My December is off to a shaky start, friends. It’s not surprising given the current apocalypse, but still, can’t a gal catch a break? Two of our annual FFXOs (Forced Family Xmas Outings) have been hijacked by, I can only assume, the masses of people finding themselves on social lockdown and in desperate need of distraction. But you’re messing with my holiday spirit!
The first Wilson event to bite the dust was the Winterlights at Newfields display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. We started going a few years back despite much complaint from our angsty teens, but once they realized we would buy them outrageously overpriced hot chocolates for appropriately uttered “oohs” and “ahhs,” they were completely onboard. Not in 2020! Unless we go at 4:30 p.m. before it’s even dark, or at 9:30 p.m., an hour after my bedtime, we are out of luck. They’re booked solid, like, forever.
The second FFXO to meet a quick demise was the purchase of a live Christmas tree. We have our secret go-to spot where the firs are ginormous and the price tags are tiny. They even deliver! But when our somewhat grumpy six-pack pulled up, just a few days post-Thanksgiving, there was not a tannenbaum in sight. I naively thought maybe we were too early, that their northern shipment had yet to arrive. But, alas, they’d been sold out for two days. Even the sad little Charlie Brown ones . . . gone. Bah, bleeping, humbug!
I know you’re looking for diversions so you won’t shiv your spouse come New Year’s, but could you please avoid my cherished FFXOs? This gal needs a break!
Peace out.