MONDAY, December 23rd - Christmas Eve Eve

[purrfect-lady]

Good morning,

We are 57* this morning, going to 73* this afternoon. Guess a white Christmas ain't gonna happen in Texas.

CHRISS - Has Marilyn ever met her other Grandpa? Where in MI does she plan to go? Is this a sudden decision or has she been thinking on it for a while? I wish her well. Maybe MI will be a new start for her. Congrats on finishing up your house projects. You said you wanted to finish before the end of the year. It was a squeaker, but sounds like you did it! That was great to get to have such a long visit with your son. His dogs must have been tired by the end! He deserves deviled eggs. And you reminded me I need to boil up my eggs, too, because that's part of what I'm taking to the kids on Christmas.

LORI - My impression was Val had two jobs, retired from the night job effective Nov 30, and was hoping to retire from the other job some time in the new year. I wonder if her DH realizes what a strain his brother living with them is causing. I got my "Posh" patterns at Thimbletown QS in Bakersfield a few years ago. They had a fairly large selection of patterns. I did the big Nativity quilt (using the larger ruler) and I guess I thought it was fun because after that I bought the mini ruler and 3 smaller patterns. Scottie and Foxy are fine, living the good spoiled life they should all live. Right now they are both fussing for their breakfast which must be served immediately upon waking up. If you listen to them, you'd think starvation was imminent.

JANA - thanks for the recipe. I have a Revere ware double boiler that was a wedding present 54 years ago and I don't think I've used it for the last 53 years! lol! You will do fine conducting Silent Night. Everyone knows that song so well, they probably need very little conducting.

MARY Q - congratulations on finishing all those pencil cases! I don't think I could have done it. Did you get your shopping finished? Walmart 3 days before Christmas must be some kind of special torture. Better you than me.

TINA - I think most insurances work this way. Any way they can get just a little more money out of their clients they will do it. Maybe it's time to hit the thrift shops next time you are in Cruces and treat yourself to some "interim" clothes. Are you making your candies today? Can you fit two people in your little kitchen? It will be cozy but a merry cozy! When I was young I babysat for my money - 50 cents/hr. I started my first real job the day after high school graduation at Weyerhaeuser Co. (and yes, I can still spell it!). Nursing school came later when I realized I needed to be better equipped to support my kids in case something ever happened to Mike. And 3 years after I got my R.N., that's exactly what happened. I hope Jazmyne finds her way soon. I love tamales, but agree with you - hitting a big piece of fat would put me off them. They were fun to make the one time I did it. But it took me all afternoon and I had 3 dozen when I was done. And then Bill didn't like them!

LYN - Did you get off to the coast?

JUDI - is everything all done at your house now? Time to sit by the fire and enjoy a hot toddy and a good book? How is the cold/virus? Maybe I should reword that - the cold is probably doing just fine. How is YOU?

Yesterday we grocery shopped. Then I sewed my Posh Holly wall hanging. She went together more quickly that Posh Santa. Then I cut out Posh Pocus - the witch. She might not get done for a few days though. Today we're going to the kids. Autumn is going back to work and Antonio will go with her, working from the library instead of home. I'm still watching the weather closely - it's supposed to be a rainy afternoon tomorrow - Christmas Eve. And the plan is/was for them to come to our campsite for an outdoor brunch. So we may have to "adjust our sails" on that plan. Our trailer is too small for five people, especially when one of them is busy little Amara.

I'm going to boil and peel my eggs this morning before we leave. I'm still contemplating supper. Maybe we'll grill chicken and have rice and salad.

I hope all the last minute things fall easily into place and you can enjoy your Christmas Eve Eve!
mary z
>^+^<

[fabricgirl]

Good morning,

I'm up having coffee and watching tv but soon I will get dressed I have a few things I want to do so I want to start early.
We are at 9⁰ so no outside for me .

Mary z I caved and went back on and ordered posh Holly see the trouble you stir up the nice thing about these patterns you can work from stash.

Chriss so glad you have everything the way you want it is good to be you.

