However, partial list of sad behind-ness for upcoming festivities:
- No cards out yet.
- No menu, nevermind shopping.
- Not much done on stockings, which I adore and do every year.
- No tree. No decorations, except giant ornaments my husband hung in the front yard.
- Must line up junk person to haul off some of the excess furniture, so there is room for our own furniture and a tree. Then must move furniture we're keeping.
- No presents yet. Only plan small ones, but still.
- No cleaning extravaganza yet.
Sending protective anti-illness brainwaves to all!
What's going on in your neighborhood?
90 comments:
kathy a, not to worry, 10 days is plenty of time to get all the things done. Especially for someone efficient enough to get the Albatross in flight!
AW: We have snow! Yay!! I was starting to worry about a bleary, grey holiday season. I really do prefer snow this time of year to generic cold weather.
AW: Second week in a row that I have a day off and no important errands to run. So, netfl*x it is!
W: After a great service yesterday (a wonderful Cantata in which my only role was to narrate) - I was told about three very sad situations in our little church family. Sad things seem somehow worse this time of year. One family has been especially hard hit.
My list? Many of the things on kathy's list are things I just don't do (cards, menu, stockings, moving furniture). But there are sewing projects, more candy making, teacher gifts, and a bunch of shopping that all need to get done this week while Baboos are in school. Then next week will have a list of things they can do with me, but I haven't made that list yet.
Annual Open House is done. Small crowd, which is fine and what we were expecting. We all had fun, so it was worth doing.
Mini and Sweet both have coughs that are getting progressively nastier, so I also predict a pediatrician visit in the foreseeable future.
AW: I napped all morning, which was delightful. (Yesterday was rather too full, as I agreed to preach, which left me 40 minutes to change clothes, platter and set out food, tend to Baboos, make tea, make coffee, etc). I did not ever eat lunch, per se. Mr E, meanwhile *did* eat lunch but he also cleaned the bathroom, so he gets a pass on eating while I was scurrying around. Anyway, I needed a nap this morning.
Snow! Day off! Yay!!
Very sorry about the sadness, Sue. Hard things are as likely now as any other time of year, but there is such a cultural expectation of joy joy joy that those in a difficult place must feel so lonely. xoxo
AW: Forgot to mention the enthusiastic students who showed up at the benefit this weekend to help! Got to talk to a couple of them about the work, which was gratifying, and it cheers me considerably to know of their interest.
Esperanza -- preaching PLUS open house??? You deserve naps. Yay on the bathroom cleaning!
We have snow here too! What a difference that makes. And, after a couple of hours of resting, Mr. Q has rallied, and managed to get some cleaning done, and the Christmas tree up. (He's very efficient with illnesses.)
You know, it's very convenient to put up Christmas decorations right before we move, because we have packed up our other (much more fragile) household ornaments, and right after Christmas is done, we'll be able to quickly take these down and throw them back in their boxes. It also provides a distraction for E, as the house gets packed up.
(But, in general, taking possession of a house over Christmas is madness.)
Mr. Q doesn't get extra credit for illness efficiency, because he's not also dealing with AF at the same time, QWP. You deserve extra healing time. But he does get credit for doing something productive!
Three more weeks. Three more weeks. (Shared house woes: E kept waking up to door slams all evening yesterday, and then Upstairs Neighbour sewed until midnight last night, but her sewing machine is directly above my bed and noisy. Today, E's nap only lasted 15 minutes, because the cleaners were vacuuming right above her. I addressed the late-night sewing - - I get that Christmas is coming, but I'm also sick and need my sleep - - but the cleaners only come every other week, and with the upstairs neighbours being shift workers who work night shifts, this really has to happen in the afternoon.)
QWP, it sounds like you are using those ornaments that are not fragile, which is a great strategy! We think of them as the cat-proof ornaments, and they all go on the bottom of the tree, plus the side near the chair.
I think that "we're moving" is an EXCELLENT explanation for anything that might turn out imperfect. And for ordering food instead of doing it all yourself. And whatever else rows your boat.
Wow, preaching then hosting an open house. esperanza, I get tired just thinking about all that!
QWP - Make it a minimalist Christmas. As kathy said, "We're moving!" is the perfect explanation.
