Christmas-in-a-box

I sat and wrapped presents last night. I sat in my all decked out for Christmas living room and wrapped and sipped a glass of good cheer and played my favourite Christmas tunes on the stereo. Ellie, slept at my feet while Marley, the Great Cat, lay curled up beneath the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree. It’s possible he slept with one eye open waiting for me to leave the room so he could leap up and swat a glass ball or two, but I was feeling charitable so I chose to believe he was simply sleeping and not dreaming about toying with the decorations.

In the quiet and peacefulness of my home, my world was all wrapped up in love as I packed Christmas-in-a-box to send out to my daughter in Vancouver. C.C., who drove back to Saskatoon for a few days earlier this week, joined me on Skype and we chatted as I wrapped, events of the day, the upcoming weekend and all the festivities we’ve got scheduled.

And then I realized I’d forgotten something to make the box more special. I quickly tucked the chocolate and candy away (Ellie is no fool, she can sniff out chocolate like a divining rod reaching for water) and dashed off to the store. I know. I know. Going to the mall the week before Christmas could be considered insane, but Chapters wasn’t as busy as I expected. A quick dash into the store, a grab of one, no two, no make that three ‘must haves’, alright five extra items, and as quick as Santa flying across the sky, I dashed back into my car, wiggled my nose and I was home.

And that’s when I discovered my mistake.

The first sign of trouble is always when Ellie is waiting at the top of the stairs at the back door when I enter. Her normal routine is to leisurely saunter into the kitchen when I return home (she’s getting old and likes to take her time to come and greet me). But, when she’s standing there and makes a dash through the open door without even a ‘hello, got any treats?’ kind of welcome, I know, mischief is afoot.

I began the search for evidence of her misdeed and found it strewn across our bedroom rug. Yes, I’d put away the chocolate and candy. But, I’d forgotten about the package of Gluten free gourmet wild blueberry pound cake mix I’d bought for C.C.’s daughter’s stocking…

I didn’t even have to step into the bedroom to see what she’d been up to in the half hour I’d been away. Like the fallout from a bomb, a path of finely sifted flour and sugar lay in all its powdery glory from the doorway to Ellie’s mat at the end of our bed. Fortunately, she obviously doesn’t like dried wild blueberries. The package lay discarded, unopened. It’s possible, she just hadn’t gotten to the blueberries before being interrupted by my return, but I’ll go with dried berries are not to her taste (remember I am feeling a wee bit charitable). But the rest of the packaging. Oh my. It lay torn to shreds amidst the powdered mix.

I sighed. I might even have cursed a teensie, weensie bit and then I hauled out the vacuum and cleaned up the mess.

Ellie stayed outside. Even when I went to call her to make sure she wasn’t sick from all that sugary excess, she lay at the far, far corner of the backyard, her eyes big and glittering in the dark.

That girl, she knows when she’s done wrong!

But in the end, it was all good.

When I had finished vacuuming in the bedroom, I moved to my office, and then the kitchen and then… well, an hour later, it was as if the elves of cleaning up before Christmas had descended upon my home. The floors were all vacuumed, surfaces dusted and I was feeling mighty sanctimonious. Take that you fiends of “Who me? Ready for Christmas? I finished my shopping in July.”

I’m ready! Okay, well almost ready. There’s not that much left to prepare the house for Christmas. Let’s see. Where’s my list? Oh right. I’ve got to make a list, finish my wrapping, make the four dozen or so cookies I still haven’t baked, put out the rest of the Christmas decorations, write my cards, stuff the stockings, finish my shopping, make those gifts I’d planned on making, get together with those friends I’d planned on seeing, order my fresh, free range turkey, stock the bar, take out the recycling, put up the outside Christmas lights, make the Christmas cake (no. scratch that. too late, recipe says begin 6 weeks in advance — yes! one less thing to do!)

Ah yes, The joys of getting ready for Christmas.

Not much of a difference in my day yesterday. But other people did make a difference. A friend called from the mall to tell me he’d bought the size 34/30 dress pants. And other amazing folk sent me emails to tell me they’d cross off items on the Veterans Wishlist! Christmas at the Madison is coming together with grace and ease.

As to my list. Oh well. There’s always next year.

At least the vacuuming is done and Christmas-in-a-box is all ready to go!