The Big Night | Sainsbury's Ad | Christmas 2018

I post the Sainsbury Christmas ad every year even though, as far as I  know, we don't have them in the US. But they're the best!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, all! The kids are both here and we even got a little snow. I'm going to spend the day cooking and listening to "Little Drummer Boy" on repeat. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

What Christmas Brought

After Lucky died, I said "No more house pets. Three is enough." Famous last words. This little lady followed the son home Christmas night during his usual evening walk. (Any way, he claims she followed. I wonder how much encouragement she got!) We fixed her up a warm place outside and fed her. But everyone kept saying "she's cold-it's cold out there". Uugh! Long story short, she's in the house, she's been to the vet, she's already fixed (probably one of those fix and release programs they do occasionally) and we are playing around with names. I think she's going to be Jessie. The lady across the alley from us died a few months back and she had several strays that she fed. As friendly and sweet as this cat is, I've got the feeling she was one of Mary's bunch. Oh, joy. We have another cat!

Morning Coffee

I fully expected young Jinx to be in the middle of things as we opened gifts Christmas morning, but he sat behind us, eyes wide, and just watched. On the other hand, Fat Cat, our resident old man, sat right in the middle of things and didn't budge. We traditionally open half the presents, have breakfast and come back and finish. He stayed the whole time. I think he's just very glad the daughter is home!

Morning Coffee

Jinx, our perpetual kitten, is having the time of his life! Even though this is his 4th Christmas with us, he seems much more interested in what we are doing this year. While we were putting up decorations, he was right there. While we were wrapping gifts, he was right in the middle of things, "helping". Every bag has to be explored. Every box has to be sat in. Christmas morning is going to be fun. It's like having a young child in the house again!

Morning Coffee

We're getting lots of help with the Christmas decorating! Of course, the "help" has been sitting on the highest boxes, and batting ornaments around. I bought an Air Wick motion-sensor air freshener and put under the tree in the hopes that the "spritz" will chase Jinx away. Boy, does it smell strongly of pine in here!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman...

I sell Avon.  It's my "second" job, although I've done it alot longer than I've worked at the grocery store.  I started it in College as a way to make some extra drinking spending money.  I quit when I got married to get free sell Tupperware. It didn't dawn on me that I could do both at the same time. I missed Avon because I really do like and use the products and I had all of the Tupperware I wanted, so I went back to Avon.  To be honest, at the time it was just so I could get a discount on the items I used. But I stuck with it and actually had a pretty good business going. Then BAM, the economy collapsed and so did my sales. I was ready to cut back anyway, a little burn-out, I suppose. Now that I'm interested it building it back up the Company decided to re-district. I got put into a group that is called "Trendsetters". It's the Company's way of predicting how sales will be and order for the warehouses accordingly.  See, we sell ahead of everyone else and I'm selling Christmas already. No one is interested in Christmas yet. But I'm playing Christmas music (even as I type this) in order to get myself in the state of mind to sell Holiday items.  Not sure it's working!

The Tree Guardian

No ornaments or a tree skirt yet, but Fat Cat has his spot. He'll stay there all month and then watch with sad eyes as we take it down. He joined our family in 1999 and this is how it has always been!

King of the Hill

I've got the feeling I'm going to get a little too much help with the Christmas decorating!

"Deck the Halls"

I've been baking all morning and this afternoon I'm going to start decorating--decking the halls! So here is a little music accompaniment to kick it off!

Nightmare Before Christmas

It's been going on for years. Usually in August or September. This year I'm running a little late and doing it in October. What is "it"? It's a dream I have with a reoccurring theme. I'm going about my day and suddenly realize it's Christmas Eve. And somehow time has passed and I didn't even realize it. Nothing is done. No decorating, no baking, No Presents! So I spend the dream running around trying to get everything done. Total panic. But this time it was different. It wasn't Christmas Eve. It was Christmas morning. I hadn't really forgotten. I just hadn't bought gifts. (No money, no time--I'm not sure why.) I think there was one each for my husband and the kids. I was very upset and heartbroken. A little background here--my husband grew up in a family that didn't do much for Christmas. So, from the beginning, he liked to do Christmas big. There's always been lots of presents. We've never spent alot of money, but there has always been lots of little things and everything had to be in a box and wrapped. Even if it was just a box of crayons. I guess that's why I was so sad in the dream. I really don't like these dreams and I hope that's it for this year! Now maybe I can go on and get things started!

White Christmas!

We got a white Christmas! It actually started snowing on Christmas Eve. I had to work that day, but we weren't as busy as some previous years and the boss let me leave early. I got to have Christmas Eve afternoon with my family. I made sweet rolls for the next morning's breakfast, watched a little TV, played with my new Flip camera, fixed some supper, drove around town with my husband and kids and looked at Christmas lights, and even watched Prep and Landing, all together. It was the perfect afternoon. And then to get up on Christmas morning to fresh, clean snow! Usually, if we have a "white" Christmas, it's left over from a previous snow. Or maybe some flurries floating around. This was real Christmas snow! Christmas was sitting around the tree, watching each other open our gifts, breakfast here, too much dinner at Mom's with extended family, then home in the evening. It was a good day.

