The aftermath

First, I will apologize for another picture laden post about the downtown fire.  I am sorry, but it is kind of a big deal around here and is pretty much all we have talked about for 2 days.

Thank you all for the kind words and concern. There were no major injuries and the displaced people are being well looked after by volunteers.  Donations are pouring in.   The fire is out, except for some smouldering rubble which a small crew is handling.

These are pictures I took at the site approximately an hour ago, just after supper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything's coming up roses

I had one of those days that everything seemed to be going my way.  Do you remember that song "Everything's coming up roses..."?  That's what I thought of all day.  And if you are like me, that song will now be stuck in your head for hours.  (sorry)

Yesterday's rain stopped and the sun came out and it was Hot, Hot, Hot (and humid).  So a nice drive in an air conditioned car seemed like the best plan. 

We headed out to Parrsboro, along the Bay of Fundy.  It's a nice drive and not too far, only an hour.  We stopped at the little summer restaurant I like, right on the beach.  A few months ago I blogged (well, whined) about them taking my scallop burger off the menu.  And you know me, I have trouble letting go of disappointments......   We had one of my favorite waitresses today - she is usually there when we are, except for that last disappointing visit.   After I gave her my order, naturally I had to whine about the missing scallop burger.  (I know, I can't help myself)   She says "Oh, do you want one?"  My eyes dilated in excitement.  "Really" I say, "Can I have one even though its not on the menu?"   Sure, she says.  I'll get you one.  WOOHOO!!! 
And yes, it was every bit as good as I remember.

Then we went to a great little shop in town - Sweet Briar Boutique.   Joan, the owner always has a great selection of unique items.  I get a fair amount of jewellry there and always get compliments on the pieces.  She also stocks a nice selection of purses at very reasonable prices.  My last visit I was looking for a spring purse and all they had were small ones.  That's no good for me, I like a big bag you can dump a bunch of stuff in.   So today I same more of the same.  UNTIL.....I meandered into the back room.  A day bed FULL of big beautiful leather bags.    I found my new Fall bag

Then we cut across country and stopped into a little bakery in Oxford.  The name is Grumpy's Bakery, and I have to say I think he lived up to his name - Just sayin'
But luckily he had just put some fresh blueberry pies out in the case.   Blueberry pie made in the Blueberry Capital of the World.......How could you go wrong?   It was so good, we had it for supper with ice cream.  (Yes, we only had dessert for supper)
   

I'm so glad my friend Kim didn't tell me to eat healthy on vacation!!  Tomorrow morning I think I'll check out the Sackville Farmers Market.

Doing stuff

A day off.  A big yellow sun shining in the sky.  A cup of coffee on the deck.  All good things for me today.

That is how my first day off began.  I went downtown and stopped in to visit a few friends, got my 2nd coffee fix from Flow Lifestyle Boutique, then grabbed a great Hummus and Chicken Toastie sandwich from the Art of Eating Deli, and retired to the deck again.

I had a nice cold Bud Light (just in case I got dehydrated ya know) and my Kindle for an afternoon of reading and relaxing.  Hmmm, battery low on the Kindle.  Well, I had no choice but to fully recline on the zero gravity chair and have a nap.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!

Later this afternoon, I thought I should do at least one chore so I replaced the door knob and lock on one of the doors.   Since our beloved handyman Clayton passed away a few months ago, I don't have someone to do all those little chores.   I'm actually quite handy, but if you can get someone else to do that stuff - why do it yourself?

I have tools and I know how to use them BUT I pick and choose the types of chores or fix-it tasks I will admit to being able to do.  Basically if I have to get dirty to do it - forget it. 

No crafting today.  It was just too nice outside.   I hope Day Off #2 is just as good as today.



Thursday thoughts

It's hard to concentrate all day when Thursday is your Friday.  Yep, today was the end of my week :)   I have 4 days off........in a row. 

I was so excited you would think I had 4 weeks off instead of days!!  But it has been so busy at work that 4 days off.......in a row is like a PARTY!

And the last hour before vacation is always so painful.  I think I counted down each individual minute. 

Yesterday was the first of my fresh vegetable delivery from the farm co-op I joined.  I did it last year and just loved it.  Fresh vegetables, locally grown, organic - perfect.  This weeks delivery was full of lots of salad greens, swiss chard, pea shoots and strawberries.   I ate the strawberries for lunch and tonight made this tasty salad.  I added a little smoked salmon and threw in some blueberries.

