Lazy Sunday Day

12/11/2016

Jeff and I are having a lazy day.  Sleeping in isn't an option with two overly hungry puppies, but once they're fed, they love naps just as much as we do!

We're invited to a friend's house this afternoon for munchies and good conversation.  We're going to bring a pie and ice cream (obviously) and some wine.  If we shop at Wegman's, which is a high end grocery store in the area, we can select a pie from the many choices.  I think apple pie is a pie that pretty much everyone likes.  Things get iffy if you buy a chocolate pie (my favorite) or coconut cream (another favorite), because some people don't like chocolate and some obviously don't like coconut.

My birthday is Saturday and I'll be turning 67 - yipee.  For my birthday cake, I'm making a very fudgy chocolate cake.  I love all things chocolate and when it's your birthday, and it's smushed up close to Christmas, I think you should get to do anything you want.  Andy et al are coming on Saturday to celebrate my birthday as well as our Christmas with them.  Benjamin is coming on Wednesday to stay for a few days, so I have two days left to get his things wrapped.  I have other presents to wrap, but the most important ones are for Benjamin, because children love the anticipation!  

"Santa" (Amazon) still has some packages to be delivered. but I think everything should be here by Christmas.  Whatever did we do before Amazon?  The answer of course is head to the malls, where we could do battle over parking spots, stand in long lines at the register, suffer through well meaning women in the perfume section, who want to spray you with the latest scent.  And, finally the stores are crowded and hot.  You wear your coat into the store, but once inside, shed the coat and because department stores don't have carts, you have to carry it around with you while you shop.  Yep, that's definitely the way I would prefer to shop - NOT.  

And the message of being of good cheer and kind to others, sort of flies out the window when you're trying to buy the latest "it" toy or the last deal on "x".  People can get really ugly when there's a gift they want.  I know you all remember when Cabbage Patch dolls were the "have to buy" gift and people would literally trample over each other to buy the doll.  Of course, many years later, you can buy these dolls on Ebay all day long, because nobody really wants them anymore.

We always paid attention to what the boys wanted for Christmas.  For many years, it was the latest John Madden football video game.  Now that they're men, their gifts come in shirt boxes, which means nothing really interesting is going to be inside.  The gift might be useful, maybe a new coat or something, but in the big picture just a ho hum gift.  This is what happens when you grow up.  Magic is for the children and we adults are left with responsible but useful gifts.  

Jeff doesn't like shopping and it's been easier when he has given me big ticket items - power recliners and large television.  When we first married, he surprised me several times by buying me antique curio cabinets.  I love the smell of these cabinets when I open the doors, which is seldom.  And he gave my father and I a two week tour of England and Wales, which was a super wonderful gift.  Not only did I get to visit England, but I got to share it with my Dad, which made the trip super amazing.

Everyone says I'm hard to buy for and that's simply not true.  I love just about everything, except clothes.  I always think it's tricky to buy clothes for someone, unless you are very sure of their size and preferences.  Worst case scenario, a gift card to Ebay or Amazon make wonderful presents.  I was just on Ebay and bought myself a pair of pre-owned shoes for a very decently low price.  The same shoe new is upwards of $135.00.  The shoes have arrived and they look brand new to me and they fit.  I knew the brand and style I wanted, and the size I needed.  Couldn't be happier with my bargain shoes.

I'd better close now, so that I can get the kitchen tidied up and another load of laundry started, before I get dressed to go out.  No sense putting your "going out" clothes early and risk a stain by messing around in the kitchen!

Happy Sunday.

P



 

Chilly Saturday

12/10/2016

I use the word chilly, but actually I should say cold.  Anytime, the temperature dips below 30 degrees, it's cold, at least in my world.  The furnace and gas fireplace are both on.  One of the best things we did was take out our original wood burning fireplace and replace it with a gas one.  It's true that you no longer have the smell or sounds of a real fireplace, but I'm okay with that.  For most of the years we've lived in Maryland, Jeff and the boys would bring home a truck full of firewood.  That firewood had to be picked up, stacked carefully and then brought into the house, where bits of wood would make their way onto the carpet.  It's true that when the boys lived at home, the above chores were made a bit easier with them helping; but, it's now just Jeff and myself, and neither of us want to add firewood chores to our to do list.

