And the winner is . . .

Twas the Saturday before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Mimi and Papa soon would be there.

Nothing like a 4 day wait for a book giveaway, right? 

We're slightly out of our minds here. In the recent past I have managed to commit every cardinal sin of Christmas that I wrote about in one of my last posts, and I am hoping that the arrival of my parents today will help calm things down a bit. I know that seems counterintuitive, but they are wonderfully laid back, unassuming, and slow paced people, so it will do us some good.

Other than a few stocking stuffers, I actually think I may be done with the shopping--the thorn in my side every single year. If I had my way, Christmas would be nothing but the music, the food, the traditions, the concerts, the plays, the parties, the family gatherings, the readings, the church services, and then everyone would open one present on Christmas morning. Because I don't enjoy shopping, and I really don't like to think about Christmas when we're in the middle of back to school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving (it's like listening to Christmas music in July--ick!), I put it all off until after Thanksgiving, and then I'm always, ALWAYS, rushed for time. 

And even though I did 98% of my shopping through Amazon.com like I do every year (an Amazon prime membership is the only way to go--everything arrives for free within 2 days), I still feel tainted by the spaztic commercialism that seeps into malls and other retail establishments at this time every year. I try to keep it simple, I really do. Only stockings and 3 presents each, I say. In my heart of hearts, I actually want a Little House on the Prairie type of Christmas where the children squeal in delight over their oranges and peppermint sticks, but alas, it is Christmas 2012 in modern America. And since I rarely shop at other times of the year, I can become overwrought with a desire to make up for the lack of giving during the rest of the year. I fear I may have gone overboard. Again. ("Overboard" is relative to the person, of course . . .)

And then there is the over eating. I may or may not have engaged in "stress eating" by consuming more than my fair share of Lindt truffles yesterday (and my own homemade ginger molasses cookies the day before, and  . . . you get the idea). As soon as I get off this computer I'm going to run on the treadmill and then promptly make myself a green smoothie. I am highly motivated NOT to gain the requisite "five pounds of Christmas" knowing I'm going to be on TV in a few weeks. Yes! Me! On TV! I'm mildly ((read wildly)) freaked out about it. Video cameras have the same effect on my as they did Cindy in that one episode of Brady Bunch where she finally got on her favorite game show as a contestant and then froze up. (Do you remember that one?) 

Finally, the over scheduling. I spent about 6 hours combined on the phone two nights ago as well as yesterday morning trying to get my parents to us in a timely manner (and with their luggage) after their flight was cancelled from Denver to Salt Lake on Thursday night. Did you know you can't really talk to someone on the phone at the United counter in the airports? The phone number you CAN call takes you to India. I'm not positive about this, but pretty darn sure after speaking to about 77 Indians out of 78 phone calls during those 6 hours. It was a frustrating experience to say the least. (My children have never heard me talk to another person like that. I'VE never heard me talk to another person like that! It was a really bad combination of inclement weather, human incompetence, and my own PMS.) But my poor parents are finally flying in (on a different airline--down with United!!) this morning at about 9:30m (in the clothes they have been wearing since they left Des Moines on THURSDAY) and guess what? Our tickets to see A Christmas Carol are for 11:30am. Will they want to take a shower, or go see the play? Will their luggage have even arrived yet? Ah, the joys of the holiday season . . . 

Now that you've indulged me, on to the good stuff: 

I used an online random number generator (because how am I supposed to choose?) and the winner is #12: Karen! Lucky for both of us, she is one of 3 people who made a comment that are super close to me in proximity, so I will be able to hand deliver it right to your door! Congratulations!!

As for everyone else, please go buy and book for yourself anyway! (Thanks, Scott . . .) You will not be disappointed! And for those who are truly are in a financial pinch (because many  people are these days), check out the payment philosophy on the Power of Moms website or consider getting the e-book for a mere $6. 

Merry Christmas, everyone! While I have about 10 posts ready to go (in my head and in iphoto), I don't know if I'll get back to this computer before the big day. And hopefully you won't get back to yours either! Christmas is a time for family, and I plan to enjoy mine as much as possible. (Until they start driving me crazy, and then I just may retreat to my master closet to blog, like I'm doing right now. :D)