It's amazing how much better this tastes than the stuff you get at the grocery store.  I had never had pea shoots before but they were tasty and I am told them are great in a sandwich or wrap.  Maybe tomorrow. 

Weekend Update

It has been another busy weekend.  Friday evening was our town's Relay for Life event.  A few friends and I went down for a couple of hours to join in the festivities.  It is always a wonderful event full of laughter and tears.  I have yet to watch the Cancer Survivors walk their victory lap without tears streaming down my face. It is such a moving sight. 

Our little community has a lot of spirit.  Relay teams fund raise and hold events for months leading up to the night.  I am proud to say that $184,000 was raised for Cancer reasearch and support!

Saturday I decided I should finish up some UFO's.  I have several rugs that have been hooked for a long time, waiting to be bound.  Why is it so torturous to complete that task??  This particular rug has been hooked for over a year or so.  (Shameful, I know)

She is a Deanne Fitzpatrick design and is currently for sale in my Etsy shop. 

This only rug has been hooked for a couple of months (see, this one didn't take years to bind) and is also listed on Etsy. 

Since I was on a roll, getting jobs done I have been putting off - I also updated my iPod playlists.  I was getting bored with what was on there.  Plus it's summer and you need some fun driving tunes.  An eclectic mix including lots of classic rock with the Eagles, Queen etc.   You know, the kind of tunes that make in easy to get a speeding ticket.

What is it about classic rock tunes that makes your gas pedal foot heavy?  Or is it just me?

The finshed result

Well, I have finshed up the little projects I showed you last post.  I think I may have over-hyped the project!  The little snaps I collaged were actually not part of a single rug.  They are little hooked mini-pillows filled with dried lavendar buds.

A local business downtown (owned by my friend Stephanie) had offered to sell some in her Boutique.  So I gave her a few a while back, thinking she was just being polite and never expecting them to sell.  Well, who would have guessed it but she sold some!!

And then......asked for more.......YIPPEE!   So yesterday I delivered some more and re-filled her little display.

So, the next time you are in Downtown Amherst, stop into to Flow Lifestyle Boutique and grab one (or two).  :)

Now that those are finished I am wondering - What is my next project?

Just perfect

That just about describes my day.  Today was my birthday!!  And I couldn't have had a better day if I tried.  Yep, I'm 39......again (well a few times over if the truth be told)

I woke up to find birthday presents on the kitchen table, then I arrived at work and was delivered a muffin with a candle in it and a coffee.  (and several minutes later I spilled half that coffee all over my white silk shirt and had to go home and change)  And even THAT didn't dampen my mood.  The sun was shining and all was good!

There were multiple deliveries of other treats throughout the workday, lots of calls and emails, a birthday cake from the staff.  I did miss one special call, but did get the voicemail.  You know who you are - you made my day!  A couple of dear friends took me out and treated me to lunch.

The afternoon was much of the same.  Isn't it great to have a day that is all about you......LOL

This is one of the cards I received today and just had to share it with you.  It's perfect and just cracked me up.  The sender of this card knows me well ;)

   And it is even better when you can stretch out the fun for more than just one day.  Tomorrow night I am going out to dinner with a group of girlfriends.  It's our turn to Howl!    Look out Downtown - middle aged women on the loose!!

The Plan must go on

You take a Type A personality and a Plan and that can be a tricky situation.  Especially when something has the potential to threaten the plan. 

I am on Day 1 of my 4 days off.  I have plans for all 4 days.  Sounds perfect, right?   Well what happens when you wake up this morning with a headache?  Day 3 of the same headache, I might add.  But I would not relent with the Plan.  I wanted to go for a drive to Parrsboro.  Our little beach front restaurant re-opened last weekend.  They are only open in the summer.  The best scallop burgers, and I have been dreaming of having one all winter.

I felt like crap when I got up.  I immediate took a couple of pills.  I'm not sure if I actually looked green, but I certainly felt green.  My stomach was not good at all.  Instead of thinking of changing the plan, I instead thought of places along the road where I might have to throw up.  (I know, Type A - crazy)  Auntie came downstairs and looked at me and said "Maybe we should go another day"  (so apparently I did look green)   No, I said we were going - I would be fine soon.  I said just wait a half hour, I will have a cup of tea.   See, if you are from Nova Scotia, the cure-all for everything is a good strong cuppa tea.   Well, the tea plus a couple of digestive cookies and I did start to feel better. 

