Mindless Christmas Eve

I'm at work, waiting for my 10am meeting to start.  This year we're actually getting out early (shelter is closing at 3pm) and I'm going to try and take lunch at 2pm so I can leave even earlier.

I'm getting a cold. :( I'm at the annoying sore throat, scratchy voice stage.

If I can get out of work at 2pm, I'm going to take Z and Kes to the agility field for some work since we don't have classes this week or next.  If I get out of work later, I'll prob still go, but 2pm would make it soooo much easier.

I'm at the office til noon.  I'm done with everything related to Xmas.  My son is staying in Ann Arbor because of the ice storm headed our way.  No holiday is worth risking one's neck on icy roadways.  He doesn't have gas money anyway.  And I already mailed him his gifts.

Today when I get home Agnes will get her present from me, a Moo tube.  She smelled them when I took them in the house and has been bugging me since Monday because she can't find them.

If we don't have a lot of ice, I will go to the shelter to walk dogs tomorrow morning.

I begged off a visit with my brother, in part due to the pending storm, not to mention that I hate where he always wants to meet.  He calls it "tradition" and I just call it stressful.  He doesn't bother with me most of the rest of the year - why act like I'm important at Christmas.

I'm set with a big book to read, my critters, food in the fridge, and mint M&Ms.  Oh yeah, and a bottle of champagne (thanks Deb!).  What more could a girl want?

Wow ... a day OFF!!

Was up way way earlier than I wanted to be -- I've gotta go get groceries and then last minute stuff to wrap. 

 getting motivated to take Bugsy for a session of hill repeats - it is the 4th sunny day in a row which good golly must be the longest streak since the summer!  Rain coming in tonight though.

Listening to Handel's Messiah in its entirety - I have performed this countless times - which usually leads to me not like a piece ( for example The Nutcracker) but I love The Messiah.  We stayed in a Dublin hotel that was next door to the concert hall in which it was premiered.  Makes it even more special.

Have a great day all!

 I woke up late today, 9, because I don't have to work until this afternoon. Not that I mind the work today though, it's a fun day. We're not doing anything difficult, just keeping busy until the real fun starts.

I just submitted a background check on myself, because I am supposed to keep those up to date. It is taking forever to go through. I know I didn't commit any crimes though, unless I have a doppleganger who has committed a crime in my name. that would really suck. 

I got an awesome Christmas present yesterday. Back in November, I went to the Star Wars Concert. A kid I work with and his family also went to the concert (my best friend still has him as a client, and I see him occassionally). My friend was the one who told them about it. Anyway, I forgot to bring a camera to take pictures out on the concourse. They were nice enough to take some pictures for us. We got a nice one with us, the kids, and I'm not sure if they are clone troopers or storm troopers (the kid would know). Anyway, they gave my friend and I each one of the pictures framed. Totally wasn't expecting that, so it was really nice. 

I totally could've slept in this morning but wanted to see DH a bit before he left for work and to wish him a Merry Christmas. I hope he'll have a quiet and fun shift. I'm going to FIL's for a family get together this evening. I'd love to go to midnight mass but I don't feel comfortable going out that late by myself and I probably couldn't stay awake that late anyway. I'll go to one of the early services tomorrow instead.

I was originally planning to work 1/2 day today but I'm sooo glad that I decided not to work at all. I do need to run to Walgreens and pick up some stocking stuffers for DH.

I slept in much later today than intended.  I've got laundry to take up to dry at the "fun place" and wrapping to do.  I got so far behind yesterday out shopping and stimulating the economy!

Once I get the laundry done, can focus on getting the house cleaned up and ready for Christmas!  We're going to a candle service tonight. 

Last night we did the lake.  There are 6 million lights around the lake.  The walking path is a mile around, so factor in the park part of it.....that's one heck of a lot of lights and displays.  We took a ton of pics so will get them uploaded later and email them to someone to post.  True winter wonderland minus the snow!!  They charge $3 per person, but the tix are good for the whole night, and you can come and go, get out and stroll around, whatever you want to do.  Considering that a couple set up a foundation to administer their dream of lights and displays around the lake, I don't think anyone can fuss at 3 bucks!!

