The Holidays

I can do this because Paul doesn't read this blog. Surprisingly, he's never expressed any curiosity whatsoever about my "other life" out here in the electronic realm.

I've been stressing over what to get Paul for Christmas. I know of some things he WANTS, but I can't afford a Corvette convertible or a 50" plasma screen TV. He's talked about taking all the kids to Florida for a Disney vacation, but I can't afford that either! I also don't have enough vacation time! I'm already obligated to a cruise in January (with my best friend) and a cruise in February (with my kids), which I planned before I even met Paul.

We didn't get to do everything we wanted to on our recent trip to Boston. The skywalk in the Prudential Tower was closed for a private function. We also didn't have time to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city, which Paul thought would be romantic. So I'm giving him 24-hours of romantic stuff in Boston starting December 26 through December 27. I booked a nice down-town hotel. I reserved an hour-long horse-drawn carriage ride that evening, followed by dinner at the unbelievably great Italian restaurant we discovered on our recent visit. I requested the same table. It's a corner table where we can sit next to each other, rather than across from each other. I ordered him a shirt from Dick's Last Resort. He was disappointed he didn't think to buy one while we were there.

My plan is to give him three packages.

• The first will be marked "SOMEDAY" and will contain a die cast model of a 2005 Corvette convertible.
• The second will be marked "SOON" and will contain the Dick's Last Resort shirt.
• The third will be marked "TOMORROW" and will feature a coupon listing all of the stuff I have planned for our 24-hours in Boston with instructions to START PACKING! (Paul likes to pack for two days as if he intends to be gone for WEEKS..."Just in case.")

He may suspect the Boston trip. I had to warn him to keep that 24-hour period open before I starting making reservations and putting down deposits. I figure it will run me about $500, which is a lot for me to spend. (If you know me, you know I'm kind of tight with money.) But it's a whole lot less than a new sports car or a big screen TV! And I'll get to enjoy it too!

Have a great Thanksgiving! I'll skip telling you my plans because...well, it's all too weird and I'm sure you'd all be lecturing me! At least I'll get to see Paul that night!

Three more days...just three more days. Are you chanting with me, Kira??