The Last Gifts

The last of my Christmas gifts arrived today.

For those of you new to the blog, or who have memories like mine, let me set the stage.  When Cody was here for Christmas, I'd mentioned my vacuum sealer had died.  He gave me money to get a new one, telling me it would be part of my Christmas.  Well, I'd ordered one, but received a notice from the seller that it had been backordered, and she didn't know when they would get some more.   I cancelled that order, and after some deliberation, ordered a different one.

It was a little more expensive than the first one I ordered, but it got good reviews.  I combined the money Cody had given me with the money my mother had sent and got it anyway.  It came with some pre-cut vacuum bags, and a roll of the stuff.  However, it is supposed to work with the rolls I already have.  Which are a different brand than my old sealer anyway, so it's all good. 


After ordering my new sealer, I had a little extra money, so I threw this into my cart as well.

My car has one of those long, sloping windshields, and to clean it -- me being short and all -- I practically have to climb onto the dashboard to reach the very bottom.  It is because of this that I seldom clean the inside of my windshield.  And it is because I don't clean it that I can't see coming home from work.  The sun hits it just right, and all I see is fogged up windshield.  Hopefully, this will help.  I've already run out and cleaned the aforementioned windshield.  I guess next I need to go drive around at quitting time to see. 

The handle comes apart so the cleaner will fit into the glove box, and while I was putting it into the box, I found a whole stack of receipts and old insurance cards.  I brought them inside, then said to myself, "Self, you ought to clean out your file cabinet.  It's been a while." 

Yes, it had.  I found receipts all the way back to 2013.  I tossed everything older than 2018 -- well, to be honest, I burned it all in my wood heater.  I had brief flashbacks to when I was in the Navy and had to burn classified papers and all.  We put it all into what we called burn bags, then once a week, hauled them all out to the incinerator and torched them.  While everything was burning, you were supposed to stir the ashes to make sure everything had been completely destroyed.  One day I was cleaning out the incinerator with another sailor, and she found some papers that hadn't burned.  Instead of just putting a match to them, she took them back inside and put them into a new burn bag.  I always wondered about that.

Oh, and we always got mad, because the NATO side would use the same incinerator, but they would never clean it out.  That led to us eventually getting a shredder.  But enough about that...

As I was saying, and you were probably bored reading, my file cabinet is all clean now.  Next step is to get all the stuff that has piled up on my computer desk and file or burn it.  Apparently, that's where all my 2019 receipts are, because I didn't find a single one in the file folders.  I need to clean everything off that computer desk anyway, and see if I can sell it.  I haven't used the desktop in years, and I'm not even sure it still works.  If I get that big old thing out of the computer/craft/snake room, I can put a writing desk in there.  But first, I'd have to clean all the junk out of it.  The room, not the desk.  Well, the desk, too, but mostly the room.

It really has become my junk room.  I've tried to clean it out before, but I usually get overwhelmed, and just shove everything right back where it was.  Maybe I just need to finish off my attic and store it all up there.  Or just throw it all away.  But I hate throwing perfectly good stuff in the garbage.  There is a thrift store here in town, but they're never open.  I have never once gone up there and they've been open -- not even during their operating hours. 

Well, I've still got a week before I have to go back to work.  At least I can start cleaning...

I'll let you know how it goes. 

A Bust

It all started this morning, when I got an email.  Remember, Cody had given me money for a new Seal-A-Meal vacuum sealer, and I'd ordered one.  Alas, the email I received informed me that the sealer I'd ordered was on backorder, and they didn't know when they'd have it in.  That was a bummer.

I cancelled that order, thinking I'd look and see what they had at Walmart when I went into town.  I was hoping to pick up some more lights on clearance, and maybe some cards.  I probably should have gone yesterday, as all they had was one lonely little box of lights.

I quickly adopted them, and now they have a loving forever home.  I looked through the rest of the clearance stuff, and got a new Bumble ornament for my tree.

I also got some snack plates for when we do our Christmas Eve snack table.

They didn't have any dinner plates, or I'd have gotten a couple of those, too.  I have some Christmas dishes around here somewhere.  I just don't know where.  I keep saying I'm going to find them and use them one year, but I don't ever remember I even have them until about halfway through Christmas dinner.

