does that make it a Christmas movie?  Sure, why not?  Meanwhile, I got about three miles on that virtual trail to the Forbidden City.

Tonight's feature was "Hogfather," which all three of us enjoyed again.  We're still reading it - in fact, tonight we almost finished.  I think there's ten pages left.  But the movie follows the book fairly closely.  Yes, there are variations, but they're not many.  It's a good movie, and it just makes me want to hang out in the Discworld some more.

After reading, it was time for bed.  We're pretty wiped out, and can you believe it?  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!