Christmas at Ground Zero

Okay, okay. I’m better now. The master bedroom is still in total disarray, but who gives a flyin’ reindeer, right? Guests will be restricted to the living room, dining room, and guest rooms anyway. They don’t even have to see the frakin’ disaster that is the master bedroom.

I’ve got two satellite radio stations available to me in the house that play nothing but holiday music — one with “contemporary” Christmas favorites from the likes of Stevie Nicks and Sting and Tom Petty. That’s all fine, but I’ve opted for the “classic” station, which offers Bing and Frank and Peggy and Nat and Perry.

Still much to do before family arrives in three hours. See you all on the other side of Christmas Day.

Have a merry.

Three days 'til Christmas

We’re sliding into Christmas, and my nerves are on edge. This year, it’s my family at our house (sister and her husband and kids, and one niece’s boyfriend) — plus a handful of assorted friends — and I feel like we’re nowhere near ready. Now that our six-month remodeling project is done, there are only a few pieces of furniture to still move back into place, some boxes to unpack, etc. But I feel like I’m out of control, never a good thing for me, and particularly not for my loved ones. (“Oh oh, I can hear him starting to snap apart! Everybody, out of the house!”)

But what I know for sure is that when all is said and done, everything will be fine, and we’ll all have a bang-up time. I’ve just got to get through this weekend.

One thing that’s not helping, though: the constant droning through my radio of Bruce Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” When oh when did that bit of drivel become an Xmas staple?

"Don't sweat the small stuff"

Sure, I know that’s good advice. But when you’re thisfuknclose to the end of a six-month house remodel — and family is scheduled to spend the Christmas holiday at your place this year — it’s hard advice to follow. Mainly cuz there seems to be so much “small stuff” remaining to get done — one more toilet to install, one more sink to mount, a master bedroom to reassemble, two new electric outlets to put in, one closet door to hang. Little stuff, really, when I look at all that’s been accomplished since last June. But yeah, I’m on edge. I just wanna be done with this. I wanna be able to finally come home again and just sit, open a beer and a book, and remain still for awhile.

Maybe by the end of next week.