You know, we have kept it really minimalist, but the real madness about taking possession over the holidays is the fact that everything else associated with closing the sale needs to be done extra early, because things slow down over the holidays (banks, lawyer's office, utility companies...). And so we just signed papers to release conditions on Saturday, and I was already getting insurance quotes and had booked a furnace installation before that, and it's a good thing I did! I just got a call from my lawyer's office today, and we're probably signing closing papers in a week, and everything else has to be in order before that!
(But it does mean that the actual days around Christmas will be quiet, other than packing!)
Preaching was only to 7 people, so it wasn't too draining. And I mostly recycled a sermon. The real problem was that I had to get a ride with someone, because it rained and there was water over the dirt road where the church is, and my car is tiny. My driver wanted to stay around and chit chat, and I was exceedingly antsy to get home and get busy!
And yes, I was tired. Hence, the nap.
W: Baboos were extra difficult today, especially Sweet. A knowledgeable friend has suggested we be on the lookout for ADHD, given her difficulty with school this year. I could certainly see it this morning, when anything and everything and many things were more interesting that putting on her damn clothes.
W: possibility of ADHD. Which we always have known about, as it is super common in preemies. But still.
(((Esperanza)))
So, how many places in your region are affected by water on dirt roads? This is a regular occurrence with you, it seems.
"The good lord willing and the creek don't rise" is still factually descriptive, some places and some times of year, no?
AW: The furniture pickup people are coming TOMORROW! The first outfit didn't call back for hours, but by then I'd located another team that also recycles and donates as much as possible. Acceptable price. And I frankly do not care if they sell the stuff and make a tidy profit, because IT WILL BE OUT OF MY HOUSE.
Also think I have covered much of the stockings and small presents part of the holiday parade -- shopping at a local mom-owned store, a little japanese store, plus gift cards for various younger relatives who live at a distance.
* By "price," I mean that I am paying them to haul away furniture that ranges from worn-but-sturdy to very good condition. If I wanted to open an e-bay store, it would surely drive me insane, so this is good.
Wow, you are knocking things off the list, kathy a! Well done.
Re: dirt roads. There is only one church I go to that is on a dirt road. But the past three times I've gone there, it has recently rained (May, October, now). After the Halloween drenching, the ground hasn't dried out and the creeks haven't dried up, so even a minor rain like we got Saturday night (1.5") causes low spots to flood. I would have driven over it without a second thought, had it been paved.
Well done getting the furniture hauled away, Kathy! I know that has been a source of stress for you for a long time.
Esperanza: I was wondering if it was that same church every time! I'm very familiar with churches only accessible by dirt roads, but much less familiar with roads the are regularly covered with water.
(((esperanza)))
QWP - I'm glad you will get a few quiet days around the holiday days. It will be a chance to catch your breath before the next sprint toward home ownership!
Way to knock things off the list kathy!
W: I didn't sleep much last night...mind racing, heart pounding, blah blah blah... UGH. It isn't even 10:00 am and I'm ready for a nap, which is SO not happening today. I'm praying to the Caffeine Gods for help today.
Ack, Sue! Hope you are feeling better, and can get some solid sleep tonight.
W: Small pre-breakfast spat about whether asking beloved to move his car out of the crowded garage so the haulers can get in is an utterly selfish example of dumping everything on him. (I've never driven his car. He parks very close to stuff. I do not back up well.) AW: Gotta be uphill from there, no?
Sorry, Crabby McCrankypants sometimes shows up when there has been insufficient coffee yet, but all is well.
The pickup guys are here! My house will soon look less like a furniture warehouse!
Yay for the pick up guys!! I would have responded in an equally crabby way kathy a, especially when insufficient coffee is involved. Almost everything is excusable in those dangerous Pre-Caffeine hours.
If you used words other than, "Move your fireplacing car, what the fireplace is wrong with you?" then, no, you were not asking too much.
My request was polite.
Tonight is apparently another round of The Debates, and the little debate at the kids' table because they won't all fit on a stage together, because every single one thinks he/she is Ruler of the Universe material. /faint/
Seriously. I'm having a really tough day. To top it off, I'm heading to the chunky council meeting where we have to make a plan to address marriage equality in our church.
I don't personally want to go but based on conversations with my amazing minister and for the other non-hetero people in my community, I need to bear witness. It's a good church filled with good people. There is a lot fear out there.