We headed out as planned.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and the drive was lovely. We arrived at the restaurant, me in total anticipation of the scallop burger.  I scan the menu 3 times.  Its not there......  I ask the waitress and she says its off the menu.  Huh?   My response - you have scallops, you have burger buns......can't you just slap them together??   Well, apparently not.  I feel my day circling the drain again.  Hrmmph,  WHATEVER.   We did stay for lunch, however disappointing as it was.   (Note to self: need to find new restaurant)

Next stop was the lovely Sweet Briar Boutique.  We did manage to pick up a few little treats there.  A cute little summery necklace and a few little goodies for a birthday gift for a friend.   The retail therapy helped brighten my mood :)

Once we got back home and I dropped off the Golden Girls, I went to have a coffee and visit with my friend who owns a downtown boutique.  She says, I owe you money.  YAY!  She sold some of my little hooked pieces.   Nothing puts the hooking mojo back in your spirit like money in your pocket!

So tonight I picked up my hook for the first time in several weeks.  I didn't realize how much I missed it until I pulled those first few loops.    The day ended with hot fudge sundaes at 9:30pm.   You need to be little decadent on vacation days :)

Weekend update



The weekends seem to fly by so quickly.  This photo pretty much sums up what I'm feeling tonight.  Lol

I did survive the rest of the week after my little pie-hole incident.  Sorry Michelle, its not a story I dare blog about.  (but email me and I'll tell you :)  The neighborhood has temporarily calmed down.  And the piles of garbage were picked up on Friday so things are slowly settling down.

Saturday I went to a large indoor yard sale in support of the local Relay for Life teams.  The place was packed and it was nice to see so many people out in support of such a great cause.  Just another example of how our small town turns out to support each other.   And I came home with lots of goodies like homemade fudge and donuts. 

Next stop Saturday was a visit to Flow Lifestyle Boutique for an Eco-Fashion Show.  It was a combination of new clothes and vintage, pre-loved clothing.  But I wasn't there long when I started to feel bad.  It was a migraine starting and by 4pm I was miserable.   Thankfully I woke up this morning feeling much better.

It has been at least a week, if not two, since I picked up my hook.  Today I got back to the frame and managed to get a few little lavender sachets hooked.  I will get them assembled and delivered later this week.

They will look much better when they are sewn and stuffed.  I'll take another picture when they are finished.  These are fun to hook, but I drag my feet on the assembly.    I had another etsy sale today. Yay!  The summer fields rug will be headed to its new home this week. 

This post is getting a little random.  Sorry.  I just wanted you all to know I am still here and haven't been run out of the neighborhood. 

Have a great week.

She's on her broom

It has been awhile since I have had a good old fashioned rant.  I feel one bubbling up to the surface.

Ladies and Gentlemen, fasten your seat belts, she's gonna blow!!

Every year at the this time the Town offers a special garbage pick-up.  Almost anything goes - furniture, appliances, broken crap from your basement - whatever.  It is a great service BUT.....

The specific pick-up week is well promoted.  Yet people still start piling up their crap 2 - 3 weeks early.  The entire town looks like one big ugly junk yard for weeks.  

But the worst part is the looters, the garbage pickers, the scavengers.  Drives me nuts.  (I know, its a short trip on a good day)

Its not just the scavenging that annoys me, its the fact that these "people" rummage through your neat pile in the night and toss it all over the friggin yard.  Just tossing stuff willy nilly looking for crap.   It's crap and it's MY crap.  First, I don't want to have to re-pile the crap every morning.   And second, it's MY crap.  If I wanted strangers rummaging through my stuff I'd leave my doors unlocked.

Stay off my property and out of my crap.    Sheesh!!

There was another, different incident last night.  Something I probably shouldn't blog about in any detail.  It involves a neighborhood issue.  It involves me opening my giant pie-hole, in public,  and using the analogy "Lipstick on a Pig".   My finest hour??  Perhaps not.

I think I'd better park my broom for a few days.

Let your hair down

Everyone needs to let their hair down every once in awhile.  Getting together with friends, old and new, is good for the soul.  Letting go of all the stresses of life for a few hours and just having fun.

The monthly Friday Night Ladies Dinner Club was last night.  An assortment of different women, different backgrounds and lifestyles, various ages, all having bonded over the winter.

There is no shortage of laughter, fellowship or great food which is thoughtfully presented.

Conversation spans from the serious to the downright silly.  None of us take ourselves too seriously.   We are not a high-falutin group.  A discussion of books and book clubs quickly declines into giggles about being a member of a book club where you are expected to actually read the whole book.   (Can you imagine!!  Lol)

We are honest.  We are real.  We are sometimes silly.   We are fun.

