12/20/2017
Jeff took today off, since he has 3 days of vacation left. He was able to sleep in a "bit", until the girls began to display their I'm Hungry Dance! As I type this, he's asleep in his chair, so I'm trying to be quiet while I move around the house. Jeff needs this extra bit of rest. Once Ada comes, he'll wake up, once he hears the vacuum.
I went to the dentist yesterday, with tooth in hand. Actually, tooth in a baggie, but you get the idea. No tooth fairy for me - too bad. The tooth that fell out had a crown on top, and apparently can't be put back into my mouth. Now, I must have an implant to replace the tooth in question. Most new dental plans, will only pay for implants after one year. Well, that's just great, because the tooth that fell out, is near the front of my mouth. It's not too noticeable, unless I smile. I can try and schedule the implant, while we still have dental insurance, but I know it probably can't be done this year, due to Christmas, etc.
I might be a bit busy next year, if I have an implant inserted ($$), back surgery ($$$$$$$), and I could have my vision tested too, but I will probably wait another year before doing that.
I'm challenging my creative side, with some of the presents I'm wrapping for Stacey and Scott. Can't say more now, just in case they read my blog. So, I'll sign off for now, enjoy your day.
P
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
I'm Back
12/19/2017
You may, and I hope you have sort of, noticed my absence in the last few days. My computer was getting an in-house service call to fix or upgrade or something like that, so I wasn't able to access the computer during that time. But, thanks to Scott and/or perhaps "Computer Ken" (a long-time family friend), my computer is back up and running again. I didn't realize just how much I would miss having the computer. While if I stood on one foot, and swung my arms around in a circle (an exaggeration obviously), I could get to Amazon, a necessity at this time of the year and have access to my calendar in outlook, etc.
All of that is behind me now, so it's all speed ahead. Where to begin blogging? I think I should go back to Friday, the 15th. Stacey arranged, and I am most appreciative, a birthday dinner for me at a local steak house. Dinner was very good, and afterwards, we came back to the house to have birthday cake and open presents. Yes, I said presents, and, no Christmas wrapping paper/bags in sight. It's not every day that a gal turns 68 you know. Jeff bought me curlers, and yes I still use curlers, doesn't everyone? Unicorn socks, which are so cute, pink earmuffs, three Murano bangle bracelets, a small insulated unicorn bag, which will be useful to hold things when I go for doctors' appointments. If I'm leaving anything out, my apologies to the gift giver.
Stacey and Benjamin made a rainbow layered cake. It was then iced and decorated with flowers, eyelashes on the front of the cake, and a Unicorn horn stuck in the middle of the cake. With that dessert, I had my often asked for - rainbows and unicorns! After eating the cake, we ladies retired to the living room, Benjamin and Elly (Wendy's daughter), took empty wrapping paper rolls and went to the upstairs hall to have a "sword" fight. Yesterday, Auntie Kim came to see me, and she brought me three miniature, but oh so tasty bundt cakes and a book from a friend of hers who self-published her book. So, you can see that I liked turning 68 so much, that maybe I'll be 68 again next year on my birthday!
Most of the packages I've ordered from, you guessed it, Amazon, have arrived and require wrapping. Initially, I actually used wrapping paper and wrapped the gifts. What consists of my wrapping presents, shouldn't be considered wrapping at all. Oh, I do get paper, lots of paper around each gift, try and tuck the corners in, use more tape as well as more paper than is needed and voila I have a wrapped present. And, then I got/get lazy and started using packing tape to secure the Amazon boxes and use a magic marker to write the to and from names. The men in my life don't care about fancy wrapping and/or bows. Actually, maybe they do, but over the years have gotten used to me doing less wrapping. I'm happy to report that there are no dreaded "shirt boxes" this year. That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't need/want them, I just found a different way to wrap certain presents.