Well it's time for me to go so I can get ready for the day .

I hope you all have a great day.
Prayers to all.
Lois

[grammiequilts]

Good Morning zi missed you all yesterday but the internet nd our equipment refused to play nice together everytime i went to hit submit the internet decided to shut down after 3 tries I just quit too.
It seems ok this morning,
I spent the day yesterday sorting the gifts under the tree and making homemade pizza for Liam...the guys watched the Lions game and worked on the truck engine...Liam expects to get the engine into the truck before the new year if all the parts come on time. ( I will go to the poor house first) ( I dont even want to see my Amazon bill)...
today I took out cabbage rolls from the freezer and we will have them for supper with mashed potatoes....a favorite of ours, It is supposed to snow today so a white Christmas eve we will probably have,,,I will play Christmas music and maybe stitch a bit on the little Christmas tree embroidery...I find hand work so relaxing,,,
I plan on getting back to quilting after the holidays,,,the country road quilt still waits...
Hope all your plans come together for the big day when ever you celebrate...
Chriss I am about an hour and a half from Saginaw michigan...I hope Marilyn is happy there...my brother lives there and my nephew is a police officer there,,,
Maryz hope the kids stay well and you have the Christmas you want,,,,and need...indoors or out..
Lois Hope you stay in and warm that is just too cold for me...we will go to 36 today with snow...but the temps will make it slush....You sound like your ready as am I...I looked at the pattern and said nope nope nope////
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[fabricgirl]

Judi

You know you want to

[maryq]

Good morning Girls

Happy Christmas Eve Eve ! A tad on the cloudy side today, but it's going to warm for the next couple of days and it doesn't sound like we are going to have to worry about traveling in snow storms!!

Maryz....Glad to hear Autumn is feeling well enough to go back to work. You will have Amara all on your own all day today? Maybe you should nap when she naps!! That is, IF she will take a nap! Yes I am thrilled to be done with pencils--mostly to be able to put away all the stuff! I'll be even happier when they are out of my house, but I'm going that won't be until after the 1st.

Lois... Aren't those Posh wall hangings so cute! I have to say I'd probably be scared to try them myself, but Maryz's sure turned out cute.

Judi.... You certainly have had a couple rough months these last few, with surgery, and hospitals! Are you kind of anxious to get back to doing some sewing and quilting again? I too love doing hang embroidery and I go between that and knitting while watching TV at night, just to keep my hands busy.. You would think that it would keep me from snacking at night, but not-so-much!

Tina... Yeh ... what is it about kids being so fussy about getting a job!!! Here the McD's pays $15/hr and are hiring like crazy. "I don't want to work in fast food" But then, they complain because they have no money. Granted times have changed but my first job out of high school paid a monthly salary of $330.00!! Heck $15. was more than I got paid as a Pharmacy technician after owning a drug store for 16 years!!!

Chriss.. How fun to sit and chat with your son for 2 hours!!! The only time I had my son's undivided attention was on a drive from Great Falls, Montanna to home!! I'm feeling kind of bad for Marilyn, I'll grant it's not easy being a 21 yo and so uncertain about that she wants to be when she grows up. I'll send a couple little prayers that her other grandfather will welcome her with open arms and perhaps she will find a new direction in Michigan.

Lori.... I have 4 Walmarts, all within about 12 miles. I'm certainly not a fan. Back in the day when we had our drugstore, I purposely DID NOT go to WM and I am convinced that it is their goal to put every small business OUT of business. So many small towns have had their "main street" businesses shuttered up because of WM. BUT they did have the Manicotti noodles I needed! ( a new iron jumped in my cart too--needed one!)

I promised myself that I would clean up messes around here today. All the laundry is done, but in baskets that need to be put away. Think I'll bake a couple pies this afternoon and perhaps run the vac etc while they are in the oven.

But first more coffee!!

Here's what 200+ pencil cases look like

[WeeOne]

Sunny, 74° in Aransas Pass, on the coast of Texas.