Merry Christmas!

Fat Cat found himself a good spot under the Christmas tree! I remember as a child laying under the tree and looking up through the branches at the lights. I miss having the time to do that! Everything is hustle and bustle. I called Mom last night and we went to Walmart and stopped and got something to eat. I didn't really need anything, but it was a chance to spend some time with just her. With Dad gone and my brother and his family living 4 states away, the Holidays are just a little melancholy. I have a great step-family, and my step-brother and his daughter are coming for Christmas dinner, but it's just not quite the same. Today is going to be one of those nutty days at work. Every Christmas Eve the boss has everyone come in. We will have more help than we actually need. It's fun and tedious at the same time! We have a pot-luck dinner and people pop in and out just to visit. The boss starts indulging in a little Holiday Spirit early in the afternoon. We close early (we close at 4 every year, but they can't seem to remember that from year to year) and some of the grown-ups stay and share a drink and see how many times the phone rings to see if we are still open. Usually I do, but I think today I'm coming home to be with my family. Right now, I'm just hoping for a little snow this afternoon! Merry Christmas, everyone!

But I'm Not Complaining!

I had a wild week at the store. We actually got some snow over the course of the week, but unfortunately it was accompanied by ice. Whenever there is a threat of bad weather, everyone comes running in to "stock up" as if we are going to get snowed in for 2 weeks. It's been years since it was more than 2 days! Tuesday is our Senior Citizen day, so it's always our busiest day anyway, but add in bad weather and it becomes hectic. Plus, to make the day more fun, one of our registers went down for about two hours. Understand, we only have two registers on the best of days. (It's a small store.) One register, lines of people. Hence, loads of fun. (sarcasm, in case you missed that!) Fortunately, everyone was very understanding. That's not always the case. Wednesday, somehow we just got behind, then the other day girl went to do deliveries, and was gone half the day. (I think she only had two deliveries but the Pepsi delivery guy parked her in.) Then, on Thursday and Friday, she couldn't make it in because she lives about 10 miles out and the Blacktop was one big stretch of black ice. Therefore, I got to do my work, her work, and even a little extra, just for the fun of it and because one of the owners had a doctor's appointment. My bad foot has had too much of a work-out, and I think I re-injured my knee. I'm feeling old. Next week, Christmas week, should be just as fun, maybe even more so! Thank goodness, I actually do enjoy the hustle and bustle!

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The husband had to work 5 to 9 this morning, so I rode over with him and went shopping with the goal of finishing my Christmas shopping. It's rather nice when there isn't many people in the stores! I went to Walmart at 6 and parked up front. Then I wondered around for awhile. Picked up a few things, checked out with no lines. But I had to go back at 9 because the photo department wasn't open and I had my mother-in-law's present to pick up. In the two hours from when I left to when I came back was like night and day! The parking lot was full and the lines were all long! But I think I'm done! Yeah!

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A few nights ago, a slightly intoxicated young man "driving too fast for conditions" jumped the culvert and hit a main power-line pole North of town, taking out the electricity in at least 3 towns. It fried my answering machine. I meant to look for a new one this morning, but with all of the Christmas shopping, I forgot. My family really doesn't like answering the phone, so I guess I better figure out something quick!

Decorating Decisions

I've actually been in more of the mood for Christmas this year than I was last year. Last year I just put out part of my huge hoard of decorations, but this year I was really in the mood to put them all out. Unfortunately, I've got to think of the cats! As I started to put them up I realized they all have to be out of reach of the new kitten. And that limited me. Somehow, over the years I've amassed a large tote of stuffed animals and we usually sit them under the trees and on some little chairs I have. Jinx would love it--new play things! So they went back into the totes. I feel sad that they have to go back into storage another year. Did you ever see the Christmas special "Noel" about the Christmas ornaments? I guess I always feel like the decorations are glad to get out of their boxes for a while. Now I feel guilty that they didn't all get that chance this year! Hopefully, next year he will be a year older (and calmer!!) and I can put them out!

Christmas Kick-off

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. My daughter came home for a couple of days--first time she's been home since Labor Day. The folks and a step-brother came for dinner. I actually timed everything right for once--all of the food got done on schedule! We usually have Thanksgiving at Mom's but the kids like my turkey better, so I figured I might as well do it this year. (Mom bakes it the traditional way, I brine mine and stuff it with fruit and vegetables--it makes for a much juicier bird!) I had to be at work at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, so no crazy shopping for me! Usually customers start trickling in after 9 o'clock as they return to town from hitting the sales in the neighboring town and it's fun to listen to their stories. This was my husband's first Black Friday since he started working at Walmart. He works in one of the smaller stores and people are usually fairly civil. They didn't have any problems this year, but I guess last year they had a couple of women get into a fight in the toy aisle. Next year I may have to take the day off and give it a try! My daughter wanted to put up a Christmas tree while she was home, so we did the big one Friday night. Today I'm trying to put up some of the other decorations. I figure I'll take my time and try and do a box or two each evening. That way the cats can gradually acclimate to the new "toys". The new kitten is doing pretty good so far--he's knocked a couple of ornaments off, but he hasn't actually tried to climb the tree. I think that's a good sign!!