And, because my life wasn't hectic enough with keeping track of the packages I have received and those I didn't, I lost a tooth! I was walking down the stairs, which by the way, actually had nothing to do with the tooth coming out. I felt something odd in my mouth, and the next thing I knew I had pulled out a tooth that had come loose. Due to my advanced age, the tooth fairy didn't visit me. Jeff is taking me to the dentist this afternoon, to put the tooth back into my mouth, hopefully. Of course, the tooth that came out is in the front, which does absolutely nothing for my looks! Not that I care much about my looks these days. I'm home 99.9% of the time, and the girls don't care whether I've showered, dressed, etc.,
I received a call from my ortho surgeon this morning. Can you imagine a surgeon taking the time to call a patient to explain again the procedure he is planning to do in my back. If, nothing else, the surgery should elevate the pain I have in my back when I've walked or stood too much. Will it fix the numbness in the foot? He's hopeful, which makes me hopeful. Because I had spinal fusion surgery in 1999, I am having trouble pulling the trigger on a surgery date. It's not a question that I need the surgery, it's just that I will admit, am scared.
In a nutshell, this is what's been going on during the last few days that I wasn't able to blog.
P
You may, and I hope you have sort of, noticed my absence in the last few days. My computer was getting an in-house service call to fix or upgrade or something like that, so I wasn't able to access the computer during that time. But, thanks to Scott and/or perhaps "Computer Ken" (a long-time family friend), my computer is back up and running again. I didn't realize just how much I would miss having the computer. While if I stood on one foot, and swung my arms around in a circle (an exaggeration obviously), I could get to Amazon, a necessity at this time of the year and have access to my calendar in outlook, etc.
All of that is behind me now, so it's all speed ahead. Where to begin blogging? I think I should go back to Friday, the 15th. Stacey arranged, and I am most appreciative, a birthday dinner for me at a local steak house. Dinner was very good, and afterwards, we came back to the house to have birthday cake and open presents. Yes, I said presents, and, no Christmas wrapping paper/bags in sight. It's not every day that a gal turns 68 you know. Jeff bought me curlers, and yes I still use curlers, doesn't everyone? Unicorn socks, which are so cute, pink earmuffs, three Murano bangle bracelets, a small insulated unicorn bag, which will be useful to hold things when I go for doctors' appointments. If I'm leaving anything out, my apologies to the gift giver.
Stacey and Benjamin made a rainbow layered cake. It was then iced and decorated with flowers, eyelashes on the front of the cake, and a Unicorn horn stuck in the middle of the cake. With that dessert, I had my often asked for - rainbows and unicorns! After eating the cake, we ladies retired to the living room, Benjamin and Elly (Wendy's daughter), took empty wrapping paper rolls and went to the upstairs hall to have a "sword" fight. Yesterday, Auntie Kim came to see me, and she brought me three miniature, but oh so tasty bundt cakes and a book from a friend of hers who self-published her book. So, you can see that I liked turning 68 so much, that maybe I'll be 68 again next year on my birthday!
Most of the packages I've ordered from, you guessed it, Amazon, have arrived and require wrapping. Initially, I actually used wrapping paper and wrapped the gifts. What consists of my wrapping presents, shouldn't be considered wrapping at all. Oh, I do get paper, lots of paper around each gift, try and tuck the corners in, use more tape as well as more paper than is needed and voila I have a wrapped present. And, then I got/get lazy and started using packing tape to secure the Amazon boxes and use a magic marker to write the to and from names. The men in my life don't care about fancy wrapping and/or bows. Actually, maybe they do, but over the years have gotten used to me doing less wrapping. I'm happy to report that there are no dreaded "shirt boxes" this year. That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't need/want them, I just found a different way to wrap certain presents.
And, because my life wasn't hectic enough with keeping track of the packages I have received and those I didn't, I lost a tooth! I was walking down the stairs, which by the way, actually had nothing to do with the tooth coming out. I felt something odd in my mouth, and the next thing I knew I had pulled out a tooth that had come loose. Due to my advanced age, the tooth fairy didn't visit me. Jeff is taking me to the dentist this afternoon, to put the tooth back into my mouth, hopefully. Of course, the tooth that came out is in the front, which does absolutely nothing for my looks! Not that I care much about my looks these days. I'm home 99.9% of the time, and the girls don't care whether I've showered, dressed, etc.,
I received a call from my ortho surgeon this morning. Can you imagine a surgeon taking the time to call a patient to explain again the procedure he is planning to do in my back. If, nothing else, the surgery should elevate the pain I have in my back when I've walked or stood too much. Will it fix the numbness in the foot? He's hopeful, which makes me hopeful. Because I had spinal fusion surgery in 1999, I am having trouble pulling the trigger on a surgery date. It's not a question that I need the surgery, it's just that I will admit, am scared.
