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Taking care of busy-ness
Friday, December 10, 2021 at 03:44PM 
Christmas pillows have replaced the other-eleven-months-of-the-year-pillows
At first it seemed that not much was happening, this December.
Now it seems as if everything has happened and the only thing left to do is wait.
Of course that is not true; there are still things that need to be done.
But compared to what I had accomplished a week ago (basically nearly nothing), the pirate has left the shallows and sailed out into deep blue water.
This star might weigh one ounce
The bath renovation will be finished by this time next week.
It has to be, because at this very time next week, we will be leaving for Greenville to spend the weekend with Henry.
Once there, I will make dinner for him and for my sister and brother-in-law, and we'll have a nice visit.
We will go out to the cemetery on Saturday to see Mom, and maybe do some shopping.
The blinged-out reindeer is back beside the lamp post
On Sunday we will go to church with Henry, have some lunch, and head home.
We hope to make it back in time for Sunday night at our church, because the choir is presenting a Christmas special.
The next day -- we are up to December 20th, Christmas week -- Stephanie and Joel will arrive with the children to celebrate Christmas and Melanie's seventeenth birthday.
I got the tree decorated this week. Although I did a massively pared-down version of my usual tree, for some reason it felt huge to get that done.
It's not Christmas until this little felt tree is in place
It's fine. More than adequate.
The Christmas bins were brought down from the attic and I took from them only what I felt necessary. The rest remains packed away.
To wit:
There are Christmas pillows in the TV room and the sun room.
My college friend Susan Spangler (1958-2011) made this for me in 1989
There are a few decorations on tables in the TV room.
The kids' huge stockings are hung on the French doors between the TV room and the sun room.
In the kitchen, a few Christmasy bits and bobs adorn the ledge, and of course the table is decorated.
I got out exactly one Christmas mug. (Everyone has their regular favorites anyway, when it comes time to serve coffee with the pies and cakes and other treats.)
These things hold lots of stuff and they will be stuffed full
A second mug is on display, but it's cracked and as such is just for show.
There are some decorations on the countertop that people see when they enter my kitchen from the garage.
TG and I had our Christmas card picture taken last Sunday. By Monday night I had my cards in hand.
We ordered one-hundred forty this year.
Eighty of those have been mailed out. We took the out-of-state ones to the post office on Wednesday night; the South Carolina ones were sent today.
I figured one extra mug was enough for this year. Not dishwasher safe.
The rest are for folks at church, and we will distribute those on Sunday.
I am redoing my dining table with all new family pictures under the glass. It has been four years since it was last done.
There have been two weddings and two new babies since then, and we are all four years older.
That project will be completed before we leave for Greenville next Friday.
This wonky retro tree needs extra fluffing and its lights distributed more evenly
I spent most of last week choosing the photos from my archives and editing them, before ordering over two hundred black and white prints representing all of our events and celebrations from the dawn of 2018 until now.
They are supposed to arrive today.
Starting on Monday, the men will be installing the vanity, commode, lighting, and mirror in the guest bath.
The floor is tiled and the painting is in progress.
The doors are being painted too, and new doorknobs installed.
A little light reading
You know! All the things.
For the past several days -- perhaps a week -- I have worked on accomplishing the bulk of my Christmas shopping online.
I spent all day yesterday out and about, buying gift cards and other things to fill in blanks, and to serve as stocking stuffers.
The day proved to be more interesting than I'd anticipated ... a brief word on that in a moment.
One more run to the shops -- likely tomorrow -- and I will be finished with Christmas gift buying, and can breathe.
The result of my valiant tree-putting-upping efforts
Today after I write this for you, I plan to wrap all of the gifts that have already arrived or been purchased, and place them around the tree.
I'll have to wrap more basically every day, as the shipments materialize on the front porch.
So yesterday, I set out at around two, to run several errands.
Specifically, I had to visit TJ Maxx, Panera (not to eat), the South Carolina Governor's Mansion (long story), Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (again, not to eat, more's the pity), and Dagny's school, where she was participating in a piano recital.
It was her first recital; she is seven and has been taking lessons for approximately that many days.
Sweetness likes to knock these onto the floor
Of course I jest, but it has not been long. In fact, I couldn't believe she was ready to play in front of an audience, but I was assured that she could pound out Jingle Bells.
My errand at Krispy Kreme concluded right on schedule to make it to the recital, at which precise point in time I locked my keys inside the trunk of my car.
A nice lady let me use her phone to call TG (mine was in my car's console since I was only dashing in), who came and rescued me.
But Dagny had played at the beginning of the program, and I missed it. I went over to the school anyway -- it is a five-minute drive from Krispy Kreme -- and hugged and congratulated her, and watched her performance on Audrey's phone.
It was not mistake-free by a long shot, but she took it in her stride and had a positive experience.
My mother gave me that little light-up angel
You have to start somewhere.