This is why I'm enjoying a martini.
Go tell 'em, Miranda! xoxo
Go, Miranda, go! We've got your back. And I believe the martini was an excellent idea. Let us know how it goes.
Yay Miranda! We are behind you cheering you on!
Hopefully your wise words will fall on receptive ears.
--Neighbor lady
Yay Miranda!!! We are with you!
Go Miranda!!!!
W: Had to go to the jewelry store to get a new battery for my watch (though old, it is fancy enough that you can't do it yourself). The jewelry store is not my happy place, especially not at Shopping Season. Much dithering and stressing out, in just the 5 minutes I was in there.
AW: now back at home, savoring my last few days of solitude.
W from yesterday: I had to turn down an invitation to lead a Christmas Eve service, which is one of my favorites of the year, because I couldn't work out Baboo care on Christmas Eve, in the midst of Mr. E's three services. Bah, humbug. They called because their pastor had a stroke last week and is still recovering. This is the third of the last three pastors to have serious health issues/death while at the congregation. I felt sorry for them.
Oh, Esperanza. Very sad for that community. And also that the child care did not line up.
Had to do this one last albatross thing, then send a letter saying I did the thing, but that's done now. I might possibly move along to cards later.
Yeah, babysitters on Christmas Eve are kind of hard to come by. We literally don't know anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas, which tells you a bit about how insular our community is.
Update: I prayed over how to approach the issue from a loving perspective and I felt I needed to remind people of our church values. Then when that item came up, our leader said that he had prayed and discussed the issue with our money minister and he thought we needed to address our mission, values, and vision statements before further discussion.
The budget passed.
I left the meeting feeling great. I did not volunteer for the work group either.
yay for feeling great and not volunteering for work (and not being volunteered either). Well done, Miranda!
There is still time to be voluntold.
Oh, good, Miranda! xoxo
You know that time when you heat the oven to bake some chicken, and it turns out that the person who last used the oven got drippings in it? Door's open! Fans running! I'm choosing to think of it as the open door fan club. ;)
Hooray Miranda!
Kathy, I had all the doors open earlier today because the refrigerator repair person was soaked in cologne. (Fridge is fine, fan was making an annoying noise, he replaced it. Under warranty, all good).
AND I HAVE A CALL BACK FROM THE INTERVIEW! Discussion w full committee via Skype next week!
WOOT!
That worked out really well, Miranda.
Kathy: that's a regular occurrence around here!
Esperanza: that's really too bad that there isn't a childcare option for Christmas Eve. (Not even at the church itself? Or would it go too late for Baboos?)
AW: sickness in the household has been much more moderate than we feared it would be.
W: congested E = extra coughing and wakeups. And I'm still feeling pretty rough, more as a result of Aunt Flo than anything. I think all the stress and exhaustion is making it worse this time, because I'm pretty useless.
AW: utility hookups are booked, move date set, possession date in two weeks, lawyer just waiting for one thing from the selling agent. (And a "sold" sign is on the lawn, and the ad is down from all sites now.) The goal is to sign closing papers in the next week, to avoid Christmas altogether.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!
HOORAY LIZ!!!!
QWP, if there is childcare at the church (at Mr. E's church there might be; I haven't checked. At the church that invited me to come, almost certainly not), it would be too late for Baboos, Sweet in particular.
I hope you can rest enough to recover soon.
oh, and HOORAY LIZ! Can't wait to hear more!
Hooray Miranda and Liz!!!
QWP, hope you continue to recover quickly, and yay about the house!
W: Neighbor Boy has been having terrible terrible headaches since Friday. I am concerned. Had blurry vision that then cleared on Friday (but he and husband didn't tell the doctor that on Monday). (smaller headache Sunday, then home from school Monday and Tuesday with 8/10 pain scale--this from a boy for whom a broken wrist was 4/10. Went to school today-- by end of day was 8/10 again.)
FOund out he didn't eat all day Friday and today, because lunch is 10:50 and he's not hungry yet. But ate regularly Mon and Tues, so not full explanation.
pixies, I am concerned. (hopefully mostly in an anxiety type way, not a realistic way?)
But still, I am concerned.
Please say a few prayers to whatever works for you, that this is something manageable and /or passing.
and that my mind will stay off the dire stuff
Thanks and love,
Neighbor Lady
And also, my apologies to Sue, who I know deals with this on a regular basis. Please know I am not trying to make this seem like a huge deal, especially as I know how often you have to deal with it.
