Jolasveinar Make Me Happy

Clueless and Delusional.

These words describe me perfectly this week.

Somehow I missed the news that a major snowstorm was coming this way.

My mind has been on other things. Mainly work and the success of the stores in my territory. I have had my head so deep in the sand, that my personal holiday enjoyment has been pushed to the side a bit.

So I decided yesterday during my lunch break to pop into Williams Sonoma to see what I could see. There was a frantic quality to the shoppers yesterday. Which I found curious. But, as a retailer myself, I tend to not shop frantically or panic. So I wandered and happily came upon the cutest elf napkin ring holders. They were marked $24.95 - (you have go to be kidding was my first thought) Then I saw they were marked down to $2.99! Hello Happy Elves! They reminded me of the Jolasveinar - so I had to have them. Yes, yes, I know they are cheesy....but c'mon for $2.99 they rocked my world. And happily - the Jolasveinar knowledge I have has come in handy. Not once, but twice! They came up in conversation and in a trivia contest. When a smartass thinks they can stump you with jolasveinar and you know the answer - the feeling is pretty fantastic.

Now with my new napkin rings, perfect for my holiday dinner party sunday....I decided to hit the grocery store after work......

While shoppers were stocking up on milk, bread and bagged salads (eeew gross), I was happily wandering through the aisles clueless.

Why are there only 2 5lb bags of carrots left? I can't believe I have to buy a 5 lb bag of carrots. Crazy people were buying canned green beans by the dozen, I was filling my cart with frisee and endive. As they frantically grabbed at frozen dinners, I was selecting the perfect wine. What was up with the late night chaos at the Wegmans?

By the time I reached the checkout line and stood for one hour, I guessed something must be up.

I walked outside to see snow falling!

OOOOooooohhhhh!

I am convinced that I can manage to survive the snow storm without a fall out shelter food supply on hand.

The over reaction of the American public at the first sign of bad weather is astounding to me.

As the snow falls, I have onions carmelizing on the stove and dough rising on the counter....I think we will make it through.....

OMG!

I am beyond mortified today.



Last night, I was out to dinner with my husband. Just as we sat down, I saw that my work phone was ringing.
I chose to ignore the call - because really, I am not working a job that requires 24 hour availability - even though that is what it has become lately.

After a few minutes obsessing, I decided to call "the boss" back.
It went straight to his voicemail, so I hung up.
(or thought I hung up)

The next day - my boss calls me back to ask,
"where were you last night at 6:30?"
"do you have me on speed dial?"

I am confused and puzzled by his questions.

Suddenly, he begins to recite back my PRIVATE DINNER CONVERSATION with my husband!
The damn thing recorded 3 minutes of our dinner chat in a restaurant.

Who repeats back nearly word for word a private conversation?
I begged him to stop - but he kept on.

Lesson learned -
always hit the 'end' button 7-8 times.
always return phone to handbag - don't leave it on the table to record every spoken word.
don't mock people in the restaurant, bad behavior has a way of haunting you later.