Chat 12/08/14

Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!

My office gets quite a few holiday cards from vendors, and I display them on our front desk.  Usually they're addressed to our business name, but once in a while they're just addressed to one of my bosses.  I got one like that in today's mail, so I left it on my boss's chair.  He just opened it.  It's a very nice Shutterfly photo card with 3 pics of a nice looking family.  My boss has NO idea who it is.  Doesn't recognize the name, the faces, or the address it came from (NJ).  But it was clearly addressed by hand to him specifically.  We got a chuckle out of it.  We're glad to know the M family sends us peace and joy this holiday season!

See's candy update:  first layer gone, second layer has about 75% left.  I had two pieces already today, and I will have a couple more after lunch!

Kate, I wish I had a professor like you when I was in college.  Treats during exam week?  That's fantastic!  Hope the week is going well for you and your students!

Just coming up for air from the ornaments.  Timed one today, start to finish and it takes 2 1/2 hours to make just one ornament.  Almost finished.  Another couple hours and the box will be ready to go.  Whew.

Oooops.  Forgot to say Happy Hanukkah.

Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating! :)

Oh, thank heavens that the package is sent.  I worked until 11 last night and quit only because I was starting to make stupid mistakes.  Got up at 5 and got right back at it.  Around 1:30 I went to UPS....not a soul in line...and paid a whole lot less than I would have at the USPS, and the package will be in MI on Monday. Yippeeeeee3!   Now to clean up the gawd awful mess I made.  The guestroom (where I've got the wrapping paper, bags, ribbons, etc and the diningroom where I did the wrapping and packing in a box both look like hurricane victims!  But, I JUST ate for the first time all day, so clean up can wait.

I procrastinated something fierce on the ornaments.  Worked a bit in the evenings, but that's hardly enough as late as I started.  This is the first year since we lost Mike that I've been able to even think about facing making ornaments when I wouldn't be making one for him.  Time to put on the big girl panties and just do it.....and I did, and they are lovely.

All I have left to do is OUR ornaments, a bit of wrapping and a bit of baking.  No rush on any of that....I've still got a week!  I want to bake a loaf of Bulgarian Christmas bread for my PCP.  He's from there and was so excited that I actually cook and bake he showed me pics on the computer of the breads his Mom used to make.  I think he'll enjoy a "taste of home".

I'm seriously considering a nap!

Busy day. Oscar had a visit with the vet for an ear infection. He was tolerant but vocal. Nobody was bitten during treatment. He'll get drops in his ear for about a week at home.

I was surprised to learn he only weighs 10.3 lbs. He's got such a long frame that I thought he was heavier.

The weather turned very cold here overnight. Boo...

I put 2 strings of lights up last weekend and hauled out my snow lady. The stockings are hung. Clean-up should be done within about 10 minutes after the big holiday is over for another year.

Tracy? I'm still waiting on that chocolate.

Tina, I wish there were a way I could wiggle my nose, a la Bewtiched, and get some See's over to your office, pronto!  Funny - another vendor sent a box of these lemon things, kind of like a candy I guess, and everyone else in the office likes those more than chocolate.  I like lemon desserts, but choosing it over See's?  No chance!

I hope Oscar is cooperative about the drops in his ear.  When we first got Ruby she had a little eye infection and we had to put drops in, which was nearly impossible.  More got on her face than in her eye.

Glenda, you need to post a photo of your handmade ornaments so we can admire your hard work!  When we first moved into our neighborhood, I made some simple ornaments for the dogs on our block (just colored bulbs with their names and some dog paw stickers on them), and we delivered them with Tonka one night before Christmas.  But that was years ago when I still had some motivation about the holidays.  I should do what you described, and put my big girl panties on and just do them again.  

Will do Tracy....just as soon as I get ours made!

Poor Oscar.....ear infections are no fun.

Just can't get in the Christmas spirit. It's just hubby and I and the critters as usual. I had good intentions of sending things off to my great nieces and great nephews and then just didn't get to it. We all live so far away from one another and I really don't know the kids, as I've not seen them often at all. Just thought I needed to get in the Christmas spirit of giving and then I go bah humbug on it. No decorations up this year and no live tree as we always do. Tom went out and bought a small tree for a table and that'll be it. We usually put quite a lot of lights outside but he has thyroiditis and just not up to doing a whole lot either. Good for you Glenda, for being able to make the decorations again. It's tough. Tracy that is funny about the special card to your boss and him not knowing who they are. Hope Oscars ear infection clears up without any problems. Well guess I should go and try and get some cards done. Haven't done my cards like I usually do either.

I don't think my lack of Christmas spirit is solely because of Mike, altho he was the one who absolutely loved Christmas.  Ryan could care less.  I think a lot of it is that Christmas has become so darned commercial and I've heard nothing but spend, spend, SPEND for months.  We did a nice Christmas for Mom, but reasonable, and our gift giving will be minimal.  Getting stuff is simply not what Christmas is about and I rebelling against the commercialism.