The last thing I picked up was a couple of flannel shirts marked down to $6 each.

James had given me some of his flannel shirts several years ago, but they are heavyweight.  I do wear them on colder days, but I needed something lighter for days when it's just a bit airish.  These ought to fit the bill.

After I got home, on a whim, I decided to drive up to Batesville and check out their Wal-mart.  Unfortunately, their Christmas section was even more picked over than ours was.  No lights, and no cards.  They didn't even have the kind of vacuum sealer I wanted, so that trip was a bust. 

I guess next year, I'm going to have to brave the Boxing Day crowds to get any of the good stuff.  You know what Boxing Day is, don't you?  It's the day everyone boxes up the stuff they didn't want and takes it back to the store to exchange it. 

No, I'm just kidding!  Traditionally, Boxing Day was when the British people gave their servants the day off to celebrate the holiday with their own families.  They would usually give them a small gift, and for some reason, they called it a box.  Now, there are disputes as to how Boxing Day originated, and why it's called that, but what I've told you is the most commonly held belief. 

At least as near as I can figure it.

Our Christmas

Another Christmas Day has come and gone -- and Cody along with it.

This is the trial and tribulation of being an introvert.  I'd looked forward for weeks to his coming, and now that he's gone, I miss him and wish he were still here...but the whole time he was here, I felt like I couldn't relax.  He has a very loud energy, and it can be overwhelming to someone who is used to a nearly silent house.

Even Rylea was saying, "Who is this, and why is he on my love seat?"

Yes, my dog has her own love seat.  No, she's not a bit spoiled.  Not at all.

Cody says he might come back for New Year's Eve.  I already pre-warned him that I haven't stayed up until midnight in years.  Hopefully, it'll be a bit cooler by then.  It got up to 75 yesterday, which had me singing, "I'm dreaming of an even slightly chilly Christmas" all day.

Nevertheless, we had a good Christmas in spite of the heat.  Cody noticed the new Spock ornament I bought, and I said, "That's why I wish you could help me decorate the tree.  Then I could tell you the stories behind some of these ornaments" -- like the ceramic stockings my aunt made for all of us years and years ago. 

I spotted a squirrel on the feeder and said, "There's a squirrel for your gumbo."  He said, "OK, I got it," as he pulled out his .45.  I laughed and said, "There won't be any left to eat if you shoot it with that!"  Then I told him about the time James shot a squirrel with his .270 deer rifle.  There wasn't much left but a tail.

Cody said, "I was kinda meaning that as a joke."  I replied, "Yeah, I kind of got that, and I was kind of playing along."  However, in what is quickly becoming a new Christmas tradition, he made gumbo for dinner, just not with squirrel.  We used leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, sausage, and shrimp.  It was really good, if a bit mild, because I didn't have any cayenne.  I'll have to get some before next year. If we don't go to Texas, that is.

So, on to the gifts.  Cody was thrilled with his Mike The Tiger Funko POP. 

I mentioned that it's a good thing I ordered it when I did, because since LSU won the SEC and Joe Burreaux won the Heisman, the price of them has doubled.

I spent several weeks sending my sibs vibes that I really wanted new house shoes.  I think my vibes were too strong -- or my sibs are really tuned in -- because I got two pair!

The ones on the left are from my sister, and the ones on the right are from my younger brother.  And yes, I'm keeping both!  I put one pair back for when the other wears out.

My sister also sent me two new piano books.

They're a bit advanced for where I am right now, but I tried them anyway.  Cody encouraged me, saying, "Come on, Mom!  Shoot for the stars!"  Alas, that rocket crashed and burned.  But I'll have something to work towards.  Now that I've recorded my Christmas concert, I'll be concentrating on my regular piano course again.  I'm still playing some of my Christmas songs, just for fun, but after I've done my regular lessons.

My sister also sent Cody a new ulu.

He said she sent him one last year as well.  He will just start a collection of them, then.  I mentioned that he didn't need to pose with every single present.  "Just look casual", I said, and this is what he did.

That thing he's holding there is a wireless phone charger that he can use in the car.  He asked how I knew he even wanted one.  I said, "Hey, I know how to troll your Amazon wish list!"

This is his gift to me:

It's a sherpa lined blanket, and is so soft and warm.  I thought it was a throw, but no, it's a full sized blanket.  I can't wait until it gets cold again so I can use it.