In a nutshell, this is what's been going on during the last few days that I wasn't able to blog.
P
Friday, December 15, 2017
Friday!
12/15/2017
I'm in countdown mode until Sunday, when I become a "slightly" older old person! Stacey, has arranged a birthday dinner for me and family et al, at a local steak house. Stacey is a vegetarian, but the rest of the family are all carnivores, who all love steak. Yum, I can hardly wait.
Yesterday, I got serious about wrapping presents. Before I got serious, I had presents, boxes, padded envelopes and you name it pretty much all over the house. And, then armed with my trusted wrapping pal, packing tape, I got down to business. No ribbons, no bows and sometimes no wrapping paper. I have a few remaining gifts that should be here in the next day or two, but I'm calling a "wrap" on wrapping - DONE!!!
With the exception of the occasional stealing by Bella, the girls are, and perhaps it's my imagination, getting better about using the carpet as a potty spot, chewing on chair legs as well as one of our sofas. The sofa is older and was replaced by two recliners. We keep the sofa primarily for the girls to sleep on. So the fact that part of one arm has been chewed down to wood, doesn't bother us because when we decide to get rid of that sofa, it will just go to the dump. Because Bella still likes to take things that don't belong to her, I still have the baby gates up protecting the kitchen and living room.
It is gray outside. Looks like snow, and our area could have some light snow today. Winter is definitely coming, so I'd better figure out if I can get my right foot, which is swollen, into a pair of "real" shoes. You know the ones that either buckle or tie. I switched to Velcro closing shoes several years ago when tying became a bit of a problem for me. With Velcro shoes, you put your foot in, and secure the top easily. And, because they are Velcro, they don't become untied.
I got up at the girls' regular wake-up time, after Jeff leaves for work. So, at 7:30, it was feet and paws on the floor. Time now for coffee, bagel and hopefully some kind of a cooking show.
Have a wonderful Friday.
P
I'm in countdown mode until Sunday, when I become a "slightly" older old person! Stacey, has arranged a birthday dinner for me and family et al, at a local steak house. Stacey is a vegetarian, but the rest of the family are all carnivores, who all love steak. Yum, I can hardly wait.
Yesterday, I got serious about wrapping presents. Before I got serious, I had presents, boxes, padded envelopes and you name it pretty much all over the house. And, then armed with my trusted wrapping pal, packing tape, I got down to business. No ribbons, no bows and sometimes no wrapping paper. I have a few remaining gifts that should be here in the next day or two, but I'm calling a "wrap" on wrapping - DONE!!!
With the exception of the occasional stealing by Bella, the girls are, and perhaps it's my imagination, getting better about using the carpet as a potty spot, chewing on chair legs as well as one of our sofas. The sofa is older and was replaced by two recliners. We keep the sofa primarily for the girls to sleep on. So the fact that part of one arm has been chewed down to wood, doesn't bother us because when we decide to get rid of that sofa, it will just go to the dump. Because Bella still likes to take things that don't belong to her, I still have the baby gates up protecting the kitchen and living room.
It is gray outside. Looks like snow, and our area could have some light snow today. Winter is definitely coming, so I'd better figure out if I can get my right foot, which is swollen, into a pair of "real" shoes. You know the ones that either buckle or tie. I switched to Velcro closing shoes several years ago when tying became a bit of a problem for me. With Velcro shoes, you put your foot in, and secure the top easily. And, because they are Velcro, they don't become untied.
I got up at the girls' regular wake-up time, after Jeff leaves for work. So, at 7:30, it was feet and paws on the floor. Time now for coffee, bagel and hopefully some kind of a cooking show.
Have a wonderful Friday.
P
Thursday, December 14, 2017
It Snowed!