Cold Fish

For the last several years we have had a water disaster at Christmas. Two years ago, even as the Tsunami hit Asia, the water pipe in the mud room burst. Last year, even though it was turned off, it burst again. This year, the roof leaked (and we have a fairly new roof!). We laughed--"ha, ha, we've had our water disaster for Christmas". Ha, ha. We didn't know that was only a preview. Christmas at Mom's didn't turn out quite as expected. My stepbrother from the Chicago area was sick so he and his wife didn't make it. Therefore, the party was small. And when we headed home, we found that the forecast for "flash floods" was spot on. I drive a Dodge Neon. Great car. No trouble with it and the gas mileage is great. But it is fairly low to the ground. I was driving through water that was up to the door and it was making me nervous. It didn't help that it was dark. I decided to take a shortcut across some gravel that turned out not to be gravel. The more I tried to get out of the mud, the deeper I got! I called my Stepdad and he came with his four-wheel drive and he was able to pull us out. And it was raining the whole time. By the time we got home, we were covered head to toe in mud! I don't imagine I have to even explain how my car looked--inside and out! (But, hey, it's a funny story I can tell my Grandkids some day!) So we laughed, "ha, ha, I guess that was the water disaster of 2008!" Only, today the cat spilled the aquarium water that I was using to water my plants, then the hose at the sink popped apart and squirted all over me. I'm a Pisces, so I'm taking this all as a good sign for 2009!

Now, If It Would Just Snow a Little!

I'm finally getting in the Christmas mood. I've decided everyone is getting fruit baskets again. I think I gave our parents fruit baskets last year, but after all, they don't need anything. My folks can afford to buy what ever they need, and they do. And we aren't particularly close to my husband's Mom or Dad, therefore, I have no idea what they need. They are more than happy to do up "special" baskets at the store I work at, so I think I'll get some extras to put in them just to make them less generic. So that's settled, and I have the rest of my presents wrapped. My daughter made it home from college yesterday. It's great having her home. We went shopping last night, didn't really buy anything but it was fun just spending the time with her. Right now I can hear her and her brother in the next room playing on the Playstation. It's nice. And to top everything off, the husband got a job! It's part time as an "Inventory Control Specialist" at Walmart. I hope he likes it and it lasts. Full time would have been better, but even a part-time check is going to make such a difference.

Roscoe decided the orange smell doesn't bother him any more. We've found him in the trees several times playing with the ornaments. So far he hasn't done any damage, but I've got the feeling we won't leave the trees up very long after Christmas this year!

The Great Christmas Cookie Madness of 2008

I started baking cookies before Halloween. I decided to experiment with making double and triple batches and freezing them just to see how it would effect different varieties. And for some reason I haven't been able to stop! A couple of years ago a friend of mine and I baked cookies and sold them on the Triangle just to make some extra money. She had mentioned maybe doing it again this year, and I think that is when I went into overdrive. We never got together and decided a date, but I just kept mixing and baking. It's like an obsession! I wonder a bit if it isn't my way of dealing with the stress of my husband's job situation this year. Yesterday, as I finished baking the last of the dough from the freezer, I decided "this is it--no more", but yet at the same time I kept coming up with kinds I meant to bake this year but haven't yet. Eeekkkk! Make it stop! I think lots of family and friends are getting plates of cookies this year!

Bah Humbug

I'm having a very difficult time getting into Christmas this year. We only put up half the decorations that we usually do (and I didn't even clean before we put them up--the shelves were pretty dusty!) and I don't have my shopping done. I'm usually about done shopping and wrapping by now. We don't buy for very many people and I'm done with the kids and the Husband, but I have no idea what to get for the few others I usually buy for. I think between the stress of trying to pay the bills on just my paycheck and all of the work I've been putting into my Avon business is just not leaving any time for anything else. My brain is a bit fried! Last weekend I had a booth at the LYF's Holiday Bazaar and today I'm hosting my annual Pre-Christmas sale. It started out strong this morning, but has died down. It didn't help that part of my last order didn't arrive with the rest of it, so I reordered and (naturally) ended up with a box full of duplicates! So it's another thing that needs taken care of. I love getting a 40 hour paycheck, but I sure miss my Thursdays off that I had for the 10 years before this one! It was nice to have a day to get things done. The daughter comes home next weekend--maybe that will lift my spirits!