I think there comes a time in one's life, where you just want a simple, straight forward life.  We raised the boys who turned into great men, and we are proud of both of them. You know you have done a good job of raising children, when you see the end result when their grown.  

My office has turned into something like a Santa workshop.  I have Amazon boxes stacked on top of each other, tissue paper and gift bags waiting to be stuffed.  I have Christmas presents sitting on the dining room table waiting to be "wrapped"!  Everyone knows that my wrapping skills are minimal at best.  I don't do ribbons and bows.  I like boxes where I can just write the recipient's name on the top with a marker.  I know that's not too exciting, but boys/men don't really care about all the extra trappings.  I do make an attempt to wrap my daughter-in-law's gifts, but in order to do so, I require a lot of tape and would never receive an "A" for my skills.  But, it's the gift that counts, right?

Benjamin is coming to stay with us on Wednesday for a few days.  So, I must get his things wrapped before he shows up.  Every kid, whether they are young or old, love to touch presents.  Each year, after presents started showing up underneath the Christmas tree, each of the boys would in turn, pick out their gifts and put them at the front of the tree.  This maneuver was repeated day after day.  In some homes, I suspect that playing around with the presents would be frowned upon, but it was okay at our house.  

Christmas is for children.  It's a magical time for them and watching them open up their presents is a wonderful thing to see.  They ooh and ah over each gift and when they open up a present, it's the best, best thing in the world - until they open up another present and then that one is the bestest!

There are very few surprises as far as gifts go for Jeff and myself.  Last year, Jeff bought a large flat screen television and matching power recliners.  Those were great gifts, especially for somebody like me, who loves to watch television.  I don't need jewelry, unless the Hope diamond suddenly comes on the market!  Everybody says I'm hard to buy for, but my perception is that I love just about everything and there's a lot of everything out there!

My problem, okay just one of my problems, is that once I have hunted for and bought a great gift for somebody, I want to give that gift to them right away.  I anxiously await Christmas, not for what I might receive, but rather, what I give to each person.  When my gifts are opened and the recipient is genuinely happy with what I've bought, it warms up a special spot in my heart.

My book club meets on Tuesday and I have bought magnetic book darts for everybody.  Since I read on the Kindle, I don't use or need a place holder, but I thought it was a good idea for the other ladies. 
 
So today between chores, that may or may not get done, I'm dragging out wrapping paper, and TAPE (lots of it) and will begin wrapping and stacking the gifts on my dining room table.  I don't dare put them on the floor because one or both of the puppies will tear the packages apart!

Have a great Saturday.

P

Friday - Yeah!

12/9/2016

It's Friday and a better Friday than most Fridays.  Jeff has the day off, you know the use it or lose it vacation type of day.  So, happily and rather greedily on my part, I let Jeff get up with the girls and I continued to snooze for a few more hours.  

And, because it's Friday, and we normally have tacos for dinner, I don't even have to cook tonight.  Could a more perfect day be had?  I don't think so.  Weather today on the cool, or some would say cold, side.  Fireplace is on as well as the furnace.  It would be lovely, but probably not likely, that we'll have a white Christmas.

When we lived in California, we did our Christmas shopping in shorts and sandals and the temperature was warm.  Here, even if it doesn't snow, it's at least cold outside and wearing a sweater or coat when you're outside feels pretty good.

Between now and when Benjamin comes to stay, I have to think of a place in the house to put his presents.  Nothing is wrapped, and of course if I wrapped them in advance of his visit, then I could leave the presents out in plain sight - but, obviously high enough so that the dogs' couldn't get to them.  

I have a couple of presents yet to arrive from Amazon.  Based on the amount of business I've given them this year - think dog bones and antlers - I should probably get a Christmas card from them!  Every now and then I think the puppies are beginning to mature, as they don't seem to have their normal frenzy when it comes to chewing.  And, there are even moments, all of which I cherish, when the girls simply lay down and nap.  When they've destroyed something that they're not supposed to, I remind myself that eventually they will be dogs and hopefully trained enough to be good dogs.  It's the waiting for the eventual part that's hard.