12/14/2017
Last night, we had, I guess you could say our first snow of the season. It's true that what stuff fell from the sky, but once it hit the ground, it was just a dusting. But, I enjoyed seeing some snow on the ground. I don't necessarily want "foots" of snow, but wouldn't it be nice to have a white Christmas? It should always snow on a weekend or holiday, so that people don't have to shovel themselves out in a hurry to get to work.
When I was working, and particularly when the boys were in school, Jeff and I had to get up very early to see if" (a) the schools were delayed or closed, and this is a working parents' nightmare; and (b) did the powers that be, delay or close the office. Luckily, all of that is behind me now, and since I can't drive at the moment, don't worry about getting to and fro for a doctor's appointment. It's all good.
I spent a lot of time wrapping, okay to call what I did with boxes and bags as wrapping, is an understatement. I did "secure" said boxes and bags with paper and in some cases used packing tape to secure the odd padded envelope. Don't look to me for ribbons and bows, that's just not going to happen. Oh, I do occasionally put curly ribbon on a gift, and then curl the ends with scissors, but that's about as adventuresome as I get. The men in my life, don't want or need to have their packages decorated. It's not like they get all excited when they see those dreaded "shirt" boxes! But, after all, what are you supposed to buy for adult sons? Luckily, I still had some original gift giving thoughts for all the men. And, buying for Stacey, Wendy and Elly was a dream for me. Buying for "pink" people was just so much fun.
Tomorrow night, Stacey has organized a birthday dinner for me with her, Andrew, Benjamin, Scott and Wendy and perhaps Elly. I can't adequately describe how much I appreciate Stacey organizing a special dinner for me. I got to pick out the restaurant, and I picked one that serves steaks (yum). After that, I was taken out of the equation. My job is just to show up. How much fun is that? I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.
I have to wrap more presents today. I "may" have bought too many presents, but for me, finding the right gift for the right person, is so worth it. Compared to last year's Christmas, which Jeff and I spent alone, this year promises to be much more fun and festive. We don't own a sleigh, but we'll be putting presents in the trunk, so I think that counts. And, we'll be traveling over hill and dell to get to Scott's house.
We've got a cold wind blowing through our area. When I'm sitting in the den, watching another cheesy Hallmark movie, I turn on the fireplace and both of the girls migrate toward the fire. In fact, Bella will actually put her head on the bricks in front of the fireplace. Since it's a gas log, I don't have to worry about sparks, etc.
Time for me to get in gear. Happy Thursday.
P
Last night, we had, I guess you could say our first snow of the season. It's true that what stuff fell from the sky, but once it hit the ground, it was just a dusting. But, I enjoyed seeing some snow on the ground. I don't necessarily want "foots" of snow, but wouldn't it be nice to have a white Christmas? It should always snow on a weekend or holiday, so that people don't have to shovel themselves out in a hurry to get to work.
When I was working, and particularly when the boys were in school, Jeff and I had to get up very early to see if" (a) the schools were delayed or closed, and this is a working parents' nightmare; and (b) did the powers that be, delay or close the office. Luckily, all of that is behind me now, and since I can't drive at the moment, don't worry about getting to and fro for a doctor's appointment. It's all good.
I spent a lot of time wrapping, okay to call what I did with boxes and bags as wrapping, is an understatement. I did "secure" said boxes and bags with paper and in some cases used packing tape to secure the odd padded envelope. Don't look to me for ribbons and bows, that's just not going to happen. Oh, I do occasionally put curly ribbon on a gift, and then curl the ends with scissors, but that's about as adventuresome as I get. The men in my life, don't want or need to have their packages decorated. It's not like they get all excited when they see those dreaded "shirt" boxes! But, after all, what are you supposed to buy for adult sons? Luckily, I still had some original gift giving thoughts for all the men. And, buying for Stacey, Wendy and Elly was a dream for me. Buying for "pink" people was just so much fun.
Tomorrow night, Stacey has organized a birthday dinner for me with her, Andrew, Benjamin, Scott and Wendy and perhaps Elly. I can't adequately describe how much I appreciate Stacey organizing a special dinner for me. I got to pick out the restaurant, and I picked one that serves steaks (yum). After that, I was taken out of the equation. My job is just to show up. How much fun is that? I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.