Find a group of people you enjoy spending time with, and let your hair down. I highly recommend it.

Flip flops and frostbite

Ahhh, the sweet smell of vacation days!  I'm happy to report Day 1 was a great success (and that even includes having to go into the office for an hour to deal with something) 

I had booked myself an appointment at the Spa for a pedicure.  That meant wearing flip flops because as you know, the polish is never dry when you leave.  And who wants a smudge?

One little problem was that the warm temperatures of last week were gone and today it was a not so balmy 3 degrees above freezing.  But I would not be deterred.   I dug out those flip flops, rolled up my fabulous new yoga jeans and headed for the Spa. 

And instead of my usual safe choice of pale pink or nude..........Racy Red!

When I left the Spa I decided to stop and visit Stephanie at Flow Lifestyle Boutique for a coffee while my toes dried.  I'm sure I was a real hot sight strutting down the street in a wool winter coat, flip flops and jeans rolled up to my calves.   (any wonder why I'm single??)  Lol   But after a few minutes and the cold wind made my toes half numb, it wasn't too bad! 

There were a few other visits with friends and now I am relaxing with a coffee and a bar of chocolate with sea salt.  I never would have imagined that combo would work but Mmmmmmm

Can't wait to find out how Day 2 will compare.

Just a small town kind of day

March snuck in today like a lamb.  It was a bright, sunny, cheerful kind of day.
 It was the kind of day where everything seemed to be OK in my little town. 

I have told you about our Town's Believe Campaign in support of a beloved citizen battling cancer.  The latest news is the surgery today was successful.  It was almost like you could hear a collective sigh of relief as news spread.

Mom was at day care so that meant Auntie and I could enjoy a rare treat - lunch out together.  We took a friend with us and had a great time at Bella's Cafe and Bistro.   We saw lots of people we knew and had a few laughs.   (photos borrowed from fb)

We all had something different and it all looked and tasted amazing.  But the best part was it was just a nice break.   After lunch I stopped in just next door to Flow Lifestyle Boutique where Stephanie has just started a new coffee/tea bar. 

She has me addicted to the Chocolate Chai organic coffee.  I grabbed one before returning to the office.  We had a great laugh on facebook yesterday at another friends expense.  (Just teasing of course)  Much to my pal Terri's chagrin, Steph had a coffee delivered to my office yesterday.  Naturally I rubbed it in to Terri who works waaaay on the other side of town.  (Yes, I am spoiled)   And Yes, I love it. 

So today as I picked up my coffee, I paid for an extra one.  So tomorrow when Terri makes her regular Friday afternoon visit to Flow - she will be surprised that her coffee is on me!

A rug update:   Thank you for all the suggestions.  I agree that the plain blue isn't exactly right.  I tried to think far outside the box last night with a burgundy plaid but after only adding 3 strips I quickly ripped it out.  I was almost paralyzed with where to go next. 

Then this afternoon at work (I really hesitate to admit this here but......) I looked through a bag of wool stash in my office.   Yes, I have a small stash of wool behind my desk.  Don't ask......     Well, deep in the bottom of the bag is a large piece of dark blue plaid wool.  Lighter than the outline wool and darker than the blue from the last post.  Yippee!!  I think this might work.  I hope to cut some of it tonight and try a small section.   Fingers crossed.  



I hope you all had a great day too.

I Believe

I Believe in friends

I Believe in prayer

I Believe that one person can make a difference

and

I Believe that together we can lift someone up

I Know that my small town Believes

  This week has brought about an almost unprecedented show of support for one of our own.  News has spread that a much beloved citizen is facing a 2nd battle with the cancer he survived 20 years ago.  Not only is he a teacher, husband, father, and friend - He has been an unstoppable Cancer Society promoter for those 20 years.   It shouldn't be a surprise as he has helped so many over the years, that now in his hour of need the community has banded together to help him. 

Almost my entire facebook news feed is status updates of  "I BELIEVE".   Organizers of a Benefit scheduled for next weekend can almost not keep up with the offers of support. 

It makes me proud to be Daren's friend, proud to live in this town, and proud to annouce that I BELIEVE he will beat this again.  

I hope you will all BELIEVE with me.  

