Welcome!

It seems kind of fitting that I'm a couple of days late with a post welcoming somebody who was, herself, two days late in arriving...

So, welcome aboard niece 2.0, also known as Sophie Elizabeth!!

No, I didn't forget, I'm just lazy!

Okay, fine, I should have done this a month ago...here are the results of my Christmas prognostications- a mixed bag at best.

Four books by Ross MacDonald, all will be available at Amazon starting on Dec. 7: “Blue City,” “Meet Me at the Morgue,” “The Three Roads,” and “The Ferguson Affair.”

100%: I won't get them all, but I'll get at least one.

Actually, I did get them all. 1-o.

Peerless 76950 2-in-1 Shower System (Chrome)

20%: There's always a chance, but it's a little pricey, non-essential, and frankly, who wants to be the person who buys somebody a shower head for Christmas?

I got it...but didn't think I would. 1-1

Magic Chef .9 Cubic Foot Microwave Oven in Red (MCD990R)

50%: I'm hedging on this one. Mom's been good about stuff like this in the last few years (the George Foreman grill from last year being a good example.) so it's "possible," but perhaps not "probable."

I hedged this one and didn't get it. I think that's a "loss." 1-2

Indoor/Outdoor Digital Thermometer

100%: Of all the things on the list this year, this is the lock. Not expensive, practical, and easy to "farm out" to a relative or friend who has no idea what to get me.

Yup. 2-2.

“Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood” for PS3

50%: This one is tough I've been right and wrong about PS3 games in the past. What I do know is that if I do get it my brother will be the one who buys it for me.

Waffled towards the "negative" on this one and didn't get it. 3-2.

PlayStation “Move” Starter Bundle

65%: Two weeks ago I would have said maybe 30%, but my Mom asked me some questions about it at Thanksgiving, so I'm inclined to think she might make it happen.

I'm not going to say that my mom "played me" on this one, but she might have! 3-3.

Gift Certificates to any of the following: EMS, REI, Old Navy, Borders, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IKEA, Marshall's/TJMaxx, iTunes, or Target.

100%: I'll get at least one from Amazon and I WILL NOT get one from IKEA- Mom had a bad experience with them last year.

Winner! 4-3.

“The African Queen” BluRay Disc.

70%: I feel pretty good about this one- it's the only movie on my list and I always seem to get a movie from somebody.

Loo-zer. 4-4.

Post-It notes in assorted colors/sizes.

100%: Lock.

I got almost too many of them, not sure they will all get used before next Christmas. 5-4.

Room credits for the cruise.

75%: I not only think I'll get these, I'm going to say that I'll get them from at least two people.

Yup! 6-4

Roadpro 12V, 2 Outlet Platinum Series Fused Cigarette Lighter Adapter.

100%: Cheap and practical, another gift that is easily farmed out.

I'm on a roll...7-4!

“Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul” (CD)

100%: My spies tell me it was already purchased.

Not a hard prediction given what I knew. 8-4.

Pure Komachi 2 Series 8” Bread Knife (Orange)

50%: I split the difference because I'm sure I'll get a bread knife but I'm not confident that I'll get this one- even though it's under $10!

Go mom! 9-4.

Salomon XT S-Lab 3 Sneakers (size 10)

0%: Not a chance in hell- too expensive- but you've got to take a chance, right?

Is it fair to count this as a "win" when I was so sure? Oh well. 10-4.

Iomega eGo 1TB USB 2.0 FireWire 800 Desktop External Hard Drive, Mac Edition - 34794

15%: This is another one that I probably won't get, but if I do, my brother will be responsible.

Nope. 11-4

11-4 is pretty good (or even 10-5 if I don't get the benefit of the doubt on the video game), but I could have done even better if I hadn't forgotten one important thing: just prior to writing my list my parents surprised me with a ticket for a Caribbean cruise! If I'd taken that into account with my predictions I would have given myself MUCH lower odds on all of the more expensive items- which, as you can see, I did not get.

Still, that's a nice problem to have!