I have a cold AND a UTI.  Yippy skippy.

My coworker (Mora's mom) picked me up at 5:30am so we could be here at 6, and save me an extra 35 mins of commute time, too.  Decent storm dropped 6 inches of powder, and walking home last night at 7:30 was no fun.  This morning was not much better, (packed and icy) but we're here and we got good news that Mora gets to go home today!

Need to concentrate for a while to be sure I take full adantage of this extra few hours before the order pullers come in.  Will be back on later.  MERRY CHRISTMAS to anyone who's only stopping in briefly.  Hope your Christmas Eve is sweet and special!  Much love to our forum dogs and their owners!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone.

I have the next 4 days off and I could sure use them. Having a mini party at the neighbors tonight. We do appitizers and watch movies.

I wanted to crawl back into bed after the usual morning routine of  letting Kord out, feeding the cats and rabbit. I went into the bedroom and he was curled up next to the husband with his head on my pillow. I just stood there and he finally looked up as if to say "you still here?", he then he laid his head down and went back to trying to sleep. I gave up and started laundry...haha so much for days off.

miranadobe

we're here and we got good news that Mora gets to go home today!

Yay! That's fantastic news. I'm so glad that Mora will have a nice Christmas with her new family.

 I wish I was having Italian for Christmas Eve dinner, but I'm not. It's turkey and ham. I like turkey, but not ham, but I really could go for some lasagna or something. I have an Olive Garden gift card, but that's near the mall, and was mobbed the other day, so I suspect today will be horrible too.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Gots lots to do today like everyone.  I am so far behind since I was in Jamaica last week and delayed in Atlanta for 3 days cause of all the flight delays and bad weather this past weekend in the northeast - what a mess.   Need to cook, finish wrapping and clean--erh!

I hope eveyone has a wonderful Christmas!!

Dawn, River, Brooke and Hailie Lyn

I hit the brew supply place for last min presents for my brother

Now I just need to pack and load up all the gifts. I'm hoping that the freezing rain will hold off until much later tonight so I don't have to drive in it.

 Well, the head cold is holding on by a thread, but as long as I stay busy, I don't notice it as much.  And boy do I have lots to stay busy doing.  So far I have bagged up the Pea Soup I made yesterday and put it in the freezer.  I have one batch of dinner rolls rising on the stove and one starting in the bread machine.  Something tells me I should just bite the bullet and make bread by hand.  It would probably  be much quicker.  Its fine if I just want one loaf, but today I have to make 3 or 4. 

I also made the cheesecake for the cherry cheesecake balls I make.  The first set are freezing on a cookie sheet right now and the second set is in a baggie in the fridge waiting.  I made hummus for a snack tonight.  Tyler is staying over so he can be around in the AM.  And I made Peanut Butter Marshmallow squares(another batch) to take tomorrow.

I've got laundry going, and will have to switch that over in a few minutes.   Kelci is napping and Kale tidied the living room, and is currently playing Wii as per his Christmas Eve schedule.  Kali is bugging her brother.

I still have to make a Pumpkin Cheesecake for Christmas dessert.  And the Extraordinary Cheese Dip thingamajigger to get ready for tomorrow.  Its really yummy and goes in a round loaf of sourdough and gets heated...But the last time I made it I made two mistakes.  The first was using Miracle Whip instead of real mayo and the second was just popping the whole thing in the oven to heat.  I think if I had heated the dip in the microwave for a few seconds before scooping it into the bread bowl, then heating it the rest of the way in the oven, it would have left the bread a little softer.  

ETA:  Jen(Griffine) My Old Navy stuff got here this morning!  Squeeeeeee!  Thank you sooooo much for doing me such a huge favour!  You're the greatest!