January

It's always the month where I spend a lot of time at the bookstore.

Getting ready for the Super Sale

Having the Super Sale

Preparing for the Sidewalk Sale

Surviving the Sidewalk Sale

AND

Beginning and working through INVENTORY arghhhhh!

That's what I've been doing all week and I guess I'll still be working on it next week, too.

Meanwhile, at home...

arghhhh indeed!

I never ever manage to get my act together enough to get Christmas decorations and paraphanelia put away before beginning on the work marathon.

So...all through January my home looks like it's been attacked by the killer clutter bugs! It's true!

Still have Christmas presents undelivered, still have Christmas wrap and bags...bows..ribbon..etc...not reboxed and out of sight.

Still have all sorts of Christmas decorations out...here and there, as I've also been working on getting it put away.

Still have half winter/half spring decorating in weird places...like the main bathroom.

*ugh*

My energy levels have been compromised by poor diet(Holiday foods! YUM!) and poor personal habits...no exercise and not sleepy at normal times. Went to bed at 4am this morning as I stayed up all night reading the new Julie Garwood historical...it was good, but not good enough to stay up until 4am if you needed to be anywhere...thankfully, this time I didn't have a deadline of any kind! But...it is messing with me now...I'm sleepy, but need to be doing some cooking for taking to Loris's house. Might not get done.

Oh...also...been playing a lot online with new groups...and, trying to find new skins and other fun things for my pages. I'm learning even more about how much I do not know about computers.

OK...enough whining....if I'm this tired I should go to sleep! So...think I will...

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weird Christmas season

First thing first..where is half of my options for my font??!! ARGHH...no colors? No sizes?? No different font to pick from??? What up with this? BLAH!!

Second...Christmas. I've seen and prepared for a lot of Christmases...this one is one of the more weird ones for me because the kids aren't coming here and we aren't going to their places. And, while Melanie and crew will be here after Christmas...it's not as much fun as having them here at Christmas. Also, we've cut way back on the decorating because supposedly there's supposed to be some painting going on in the foyer and main living areas. So....no big tree, and not hardly any decorations at all...I do have the two main nativity sets out and a few other things here and there. Scott did go out and buy himself a table top tree for the downstairs. And..so far we don't have any wreaths nor any window candle lights put out.

But...on the more positive side of things...almost all of my shopping is done or figured out. I've been working on the cards and the family/friends card book is almost worked through, while Scott and I knocked off the church list on Sat night. I still have all my Fly Friends cards to do...I started first with them last year so they go last this year! LOL

I haven't decided on my baking. I'm really wanting to do tons. But, realistically there isn't enough time. Nor is there anyone that needs to be eating the stuff. I like doing the candy or cookies or breads the most. Things like Fantasy Fudge, covered pretzels, caramels, peppermint bark, banana nut bread, apple bread, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and Lisa's brickle cookies. Wish I liked making yeast breads as Momma made a really good braided breakfast bread...looked like a Christmas tree!! The other thing is....I do not like the cleaning up. And...I don't need to have a bunch of food here that I'd have to do something with or just throw it away. So...chances are slim I'll get to it. Oh...might try that new recipe for sponge toffee...anyone had it before? Is it good??

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Washington Dating

night out

Another year come and gone!! My husband and I have been married 39 years. We celebrated with him bringing me roses and a card(not mushy this year) and went out to eat. We debated on where to go, but once in the car he changed his mind about where to go. NOT a big surprise!! This has been something he does with great regularity!! Surprisingly enough, he chose for us to go to Joseph-Beth Bookseller's cafe. Which is a waaay yuppie place in their atmosphere and food. Ended up with OK food and an inept waiter. SIGH My dessert was excellent. If they would only do everything as well as they do their tiramisu life would be very good!! To set off the surprise...he was willing to look around shopping in the bookstore. I quickly loaded my arms with books and used a portion of my carefully horded gift certificates. I still have a bit left for more funness later on!! LOL

Turkey Swap

Ahhhh, the power of the blog!! Snagged me some turkey just from whining on here!! LOL Thanks to Jen for coming to my rescue. I now have turkey for both eating and playing out my inner barbarian...wonder what Scott would do if I attacked him with a turkey leg??? Nahhh those thoughts are better left alone...back quickly away!!

Anyway...thanks Jen for bringing me turkey. I'm sorry that my cake options were so slim. Do you all like pies?? I can make you a pie...?? OR...cookies?? Just tell me what flavors and I'll come through for you!!

Thanksgiving has come and gone....

Well, another Thanksgiving day came and went with visits with family, this year his side of the family. All his whole brothers were there and his whole sister...he has two halves left...grin...one a brother from his mother's side, the other a sister from his father's side. They're much older, but he's worked hard with establishing a relationship with both of them over the years. They just weren't able to make it there for the celebration, too. His brother's three boys were all there for the first time in a long time for us to see them. No one was drunk, no one strung out on drugs...not nairy one fight for us to survive. It was surprisingly pleasant, with everyone on their best behaviour.

I did miss being with my side of the family. My two nieces with new babies were going to be at their father's house. One of the young babies I've never even seen before. I wasn't pleased, but resigned.
I called there today and only got a busy signal. I'll have to remember to try again.

I did get to talk with my own children for the holiday. I think it's really important to touch base on these days, even if it's just for a short conversation, as it conveys and reinforces the love and, anyway..makes me feel soothed. This year even my new daughter in law called me specially to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving. When I'd been talking with my son she wasn't around, and then I passed the phone to his father and then it was hung up...she didn't find out later that we were who he was talking to...and, got aggravated that he didn't let her have a turn to say "hi". She can be a sweetie!! LOL Unfortunately, we didn't get to talk with Penny and her crew...I thought about them as we passed their exit...was wondering why we didn't set up something ahead of time to be with them instead of with old people like us!! LOL

One bad thing...we didn't bring home enough leftovers. Not even one piece of turkey for a sandwich. Did get some of the roast beef...but, while good, it just doesn't conjure up that same feeling of contentment!! I do have some cake in there that my friend Lisa made for us. She does a really good job with both cakes and cookies! I am the pie maker, but it's been too many years since I did them regularly enough to stay in practice. Good crust takes practice!!

OH well..nothing is stopping me from baking or inviting more people over...well...except for being lazy and not wanting to mess with my plans for decluttering more...

Guess that's all for tonight...I can hear one of those cakes calling to me....Donnnnaaa!! yep..recognise my own name!! LOL