Back at home, I brought my purchases inside and did a few little things that needed doing, before TG and I set out for Texas Roadhouse, running a few more errands along the way.
Our wait there for a table was one hour.
Their policy at the Roadhouse is to let tables -- LOTS of tables -- sit empty while folks wait outside, until there is a server available who can actually serve the table.
These placemats adorn each end of my quilted red table runner
Then you are seated and immediately taken care of. I would have preferred waiting at the table, even with just a glass of water, but that's the old way. This is the new way.
Also with the old way, there was a bucket of peanuts on the table, and peanut shells all over the floor. Those have gone with the wind as well.
But our dinner was delicious and we were home by nine thirty.
We do not go to bed early as a rule, and last night was no exception. I puttered with my presents and cards and various other things before sitting for a while with Rizzo and Sweetness, who flaked out on either side of me while I looked at my computer.
It is accepted in our family that this angel resembles Erica
Today, Chad and Erica and Rhett and Audrey and Dagny are leaving for the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, for the weekend.
Because of that, Erica dropped off her small dog, Sibi the Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier mix) this morning, followed shortly after by Audrey bringing Wednesday, her tuxedo cat.
Chad's bigger dog, Jonah, went to Chad's parents' house for the weekend.
Sibi is currently in her crate because although she adores being outside and will stay out there all day, it is pouring rain. She likes her crate. I'll let her sit with me later.
Go big or go home
Sweetness is in her three-level cat condo enclosure, snoozing in one of her beds. Wednesday is cowering underneath my chair, unsure as of yet what exactly is going on. Rizzo is beside me.
TG is on some sort of mission or other, out and about, but he will soon be upstairs completing the painting in the guest bath.
I have a good supper planned and, as the weather is wet and miserable (I love it), I won't be going anywhere until tomorrow.
(I do feel for those who are out in the damp Friday traffic, delivering the things everyone is waiting for. God bless them.)
You're now current on what I'm doing! What are you doing? Please tell me. Quickly! Before you get too busy.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Friday :: Happy Weekend
Reader Comments (20)
Oo it sounds like you are a busy lady right now! Me, I'm just finishing up my Christmas shopping and wrapping! On to cookie baking with my daughter next week. I am ahead of schedule so far this year so that's a good thing!
@Jeanette ... Well done you! xoxo
That is a lot! We are also in the midst of a half bath renovation. They gutted it, installed new floor and tiled one wall, installed vanity, mirror, light and commode this week. All that’s left is the countertop and faucet. We are very happy with it and the very nice young man who did most of the work.
We decorate and put up all our trees (don’t ask) the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I’m in cookie making and gift wrapping mode. Enjoy your weekend! XO
@Bijoux ... sounds very interesting! Lots of dust involved. But it will be so worth it! Show me those trees! xoxo
It's looking festive there! And I can see that your schedule is full till the day arrives.
My brain is overfilled and just a mite overwhelmed with all the things I need to learn for this new job. But - everyone is very nice!
I had a nice surprise call - Andy and Nikki are coming home on Christmas Day. So my plans to ship gifts to them are now changed and I have a few more gifts that need to be wrapped and put under the tree. Other wise the shopping is done, some baking needs to be completed yet.
I can not wait to see pics of the bathroom!
Have fun next weekend. We'll be celebrating Cassie's first birthday. :)
@Mari ... Cassie will be ONE already? Oh my word! That's almost as hard to believe as Ember being two already! I can imagine that your brain is overtaxed with all the details of a new job. Seems like a lot to have to process at Christmastime. Ugh. That's great news about Andy and Nikki! Sounds like you are on top of things as usual. I must do lots of wrapping tomorrow and keep on top of THAT! xoxo
I think my favorite is your adorable little retro tree. And the angels. And your big tree, OH MY, it is STUNNING and GORGEOUS!!!! I am not good at things like this, so I marvel at your artistic eye and skill.
@Ginny ... Are you kidding me? You are too good at all things decorating! And that tree isn't all that big at only five feet. I really wimped out this year. But the fact that it's flocked and prelit made it much easier to deal with. The little retro tree really is cute. It stole my heart many years ago. xoxo
Everything looks SO beautiful. So gorgeous and festive for the Holiday. It sounds like you have a good balance between busy and fun this week. That is my goal for this Christmas season.
I can't wait to see pictures of your new bathroom.
The decorating here is done. Today I am going to start baking the Christmas treats that can be frozen. Then next week complete the rest and put together the treat boxes. I also need to get my dining room cleaned and decorated.
It's such a beautiful time of year.
Enjoy your weekend!!
Your house is absolutely gorgeous, and so festive.
I hope the fur babies are all getting along, and maybe Wednesday will join Sweetness in the condo.