I have book club next Tuesday and then on Wednesday Benjamin is coming to stay with us until Saturday.  On Saturday, when I just happen to turn 67 (yikes!), Andy and Stacey are coming to the house to celebrate my birthday and we'll have Christmas then too.  Benjamin has two toys that require batteries.  I've made note of what type and how many and I'll let Santa know to have them on hand after the gifts are opened.  Nothing worse than getting something that requires batteries, and there's none to be found!  It's disappointing even for an adult, but much worse for a child.

All my Christmas cards are done.  All that's left is to put stamps on them and put them in the mailbox.  Maybe because I suffer a little from OCD (or actually more than a little), I have the need to get everything done quickly.  That, of course, means that by Christmas week, I've got nothing else to do.  And, no if you're wondering, housework and laundry doesn't count in my "to do" list.  Those happen to be chores that I could/should do every day.  But, they are so boring and when you're done, it's time to start all over again!

I see at the local pet store that I can have the puppies take their picture with Santa.  I would love to do that, but obviously one of the first stumbling blocks is to get the puppies actually IN the car.   I'm not a pet lover who goes all ga-ga over them, but a picture of them this year, would be very nice.  

Okay dear readers, it's time for me to leave the computer and go and get busy doing the necessary things.  I hope you have a great Friday.

P

When The "Girls" Wake You Up.....

12/8/2016

At 6:30 in the morning.  The urge to kill is very strong.  Don't they realize that I'm retired and sleeping is one of the necessities of being retired?  Once I hear the dogs moving around, I know I'd better get up, or risk the consequences of their actions.  

Since the girls have the desire, as all dogs seem to, love slippers and shoes, I put my slippers and shoes up on my dresser.  I really don't want those things to be slobbered and chewed on.  I have standards after all.  Nor, do I want to see my underwear on the floor, that's just creepy.  I try and tell myself that they love the scent of their owners, but somehow even knowing that, doesn't make their behavior acceptable.

Once the dogs have all been fed, I grab my first cup of coffee and head to the den where I "intended" to read.  Notice the word intended.  After drinking my coffee, I turn the light off, grab a throw and recline my chair.  It's a bit cold outside, so I turn on the fireplace before shutting my eyes.  I don't know at what point in my nap Daisy climbed on board, but she seems to enjoy sleeping on top of me.  And, I have to admit that I love that about her.  Sam who was 7 when we adopted him, was not a sit or lay down with you kind of dog.  Bella will sometimes come and sit with or on me, but she's not quite as lovey as Daisy.

After I get dressed, I need to sweep the basement.  The girls have gotten hold of a lawn chair cushion and it's in a million pieces on the floor.  Jeff put a new cord on my vacuum after the girls chewed the original one off - but, there's so much on the floor (stuffed animal fluff, etc.) that it's better to just grab a broom and literally sweep the carpet.  

Yesterday, Bella, who is super fast, got up on my desk and started chewing up my Christmas cards that I had been working on.  So, as a consequence, I closed my office doors.  We have lived in this house for 30 years and I don't recall a time when those doors were closed.  But for the moment and until Bella gets some better manners, my office, like most of the house, is off limits to Bella and Daisy.

The kitchen is now protected from counter cruising by the addition of gates which blocks Bella from getting in.  Of course, this also means that when Jeff and I want to go into the kitchen, we have to move part of the gate back, shut it, then reopen it when we leave the kitchen and close the gate!  I know there will come a time - or there had better be a time - when Bella will learn to stay off the counter tops!  

We also have a gate that keeps the dogs out of the living and dining rooms.  Like in the kitchen, you have to open the gate, close the gate, etc.  The carpets in those rooms were shampooed about two weeks ago, and there is no way I'm letting the girls have unlimited access to those rooms.

There might be a nap in my future later today, but for now, it's time to get dressed and do something.  Not to worry, there are a lot of somethings I could do.  Actually do them, well that's a different thing altogether!

P

There Once Was a Pillow ......