I am just a little worried for my little guy.
--Neighbor Lady
((( NL and NB ))) Oh, my. That does seem enough to warrant further investigation -- that much pain, particularly. And the blurry vision, even if it only happened part of the time? You are not over-reacting. Sending love, and hoping you can get into the doc again pronto. xoxo
WOOT, Liz!
QWP, you are rocking the moving setup! Go get some rest. Aunt Flo should be moving along to bother someone else soon.
(((NL, NB))) I hope that gets figured out quickly. Maybe it's a sinus infection? At any rate, the fact that this is a new situation doesn't make it any less of a big deal than anyone else's pain or problems, it just means that hopefully your family's journey will be shorter.
QWP, my hat's off to you on your get-up-and-go!
NL - no apologies needed, really. I feel so badly for NB. I wonder if the days he's missing lunch he's either still having head pain, or in postdrome (aka "migraine hangover"). Postdrome carries over all the nausea and lack of appetite that's already been happening because of the migraine itself. Even though I hesitate to call it migraine if he's not been diagnosed as such, I'm afraid it all sounds very migraine-y. :( The blurred vision may be aura, especially if it happened prior to the worst level of pain, then went away. Maybe time for a neuro consult?
He will tell you what helps, but generally it's darkness, quiet, and ice on the affected area, plus any pain meds he is able to take. And a handy bucket so he won't have to make a run for the bathroom - sudden movement is not good. Also, if you feel his pain is not being managed to a tolerable level at home, don't hesitate to visit urgent care. It may seem like an extreme measure, but if they can "break" the pain cycle with meds, give some fluids as needed, and assess the situation, it might be a relief for all of you.
Sorry about the Christmas Eve service esperanza. :(
Yay Miranda!!!!! Well done! And, fwiw, I personally don't ascribe to the prevailing notion that being "voluntold" is a binding contract in chunky circles - unless you're paid staff, you still get to say no. :)
Go Liz!!!!!!
Hooray QWP - it's all so exciting!!!
Sure hope NB is feeling better and/or that they figure this out. The thought of a kid in that much pain for so many days breaks my heart. xoxo
Today, hoping I can do the cards. There will be no charming personal notes, nevermind a chatty "here's our year!" enclosure. Must put together small gifts for the little (teen) cousins, and go to the post office already. Time to find the stockings! My one must-do on Christmas is stockings for each person who will be there that day.
And maybe take a few loads of household excess down to the free exchange and/or donation station at the recycling center. This would be a good time to pull stuff out of nooks and crannies.
Oh, NL, that sounds awful. That is a lot of pain for way too long a time. I hope the doctor can figure it out and get him some relief. Poor thing. Poor you.
W: My last full day by myself for 2 1/2 weeks. So who decides to stay home this morning? That's right. Mr. E. Grrr.
AW: finished sewing projects that had to be done without Baboo supervision. One to go, for big niece, but they can see that one.
AW: nap
Oh,, nap sounds so lovely!
Thank you so much Sue, for the support and the advice!
Thank you all for the support. Walking on eggshells here a bit, but walking....
knock wood
AW: Found out today that nephew got into his top choice college near us!!! SOOOOOOO excited!
It is awesome to see a tween and a teen do a full out happy dance because their cousin will be nearby. NB asked, "Are you allowed to text in college?" so cute. He is excited to be able to text his cousin next year, as he will likely be getting a (limited-use, unsmart but able to text) phone soon.
--Neighbor Lady
Esperanza -- You have really cranked out the sewing projects! A nap, you deserve.
NL -- Hooray for Nephew! And yay that the Neighbor kids are so happy!
Glad NB is doing better. Knock wood! xoxo
Hooray for nephew! And poor NB. I hope he gets more relief (and I'm glad that he gets this happy news).
Esperanza, I hope you took that nap everyone prescribed!
Pro tip: when suffering from a head cold, try to avoid banging the back of your head really hard on the towel bar and then wrangling a screaming toddler, who needs a serious diaper change, and then plunging a plugged toilet. And keep all noisy toys from said toddler, because while you're trying to rest your sore head, she will become a one-child band, alternating between blasting a tin whistle, and banging on her xylophone with a hammer.
