Waiting on Amazon and Hoping for Christmas Miracles

Like most people, this is the week before Christmas, which means we are in full “get everything squared away” mode. That usually involves a mix of store trips, last-minute errands, and, if we’re being honest, a heavy reliance on Amazon. At this point, Amazon is probably my Christmas delivery service of choice.

We’ve done a lot of our shopping online this year, which has been convenient in theory, but frustrating in practice. More and more items that were supposed to arrive in two or three days have slowly turned into week-long waits. I ordered something online right around Thanksgiving, and we just got the notice that it finally shipped. At this rate, somebody is getting an IOU for Christmas.

I also had one vendor where we ordered something back in November and never received it. After waiting longer than expected, I finally put in a tracking request, only to be told it had likely been lost. They offered to reprint and resend it, which was appreciated, but when I asked if it would be here by Christmas, the answer was no. Even though they were advertising “order now for Christmas delivery,” that apparently didn’t apply to replacement items. That one is now scheduled to arrive sometime during the first week of January. All of this has been frustrating, but I guess that’s what happens when so much of holiday shopping is done online.

Another thing we’ve noticed this year is that Christmas gifts have just gotten harder. Everyone has gotten older. Parents, in-laws, siblings, and even the kids are tougher to shop for than they used to be. The boys are both in their twenties now, and finding something that feels meaningful instead of just practical takes more thought. I’ve never loved the idea of defaulting to gift cards, but I’ll admit there are moments when it starts to feel tempting when you’re running out of time and ideas.

Both boys are home now, which has been great. Sam finished his exams earlier and came home right away. Noah stayed up in High Point a bit longer with his fiancée since they’ll be apart over Christmas. Luna has absolutely loved having Sam home. You can usually find the two of them just hanging out while we watch TV, and she’s soaking up every minute of the extra attention.

Holly and I also managed to sneak out for dinner one night at one of our favorite local restaurants in Peachtree City. It’s a place we go to pretty often, and we usually make a point to dress up a little when we go. It’s nice to slow down, get out of the house, and enjoy a quiet dinner during what can otherwise be a very busy season.

I also came across something on Instagram recently that I had never seen or heard of before, and it really stuck with me. The Norbertine Sisters are a group of Catholic nuns who pray every night for mothers who are up with their babies. They wake up at midnight and pray for an hour specifically for moms who are awake, caring for newborns. I thought that was incredibly meaningful. I remember those nights when our kids were babies. They can be exhausting and frustrating in the moment, but they also create memories that stay with you forever. The idea that there are women who dedicate part of their lives to praying for parents during that stage of life was something I found really special.

On a completely different note, I’m also getting excited for UFC as we head into the new year. The move to Paramount Plus means no more traditional pay-per-view events, just big cards included with the subscription. That’s a big change, and honestly, a welcome one. The first few cards look really strong, and it’s nice knowing you don’t have to shell out extra money just to watch the big events.

We’re still waiting on a few packages to wrap up Christmas preparations. Our neighbors stopped by and dropped off Christmas cookies and desserts, which didn’t last very long at all. These are the same neighbors who sometimes walk Luna when we’re busy or traveling, so we were more than happy to enjoy their baking and return the favor with gratitude.

We also have two Christmas trees this year. Over the years, we’ve collected a lot of ornaments from family, special moments, and holidays past, so one tree just isn’t enough anymore. The newer tree has flock on it, which I didn’t realize could be an issue for pets. Apparently, it’s not great for their digestion. Thankfully, none of our animals have shown any interest in the tree whatsoever, so that hasn’t been a problem. We still have a few decorations left to put up, and time is definitely running short if we want to take them down before Christmas.

That pretty much sums up the week. Hopefully, everyone else is doing well, staying healthy, and getting ready for a magical Christmas, New Year’s, and holiday season.

Until next week,
Shane

If you're navigating life after an injury and need someone to fight for you while you focus on healing. In pain, call Shane.

Shane Smith Law | 980-999-9999