10 things still to do.

Carole's prompt has made me a little hungry.  Most of things left on my to do list aren't in preparation for Christmas Eve/Day, but things that just need to get done.

10.  Weave in ends and wrap Mom's Christmas socks (they are due on the 27th)
  9.  Buy one more gift-the wine shop was closed by the time I got there yesterday.
  8.  Waiting on one more gift to arrive and wrap.
  7.  Finish my Happiness beret-down to about 40 stitches now-deadline is the 25th so I can wear it on the 26th.
  6.  Clear out our guest room-need to move stuff into the basement for post-Christmas sorting for storage, donation or trash.
 5.  Watch a Christmas movie from start to finish-have only seen parts so far.
 4.  Address Christmas cards-they haven't arrived from Shutterfly yet-I'm getting a little worried.
 3.  Attend Christmas Eve service-pray it's not raining between 10:30 and midnight.  Hate when it's dark, cold and wet.
  2.  Attend one more family-ish gathering on the 27th.
  1.  Make to do list for after Christmas!

I was feeling a little stressed about the things that were on my Christmas to do list for a while there-several stops that had to be made on my way home from work.  I pretty much never wait until the week of Christmas to wrap gifts, but you know what?  That's okay, it got done, and it's all good.

Wishing EVERYONE a very Merry Christmas [or whatever holiday you celebrate].










 

A few days of (non) holiday fun

While my calendar last week was full of things to do, and there is still much to still be done, I managed some non-holiday activities that helped to re-charge my batteries. This is a good thing considering the contents of my bottom kitchen cabinets are now scattered around the dining and living rooms, and the kitchen table. Although the cookies are baked there is a bit of housework that really needs to be done.  I got an email about the Main Street Coffee's Wednesday Ladies wine tasting-a local wine store turned wine bar turned wine-coffee-gelato bar.  I re-arranged a couple thing so I could go-am very glad I did.  This place is very cozy with over stuffed chairs-low-ish tables and bar stools.  They feature Honeysuckle gelato, and while the flavors sounded delicious I didn't try any this time!  I did purchase a bottle of wine for my boss as a Christmas gift and a bottle to try at our family get together on Sunday.  I'm hoping to visit this place more often in 2015.

Thursday night was book club-a lovely bottle of wine, a very weird book, great company and conversation.  I'm really glad we didn't skip this month-not because of the book, but all the rest!

Friday night was my night to host quilt club.  It was a short night, but a lot of fun getting caught up with the girls.  Sophie was a BIG help with Kathy's quilt-she finally decided that she was more useful OFF the quilt!

Sunday I took my brother to the Falcons vs Steelers game, it was the first time he'd been to an NFL game, and he was like a little kid.  It would have been much nicer if we'd come away with a win, but what are you gonna do.  I did sit next to 4 of the cutest little boys who tried their best to help me understand the game.

The next few days are going to be crazy-dog grooming, appliance delivery, annual luncheon for 100 + at the office that I'm in charge of, counter-top installation, serious house cleaning, a pub crawl and a day with family-whew-is it Christmas yet?!  I think I need a vacation too

Getting inspired and overwhelmed-

the recent Southern Living has been sitting on my desk for a while, and I've just now gotten around to looking it over.  I usually skim through the first bit and then head to the recipes.  I'm inspired to try these 2 recipes, I do love a good cake.  The Hot Bourbon Orange Tea Toddy look perfect for the cold winter nights that I'm sure are just around the corner.  Actually, I'm inspired to cook a lot more that's in this month's issue, but of course, that would be impossible.

We are also making plans to ready our house to sell-not that we're going to try to do everything now-certainly not with Christmas just a few weeks away, but some upgrades to the kitchen are already in the works.   These 2 will be delivered in a couple weeks, the cook top won't go in until the granite counter tops are installed, but I'm sorta looking forward to having a new oven and microwave.

After walking around the house with a realtor last night, the realization of what we need to do is starting to feel a bit overwhelming.  Especially when I think about all the stuff that's in our basement-some serious de-cluttering is going to have to happen sooner rather than later. 
I also keep thinking about all the holiday activities that are still on the calendar or to do list-sigh
I'll just have to keep reminding myself- it'll get done just take baby steps.