@Lori ... so good to hear from you! I'm glad you have everything well in hand. That's the only way to enjoy Christmas in my opinion, unless one decides to do nothing except love on friends and family, and that's fine too. You're right that it is a balancing act. Your house is going to smell so good what with all of that baking! Merry Christmas my friend! xoxo
@Jane ... how I wish that you and Janna could sit at my table with me for tea and a snack and we could just talk and talk and talk about cats. As to my extra fur babies, it is innnnnteresting ... Audrey's cat Wednesday arrived at about noon yesterday and until after supper we saw not hide nor hair of her. She was confined to the sun room so I knew she was probably under my recliner but when I looked, she was NOT under there. Turned out she was crouched underneath my red bookcase. I let her be for a while, then grabbed ahold of her and she let me drag her out. I held her and petted her which she seemed to like for about a minute. She would not eat although her food was right there. Sweetness came out to investigate and I put Wednesday down, upon which Wednesday HISSED loudly at Sweetness, sending my cat bolting for her cage where she quickly climbed to the top shelf and cowered for at least three hours, scared to death. HAAAAAAHAHAHA. Later they were both walking around and much hissing ensued on both sides, which they are pretty much continuing today. But Wednesday did eat during the night and slept well in her little bed. Visited her litter box. So all is well. It's just pretty funny ... double the animals, double the fun, haaahaha! Love to Wayne and Janna and Merry Christmas to you. xoxo
You doooooo soooooo much!!!!!!!!! -smile-
"Miss B.B."
🎄⛄🌟🔥🎄🎅🔥🌟⛄🎄
I am so happy to read that another of us send out Christmas greetings, I do too. 75 Christmas Greetings went out today.
Enjoy all the fun of preparing for this special season.
And pats for all the sweet pets mentioned.. I love hearing the names of pets.
xx oo
Carla
@Miss BB ... Haaahahaaa! I felt like I did hardly anything this year! I guess it accrues over time, and there isn't much time, so it does start to "snowball" just a wee bit. BUT we are in the home stretch! I pray you are feeling much better! xoxo
@Carla ... Girl you should have seen me with all those critters this past weekend. Sweetness (my cat) would only hiss at Wednesday (Audrey's cat), when she could actually SEE her that is, since Wednesday spent most of her time up under my rocker recliner, hiding out. That's when she wasn't underneath the bookcase. Sibi was outside most of the time, begging to come inside. Rizzo was confused, I think! It's quieter around here now that both of them have gone home and it's just me and the regulars! Haahaha ... yes I just can't bring myself NOT to send Christmas cards, and my how the list grows. I don't receive nearly as many as I send, so sometimes I wonder why I send so many ... but I know it's because many love to get them, and some years are just not convenient for sending out cards of their own. Good for you, sending many greetings! xoxo
Oh these plans and decor all sound fabulous! I love your tree and all these Christmas touches everywhere. I feel as if I also was able to go to that restaurant! Such a gooood feeling to have things settled in for the holidays! Merry Christmas to all!
@Gayla ... Yes it is a good feeling and tomorrow, the festivities begin in earnest! Must eat our Wheaties! xoxo
An out of stater got your beautiful card! I like hearing about your decorating, shopping, and pet sitting. You're far busier than we are! I love your glass-topped photo table - it will be fun to see it when it's up to date. I haven't locked my keys in my vehicle for years, but when I did, I had a full grocery shop in the back of the van, and it was summer. It took ages for a keymaker to arrive and save me. I remember it as a very traumatic experience that I hope will never happen again! Have a safe trip to visit Henry. If I don't visit again before Christmas, have a very special and blessed day with your family.
@Barb ... The table is done! I did it on Tuesday and wow it looks really nice. The kids will be sitting around pointing at pictures for a long time. I love to watch them as their faces light up when they see pictures of themselves and their children, or their pets. It's such fun. YES when you lock your keys in the car it is a long time before it happens again, but my feeling is that if you live long enough and go out and about enough, it WILL happen again, haaahaha! It was awful but luckily it resolved quickly and I didn't miss much. Going in a few hours to see Henry and have a big dinner tonight -- I'm making ham -- for him and my sister and brother-in-law and their daughter. Can't wait. Hope your Christmas season is peaceful and idyllic! Love to your Bob. xoxo
Oh my gosh, 140 Christmas cards!! I stand in awe of you for sending those many out! Your decorations and tree look so festive; loved them all! I wondered if Texas Roadhouse was doing the peanuts on the table anymore. I wondered if they had gone to just handing out bags of peanuts for those who want some. We love their food but we haven't eaten there since this whole mess with Covid started (not because we feel unsafe going out but because we kind of changed how we go out and do things since we got the dog, lol). Glad your bathroom renovation will be done (or probably is done by now). We need to do ours but I dread the mess of it all. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful celebrations with your family! I'm back to blogging here if you want to come and check me out :)
https://benchsnotebook.blogspot.com/
Merry Christmas!
betty
@Betty ... Hi and Merry Christmas to you too! Love to Winslow xoxo