12/7/2016

Here is what I don't understand.  The girls have enough bones and antlers around the house to basically register us as a cemetery!  I'm pretty sure I'm the best customer Amazon has ever had.  Boxes arrive at least once a week filled with chew things for the dogs.  But if the dogs could talk, they would say "but those are old bones".  Where's the new stuff?

It seems that no matter how cluttered, and I really mean that, the floors are, they still want to shred the no-no things.  Pillows for instance.  Jeff had (emphasis on the word had) a neck pillow that he used every time he was in his recliner.  Sadly, that pillow is no more.  

I had given the girls something to chew on while I had my breakfast.  I heard the sound of chomping and it made me feel peaceful.  And, then things got quiet.  And, I got nervous, with good reason turns out.  They had taken it upon themselves to pull Jeff's pillow down and rip into it.  When I entered the den, the floor was not only filled with bones and antlers, but it had "snowed" in there as well.  

No matter where I searched, I couldn't find the exact match to the old pillow.  I have bought one that I hope will be comfy for Jeff.  Fingers are crossed here.

I have 5 gates up preventing them from going into the living room, dining room and upstairs.  Yesterday, I came into my office and Bella had gotten up on my desk and started chewing up my Christmas cards.  This act of inappropriate chewing, set me off.  I moved things around and now I close my office doors when I'm not in there.  The girls' world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Bella managed to snag something off the one side of the kitchen counter that doesn't have a gate.  I have put a skillet lid and a pan on the edge of the counter.  So far, she has shown no interest.  But, if there was any food there, that would be an entirely different story unfortunately.

I will put up with a lot, but counter cruising is a big no-no.  The dogs get fed twice a day and I'm pretty sure that Bella isn't as much hungry as she is inquisitive.

If I could catch her in the act, then I could make a strong correction.  But, Bella isn't stupid.  She comes off as an angel until my back is turned!

Speaking of dogs, it's gotten pretty quiet in the house.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that means they are outside.  When they have to stay in the basement, when I'm gone, which isn't too often, they are doing an excellent job of "recycling" pretty much anything that they can find.

Gloomy but dry day here.

P

Christmas Movies and Things

12/6/2016

It's the time of the year when television is awash in all things Christmasy (sp).  People are in one or two camps when it comes to these movies.  You hate them and would rather watch anything, even football; or, like me you love these sappy love stories.  Nothing seriously bad happens in a Christmas movie.  Nope, it's roses and rainbows and I'm okay with that.

There are the classics: Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life are both old movies that come to mind.  I personally haven't watched either of these movies in a very long time and looking into the future, and yes I can do that, don't think I'll watch them this year either.

And then we have the Hallmark movies.  Their movies are full of sappiness and their commercials are almost as good as the movies.  All of their movies have pretty much the same players: a girl and a guy.  There's some sort of friction between them, and because it's a Hallmark movie, ends with the girl and the guy being together.  This type of movie will never win anybody an Oscar or Emmy, but if you're a devoted romantic, then settle down with popcorn and enjoy the show.

Benjamin is coming next week to stay for a few days.  And, I need to think of things to do.  We can go to the movies, which is always fun and the there is a Festival of Lights in a local park, where you drive around the displays.  Even though it might or would be cold, it would be cool to drive through in Jeff's car with the top down!

On Sunday, I carefully read my TV Guide looking for Christmas specials that are geared toward children.  I have recorded them all.  I have also included a few of my favorites and one in particular that I really enjoy: Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation.  I could watch that movie multiple times and it would never get old.  Benjamin likes to watch Shrek movies when he's here, and because I make a "fuss" about absolutely NOT watching a Shrek movie, it's what we obviously end up watching.  I've watched the Shrek movies so often, I think I know the dialog by heart!  Benjamin loves that I tell, actually more like fake begging, to not put a Shrek movie in the DVD player.  We both know that this is a game we play religiously, and it gives us both a giggle, because we both know our parts so well!

Yesterday, I went to the post office with the 4A company holiday cards that include a 2017 calendar magnet inside.  I made quick work of getting the right number and amount of stamps needed, but as I stood at the counter putting on stamps, I was amazed at the number of people who didn't seem to have a clue about what they were doing.  Certified mail seemed to be an overwhelming task for several people in line.  Now I know I worked in an office, but even if I hadn't, the instructions are pretty clear.  Address of recipient on one side and address of the sender on the other side.  Then all you have to do is decide what other options you want, return receipt, etc.