It took longer than I planned to get rolling down the road yesterday. I won't bore you with details. I will tell y'all that it takes about 20 minutes to put 142 gallons of diesel on board, and because it foams up, tank was only 85% full. For some reason, which I don't remember, I didn't top off the fuel when we drove in from Kansas in Sept. We pulled into the park at 6:20, in the dark! I unhooked the Jeep and then parked the MH. Garry was trying to direct me and stepped back on the grass by a palm tree and fell. I saw it happen and jumped out of the MH, blocking the street, and helped him get up. He scrapped his right arm, elbow to almost wrist. I finished parking and got the power and water hooked up. The neighbors came out to say hello and then I put my nurse hat on and cleaned Garry's arm. Luckily I had supplies to cover and tape.

Chriss, Sometimes one or the other of my girls will call and we have a long chat like that. They are wonderful! You've made your goal on the house and garage. Congratulations! It's good to be You. I wish Marilyn well and hope it works out. I would think that she will need the truck in Michigan. There are guys called, hot shots, that transport stuff for people. Maybe her Dad or Grandpa could look into that and get the truck to Michigan.

MaryZ, Is there a clubhouse at your RV Park? Maybe you could have brunch there. Good to hear kids are feeling better.

MaryQ, All I can say is WOW!! You're such a kind person to do those pencil cases.

I'm so glad to be here!!
I have to pick up our mail, then go the opposite direction and pick up an RX for Garry, glucose test strips. I will hit a grocery store in one town or the other because they're bigger H.E.B.'s than here in A.P.

I best get moving. Hope all y'all have a great day.
Lyn

[auntjana]

Good morning!

Mother Nature is teasing us at the moment. We've clouded up and it looks like it might snow. A big ol' if! I am running out later this afternoon. It's hair day for Sarah and me. Mine is getting trimmed and Sarah is hiding her gray and chopping off all her long hair, almost to her waist, to a above the shoulder length bob. The length is bothering her with headaches, so off it comes! I also need some cards for holding the money gifts this year. I went with cash instead of a gift card. Trust the cash more!

Baked cookies last night. One last might do before Christmas is a batch of divinity. Divinity is very picky on which day you make it, humidity is a big factor. But with snow, the air is dry, so I should succeed.

I have started a plan for cleaning and organizing this house. If I start before Spring, it may be done by next winter! At least I don't have to wash carpet anymore!

Daniel fixed the shelf and moved my microwave up to the new level. Mr G can see the buttons better now. And Daniel also cut and made the tree for my mini stockings that I made last year. They're up, last decoration for this year.

Sarah got the final Christmas Pie presents ordered and they arrive today. Daniel was so busy doing for others, that he didn't remember that for his family. We found the perfect ornament for Kari. Kari collects the Precious Moments figurines, the ones with the blonde little girl. That little girl is the spitting image of Karlie. Well the ornament is that little girl holding a penguin. And right now, Karlie loves Penguins! Perfect! And best of all, those gifts were all free, with reward points from everything else I bought! A win , win!

Well, time to feed the Grumpy bear, and clean up the cookie mess from yesterday. Oh, I did well conducting yesterday too. I have the greatest organist too. He turned on the bells and chimes that the organ can do with the hymns we sang. Wow! The music was wonderful! He and I have lots of fun doing the music in church, we laugh and say, at times we rattle the walls of Jericho! The congregation sings with us too!

Hugs,
Jana

[Marilynsgrammy]

Good morning. It's going to be a great day today. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and be nice and clear on Christmas day. God clears my path so I can travel safely, It's a good thing.

Not a lot on my agenda. I might go get some tortillas and make the parents some enchiladas. I'd keep one for myself and have it with some fried eggs on top. I love enchiladas and eggs. The parents will be here again today. Dad says he likes it here. I think it's because I have so many windows and a nice view. No noise or traffic.

I've requested quotes for two cars. A Toyota Rav4 XLE and a Subaru Forester Premium. Both will need extended warranties, lets see who comes up with the best deal. Madera Toyota and Modesto Subaru are both after my business. Seems the other dealers aren't quite as interested. The Subaru is made in Indiana and the Rav4 in Kentucky. Hmmm, one is a rebel and the other a yankee. LOL.