I have to wrap more presents today. I "may" have bought too many presents, but for me, finding the right gift for the right person, is so worth it. Compared to last year's Christmas, which Jeff and I spent alone, this year promises to be much more fun and festive. We don't own a sleigh, but we'll be putting presents in the trunk, so I think that counts. And, we'll be traveling over hill and dell to get to Scott's house.
We've got a cold wind blowing through our area. When I'm sitting in the den, watching another cheesy Hallmark movie, I turn on the fireplace and both of the girls migrate toward the fire. In fact, Bella will actually put her head on the bricks in front of the fireplace. Since it's a gas log, I don't have to worry about sparks, etc.
Time for me to get in gear. Happy Thursday.
P
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Hump Day
12/13/2017
Recycling day. There is a part of me longs for the days when you just had trash and everything from paper to plastic was tossed into the trash can. Now, and I understand why, we have to sort paper from plastic, but someday's it's just downright annoying.
The presents are over taking the house. Wrapped gifts are in the living room. Unwrapped gifts are both in my office as well as the dining room table. It is imperative now, more than ever, that Bella not have access to the den, without supervision. She would have a field day with all that paper, cardboard and gifts at her disposable.
After I shower and dress, I'll return to the wrapping of presents. I'll have to make two disclaimers on Christmas Day: (1) sort of apologize for the presents wrapped by me; and (2) that when it came time to picking out clothing sizes, I didn't want to insult someone by buying too big and/or too small. It was just a judgment call, and I hope I got it right.
Our cleaning lady comes today, and she's going to find parts of the house in complete chaos. I think, for the most part, that I'm pretty organized, thanks to being OCD, but at the moment, I've absolutely lost control.
I love presents that come in their own box, because I generally can do a "fairly" good job of wrapping. My wrapping isn't what you would call pretty, by any stretch of the imagination, but I get 'ur done! Some would day, and they might be right, that I have bought simply too many presents. But, I enjoy the hunt looking for what I think will make a great present for everyone. I do get lists from some people, and I consider the list, and then I go rogue! What can I say? I love giving. I love that when somebody opens up a present, that they didn't know they wanted, and I see all that joy on their face, my day is absolutely complete! I'll deal with the Visa bill later. The Amazon charges are on the high end, but when you divide that number by the number of people I'm buying for, it doesn't look so bad. (Keep that in mind Jeff, when the bill comes - (insert happy face here)!
The good news is that with one exception (Benjamin), I seldom buy gifts the rest of the year. So, if you take the amount of money I spent on Amazon, divide that by the number of people on my list, and then divide it again by 12, it comes out to a very reasonable number. "Fake Numbers"!
Jeff went out to Andrew's house last night and he took the girls. Bella, for sure, needs to burn off some of her energy, and she just can't do that in our backyard very well. Jeff helped to get heat out to the chicken coop, so that the chickens will stay warm this winter. And, based on temperatures today, not a moment too soon.
I'm really looking forward to my birthday dinner on Friday, as well as Christmas Day. Everyone will be at Scott's house to exchange presents, eat great food and enjoy each other's company. Can't wait.
Time to run and get something done!
P
P.S.: I bet you can't tell from these two pictures, which one closely resembles my time of wrapping, versus Stacey's wrapping!
Recycling day. There is a part of me longs for the days when you just had trash and everything from paper to plastic was tossed into the trash can. Now, and I understand why, we have to sort paper from plastic, but someday's it's just downright annoying.
The presents are over taking the house. Wrapped gifts are in the living room. Unwrapped gifts are both in my office as well as the dining room table. It is imperative now, more than ever, that Bella not have access to the den, without supervision. She would have a field day with all that paper, cardboard and gifts at her disposable.
After I shower and dress, I'll return to the wrapping of presents. I'll have to make two disclaimers on Christmas Day: (1) sort of apologize for the presents wrapped by me; and (2) that when it came time to picking out clothing sizes, I didn't want to insult someone by buying too big and/or too small. It was just a judgment call, and I hope I got it right.