Chivalry is alive and well

I don't usually share a lot of details here about Mom's condition but this story is too cute not to share.  Today was Adult Day Care day.  I mentioned this before - there is an old fella there who has a bit of a crush on Mom.  It is just so cute.  He is 91 years old and he is always smiling at her or trying to sit beside her.   Some of the staff laugh because if he sees someone else going towards the empty seat by her, he shuffles a little faster to get there ahead.    But alas, Mom just ignores him - totally.  But he never gives up.

This afternoon when I arrived to pick her up, he is naturally seated beside her.  Mom is naturally looking in the opposite direction. LOL     Mom can't dress herself anymore and sometimes getting her to put her coat on is a challenge.  She won't bend her arms the right ways etc.   So one of the staff and I are struggling to get her coat on and before I know it - He jumps up (well, as much as a 91 year old can jump up).  He wants to help her.     Awwwww, how flippin sweet is that.......  Chivalry is alive and well at Day Care. 

Once the coat is on and she is ready to go he is saying "Goodbye Dear. Have a nice week and I'll see you soon" .  And Mom won't even look at him and she just says "Yeah, Whatever" 

Oh my goodness, I had to turn my head away.  I thought I might pee my pants laughing.    

Fun, Friends and Charity

Today was a wonderful day.  I told you the other day that there was a surprise in store for my friend Terri.  She is the one who organized tonight's event to raise money for Palliative Care in memory of her brother Tim.  This is the 4th year.

Well, a friend nominated her for the Maritimer of the Week Award, given to a someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their community.   It was so hard to keep the secret all week.  I hardly spoke or emailed her for days, so scared I might spill the beans.  I'm not sure what surprised her more - the award or the fact that so many of her friends could keep a secret. 

It was a great thing to be a part of and she is so deserving of recognition.  She is a very special person and that is why we all go the extra mile for her. We all chip in to help, donating to the silent auction, preparing food for sale.  Everything is donated.  The place was packed and there were lots of laughs and lots of bidding on the auction items.  I won't know the total tally until tomorrow, but when I left my rug was up to a $225 bid.  WooHoo!!    Our goal for the night was $5,000.  I think we might exceed that. 

Before I left she handed me a gift and a card.   A thank you for helping out.  I didn't need a thank you for helping a friend but it was very touching.

The feeling is mutual

I'll explain

I thought I better explain one of my comments last night.

I didn't really mean that I think I ruin all my rugs, but I do have problems/issues with color planning. 

However, I really did enjoy reading all your compliments.  Hehehe

There always seems to be one color in most of my finished rugs that just doesn't look right to me.  I add something and it ends up looking too bright or too dull or it isn't matchy and looks clashy.   You know what I mean??

But there is always the next rug to get the colors just right.  I live in eternal hope :)

Tomorrow night is the Curling Fun Night and Auction for the local Palliative Care Unit.  I'm excited - it's always a great time with good friends.  Terri has recieved so many great items for the auction.  I have my eye on a few.  I want her to make tons of money but I'm hoping the majority of it doesn't come from me.  Hahaha

Just a small town girl

Today I realized just how much of a small town girl I have become.   I had to travel into the "big city" today for a meeting. 

There was a time when I would use any excuse to go to Halifax.  It was vibrant, exciting and all that good stuff.  So many stores, specialty shops, cafes, restaurants, clubs etc.   But today I realized those feelings were from my 20's.

Today, in my 40's it was nothing like that.  It was crowded, chaotic and annoying.  Too much traffic, so many lanes, merging, turning, bicycles whizzing in and out of traffic and pedestrians who (apparently) think it's OK to just dash out in front of moving cars.    Oh and don't forget the maze of one-way streets downtown - so if you turn left one street too soon, you have to take 20 flippin minutes to loop back around the circle.  

And parking downtown.........HA !  I arrive downtown just at lunch hour (when all the pedestrians are running freely through the streets oblivious to traffic laws).  I get to the hotel where my meeting is being held.  No apparent guest parking.  Directly across the street is a parking lot.  The signs say paid hourly parking but both entrances are wide open.  No toll booths or ticket machines.  I thought "this is just too good to be true".  I parked and as I walked across the street I started to get that nagging feeling.  "This can't be right. What if I come out a dusk and rush hour and my car has been towed??"

I walked into the hotel lobby where I was met by Mr. Snotty Concierge.  I told him I was at the hotel for a meeting and wanted to know where I could park.  (This is a reasonable question, Right?)
He looks at me and in a very bad faux british accent says..."Well, I don't know"............

