Worst Christmas??

How was everyones Christmas? Contrary to the title of this post, my Christmas was pretty good. Lots of family, great gifts, focus on the true meaning...pretty much everything you could ask for in a Christmas. My sister-in-law got engaged in a very creative way, (her fiancee proposed via video on a new iphone). Vicki did an amazing job with the gifts this year. I am usually hard to buy for, and not often surprised, but she did good.

So what was "worst" about this Christmas? I'm glad you asked...I did a horrible job on the gift giving front with Vicki. I have been completely wracked with guilt the last few days because of it. I am normally great at gift giving. I have a knack for finding the right gift, especially where Vicki is concerned, But I don't know what happened this year. Christmas crept up on me, and I didn't put a lot of thought into it until it was too late. What did I get her that was so lame? How about nothing? Yes, I got her absolutely NOTHING!!!!! Wednesday night when I was doing my last minute wrapping, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I I almost started hyper-ventilating! You know that dream where you find yourself in a classroom naked? That's how I felt...panicked with no way out.

I guess technically I got her SOMETHING, because I gave her a verbal IOU for a pair of breeches. (I was trying to be funny there, but it's just lame, isn't it?)I have failed as a husband. My only hope is that years of doing really well with gifts (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas) have created enough goodwill that I get a mulligan this year.

I don't think Vicki has quite realized the level of guilt and remorse that I feel right now. She could really take advantage if she wanted to, because I would say yes to just about anything she asked for. New dog? No problem! Another horse? Is today too soon? Jewelry? Whatever you want dear!

I guess I better start planning Valentines Day now, because I have a big one to make up for!

HOBNOBBING

Vicki and I had an invite to the kickoff of the Festival of Trees tonight. It was a semi-formal evening with dinner and a live auction to raise money for Opportunity House. I got to wear my suit and Vicki wore something shiny with a fur collar. She looked hot, I looked frumpy.

It was kind of weird for me being surrounded by doctors, politicians, business owners and lots of what I would call "rich people". We were seated by the front and really enjoyed it. We were so close to the ballerinas performance that once, when they twirled, a skirt almost took my head off. The mayor was so close, I could have read his speech notes. I became the foil for the auctioneer on a couple of occasions and even got to make a $1000+ dollar bid on an item. Altogether a fun evening.

There were a lot of high points during the evening, but my favorite was during a part of the entertainment portion, when a high school girl was singing a beautiful version of O Holy Night. I happened to look over and noticed her mothers reaction at watching her daughter. The pride and joy on her mothers face was priceless. Crying parents always strike a chord with me.

Opportunity House is a great organization that doesn't just provide a bed for homeless people here in Vacaville, but provides them the tools and means to get off the street and into a job and home of their own. It was truly a blessing to be a part of the evening.

The live auction was a lot of fun, although I was terrified of screwing up on several occasions. I didn't want to reach for my drink for fear of the motion being misinterpreted as a bid. That itch on my nose that was driving me crazy...I didn't even think of scratching it until all the bidding was done. In case you were wondering, the $1000+ bid was not for me, but rather on behalf of my company. It was still exciting though. I can officially check "bid at live auction" off of my bucket list.