Our cleaning lady comes today, and she's going to find parts of the house in complete chaos. I think, for the most part, that I'm pretty organized, thanks to being OCD, but at the moment, I've absolutely lost control.
I love presents that come in their own box, because I generally can do a "fairly" good job of wrapping. My wrapping isn't what you would call pretty, by any stretch of the imagination, but I get 'ur done! Some would day, and they might be right, that I have bought simply too many presents. But, I enjoy the hunt looking for what I think will make a great present for everyone. I do get lists from some people, and I consider the list, and then I go rogue! What can I say? I love giving. I love that when somebody opens up a present, that they didn't know they wanted, and I see all that joy on their face, my day is absolutely complete! I'll deal with the Visa bill later. The Amazon charges are on the high end, but when you divide that number by the number of people I'm buying for, it doesn't look so bad. (Keep that in mind Jeff, when the bill comes - (insert happy face here)!
The good news is that with one exception (Benjamin), I seldom buy gifts the rest of the year. So, if you take the amount of money I spent on Amazon, divide that by the number of people on my list, and then divide it again by 12, it comes out to a very reasonable number. "Fake Numbers"!
Jeff went out to Andrew's house last night and he took the girls. Bella, for sure, needs to burn off some of her energy, and she just can't do that in our backyard very well. Jeff helped to get heat out to the chicken coop, so that the chickens will stay warm this winter. And, based on temperatures today, not a moment too soon.
I'm really looking forward to my birthday dinner on Friday, as well as Christmas Day. Everyone will be at Scott's house to exchange presents, eat great food and enjoy each other's company. Can't wait.
Time to run and get something done!
P
P.S.: I bet you can't tell from these two pictures, which one closely resembles my time of wrapping, versus Stacey's wrapping!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Leavy Tuesday
12/12/2017
The homeowner's association is coming through the neighborhood, sucking up any leaves that are in the street. Well, thanks to a 30 year old Oak tree, Jeff and I have leaves to spare, which is not necessarily a good thing. This morning, I went out and swept (yes with a broom) and swept most of the front yard. My theory is that for every leaf I get out to the street, is a leaf I don't have to pick up later! This exercise didn't feel so good physically for me, but mentally I'm giving myself two thumbs up. 👍👍 See, there they are!
Today, I literally have to empty out my office of boxes, presents, packing material and everything else relating to Christmas. Until I have all my presents wrapped, I really won't know how many of these empty boxes or padded envelopes I need to keep. The days of me shoving clothes into shirt boxes and sealing them with packing tape and identifying the recipient are over now.
I see that you can now give Amazon access to open your front door and put your packages inside. This just sounds creepy to me. I'm sure that the drivers are trustworthy, but that still doesn't give me piece of mind. And, boxes or packages left in the house could certainly be destroyed by the girls before I can get to them.
There's no snow predicated for the rest of the week. It's just gloomy gray outside, which is not a good thing for me. And, getting to be more on the cool/cold side. Our gas fireplaces, which was serviced more than a month ago (I think) is needing a new gas valve, or something like that. The repairman said that we had a 50/50 chance of the fireplace turning on. At the moment, the fireplace is working and the new valve will be put in in January. Glad there's no rush or anything.
Ada is coming to clean the house tomorrow - yeah. I have one present wrapped in a black trash
bag - don't ask. I will need to put that on the coach in the living room, so that she doesn't think it's trash and throws it out.
For the first time in several years, I'm really looking forward to Christmas. We're all going (Andrew et al) to Scott's house to exchange gifts and have lunch/dinner together. It will be so much fun. Frankly, I like the things I've bought for people and would like to give them to the family now. Since we're opening up presents at Scott's house, means that I won't have to deal with wrapping paper and boxes! Yeah. Scott has asked me to bring my hash brown casserole, which is a family favorite and pretzel salad, also a favorite. If, and that's a big if, I feel up to it, I might make those little round, nut filled and dusted with powder sugar cookies.