Huh?  What do you mean you don't know?  Aren't you the Concierge for this hotel??  So I am a bit taken aback, so I tell him I have parked in the parking lot across the street.  Is that OK?  He scrunches up his stupid face and says "What parking lot?" 

Now people - - - the ONLY thing across the street from this hotel is a parking lot.  The-only-thing!! So now I am starting to get annoyed, like a lot.    We walk out the door and I point across the street like a moron.  As I am AGAIN asking him about this lot - TWICE he put a finger up in the air, then clutched his friggin headset and says (in that fake British accent) "ooh, I'm being summoned".    Seriously ??  He was prancing around with that headset like he was running The Plaza in New York City.   Its a flippin Marriott for pete's sake!

He's prancing around with that fake accent and that stupid headset like he is all that and a bag of chips!
Now I'm mad.  I ask him when they host meetings/conferences, where do people park?    Jeeves looks at me again.  Then he stumbles out some babble about having to contact the meeting organizer to ask about parking blah blah blah. 

Finally I'm so close to doing something really special with that headset - I take a deep breath and remind him - I am prepared to pay for parking - I expect to pay for parking - I know its the city - you pay to park - I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE

Sigh....Jeeves is now befuddled and I am just fed up.  I said never mind, I'll take my chances in the mystery lot.  If I get towed that would still be a better experience than this exchange.    I plopped my fed-up butt in the lobby lounge to wait for my session to start.  (Yes, bitchy I know)

A few minutes later Jeeves prances over and says.......(are you ready for this?)  "The valet can park your car underground for the afternoon for $10"    WELL, why didn't you friggin say that in the first place??

I was so happy to get back to my sweet little small town tonight.  When I was younger "they" said it would happen.  I didn't believe it.  As I get older I am becoming a cranky old woman!

Batteries not included

I'm officially on Christmas vacation.  So this morning, instead of sleeping in (which was what I really wanted to do) I jumped out of bed early and started knocking things off the list.

I was organized and I had a plan.  That in itself was like a minor Christmas miracle.

I took Mom to her Adult Day Care program and came back and grabbed Auntie and we headed out to tackle THE LIST.  I was like the Energizer Bunny - I just kept going and going and going. 

And conveniently near lunch time we ended up near Bella's Cafe, so I convinced Auntie to buy me lunch.  (Convenient or a devious plan on my part ? Hmmmm)   We had a lovely lunch and patted ourselves on the back a lot for all that we had accomplished so far.

We continued shopping until 1:30 pm and then I dropped her at home and she wrapped and bagged and I delivered.  This took the rest of the afternoon.  As soon as I finish this post I have to go to the grocery store - - -  That's it.  I think I'm done.   Maybe I shouldn't say it out loud just in case.   But I "think" I have thought of everything.

If I'm right (please, please, please) then all that will be left to do tomorrow is have my annual pre-Christmas lunch date with friends at the tavern.

So my dear friends, it appears as if my goal of not visiting any stores on Dec. 24 is going to happen.  A first for me.   I think I feel some of that holiday "zen" happening. 

I'll close with a picture of my last hooking project.  I don't think I ever showed the finshed product.  I delivered it to its recipient this morning.  I hope she likes it.

I hope you all get that last burst of "energizer bunny"

and experience a little holiday zen.

Merry Christmas

Dear Santa

I think the first thing on my Santa's wish list this year is a few extra days between now and the 25th.  Do you think Santa can deliver that ??  Not likely I suppose.  My tree has been up since Saturday and still has not been decorated.  I plan (hope) to start that tomorrow in between baking cookies. 

It is definately time to put myself into 2nd gear and push forward.   I have tomorrow off and have a list of to - do's

The rest of the weekend is jammed packed with 3 parties.  Our staff party is tomorrow evening - a local dinner theatre production with a hip of beef buffet.  Then two back to back events Saturday.  I am looking forward to a little fun.

It has been a week that has dampened our Christmas spirit at work.  Earlier this week we lost a long time employee suddenly.  Such a tragedy at any time yet it seems so much worse this time of year.  The funeral service is tomorrow afternoon.  Not exactly a good lead in to a holiday party.  The mood will certainly be more subdued than in the past.

So that is what is happening around here.  Wish me luck with my cookies tomorrow. 

P.S.  Santa, it would be great if you sent an elf to decorate my tree while I sleep tonight.  Just thought I'd throw that out there.    Isn't there a saying that "ask and you shall receive"?  Just testing, in case Michael was wrong and you ARE real . . . . . . .