My older brother and family sent me a Texas Homesick candle -- because I'm always homesick for Texas - and a Jason Witten Funko Pop.

When the Funko POP arrived, I saw the return address label, and thought, "Wouldn't it be funny if someone had sent me a Mike The Tiger POP, too."  But I'm glad to have gotten Jason Witten.  He's one of my all time favorite Cowboys.

This is what Beverly and James sent me, and I love that bag!

Orange being my hometown, and it's got the city's major landmarks on it.  The mug, just in case you can't see it, says Powered by coffee & yarn.

Cody was really tickled by the leg lamp cookie cutter I found.  (I was, too, because I'd forgotten I'd ordered it.)

And of course, the glass to match. But I think the gifts he liked best were his LSU hat and tie.

When he was loading up his car to head back to Memphis, he put the hat on his head and said, "That'll ride just fine right there" -- even though it was 75 outside by then.

Anyway, I continued the tradition my father started by laying out all our loot and taking a picture of it.  Here is Cody's.

I've already showed you everything I got, except the money Cody gave me to get myself a new Seal-A-Meal.  I'd mentioned that my old one has died -- it is 13 years old after all.  He pulled money out of his wallet and said, "Get yourself a new one, as part of your Christmas."  I've already ordered it, and I'll show you when it gets here.  My mother also sends me money every year.  I used part of it to order a windshield cleaner for my car, which I will also show you when it gets here.  I haven't decided what to spend the rest of it on, yet.

And just to top off a really nice Christmas, my Mama Doe and her twins made an appearance.  I haven't seen them in ages.  As far as I know, we're still under a feeding ban, but they come from time to time and clean up what the squirrels throw on the ground under their feeder.

That was our Christmas.  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well.

Christmas Concert

As promised, here is your Christmas concert.

Funny thing about these videos, I can play these songs all day long, but as soon as I turn on the camera, I start messing up.  You wouldn't think I'd be so nervous playing by myself in my living room, but there it is.

First up:  Jolly Old St. Nicholas



Next we have that old favorite:  Joy To The World



Now, the thing about this one, I had been working on a different arrangement of this carol.  After spending several weeks learning it, I decided I just didn't like that arrangement.  I found this one in one of my other books.  It's a bit simpler, but makes so much more sense.



And no Christmas concert would be complete without my Mammaw's favorite carol:  Silent Night.




There you have it.  My little gift to you.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and I'll see you later. 

Yesterday's Post

This is the post I'd meant to publish yesterday, but didn't. My old computer has gotten to the point where the screen is starting to flash.  I'm not really sure what that means, but what I think it means is that the old girl is almost gone.  I decided to just shut it down for good, and buy a new one.

So, what was I going to tell you yesterday?  Seems we have started a new tradition in our house, in which Cody makes gumbo for Christmas dinner.  The other day, I was going into town, and I messaged him and asked what all he needed me to pick up for him.   This is the list he sent:

I went to the one grocery store in town I thought might have squirrels.  It's a locally owned store called Grocery Basket.  They carry locally grown chickens, and locally caught fish.  I thought if anyone would have squirrel, they would.  Alas, no squirrel, however I did find an extra bag of shrimp in the back of the freezer.  Between the turkey left over from Thanksgiving, the sausage I bought, and that shrimp, the gumbo ought to have plenty of meat.

By the way, I got some more mysterious boxes delivered to my house.  I shook them, and none of them sounded like vitamins, so they're going to get wrapped and put under the tree.  After that, I'm going to finish my peanut butter fudge, and maybe do at least my gumdrop cookies.  Or chocolate chip.  They're quick and easy.

Before I leave you for the day, here are the rest of the little building models up in the town square.

Somebody sure put a lot of work into making them.

Treasures

I have this app on my phone called TimeHop. What it does is to go back through your old social media posts and posts them in the app. Kind of like Facebook's memories feature, only Timehop sometimes shows me things Facebook doesn't.  Like old blog posts and such.

Anyway, I was looking through my TimeHop, when it showed a photo I'd uploaded of a piece from an old Christmas village I'd started collecting years and years ago -- like before Cody was born ago.  I'd only gotten two pieces before the company discontinued them.  I've found other pieces available on eBay, but I haven't gotten any.  So far.