I can't help feeling a bit, okay maybe more than a bit, smug about getting my post office duty out of the way so early.  I am OCD about things and find I cannot rest if there is some type of job to be done outside the house.  Go to the post office and stores during the week, when foot traffic is minimal.  For certain Christmas presents this year, timing of the purchase was a necessity IF I wanted that gift to arrive by Christmas.  Unfortunately for me, my shopping is just about done.  This fact would fill most people with joy, but for me it means the end of the hunt for the right gift for the right person.  I still have our Christmas cards to send, but there aren't that many and I stopped typing up a newsy letter of our year a long time ago.  Jeff and I live a rather simple and unexciting life.  We did fly to the Bahamas this year, we bought Jeff a "new" car and we rescued two puppies.   Hm, that's about all there is to report, except we're both another year older - and that's hardly news!

We're supposed to get rain today and the 10 day forecast calls for perhaps a "s" event (snow or sleet).  It would be beautiful if we had a white Christmas and then it could all melt the next day!

Have a good day - it's time for a nap!

P



 

Chores and Gift Cards

12/5/2016

Today, I'm headed off to the post office to mail out the 4A holiday cards.  I'm glad that I'm able to do this on a weekday, when most folks are at the office.  There is always a feeling of accomplishment when this particular job is done.  Ordered, stuffed, licked and addressed.  

Now all I have to do is my own cards.  Over the years, for a variety of reasons, the number of cards that I send out have dwindled.  I still send some cards to my friends in California, but let's face it, we've lived here for 30 years; and, I've only been back to California a handful of times.  

I've ordered my gifts, so I'm just waiting for them to arrive.  After they do, at some point I'll have to bag or box them and wrap (or not) each gift.  The Washington Post had a great article in the paper yesterday about gift giving.  The journalist was writing that she wasn't very good at finding the right gift for each person.  And, she felt no guilt in giving either cash or gift cards.  I don't like giving cash, it somehow doesn't feel right to me.  But, I have given gift cards occasionally to a family member, so that they can do their own thing in deciding what they want.

Statistically, on average 100 Billion (yes with a B) is spent on gift cards each year.  Ninety three percent of people either give or receive a gift card.  And there is an average of $213.00 spent on purchasing these cards.   In 2015, there was approximately $100 Billion dollars in unused gift card.  That number makes me wonder why people don't use their cards.  It's freebie money and unless the card is for a specialty store, such as a candle store, and you don't use candles, well then how will you use that card?  Buy candles for the heck of it?  Buy candles to give away to friends who use and love candles?

If the card is for let's say, Amazon or another similar type of retailer, then I don't know why people wouldn't use their cards.  When I retired, I was given a few cards, and I used every one.  I received a gift card to Toy-R-Us, a children's clothing store and best of all for me - Ebay money!  I'm happy to report that all of the cards were used and used timely.  The "bucks" for Ebay gave me the ability to buy anything I wanted and feel no guilt in doing so.  

On the other hand, when I do go into a store, I quickly get caught up in let's say a buying frenzy, particularly at this time of year.  I add this and that to my cart and am a little stunned at the total.  Once at home, with receipt in hand, I look at the items I bought, and with a cooler head, realize that I should take "x" or "y" back to the store.  I'm doing that today.  I bought several gifts last week and now I'm second guessing my purchases.  As long as I have the receipt, returning won't be an issue.

Interesting tidbit: Starbucks sold 1,700 gift cards per minute in 2015.  Now, I don't happen to like the coffee at Starbucks, but I know millions of people who do.  Amazon had 18,000 monthly searches and only bested by 1Tunes at 22,200 searches.

The majority of people that buy gift cards are: budget tamers, card enthusiasts, husbands (who buy the way put an average of over $400 on the card), convenience shoppers and last resort shoppers.  Yes, the cards are easy and are genuinely well received.  Just remember the recipient's tastes before buying just any old gift card.

P