QWP, ouchie! Hope your head is feeling better!
I knew my mother had evil intentions when she sent my toddlers an entire band full of noisy instruments. (Don't worry; we just hid the instruments except for times when a parent said OK. No musical inclinations were harmed!)
Cards = done. So that's something!
Think I have my SIL figured out -- her care place suggested costume jewelry since she is into bling right now, but she has plenty. Going for a comfy jammie set (that wouldn't look too out of place if she wore the pieces in daytime), and a sparkly infinity scarf (no dangly ends).
W: this week of "fun" things at school. I would really rather they just teach the Rs as usual. Sweet does not do well with a disrupted routine, in which people don't do the things they usually do. She had trouble falling asleep last night, for the first time in months. And horribly grumpy 100% of days this week. I know she's got a fatigue buildup from the semester, but I have to think the out-of-routine can't be helping things.
W: And besides, some of the fun things they're doing at school are things *I'd* like to do with the Baboos, but now I feel like they're already done. (See Polar Express, eat junk food, etc).
AW: Candy making is done. And I almost burned the fudge but rescued it in the nick of time. This is another task that needs to get done sans Baboos, because (a) it is dangerous--I have burned myself before; and (b) you simply can't do it with interruptions. Baboos = interruptions.
NL, that's GREAT news about your nephew!! I'm glad NB is feeling better. :)
Ouch QWP!!
Yay kathy a for being so festive and organized! Those sound like good gifts for SIL.
esperanza, I always wondered about the assumption that children can't learn near the holidays because its, well, the holidays. I think we (meaning the wider culture) projected that on them from the start. As a child, I used to be SO glad to get back to school in January and have it just be school again. I loved Christmas, but to me it was better done at home, and - even in my large boisterous family - somehow more controlled.
You're making candy? Superwoman. Just sayin'.
My kids are grown now, but the holidays just made everything a little more wild, unpredictable. Even little kids know something is up, and for kids in school, it just ramps up.
Please go to my fb page to see video of what I did this evening. There are no words to describe the joy.
Liz, what a wonderful event! Seeing people boldly pushing back against fear and division is definitely joyful. Yay!
Liz, how lovely. xoxo
Le sadness. My beloved took the day off to go visit his sister at the care facility, take her present, have her sign a card for her son. It makes him incredibly sad to see his little sister falling away, bits and chunks at a time. She's been much calmer and steadier [far fewer falls] since they were able to reduce her heavier meds using medical marijuana. But she's back to thinking her first ex is coming to pick her up, they're getting maaaarrriiiied!!, and then moving to an apartment -- she talks about this constantly, every day. She remembers she loves her son, but in her mind he is still 5 years old (not 15) -- when he sends photos, he now looks a lot like his dad, and she tries to tear the photos up. I'm ever so grateful for the folks at her care facility, who have worked so hard to keep her as comfortable as possible under these dismal circumstances.
oh, kathy a, "dismal" is the right word. How heartbreaking.
Liz travels in the same circles as my (church) people, I figured out when I saw her video.
W: oh my goodness, Sweet just got home 45 minutes ago and has already had 2 meltdowns over nothing. Too much crappy food, too much "fun." It's going to be a long afternoon.
Send the Baboos over here! The other reason my beloved is kind of sad is "it was so much more fun when the kids were little, there was always something to be happy about." Hope some peacefulness comes around this afternoon. xoxo
I love how small and cozy my world is. Esperanza, I just friended your friend on FB.
It's been meltdown central for the menfolk in my house. I should have brought them both with me yesterday.
She is a character of the best kind, Liz. Enjoy getting to know her!
Tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of bringing Sweet home from the hospital. I was trying to explain it to her this morning. "But my birthday was a long time ago." Yes, exactly.
((( Esperanza ))) This is a good anniversary to remember!
I think it's probably good that I don't remember it as easily as I once did. Her due date passed without me noticing (December 13), and I had to think about her coming home day.
Yay coming home day!
My sister was a preemie who came home just before Christmas. 50 years ago! Her due date was early December. Don't remember the exact dates, but the event -- coming home after so long in the hospital -- that is not forgettable. xoxo
Significant inroads on the holiday meal shopping!
SIL liked her present; put the scarf on right away and started showing people.