As I write this, with both the girls sitting near me, staring at the window, makes me wonder if their litter mates were also able to find good homes. There is a difference between giving a dog a home and giving a dog a great home. Bella and Daisy are living the life in a great home, I'm happy to say. Even though I get really frustrated with the damage to things that Bella has done in the past year, I believe we're making progress to having more mature dogs. Mind you, I still leave gates up all over the house, and I hope someday we'll be able to leave the girls in the house when we go out. But, that time is definitely not here.
Moving along now and heading to the kitchen as my first stop. Have a good day.
P
The homeowner's association is coming through the neighborhood, sucking up any leaves that are in the street. Well, thanks to a 30 year old Oak tree, Jeff and I have leaves to spare, which is not necessarily a good thing. This morning, I went out and swept (yes with a broom) and swept most of the front yard. My theory is that for every leaf I get out to the street, is a leaf I don't have to pick up later! This exercise didn't feel so good physically for me, but mentally I'm giving myself two thumbs up. 👍👍 See, there they are!
Today, I literally have to empty out my office of boxes, presents, packing material and everything else relating to Christmas. Until I have all my presents wrapped, I really won't know how many of these empty boxes or padded envelopes I need to keep. The days of me shoving clothes into shirt boxes and sealing them with packing tape and identifying the recipient are over now.
I see that you can now give Amazon access to open your front door and put your packages inside. This just sounds creepy to me. I'm sure that the drivers are trustworthy, but that still doesn't give me piece of mind. And, boxes or packages left in the house could certainly be destroyed by the girls before I can get to them.
There's no snow predicated for the rest of the week. It's just gloomy gray outside, which is not a good thing for me. And, getting to be more on the cool/cold side. Our gas fireplaces, which was serviced more than a month ago (I think) is needing a new gas valve, or something like that. The repairman said that we had a 50/50 chance of the fireplace turning on. At the moment, the fireplace is working and the new valve will be put in in January. Glad there's no rush or anything.
Ada is coming to clean the house tomorrow - yeah. I have one present wrapped in a black trash
bag - don't ask. I will need to put that on the coach in the living room, so that she doesn't think it's trash and throws it out.
For the first time in several years, I'm really looking forward to Christmas. We're all going (Andrew et al) to Scott's house to exchange gifts and have lunch/dinner together. It will be so much fun. Frankly, I like the things I've bought for people and would like to give them to the family now. Since we're opening up presents at Scott's house, means that I won't have to deal with wrapping paper and boxes! Yeah. Scott has asked me to bring my hash brown casserole, which is a family favorite and pretzel salad, also a favorite. If, and that's a big if, I feel up to it, I might make those little round, nut filled and dusted with powder sugar cookies.
As I write this, with both the girls sitting near me, staring at the window, makes me wonder if their litter mates were also able to find good homes. There is a difference between giving a dog a home and giving a dog a great home. Bella and Daisy are living the life in a great home, I'm happy to say. Even though I get really frustrated with the damage to things that Bella has done in the past year, I believe we're making progress to having more mature dogs. Mind you, I still leave gates up all over the house, and I hope someday we'll be able to leave the girls in the house when we go out. But, that time is definitely not here.
Moving along now and heading to the kitchen as my first stop. Have a good day.
P
Monday, December 11, 2017
Checking It Twice!
12/11/2017
A bright sunshiny day here. The little bit of snow that fell over the weekend, is almost gone. Now, if people are smart, this would be a good time to buy some winter tools, like a snow shovel. It seems as if everybody waits for a snow storm to be predicted, and then they flock to the stores to get those winter essentials - shovels, ice scrapers, etc.
Me? I stayed inside yesterday. I was afraid of falling on wet leaves, because what I don't need is to have another fall. I have an appointment scheduled for today, but that's not until this afternoon. In the meantime, I'm going to put all the empty boxes, padded envelopes, and packing pieces into the living room. I need the floor space in my office back!
