I think I'm set for everyone's gifts this year even though 90% of it was purchased online and I had one package not show up when listed as delivered. I'm crossing my fingers that the replacement makes it here the second time since it's through Uncommon Goods and they only replace once, and it's not something I could easily find in a local store.

I think I'm also one of the few people who, when they have a day off like today for me, spends about five hours Swiffering, mopping the wood floors, scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom tile, and scouring my tub. The last time I did that was Labor Day so I was due yet again for a deep clean, even though it's not exactly fun to do. One of the things that I have always treasured though in my apartments (since I've never owned a house) is that I can keep it clean and enjoy that the floors shine. 

I also find it telling that my dad joked about my plans saying "Come on down when you're done and keep going with our house." My mom and sister, even though one is retired and the other not working just...don't clean. Again, I understand that it's not exactly high on most people's preferred task list, but it probably has been 6 months or more since their house had a serious clean. My dad rarely does it, plus with two new hips and a new knee he's not as mobile as he used to be, my sister is completely dirt-blind to the point where even my mom makes her occasionally clean because it's just gross, and my mom doesn't want to put in the effort. She used to hire a cleaner, but during the pandemic it stopped and she just never hired anyone again since she's expecting pre-pandemic pricing.

Would I do it? Maybe. But I know it's not a permanent solution, it's not my job, and I have enough on my plate WITH my job since I'm the only person left in the family who works. But I've learned to just do me and let the arguments and day-to-day fall to them since they have to live with each other. Me? I enjoy the quiet.

I've put up my little Christmas tree, wrote out my Christmas cards and am just waiting for USPS to deliver more stamps (another 5 hours post-Thanksgiving dinner yesterday), strung the rest of my lights on the stair rail and balcony, and am ready for the holiday minus receipt and wrapping of gifts, so I'm in good shape to go back to work. Somehow around the chaos I get shit done, and the key is set a goal, buckle down and just do it. I do take pride in that since it's obviously not the norm in our family lol.