There have been several stories on the news lately about a Secret Santa who pays off layaways at Walmart and ToysRUs.  That's what the holidays should be about....doing for others, making someones life easieror better, not all the hoopla.  We did a senior and a child and probably should have done more, but the lack of Christmas spirit leaves me feeling a bit "bah humbug" myself!

I have decorated though, in an effort to get into it all, and to help the guys get into it too.

Ho Ho Ho!

Glenda, I think your PCP will really enjoy that!  Very thoughtful of you :)

Tina, fingers crossed the drops go smoothly.

I couldn't imagine picking a lemon candy over chocolate.  I love chocolate.

We ended up not getting any decorations up.  Time just really got away from us, and since we won't even be here we just couldn't find the motivation to make it a priority.  Next year DH promised we pull stuff out on Black Friday.  All Christmas gifts have been bought and all but 1 thing for Aaron (and whatever DH needs to do) has been wrapped, and stockings are stuffed (but hidden).  

We were trying to figure out what we should do about gifts to family we're visiting.  We started with getting for my cousin's little girl (she's 4) then we thought, we'll if we get for her we have to get for

Hi all, it seems like forever since I have been here.   I have been thinking about everyone.  This time of year  kinda creeped up on me...  Ron and I have been under the weather with some kinda yucky winter thing.  I was first, Ron was a week later and of course way way worse,  whiney baby...lol.  

sharismomI

put 2 strings of lights up last weekend and hauled out my snow lady. The stockings are hung. Clean-up should be done within about 10 minutes after the big holiday is over for another year.  

I didn't quite get that far but sounds like my kind of Holiday decorating.

Jackie, when your done you can come help me.  It seems like by the time I got done painting all the rooms in my house (took several years) now it is time to start over.  I am glad to hear that Charles is getting on with his treatments, as always you guys are in my prayers.  

I have been thinking about getting a new computer.  Something smaller than this laptop but there are so many different ones and I have no clue.  I was doing a little research and it gave me a headache so I guess I am getting to old for this new techy stuff.  Ha, I cant even remember what I was just reading :)

Take care all,  see ya soon  but if not  Merry Christmas from all of us.    

So good to "see" you Ginger!  I hope the germs that have been bugging you and Ron make their departure ASAP.  As for your laptop/computer dilemma, my laptop died over a year ago and I still haven't replaced it.  I get overwhelmed just as you described and can't make a decision.  

Steph, I think your idea about the gifts being focused on regional treats was an excellent one.  Definitely easier and more affordable than having to get each and every child something (and besides, what kid doesn't love things like Whoopi Pies and other sweet snacks!).  I've been sending lots of Oregon food specialties for a few years, too.  Consumable goods always fit, they don't need dusting, and you don't have to find a place for them in your closet or on a shelf somewhere.

Speaking of sweets, first the bad news:  there are only 2 pieces of See's candy left.  Now the good news:  another vendor delivered a big box of mint/chocolate cookies yesterday.  They're very similar to Girl Scout Thin Mints.  Yay!

Finally, my silly observation for the day.  I drive by an elementary school on my way to work, right as the kids are arriving (many walk from surrounding neighborhoods).  I saw one kid wearing what appeared to be pajama bottoms, with Oregon Duck logos on them.  I thought, "Well, he's a fan, and the big game is on New Year's Day, so okay."  Then I see a group of 5 girls, all wearing flannel type bottoms, too (coats covered their torsos).  I finally realized it must be a special PJ Day at school when I saw a kid walking nonchalantly down the sidewalk in his pajamas AND a plaid flannel bathrobe. Boy, I'd vote for PJ Day at the office.  Anyone with me?

Yes, VERY good to see you Ginger!  I too hope the bugs go away quickly.

The evil elf lured me to the kitchen again yesterday.  I had planned to bake cinnamon rolls and maybe some cookies.  However, at the urging of the evil elf, found myself online looking for Italian bread recipes and homemade pasta recipes.  Both recipes I chose were super quick and easy, much better than the ones I normally use.  DH is not a bread person, but he ate 3 slices with dinner.  And, he loved the pasta.  Then I had to come up with something to put ON the pasta, so julienned  pork and added to a bit of EVOO, garlic and Italian herbs, then added some sugar snap peas and a bit of butter.  Rave reviews for something I just pulled out of.....well, thin air works here!

This morning I took the cookie dough out of the fridge, carefully wrapped and hidden in the veggie drawer,  and did more dozens of cookies than I even want to count.  Discovered that you actually CAN make your own powdered sugar and colored sugar for cookie tops! 

Done and ready for Christmas.  Whew!  Just need to wrap a few gifts and finish our ornaments...and of course take a pic for Tracy!  Haven't done the baking since Mike, so this too was a first for me.  Trying to start doing all the stuff I used to, before part of my world ended.  DS actually asked if I was going to bake this year, which surprised me and he's not hesitated to dig in!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

It has been a while since I've been on - but I do lurk occasionally.  We lost both Maggie and Ollie to cancer over the past few months.  They were both such great dogs.

We have put a deposit on a golden which will be ready around the 10th of January.  Chloe is going strong, but may not appreciate a new pup.