December 5, 2021

Boosted (after minor triage) and panic and a wonderful Christmas gift...

Friday I went to our local pharmacy to get my COVID booster.  In typical Gigi fashion, when the in-take person handed the forms I needed to complete around the clear, acrylic barrier, I somehow slammed my hand into said barrier.  I remember that it hurt but didn't think much of it.  Until after I filled out the form, handed it to the nurse and realized that my hand was bleeding profusely, because of course it was.

The kind nurse treated and dressed my wound before giving me the booster.

After Suzanne's last post (HI SUZANNE!), my back of the mind, slow burn panic blossomed into a full blown panic (it's not your fault, Suzanne - I promise) as I looked at the calendar and then looked at the list of gifts thought about and/or purchased. 

I have so unbelievably busy/stressed these past months, coupled with the absence of our regular Thanksgiving completely pushed Christmas off my radar.  This weekend has been an epic push to get gifts landing on my front porch.

Man-Child and his girlfriend came to celebrate "Thanksgiving" yesterday...again salmon was on the menu and it was delightful.  The Husband asked about their Christmas plans.  It seems they are planning to be here for both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning - which is a treat...BUT I was assuming it would be the same as last year - both here for Christmas Eve dinner and her going to her parents after.  With Man-Child following later on Christmas afternoon.

Cue the utter panic of  - I still have my usual people to buy gifts/stocking stuffers for and now I have to add in her? (I would have gotten her a gift, of course, but since she will be here for the opening of gifts on Christmas morning there needs to be several more with her name on them, obviously.  Does Man-Child know her sizes or anything helpful?  He does not. *sigh*).  I'll figure it out.

In the meantime, the person who left me high and dry and supporting way too many people has been replaced!  She starts tomorrow! YAY!  The downside?  I'm expected to be in the office to train her next week...for the entire week.  Which, of course, puts me that much further behind in the Christmas department.  And, honestly?  An entire week?  Luckily, I think, for the most part, it should be just the two of us.

Here's where we all pray, "I hope she is a quick study, capable and not prone to jumping ship after she figures out what she signed up for (I WILL hunt her down if she does)."

Are you smug and all set for the holiday (YAY if you are!) or are you, like me, in full on panic mode?

18 comments:

  1. Oh Gigi, you've been so busy! I'm glad you are getting assistance, I hope the training goes smoothly. Good luck with all your gift shopping. Oh, and I'm so glad you got your booster!

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    1. Thanks, Nicole. Just having that high energy, high maintenance person emailing someone else from now on will be such a relief!

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  2. I was boosted a while back and now I'm glad it's behind me. Sorry you are so stressed, Gigi. I don't "do" Christmas like you do, with just the two of us to think about. We are happy just being together.

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    1. And a quiet, sweet Christmas it will be for you two, I'm sure!

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  3. HI GIGI! I'm so sorry I spread my panic to you! I am hoping that, like in my case, the panic spurs action! I feel MUCH better than I did when I posted that, and I am confident that you have PLENTY of time to get your ducks in a row. (And hoping that your trainee is quick and efficient!) YAY FOR BEING BOOSTED!

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    1. Suzanne, your post didn't spread the panic. It was already there hiding behind a million other things. Your post made me stop, look at the calendar and find my panic. I think after this weekend, I'm in a little better shape and I currently have an Amazon cart and a Target cart packed to the brim...all I have to do is hit "Buy."

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  4. Tis the season to be overwhelmed! I haven't even gotten my Christmas Cards written and sent out, which I usually do the day after Thanksgiving so that my card it always the first received! Now that it's just me, it doesn't seem important. I'm glad you're finally getting help on the work front - that should ease some anxiety at least. Everyone have a happy holiday season with all the love you want.

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    1. I don't know you, but I can tell you that I want to hear from my not-in-a-family-unit friends at Christmas just as much as from anyone who is reporting on their family unit. (which, another annoyance at the people who *only* send pictures of their kids. If I haven't gotten to see you in person for two years, please send a photo of you as well as of the kids. Yes, they're cute. No, they're not the main attraction because my *friend* is the main attraction, even if my friend thinks they themselves are boring or unattractive. Sigh.)

      (which doesn't mean you need to send cards. Sometimes it is The Year To Ditch Things You're Tired Of. But if I was on your list, I'd enjoy getting a photo and letter of just you, even if the letter mostly just charted, say, jam preferences or houseplant growth/death for the year.)

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    2. Just seems more a formality this year since Ken's passing - I don't want to put that in a cheerful card and then I get all pouty with "why can't they send me cards first". My first holiday season alone after 51 years and I figure I've got the right to be underwhelmed with my energy level. But I wish you and yours a much more upbeat few weeks with more joy and less chaos.

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    3. Barbara - you have every right to skip the cards - heck skip the whole day - if you want. Particularly as this is your first season alone after all those years, I imagine it's very difficult. Sending you hugs, my friend.

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  5. Oh, I am not smugly ready at all. I have picked up a few things both in person and online, and I am in progress with a couple of knitted gifts. Period. Am I sick of asking my sons about giving me ideas for gifts? Yes. Yes I am. At this point, I'm just Going Rogue and getting every single person what *I* think they should have.

    Good luck with the new trainee. Hit her with the Gigi Charm Offensive and it will be fine.

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    1. What IS IT with these boys?! I pestered Man-Child for a list and when it finally came it had two books and one sweatshirt. Yup, he's getting what I think he should get.

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  6. Yay for being boosted, and for the nice person bandaging your hand (that is SO something I would do). Good luck with the trainee! And with feeling more ready for the holiday; I totally am not ready, but so far at least, I'm mostly zen about it. Whatever.

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    1. I wish I had it in me to be zen...but that's not me. So glad you are able to roll with it. That attitude is a healthy one.

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  7. Gigi, Woman, you need a breather...and a stiff drink. Ideas for your son's girlfriend -- bath bombs are the bomb, spa gift certificate, anything warm (fuzzy socks, knit cap, warm throw), beautiful picture frame, a gorgeously scented candle, chocolate, cookies and/or other munchies, gift certificate to her favorite store, and a cute Christmas gnome--they're EVERYWHERE! (I so miss shopping!) Glad you have the new trainee coming in! I hope you have a fun and joyful season! Mona

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    1. Thank you, Mona! You are a treasure! I'm hoping next the next couple of weeks will bring some much needed relaxation.

      I kinda miss actual shopping too...especially at this time of year.

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  8. I'm never all ready and never smug this early or later for that matter. :) I also have an added soul to my Christmas Eve and morning that I will need to supply more gifts to and stocking stuff. *deep breaths*

    You've been a busy bee and I am PRAYING that she is a quick study! You need a break.

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