The only one I'd actually finished was a barn.  I'd put it out one year, and had since forgotten about it.  I thought, I need to go find that old thing and put it out this year, too.  So, off I went on a treasure hunt.  And treasures I did find.  Like these:

Little salt dough ornaments I'd made the year Cody was born.  I'd planned on doing a set every year, but quickly realized that wasn't feasible.  His feet got too big too quickly.  I did his hand the next year, when he was 1, but haven't done any since.  

I did the hand out of some stuff put out by PlayDoh.  I can't remember what it's called, though.  It's very light, but strong.  I wish I'd known about that the previous year, because the salt dough is very delicate.  The ornament hooks have already pulled out, and cracked the dough where they were.  I wrapped them all very carefully, and put them back into the box, putting it back into the closet where I'd found it.

That closet -- the one in the snake/craft/computer room-- didn't have the little barn in it anywhere, so on to the closet in the bedroom I went, where I found this:

It's the tree topper I thought had been ruined in a hurricane!  Obviously, it hasn't, so now I'm wondering where that other nativity came from.  It must have been just a glass ornament or something.  I really don't remember.

Also in that box was this little bell ornament, which I bought in Italy.

I keep it wrapped up and packed away, because it's already got some cracks in it.  I don't want to risk breaking it completely.

I mentioned on Facebook a few days ago that I still have my favorite childhood stick.  Y'all thought I was kidding.  I wasn't.

That stick has been a rifle, a bow, a sword, an quarterstaff, a fishing pole...you name it, it's been it.  It is once again safely back in the closet.

At long last, tucked way back in a corner, I found the little barn I'd been looking for.

It is now proudly on display in my entertainment center.  If Cody ever finishes building my mantle, it's going to go up there.   He keeps insisting he's going to.  Build my mantle, that is.  It was supposed to be part of my Christmas -----last year.  Sigh...

After all that was done, I decided to start making my Christmas candy.  Only to discover I was out of one essential ingredient.  Sigh, again...Back into town I went.

First I stopped at the Dollar General store, the one on the corner of 51 and Papermill Road, for you local folks, but they didn't have it.  On to Walmart.  Yes, Walmart, two days before Christmas.  I must be crazy.  Into the lion's den...aaaand they didn't have it either.  Dang it.

The third store, a locally owned mom and pop shop called Grocery Basket saved Christmas!

They had the Knox unflavored gelatin I needed for my lemon Turkish Delight.   Which has now been made, and is setting up on the counter, right beside the chocolate fudge.  All I've got left is the peanut butter fudge and the candy will be done.  Then it'll be time to make the cookies.

I guess the big news is, while I was in Walmart, I broke down and bought a new computer.

When it got to the point I didn't feel like I could blog for fear of killing my computer, I knew it was time.  I went back and forth forever debating on whether to get it or not, but I finally did.  I put it on my credit card -- you know, the one it doesn't seem I'll ever get paid off.This one is so nice!  It's got tons of memory, and is much smaller and slimmer than my old one.  I briefly considered getting a chromebook, since most of what I do is play on Facebook and blog, but I opted for one with a bigger hard drive.

It cracks me up, back ages ago, when my mother in law gave me my first ever computer, she said it had "oodles of memory".  It had 7 G.  This one has a terabyte.  It wasn't that expensive, either -- mid $500s.  It'll be a minute before I get it the way I want it, but the good news is, it is once again safe to blog.

Speaking of, as soon as I'm done here, I'm going to finish the post I started yesterday, and didn't publish.  Be sure to be on the watch for it.  

Finally!

It would seem my little town has finally gotten a community Christmas tree on the square.

Funny, I was watching all these cheesy Hallmark movies and one day I said to myself, "Self, why doesn't this town have a tree lighting thing?"  Even the tiniest town in these movies have a tree.  Why doesn't this one?  In all the years I've lived here, all they've had are these little buildings they put out every year.  They are darling, but not the same as a tree.

Even funnier, every year I say I'm going to stop and take pictures of them, but I never have.  Until today.  I was driving in to do my weekly shopping, and decided to take the long way around and see the new tree.  While I was there, I finally stopped and took pictures of the buildings.  After 25 years, the job is done!

