Yule 2023

M: What do you want for dinner, girls?

Answer below

Here's something cool happening soon. These fliers are being distributed all over campus! Proud mudder moment.

Winter is difficult for some of us. This poem always comforts me:

I made sure to note the time while watching the sun set today - wasn't hard, since it was THREE IN THE AFTERNOON (slight exaggeration). I'm loving it. It's a cool thing to choose to experience.

I have to say that adding the seasons to my Google calendar has made me more aware of their passing, which I love. What delights will we experience this winter? Sweaters, flannels, soups, casseroles, candlelight, baked goodies, fires in the fireplace, fuzzy socks, blankets, twinkle lights, the possibility of snow... Ahhhh. So much cozy.

Little R: Maybe poop and vegetables with poop on them

Sunset at 4:25 PM

C & K get their prune on

Rainin

Life in a Northern Town

Too much stuff! Not enough space! I dream of, one day, parking the car in the garage. Today is not that day.

We're so due for a dump run. But we made a little progress today on the clutter. I feel good about it. We threw away quite a bit and gathered some items for charity (or next year's bazaar). I got a Bville shake out of the deal, and we went to the store for a small bit of Christmas shopping.

Later: We got our bake on and made Sandy's caramel brownies, homemade Oreos, and peanut butter blossoms. Life is amazing.

And then: Gathering for dinner. Hubby made hamburgers.

Snowflake Party

Tonight the kids got a little scissor-happy and did some awesome decorating. Color me happy. Hubby and I very much enjoyed the sights and sounds of all of them crammed into the dining room and kitchen, making beautiful snowflakes and a fun red and green paper chain. 

The snowflakes are truly beautiful. I love them. The mistletoe is happy to have some friends.

Skirt Work

The father of an old church friend used this phrase to describe housework and I love it. 

I'm home with the home folks today, getting ready for....

....these ladies to get home! 

(the two on the left)

So far it's been a good productive day. Life is quite happy. 

Sigh

Simply Having a Wonderful Monday-Time

Just look at Seaside. LOOK AT IT

That's me on the couuuuuuuuuch. That's me on my break.... time.....being a huge dorkwad....

...(can't think of how to finish the lyrics. Awkward)

B got sick over the weekend and isn't here today. I miss him, and the bakery being open - it's closed until winter quarter starts on January 8. Boooo.

After work I will embark upon some errands, to purchase poster board and groceries and a sprig of mistletoe (YULE), and to send my mom the package from Sequim that she accidentally sent to me instead of herself, which has been kicking around our bedroom ever since. Then it'll be housework time. I also need to work on sending Christmas cards ("I don't even know half these people!"). It will all be amazing.

Later

Can you believe that my beloved WinCo doesn't carry red and green M&Ms?? I was shocked and appalled when I learned this. An employee told me about the cheap M&M knockoffs they have in their bulk department. I don't do cheap M&M knock-offs, my dude.

Safeway to the rescue! My faith in humanity is restored.

We now have mistletoe hanging in the dining room and a batch of Creamy Italian Chicken going in the Crock-Pot. It's time to get my bake on.

Winter Lights

Did this, and ate a giant bean and cheese burrito from Muchas Gracias, today.

Then this. We've been wanting to hang the green shelf FOREVER. Woohoo! I love it so much! 

Dishes, laundry, rolling a big ole ball of yarn 

A nice relaxing day before a big work week.

On Fire

TODAY IT FINALLY HAPPENED 

Waking Up

We've had rain for quite some time. Today it stopped for a bit. 

After work, I went thrifting at ShmeTails (a charitable organization that helps the humane society - kitties, kitties!). Found some great stuff.

Did not purchase these.

These made the cut. The snowman is a candle holder. The plate is a piece of our Snow Village pattern. The glass star candle holder is just like the one my mom bought back in the '70s, that I still have, and I've been on this kick lately where I'm finding serving pieces that are shaped like fruits and vegetables. The lady behind me in line helped us decide that it was a turnip pitcher (I was thinking beets, but it's too pink for beets). 

Like my dad, I love thrifting, and it's starting to worry me. Makes me want to go clean out the garage. 

MASSIVE WEDNESDAY

Work was spectacular as always. I was tired, so I came home and rested. Then the fun began.

When B came home, he and I loaded up the car with items we had collected for donation. We drove back down to the college and set up a table he had reserved in the student center, with our cast off items. Other employees had tables as well. Students and their families were given tickets to spend on all the items on the tables. 

Feeling festive

It was a HUGE success - the student center was packed with people. The event was scheduled for 3-5 pm, but when I left at 4:15, most of the merchandise on the tables was gone. We had so much fun seeing everyone and giving away our things. B and I already have plans for next year. 

THEN, it was time for pep band rehearsal. It was so great; I felt so uplifted. Man, I love performing, even when it's hard.

Hubby and I grabbed a few days' worth of dinners at Shminco, then headed home and watched Survivor. I couldn't make it all the way through without falling asleep. 

Aye, tis a rainy Tuesday morn

Wearing lots of red this month. I actually planned outfits last night. Oh yeah!! 

Today's my long day at work and I'm happy about it. There won't be as many work hours this month, so any little bit extra is fine by me.

THE DORKENING

... starring Hubby and me

This wretched hive of scum and villainy

But with kitties 

Now that we've made some space in the basement, this mess can be tackled and decreased somewhat.

Went shopping, some of which is a big secret. I also landed at Goodwill and found a lamp for M and the ladies, and a Charlie Brown clock. I was so excited.

Then: Brother E and I visited Dad.

We like that he's right by this woodsy spot.

After our visit, E went home and I went downtown to pick up Hubby. E and Jojo and Hubby and I met for pizza, which was scrumptious. 

It's baaaaaack

The rain has returned to us. 

We've been spoiled this month with beautiful cold sunshiny days and clear skies at night, but of course it couldn't last forever. According to the weather folks, our area will be getting a month's worth of rain over the next seven days. Time to buy those hip waders I've been looking at! 

Dealing with some aftermath from last night's chats with my family of origin (aka FOO). I'm so tired and I feel beat up inside. I need to think of something constructive and maybe fun to do tomorrow for my dad's death anniversary. He passed away nine years ago. Thinking of driving to the cemetery with some flowers and a doughnut - Dad never could resist a doughnut. Maybe I'll get something to eat from a gas station grill, too. 

Today's duds:

Isn't it grate?

This is a red-letter day: we've lived here for five years, but not until today were we able to have a fire in the fireplace. Hooray! Let the pyromania commence! Thanks for not murdering us, guy on Craigslist! 

Now to become fireplace people: we'll move the nice set of tools into the living room (and fight the grandladies for control of them), and set up places in the garage for firewood and kindling and tinder.

Then: I needed the bin they were in, so I ironed the Thanksgiving tablecloth and napkins.

YIKES. 100% cotton = major wrinkles

Speaking of being a pyro

The empty tool stand was included with the grate, so now my sewing room fireplace is a bit more legit. For now we'll just burn candles here. We can't have too many candles. Speaking of which...

Now we're ready to party

After all the ironing fun I could handle, I decided to tackle this area. Hubby wants to use this desk for framing projects, but first some clearing needs to happen. 

Progress happening....

Hey, it's the water heater closet! Long time no see, old friend! Plus Little C making a face

It still needs a lot of work but we were able to get the desk against the wall (the goal for today) and get rid of a lot of garbage, recycling, and just old crap that we don't need anymore. There will definitely be more purging but this was some good progress.

It'll get there! This is exciting!