Moose got up at 5:30 this morning and decided playing would be a good idea. Some days that dog seems so old, other days he's ready to chase squirrels.

Lori, Marilyn lives in a town called Brownsville. It's in Yuba county. It snows there and she loves it. She needs a fresh start. She needs to get away from the x-boyfriend and her bio dad and his wife. Lots of junk there. Moose says thanks for the love, he enjoyed it. Christmas eve dinner with the kids will be fun. Will it be a huge feast?

Maryz, wherever you have brunch it will be wonderful. Mar knows her other grandparents. She won't be leaving for about 3 weeks. Her other grandma and I have talked and it's going to be a good thing for her. She could still change her mind, but I think she will go. My deviled eggs are just sweet relish, red onion and mayo. but they remind me of my grandma who made them the same way. What's in your eggs?

Lois, 9*, oh my gosh. hope you get all the loose ends tied up. I may follow your lead and get dressed today too.

Judi, if I ever get to Saginaw I'll travel up to see you. Glad you are ready for Christmas. Hope Liam does get that truck together by Christmas. Reminds me of those visa commercials. the cost of the truck parts a million dollars, the value of the smile on their face, priceless. It makes me smile to see how well you are doing, Just last week you were struggling, today, poof, you are ready to take on the world.

Maryq, boy oh boy, that is a lot of pencil cases and each with a cute tassel on the zipper wow. Thanks for the Marilyn prayers. She and her grandpa will do well together. He will help her and give her the guidance she needs. Her grandma and I have talked and both feel it's a good move for her. Nice that you got to chat with your son all the way home. Aren't son's just the best thing ever invented? What pies are you baking? I am going to give that toffee a try tomorrow. I've never made candy before but I figure if I mess it up it can go in the trash and only you and I will know I gave it a shot.

Lyn, when I am done here I will also go up to the grocery store, maybe I'll see you there. Glad Garry only had some scrapes and that he had his nurse on board. I don't quite have my garage complete, but it will be completed early next year. I have gotten rid of a lot of junk but still have way too much junk. Dad's advice was for me to keep a ton of tools. I sorted them and could easily weed through them again. Who needs 3 sledge hammers?

Jana, things are going your way. The music sounds amazing and the ornament perfect. Hope your clean and organizing plan works. It feels so good to get rid of the excess. I haven't even been to a thrift store in a while, except to donate. Tons of just went to the dump. It's just a good feeling.

I'm on my way to the store, dinner onight will likely be enchiladas. I will make deviled eggs and then it's all about me.

You all have a wonderful Christmas eve, eve.
Chriss

[zfatcat]

Maryz, I do believe Val did finish her night job, but is still working her day job for now. I remember seeing that Santa pattern. I have a curved ruler that someone bought be a few year ago. I've never used it. A panther, aka black cat, just paused outside my window on the wall. It's watching me from behind the Jasmine. It lives just up the street from us, but I don't know it's name.
I'm sure you are having a great day with the little miss. Glad the boys are spoiled, as they should be.

Lois, I think my activities would be inside as well when it's only 9 degrees.

Judi, I too find hand work relaxing.

Maryq, wowza...that's a lot of cases. Glad you were able to find the noodles, and an iron. Sometimes things just want to go home with you.

Lyn, sorry to hear of Garry's fall. Glad it was only a scrape on the arm.

Jana, glad your conducting went well. I bet it sounded amazing.

Chriss, Moose sounds like a fun guy. I hope Marilyn finds what she is looking for. Moving doesn't necessarily change the mindset. It sometimes makes things more difficult. There's always jobs in waste management, construction of all types, and law enforcement all with great benefits. What exactly is Marilyn looking to do for work? She'll figure it out eventually. Enchiladas with eggs is kind of like Huevos rancheros.

I need to get showered and see what time they are moving dad today. Not much else going on.

Have a lovely day.