A little house,

a church,

and another -- I guess it's a house or a shop.  I don't really know.  I also don't know who made them.  They've been here longer than I have.  By the way, that's not all of them.  There are about seven all together, but I thought I'd save some for a later post.

And here is a picture of our tree:

Yeah, it's a little skimpy on the lights and decorations, but it was kind of a last minute thing.  I'm sure they'll add to it if they keep on putting one up, which I hope they do.  I didn't go to the lighting ceremony, because they had it on Monday night.  I guess they don't realize people have to get up and go to work in the mornings.  Then again, I haven't been to the parade since Cody graduated and is no longer marching in the band, so maybe I wouldn't.  I really do need to get out and do more of these community things...

Anyway, someone posted a video of it on the local FB page, and there was this one lady who kept shouting, "Oh, it's so beautiful!"  After about the 5th time she said it, I began to wonder if the tourism commission paid her to.

And finally, my dear, dear wonderful friend Kristine sent me a Christmas present.  I almost didn't open it, though.  My first thought was to wrap it and save it for Christmas morning.  But then I thought, what if she sent me some Christmas scented candles?  I'd better look and see...and sure enough,

I'd been hoarding the candles I bought last year like a miser...no, wait, I've been hoarding them like a Scrooge -- got to get into the season and all -- but as soon as I opened them, I ran and lit last year's Gaudete and have been burning it ever since.  The whole house smells like frankincense and myrrh. The one in the middle is her new scent, specially made for this year.  It smells so good, too!  Do go by and give her shop a look see:  Stormy Blue.  You won't regret it.

And as is her custom, she included some other little things she thought I might like.

The chocolate didn't last long, and I'm fixing to go in and brew a cup of the tea.  I'm sure it's good, too.

Oh, and one more thing.  Another mysterious box arrived from Amazon, which I didn't order.  I wrapped the whole box and put it under the tree.  I'm going to laugh if I open one of these packages on Christmas morning and it ends up being my vitamins. 

I'll be sure to post if it happens. 

Random Thoughts Of Whatever The Heck Day This Is

1.  It all started when I woke up this morning, thinking it was Wednesday.  I got all excited, thinking I only had two more days of work before Christmas break.  Then, I checked my phone, and uttered an unwholesome word for which I had to repent.

2.  It was cold this morning.  After this mess went through yesterday,

the temp dropped all the way down to 37' by the time I went to bed.  I didn't check it this morning, but when I got off work at 4:00 PM, it was only 39'.   By the way, there were several tornadoes that touched down in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.  I've heard at least three deaths.  And lots of property damage. 

3.  I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be hot or cold at work.  I'd put my jacket on, get too warm, then take it off, and get too cold.  Ad infinitum until the end of the day.  After which, I finally got the last Christmas package mailed off.

4.  The good news is, my Stalker hasn't been there at all this week.  I told my coworkers if they missed him, I'd stand over them glowering.  They thought I was joking.  I wasn't.

5.  The other good news is, when I booted up my laptop, I didn't get the "Your fan isn't working" error message.  I heard it spinning a couple of times, too.  Maybe I can get a few more months out of the old girl before I have to get a new one.

6.  This is how you know society is doomed.  They handed out our little bags of candy at work, with our $35 Christmas bonus.  Yes, that's all we get, as hard as we work.  $35.  Pitiful, ain't it?  Anyway, I was eating Kit Kat and that's when I saw it. 

Instructions on how to open a piece of candy. 

7.  I'm cold. 

8.  Apparently, Hulu Live has dropped CBS from their lineup.  I know they were having some troubles with the channel crashing and all, so I wonder if it's temporary until they can come up with a fix.  I can still watch Survivor and NCIS, but I'll have to wait until the next day.  I hope.  At least all the previously aired episodes are still up.  I hope they put the new ones up, too.

9.  Tomorrow when I wake up, it really will be Wednesday, and I'll only have two more days of work until Christmas break. 

10.  Yay! 

11.  I imagined I took my imaginary boyfriend imaginary hog hunting -- in real Texas, of course.  Don't I sound like a fun first date?   I think my imaginary boyfriend was a bit intimidated, though.  He said he'd stick to singing sea chanties.  All righty, then...