So many hugs, esperanza. We only had a short NICU ordeal, but E's homecoming anniversary was on the 12th (due date is the 30th), and all those landmarks are pretty heartsqueezing. Book of Faces reminds me of all of them, too!
(((kathy and husband)))
AW: Mr. Q is on vacation!
W: we're doing ALL of our Christmas shopping tomorrow.
Sweet was born pre-book of faces, so I have to rely on my own noggin.
Yay vacation!
Just remember -- stores are open next week, too, when some people will be back at work!
W: The pilot light for our water heater went out, and Mr. Fixit is off today and couldn't fix it. The nearby plumber said everybody's jammed today, someone can come Tuesday. We begged and groveled. AW: The latest call said maybe this afternoon! If this happens, Santa is definitely giving away quality candy.
Pilot lights scare me. (We live in an all-electric house)
The guy is here! He just showed up and is fixing it! FIXED! He got a bag of goodies.
Huzzah for the quick fix! He deserves that bag of goodies.
If we can't find everything on Saturday morning, we'll go during the week, but it'll be busy! Monday is Mr. Q's birthday, and signing closing papers (but if things go quickly with the lawyer, we can do a little more shopping, since E will be with her Grampy). Tuesday is the day when Mr. Q is doing all of his school work, and E and I are going to help make delicious Norwegian desserts with my mom and sister. Wednesday is Norwegian Little Christmas Eve, and our afternoon will be with family and friends, having rice porridge and other delicious stuff. Then presents with my family on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day with the in-laws!
Hippo birdie to Mr.Q! Closing is a lot of paper, but shouldn't take very long. Sounds like a packed week!
Tell us more about Norwegian desserts, please.
Yes, we need Norwegian dessert info!
W: Mr. E just came in with some presents wrapped for the Baboos. One of them was a jigsaw puzzle for Sweet. She loves them, and is quite good at putting them together, for her age. She regularly tackles 100 piece puzzles, completely independently. She is quite amazing, really. The puzzle he bought? 1000 pieces. It was "in the kids' section," he said. I made him take it out from under the tree. Nobody needs that kind of frustration on Christmas, or any other day. Deep breathing. Deep breathing.
A 1000 piece puzzle? Maybe as a family project in a few years? Daddy's heart's in the right place, but he maybe forgot the scale of that project.
Sweet does sound like a puzzle prodigy, though. Go, Sweet!
Yes. Trying to cut him some slack. Puzzles are her thing, really the only thing that comes more easily to her than it does to her sister, so we try to encourage it.
1000 piece?! That sounds like a puzzle for some long summer days, where you say that you and Mr. E are working on the puzzle, and Sweet can help if she wants.
Norwegian desserts! Rice porridge (which is more of a breakfast, but traditionally also served around Christmas), and made like stove top rice pudding, but just with rice and whole milk. (And sometimes with one almond, and whoever gets the almond gets good luck.) Served with normal oatmeal toppings (brown sugar, cinnamon, cream).
Krumkakke is the main thing we'll be making on the 22nd. It's like a waffle cone, or a rolled flat cookie. Thin batter, cooked in a special press, and then rolled around a wooden cone while it's still hot.
We usual also have lefse, which is a bit better known of a Norwegian dessert (thin potato pancake, served rolled and cut, with butter, cinnamon and sugar).
Well that all sounds yummy.
I forgot....kathy a, candy-making is not superwoman material. I do not make fussy, individual candies. Only things you pour out into a pan and then break or cut. Pecan toffee, peanut brittle, and fudge are my standbys. I have not worked up any energy to try anything new this year, after last year's praline debacles. Yes, plural.
My husband somehow squeezed the old couch through the kitchen, past a counter, and through a narrow doorway to the family room, so now there is room for a tree! I told him he was a genius, and he said, "more stubborn than genius." :)
Today, some cleaning, and a couple short outings to shop local. I'm still not sure how many stockings are needed; gave away some of the stash to the wonderful repair guy; and better safe than sorry, right?
W: On the support website for my SIL's illness, somebody revived a very upsetting thread advocating suicide for those who have the illness. Really?? There isn't enough stress for everyone at this time of the year already?? Sigh.
AW: There is a sleeping cat on my chair.
AW: Nice rain last night; sunshine right now.
AW: Everybody's gonna be so excited when the cat forest comes home later, and all the cat toys magically appear to make cats happy!