We have a small two foot or so pre-lit fake Christmas tree. I came into the kitchen this morning, and Bella was chewing away on a plastic candy cane ornament. I keep wondering if she's missing something in her diet. I actually think that she should be taken outside for a long walk, to tire herself out. I've never walked her on a leash (back to that old falling thing again), nor do I have the stamina to walk long distances. I sound like a parrot when talking about what Caesar said about a dog's behavior. I will tell you that the things we've tried, like keeping her out of the kitchen, when we're in there cooking, is beginning to sink in. Now, an empty kitchen would still be too much for Bella. There's always lots of things she can get into.
I said that my Christmas shopping was done, but I lied. The hunt continued over the weekend, and now I really do think my shopping is done. I've even bought a few things for myself, which I will have Stacey wrap for me. I know that buying for oneself is not what you're supposed to do, but I view this as merely helping Jeff out. Note to Jeff - you can still buy me presents that will be a complete surprise for me!
While sitting here typing away, I looked up on one of my shelves, and found a perfect present for Stacey. Obviously, I can't disclose the item, just in case Stacey reads my blog. Jeff and I disagree on the giving away of things we own. My theory is that I've enjoyed "x" for many years and that I know a family member would enjoy "x" now. I don't think of this as giving away, more like passing "x" on, particularly if I know that, let's suppose we're talking about Stacey here, will love this object.
I think Stacey and Benjamin are coming to see me this week to continue wrapping for me. Now that I've cleaned out all my summer shoes and sandals from my closet, it would be a big help to me, if Benjamin would match up all the shoes that remain.
While sitting here, I hear something falling to the ground. And guess what? Bella has been able to push open one of the gates keeping her from the kitchen, and she got inside enough to grab a spatula. Luckily, I got there in time to get the spatula before it descended into the circle of hell, known as the basement!
Checking out now. I've got clothes to put away and spaghetti to make.
P
A bright sunshiny day here. The little bit of snow that fell over the weekend, is almost gone. Now, if people are smart, this would be a good time to buy some winter tools, like a snow shovel. It seems as if everybody waits for a snow storm to be predicted, and then they flock to the stores to get those winter essentials - shovels, ice scrapers, etc.
Me? I stayed inside yesterday. I was afraid of falling on wet leaves, because what I don't need is to have another fall. I have an appointment scheduled for today, but that's not until this afternoon. In the meantime, I'm going to put all the empty boxes, padded envelopes, and packing pieces into the living room. I need the floor space in my office back!
We have a small two foot or so pre-lit fake Christmas tree. I came into the kitchen this morning, and Bella was chewing away on a plastic candy cane ornament. I keep wondering if she's missing something in her diet. I actually think that she should be taken outside for a long walk, to tire herself out. I've never walked her on a leash (back to that old falling thing again), nor do I have the stamina to walk long distances. I sound like a parrot when talking about what Caesar said about a dog's behavior. I will tell you that the things we've tried, like keeping her out of the kitchen, when we're in there cooking, is beginning to sink in. Now, an empty kitchen would still be too much for Bella. There's always lots of things she can get into.
I said that my Christmas shopping was done, but I lied. The hunt continued over the weekend, and now I really do think my shopping is done. I've even bought a few things for myself, which I will have Stacey wrap for me. I know that buying for oneself is not what you're supposed to do, but I view this as merely helping Jeff out. Note to Jeff - you can still buy me presents that will be a complete surprise for me!
While sitting here typing away, I looked up on one of my shelves, and found a perfect present for Stacey. Obviously, I can't disclose the item, just in case Stacey reads my blog. Jeff and I disagree on the giving away of things we own. My theory is that I've enjoyed "x" for many years and that I know a family member would enjoy "x" now. I don't think of this as giving away, more like passing "x" on, particularly if I know that, let's suppose we're talking about Stacey here, will love this object.
I think Stacey and Benjamin are coming to see me this week to continue wrapping for me. Now that I've cleaned out all my summer shoes and sandals from my closet, it would be a big help to me, if Benjamin would match up all the shoes that remain.
While sitting here, I hear something falling to the ground. And guess what? Bella has been able to push open one of the gates keeping her from the kitchen, and she got inside enough to grab a spatula. Luckily, I got there in time to get the spatula before it descended into the circle of hell, known as the basement!
Checking out now. I've got clothes to put away and spaghetti to make.
P
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