12.  Our engineer -- the real one -- was joking with me, saying the sub-brazers would have to bend their own copper tubes.  I said, "We already do.  That's how I got my guns."  Then I showed him my biceps.  He screamed and ran.  I laughed until I wet myself. 

13.  I guess that's it for now.  Bye.

Done!

I am done with Christmas shopping!  Well, unless I decide to pick up something else for Cody, that is.  I finished my last gift yesterday, and got them all boxed up and ready to mail.  However, when I got off work this evening, we were in the midst of some pretty hefty storms.  It was so dark, I thought it was night.  I decided to wait until tomorrow to go to the post office.

Oh, and there has been at least one confirmed tornado, but it wasn't near me.  We just got some wind and lightning.

I finally finished the scarf/stole I was knitting out of my last skein of Scarfie.  Yeah, only I lost the game of yarn chicken I was playing with the bind off row. 

No big deal.  I just tinked a row and re-did it.  It made the stole a quarter of an inch shorter.  Eh...

Anyway, I like the way it ended up, though I still would have preferred it to be a little longer.

I'm still playing cpu chicken with my laptop as well.  I'm only turning it on for about 30 minutes at a time, then shutting it down to cool off.  I'm hoping it will at least hold out until I get some overtime coming in after the New Year.

Speaking of, I've only got three more days of work, then I'm off until Jan 6.  I'm debating on driving down to Jackson to see if I can find Cody a Jeaux Burreaux jersey.  If not, he'll just have to wait until he's drafted.

And finally, Navy got it done!  Army's streak ended at three.  When Malcolm Perry got on and said, "The streak ends today"  I knew it would happen.

If Malcolm says so, it's so.

Well, the old laptop is starting to feel pretty warm on my lap, so I'd better shut down for now.

Until next time.

A Little Something

I got myself a little something...

It arrived just in time for tomorrow's Army-Navy game.  Go Navy!  Beat Army!

I still haven't found a Joe Burrow jersey for Cody.  Let me clarify, I haven't found an authentic Joe Burrow Jersey from a legitimate website.  I've found plenty of sites that have fake jerseys.  I found one site that said it only took Mastercard as payment.  Huge red flag.  There are a bunch on Ebay -- that all ship from China.  Another red flag.  Cody may just have to wait until after the draft and get a pro jersey. 

Other than that, my Christmas shopping is all done.  My older brother and sister in law are so hard to shop for, because they won't tell you what they want.  I've got something in mind for them, though.  I'll just have to ship it.  It may or may not get there in time.  I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

Oh, and while I was in the store, I went back to the electronics department and looked at their laptops.  I only found one I kind of liked.  It's only $350, and has a terabyte hard drive.  It's only a 14" screen, though, and no disc drive.  I know smaller laptops are the thing these days, but I want one with at least a 15" screen.  I like bigger screens. 

Speaking of, I got all my photos and knitting patterns backed up this morning.  It didn't take much, because it hasn't been that long since I did a complete back up.  At least now, when my old computer crashes and burns, I won't lose too much. 

OK, moving right along...

I don't remember if I mentioned, I got Cody's violin out and tuned it up.  I don't know what the deal is, but it's like I completely forgot how to play it.  Not that I was much good at it anyway, but oh, lord the screeching and scraping!  One thing I've noticed is that so many of the online lesson sites all talk about how hard the violin is.  Sheesh, how about a little encouragement there, people?

Finally, I got myself some new winterish leggings.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got knitting to do.

Computer Woes

And the computer woes continue...

I'd taken my computer into town after work to the local repair guy.  Aaand nobody was there.  Out doing service calls, according to the note on the counter.   However, he also had his price list for common services up on the same counter, and I quickly glanced over it.  It only took a moment to find what I was looking for --

Change laptop fan: $125

Dang that sure went up since I was there last!  It was $40 then.  I decided then and there I wasn't going to spend that money on my ancient computer.  I only paid $300 something for it in the first place, and it's 7 years old at that.

New plan: take a moment this weekend and back everything up, then use it until it won't work any more.  Then I'll buy a new one.

Until then, here is a picture of the snow we woke up to the other day.

Bad News

I woke up in the middle of the night, needing to answer nature's call.  I rolled over, and looked at the clock.  3:15.  Cool. I can pee, then get a couple more hours of sleep before I needed to get up.