AW: glorious weather outside. Baboos have spent at least 3 hours riding bikes.
W: I have gotten nothing else accomplished.
Cluesticks to those bringing up triggering issues in the online support group, during a typically rough season.
Cheers for Kathy's husband, for making room for the tree!
I'm jealous of esperanza and her glorious weather. Winter has arrived here at last.
AW: we had a family birthday party with the in-laws, at a certain notorious mouse/pizza/games place... let's call it Charles E Fromage. And it turned out to be surprisingly okay. Better service than I've had a lot of places, the food wasn't bad for fast food, and the whole extended family had a good time. I'm surprised, since I expected the experience to be hellish, and my anxiety to go through the roof. But I was okay, and E (my anxious child, who hates crowds), loved it, and convinced us to stay longer, after the rest of the family had to go.
Minor miracles.
You are very, very brave QWP. One of the perks of living in smalltown is that we do not have such an establishment, and most of the Baboos' friends have their birthday parties at home, the way God intended. I'm glad it went well.
Esperanza, surely 3 hours of riding is good for some rest tonight.
QWP, glad you had a good experience with Ze Cheese! It's a mixed bag; sometimes great, sometimes total overload.
The tree is happening tomorrow, but the ornaments and stockings have been located.
No tree yet, since daughter only got up a little before noon, and Daddy insists she must accompany him on this important mission. But soon.... Now!
Daughter went out with a work friend last night, and they had dinner and window shopped in The City. In apple-falls-not-far-from-the-tree news, they went to the famous department store, Needless Markup, and had laughing fits at the price tags. My daughter informs me she found a very nice dress for only $8,000! They also viewed the pets for adoption in the windows of another fancypants store.
I went shopping for about 15 minutes yesterday, here in our small town, and I'm just done. I'll keep on making some gifts, but the older I get, the less I like shopping. And I didn't like it very much when I was younger!
Baboos are organizing the presents.
I'm finishing up the final (I think) sewing project. Good thing, because the Baboos and I have fun!fun!fun! planned for the next few days when Daddy is extra busy at work. Tomorrow: playdate at the farm, where we had a fabulous time a couple weeks ago. Tuesday: ride the horse. Wednesday: trip to big city zoo. Weather permitting on all of that, but it looks good now.
Wonder Woman! All that sewing!
15 minutes is about my limit per shopping trip, too.
The dog apparently thinks that tree decorating is more fun than watching football. Go figure... We are on the "hang an ornament when you pass by" schedule for completing the tree, so it might be another day or 2.
W: worked on curriculum planning for 12+ hours today (note: Sunday!) and could easily spend 12 more.
But can't . Eyes glazed, and have to get up at 5:25 am to start the day.
You know those meals that take umpteen hours to make and then get scarfed down in about 20 minutes? Yeah, teaching is sometimes like that.
--Neighbor Lady
Decorated the tree yesterday, and husband noticed it was listing to the left, we tried to fix it, made it worse. Undecorated it, examined it, realized that husband killed it when trying an experiment with it when we were tidying the basement this past summer. See, the old tree had one long center pole that you put all the branches on. The branches all fit in the big storage tub, but the center pole was too long. There was a join on the center pole and husband thought it could come apart. I pointed out that we had tried in the past. He said, yeah, but not with a pipe wrench.
So this morning, early, we go to T@rget to get a 7' tall "Alberta Spruce" advertised at $33.90 and the website says it's in stock at the Leesburg store. We go, it's not in stock, despite the fact that IT STILL SAYS IN STOCK ON THE WEBSITE. The in-store system shows it sold out everywhere closer than Germantown. So we get a 7'6" one for twice the price. Husband grumbling the whole time.
It doesn't fit in the trunk of the car. We drive home with son riding shotgun, and husband in back with box of tree across his knees.
We get it home and pull it out of the box and it's a miracle. Only three pieces. The branches are hinged!!! Fake tree technology has come a long way in 14 years.
We decorated again, and life is better.
But I was an idiot and missed the pageant at a friend's church. Oops.
NL, you are our favorite teacher! And you've almost got the whole planning thing in the bag, so you can do nermal things over the actual break. ;)
Liz -- I will refrain from making comments about guys and their tools. But glad the new tree is there and adorned!!
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