That Perfect Gift

I'm looking for those perfect gifts. Those items that people sort of had an idea they wanted, but would never have thought of it themselves. It's hard, you must search high and low and in places you never thought of. It's a challenge I enjoy taking on -- the satisfaction of seeing the smile or look of unexpected delight on people's faces is great.
Another gift is D's perspective on the holidays. I always anticipated that having a child would somewhat affect his holiday spirit. This year it has -- he actually proposed putting lights on our house. This is the same man, who groaned when he saw our neighbors hanging lights up the weekend we moved into our house last year. That perhaps is the most perfect gift.

The Holiday Plan

The next two months are going to go flying by -- so the only way to get through the holiday madness with a smile is with a secure plan. This plan must take into account a few major considerations: a) our families are notoriously late in providing Christmas gifts; b) I am having a small soiree at my house on Dec. 8; c) I may be involved in a surprise party for someone else; d) I already feel like my weekends are booked.

So. Here. I. Go.

1. Finish painting the lower-level "public/guest" bathroom. (I am about 1/3 of the way done on this task.)

2. Find cute new light fixture, mirror and accessory fixtures for aforementioned bathroom.

3. Prime formal living room.

4. Paint formal living room.

5. Find delicious, peanut-free cookie recipe.

6. Plan menu for fabulous soiree.

7. Decorate house with festive cheer and holiday aromas.

The above tasks must be done before Dec. 8.

8. Find the most perfect gift for over a dozen family members.

9. Wrap said gifts beautifully, almost too beautifully to unwrap.

10. Start running (again).

11. Continue moving toward my ultimate weight-loss goal.

12. Keep calm under pressure.

13. Always remain smiling.

There's my plan so far -- I assure you it will have many, many alterations, but it feels good to jot it down.

Exhaustion

My new role at work is tiring me out unlike anything before. Every night I'm falling asleep on the couch. Of course, paranoia me then begins to think the worse - did I get diabetes? hyperthyroidism? cancer? some bizarre disease no one has ever heard of? then super paranoia me begins to overanalyze every pain I encounter. Is that my lower back - why is it hurting? where did that sharp pain in my side come from.

I now understand the phrase working for the weekends. but alas, the holiday season has officially kicked off -- so I must get out of this exhaustion cloud and kick it into gear. I have much painting to do before my house is ready for the holidays... much painting and decorating to do indeed!

Something's Just a Little Off

It's the middle of October and I am usually already giddy and pumped up about the holidays. Planning my lists, thinking of innovative gifts for others... but something's amiss. I am just lacking that holiday spirit. Perhaps it's the weather, or the change in my career at the moment. Perhaps it's just old age or the fact that K doesn't quite understand the holidays so I can't quite get the enjoyment from him yet.

Perhaps it's that it's too early to decorate for Christmas, but we didn't really want to invest in Halloween decor and I really need to paint my rooms before I can decorate them to begin with anyway... yes, perhaps it's that.

I'm looking for some innovative, creative holiday gift ideas. If anyone's got one, please share!!

Relaxed and Rejuvenated

We arrived Monday afternoon. The sun was beating down and reflecting off the bay ever so delicately. Immediately, I knew this was going to be a good trip. My best friend and I spent the first week in October welcoming and embracing fall by visiting Sonoma wine country. Sweet tastes melted in my mouth and beautiful sights floated around me.

By luck, the city we stayed in was the split between Sonoma Valley wine country and Northern Sonoma aka Russian River Valley Wine Country. So, we hopped in our rented Prius and navigated one area each day. I have to say one thing about the wine country. It's hours are a little limiting in Sonoma... everything (and I mean everything) is pretty much only open from 10 to 5. This included the spa in our hotel, the only major disappointment of the vacation.

On the first day we went to a grand winery first. We upgraded to the reserved tasting - which was a smart move on our part, because we we're able to get a little special treatment and learned a lot about how to ensure that a bottle of wine we are about to open won't disappoint. Then we went to the lovely plaza, stopped at a fantastic little cheese store, at lunch at a very California - style restaurant and did a little browsing. Then we topped our day off at a boutique winery. (The results were so-so.)

The next day we ventured off early in the morning to have breakfast at a "world-famous" bakery. While my scone was pure delish, I can't say that the bakery blew me away with character. Then it was off to our first winery of the day, a smaller winery tucked away at the base of the mountain. It was the only winery with complimentary tasting... gentle, smooth wine, but I think the bottles had been opened for three days, so no tannins really remained. Then, based on our sommelier's suggestion, we went to another winery nearby... this was a mistake. While we were lured with the appeal of an outside tasting, the women who served us was already a little too under the bubbly. The wine was bitter, and when two people who were done before us refused to purchase any wine, she got a little bitter. However, there was an odd couple at the end of the bar who appeared to imbibe in all the wines and were planning on spending their day there. After this exciting endeavor, we went to an urban-esque winery that had food and wine pairings. While the wine wasn't bad, and the food was okay, it didn't do much to make me want to purchase a bottle. So... we made way to the Healdsburg plaza for lunch.

After lunch we went to the biggest name winery of our tour. This was a most delightful winery, with lush gardens and a private garden tour, we felt like queens (sort of...). Then afterwards, we indulged in a special tasting and my tongue danced with flavors.

In the end, I brought home 7 bottles of liquid pleasure from my trip. (Thank goodness, my luggage did not exceed the weight parameters.) It was peaceful, relaxing and a much-needed vacation.

The flight home was horrendous, but shows how the airlines can't be in that much trouble if customer service is not of a concern. Alas, that is for another day!