I took care of business, and got back into bed.  I snuggled down under the covers, all ready to go back to sleep.  That's when it hit me.  I get up at 3:30.  Sigh...What a way to start the day.

I don't know why I was thinking I could sleep in until 5:30.  I haven't been able to do that in years.

The good news is, they put out the notice at work.  Our last day of work will be December 19, and we don't go back until January 6. We'll have a nice, long vacation. Too bad Cody can't get time off of his job, or we might go home for Christmas.

The bad news is, the cooling fan went out on my laptop. I'm debating on whether to just get it changed, or use this as a excuse to get a new one.  I mean, I have been wanting a new one, but couldn't justify spending the money when I had one that worked fine.  A little slow, but fine nonetheless.

All that to say, blogging might be sparse until I decide what I want to do.  Typing posts on my Kindle is kind of a pain.  Possible, but a pain nonetheless.

The more good news is, it was snowing when I got off work! But I can’t figure out how to embed from my Kindle or phone, so you’ll have to click the link if you want to see.

https://youtu.be/8dKU_GNFMPg

It didn’t last, though. It turned to rain.

Bummer.

As Good As It's Going To Get

Well, my house is as Christmassy as it's going to get.  I got up yesterday and put out the rest of my decorations, and hauled the storage boxes back out to the shed.  I'm not going to bombard you with photos of everything, but I will show you this.  It's a new old thing I put out for the first time...in a long time.

Not the village.  I've had it for a few years -- Beverly gave it to me when they moved back to Texas.  I'm talking about the gigantic, totally out of scale nativity scene beside the church.

If you're thinking, "Hey, that looks like a Fontanini,"  you would be correct.  When I was stationed in Italy, I bought a tree topper that was a glass dome looking thing with a spire on top.  In the dome, there was a little Fontanini nativity scene.  This is that scene.  It had survived the trip from Italy, and I'd kept it packed so carefully to keep it safe for so long. 

"But what happened to it," you may ask?  Well, I'll tell you. Back in 2005, there was this hurricane.  His name was Dennis.  Most people don't even remember him, even though he was a cat 4 when he made landfall, because he was overshadowed by Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.  Though his track passed to the east of us, we got enough wind and rain to cause some damage.  My storage shed -- and many of the things inside -- were part of that damage. 

Along with many other things ruined, the glass part of the topper was broken.  I threw the whole thing away, then thought better of it and got it back out of the trash.  By the way, I still have a scar on my hand from doing that. 

I knew I couldn't glue the glass part bsck together, so I pulled the figures off and kept them.  In all that time, I'd never done anything with them, but this year, on a whim, I added them to my Christmas village.  I think they look right nice there.

You know what else looks right nice?  My red Christmas cactus in full bloom.

All righty then, moving right along...

In knitting news, I started a scarf with the one lonely skein of the Lion Brand Scarfie I still had. 

I'm liking the way the colors are blending in this one.  Now, I wish I'd bought a second skein, so I could make a slightly longer scarf and matching hat.  Alas, I didn't, and now Walmart isn't carrying it any more.  Not the local store, at least.  I looked online, and the cheapest I've found it is $7 a skein.  I ain't paying all that for it.  I haven't checked Ebay yet.  If they don't have any, or it's not reasonably priced, this one will just end up being a stole type thingy. 

OK, I just went and checked Joann's, Michael's, and Ebay.  They all want $9 or more per skein.  So, that's a no from me.

Also, I got the button sewn onto my Calorimetry. 

It's all ready for next year's blessing bags. 

And finally, I was watching a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie, when a boy walked into the scene wearing this: 

Now, I feel like I've made the big time.  Why?  Because I have the exact same sweatshirt:

I've had it since 1993, the year Cody was born.  I used to wear it to all the family Christmas gatherings until it began to get a bit tattered around the neck and sleeves.  Now it just hangs in my closet, awaiting its moment of glory.  Which it just had.  Because it was featured in a Hallmark Christmas movie!

See? I was Hallmark before Hallmark was cool!

A Date That Will Live In Infamy

December 7, 1941

Tell it to your children, 

and let your children tell it to their children, 

and their children to the next generation.  --Joel 1:3

So that we may never forget.