On top of that, we got stocking stuffers for Kirstin, and stuff for Jim, Kathy, Bill, Forest's cousins, and a few others. I like giving gifts as a couple when we've honestly both picked it out together. We both thought about each person, and searched for things we could afford that would make them happy, at least in a temporary warm-fuzzy sort of way.
I think I'm in good shape to get Kirstin's shopping done this weekend, while Forest and I are in Chicago. Then I can tie up a few loose ends (specifically Forest's stocking) when Shelly and I go out on Christmas Eve.
It was interesting to get to know Forest's mom. She made dinner for us at her house before we went out, and showed me pictures of him when he was little. He was sooooo cute! He thinks I'm nuts, but I guess everyone's a little embarrassed by their moms showing off their childhood photos. I try to preempt my mother by making sure people see all the really bad ones before she has the chance to tell the story that goes along with them.
I just found out that my main Christmas present for Forest isn't going to be in until the 28th. This is my first experience doing gift shopping on the internet, and I must say, I'm disappointed. I ordered way back in mid-November, at which time they had trouble running my credit card, and didn't tell me so until December 8. So I re-ordered on the 8th, giving them the corrected number, and called on the phone to make SURE the order was in correctly. I hadn't heard from them by the 13th, so I called, and the guy on the phone assured me everything would be ready in plenty of time, and that I would receive confirmation of shipment the same day. I still hadn't heard anything today, so I called to check on it. They had trouble with my credit card again, this time they had the wrong expiration date. So I corrected them, and made them run the card while I tied up their busy phone lines, to be sure it went through. Of course it did. Then Adrian, my helpful associate, informs me that unfortunately my gift would have had to make a flight in Utah this afternoon, and there was no chance he could get it there on time. So it's going to be late. I guess I'll have to invent some really cool way to present it to Forest on Christmas morning. Maybe I will just wrap up a huge box, and leave a slip of paper in it that says "to be continued". Grrrr.
Tonight I'm going out to get my sister Laura's gift, and look for something for my dad and stepmom. They are very difficult to shop for, and I have no ideas yet this year. Perhaps something will reach off the shelf and grab my attention.
