elf story

Yesterday, I took an hour in the morning to wrap some gifts.

Tall son was due to come home from college last night, and I was using his room to gather paper, scissors, tape, tags, and: gifts. Had it all nicely together, brought out from various hiding places. This year, I gave myself a break - or rather let myself off the hook - and didn't knit things for everyone. Rather, I went shopping here and there, trying to accommodate the moderate wish lists of a teenage daughter and a son in his third year at college; thinking of what relatives might like. I had already brought gifts to Germany when I went there in October, so that part was done.

I proceeded to wrap the gifts, and knew the whole time I was missing something. One gift card. You know, small, practical. The kind where the recipient can fulfill one larger dream or several small ones. I had gotten it a while back.

First I had kept it in my purse, to remind myself that I had it.

Then I thought that I had better take it out of my purse, because what if it fell out somewhere? So I hid it.

When I went to find it yesterday, it wasn't in the spot I thought I had put it. I proceeded to wrap some more gifts, and thought Oh well, it'll turn up.

By the time I had to go to work at our food co-op, putting in a longish shift all the way till 9 pm, I let the matter rest. I was hoping it would just come to me, that I would suddenly recall where I put it. You know how sometimes the more you try to remember something, the less you do remember? But dinner break came and went, and I was none the wiser. Just more tired. By the time work was finished, I still had no clue.

Crafty Girl was at a friend's house, Tall Son had run out to meet some friends. Once again, I was safely ensconced back in his room, wrapping. I was nearly done. (Not that the pile was so huge. It takes me longer than the average elf to wrap gifts because it is not one of my strong suits. I will never be able to get a job at the Macy's gift wrapping department.)

That dratted card! I needed to find it. Dear husband had by now picked up Crafty Girl. She sat up reading. Where was the card? Everyone was giving me blank stares, including the cat. I finally ran out of places in the house to look, so I went into our bedroom, where dear husband had already gone to bed. Sorry honey, I need to turn the light back on. Can't find a gift card in the dark.

By 11:30 pm, my dresser drawers were very nicely organized. I found socks I thought I had lost, old pantyhose is now in the trash (can't even remember when I last wore hose.)  But that card? Still elusive. Hubby snored on.

On to the next drawer-- I was determined, or delirious from being tired, I couldn't tell the difference. That card must be found.



is he laughing at me?



Another set of drawers cleaned out (do I really need to hold on to old sweaters?)

1 am. I finally find the card. Bottom drawer. The last place I was going to look of course. I wrap it up quick, clean up the room, go brush my teeth. The front door clicks downstairs, Tall Son is home. No, I didn't stay up for you, I promise.

Two more days til Christmas. I made a mealplan days ago.

Now where did I put that grocery list?