At last our week of holiday madness is over. We hosted one dinner, two parties, a brunch, and attended two holiday parties. All in 6 days! We are beat now. But also feeling strangely smug and Martha Stewart-like.

On Friday we hosted the office Christmas party at our house. We had about 30 people – staff, their spouses, and their babies. It was great to have all the little kids running around. Fortunately we didn’t have to cook – caterers supplied the food – but the house was trashed afterwards.

The highlight for the day, for me at least, was the first annual staff awards ceremony. Our team came up with categories, then we all got to vote on our picks for such important awards as “Most Punctual” and “Best Laugh.”

And I won this:

As my acceptance speech, I would like to recognize all those who implied I was a bit dingy, perhaps even an airhead. And all those who made dumb blonde jokes while snickering pointedly in my direction. To my husband, who frequently accuses me of laziness (usually while slouching on the couch watching TV). To you, I say:

In your face.

I would also like to point out that you can learn a valuable lesson from this. If you want results from me, throw in some opportunity for financial gain. An incentive, if you will. Want me to remember your birthday? 20 bucks, please. Want me to clean the house? Give me a promotion. Want me to not lose your plane tickets? Promise me a place to live. Oh, dang it. Miriam did that, and I still lost her tickets. Sorry.