Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
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LOL on the keeled over reindeer. Which is where I am headed as had a "full day". Worked from home so got in a run in the sunshine. So glorious.
Had "clean out the fridge soup" with wine and a hot roll for dinner. Off to dreamland. - Claire
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I got home today and picked a reindeer out of the yard and retired it. Of course the white lights are a different color. Warm not cool. Whatever. Put it back out and thought, ok, one down one to go. And there’s another dead reindeer! I think I may just go see if I can find new ones. This is crazy.
On another note, we had our Christmas parade in town tonight. It was cold and it was so much fun. We got hot chocolate from the church group and warmed up enough to make it bearable (I am not good with cold, tho these hot flashes may make me like it more this year).
It is supposed to snow tomorrow. Not gonna stick because it has been toooooo warm, but snow is snow and I will love it. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the Christmas party that I am going to (where I intend to drink entirely too much... can I do that on Tamoxifen?).
Then I’m working on my ornaments I’m making for coworkers. I’ll let you know how that goes. Glitter ornaments. Let’s hope the cat leaves me alone while I work or it could get real interesting
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Finally, back from St. Louis and went out for a birthday dinner with my dh. Tired from all the shopping activity. I did find a strap that completes my Rag and Bone Pilot Satchel. I found it at a resale center for $15, was originally $150 - just for the strap. Was able to get in touch with a good contact for some of my jewelry pieces. This group had a national tv show and are into designer pieces. I am going to have my dd create a facebook page for me over the Christmas break, so that I can friend that group properly.
The best find of the last three days, was a Liz Claiborne leather a-line jacket created from lambskin leather, for my friend. It fit her beautifully and was only $22. She was a trooper and ended up with a bad cough on our final night.
Glad to be home and glad to have went. Tomorrow night is my larger family party at our club, which is also hosting another person's birthday. If they have a dj, I plan to crash their party. Should be fun!!! Feeling very happy and peaceful on this birthday.
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TaRenee- we have snow! Woke up it a couple of inches and the forecast was just raused to 9" for our area! Will post pics later. DH is on his was home I'm still in my pj's school was canceled so I had no reason to tush and get dressed! What state are you in?
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Varga, wait....school was cancelled over a couple inches of snow? We get 12 to 15 inches, and still school goes on unless it is -30F. I want some snow here, it is feels like 12F today. The DH and DS are out at the land with a muzzle loader and a crossbow.
TaRenee, you could probably have 2 drinks on Tamoxifen, but I would not overdo it. Those reindeer kick the bucked all the time with the work they have to do. I have a blow up giant Santa, that won't see the yard this year. Last year he was a beacon for an Alzheimer's patient on Christmas, but I am so lazy to put him up this year. Maybe I can get my DH to do it?
I am pooped from my trip and have to run errands before tonight. Hugz to all......
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TaRenee- we have snow! Woke up it a couple of inches and the forecast was just raused to 9" for our area! Will post pics later. DH is on his was home I'm still in my pj's school was canceled so I had no reason to tush and get dressed! What state are you in?
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Michelle- I know it sounds silly to close schools but our county is large and there are many back roads up steep mountains. The roads are 2 dangerous for the buses. There have been so many bus accidents were the school bus slipped off the side of a mountain. If we were flat land with no curves the DOT could keep the roads passable. It takes days to clear out roads. One of the reasons we chose the house we are in is because of its location. We are close to a main road and just passed a school. Our street gets clea ed in the first sweep. Not that it' that big of a deal for us getting out we have several 4 wheel drives ( a Subaru, a Suburban, and a Dodge Ram pickup truck) we just never know when. We migth need medical assistance with our girl. Just like the ambulance ride 3 weeks ago....out of nowwhere!
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Oh, Varga, how gorgeous. Did not realize your elevation. It looks like Christmas at your place. Getting ready for my "big" party tonight. Should be fun with my fav people. Will update with my Fly London's later!!!
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Michelle - have a wonderful time! We are at 9" now and the forecast amount has now been increased to 12". There were 11,000 without power it' down to 8,000 now. We have a generator so we areally set if the power does go out.
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michelle - glad you had such a good time!
Varga- looks beautiful there. I am jealous. Iowa is pretty hard core about school not getting cancelled. But then again, we are used to it!
How's everyone doing getting ready for Christmas? I am behind as usual! My goal for tomorrow is make a list.
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GK Buser, Illinois is hardcore to the tune of 18 inches and still had school. I was trapped at a National Qualifier in Indy with my daughter for 2 extra days at the Hyatt, back in 2015. Our roads were impassable. The school district here has something to prove every winter, like "yeah we are having school, even though there is a snowpocalypse."
The good times keep rolling and my birthday week continues. Had a big party tonight, and tomorrow night is a Christmas party at our club. I have really enjoyed this particular lake club, and have been more social than at our last one, which we were at for 22 years. I think it is the right mix of people that are fun loving. Lawyers, professors, electricians, nurses, etc. are all represented and the food is amazing.
I have most of the presents wrapped, and the tree up. Plan to finish wrapping this weekend and start working on some jewelry projects due for Christmas. I wanted to really enjoy the season, so I purchased the majority of presents early to have them wrapped by Nov 30th.
My daughter sold her Honda CRV 2010 today, and so she is without her own wheels. She is going to drive one of the sports cars, but it is not a winter driving vehicle. She wants a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011 or 2012. Our deal was that she had to sell her car and get x number of dollars for it, which she did. I am proud of her, but now she is going to have to locate her next set of wheels. She enjoys the hunt and it is a teachable moment.
Signing off, going to bed, tired....
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Varga Im in NC. Just outside of Raleigh. We don’t get a LOT of snow but we do get it sometimes. Usually it’s ice and we can’t go out and enjoy it. We got snow a few hours yesterday then rain and sleet all night. It’s gross looking out there now. No snow. I would LOVE to have a foot or more on the ground. Enjoy some of that for me! This was after 2 hours of really big, wet snow yesterday it’s more like just a dusting but it sure was pretty while it lasted.
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TaRenee- we are close! I'm just outside of Asheville. It' still snowing here. Our road is passable. Our street is a connecting road for lots of secondary roads plus there are several Churches, a school, a retirement development, a retirement village that leads to assisted living and a skilled nursing home.
I'll try to add a few more pictures. My grandson left his little Tikes red fire truck out in the yard that'll be the first pick.
The one picture of the bushes are my Nandina that are normally 10 to 12 ft tall there next to my big window in the front of the house . I'm going to have to get a broom and knock the snow off before they break.
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I just went out and knocked the snow off the Nandina . My Reindeer and Santa sleigh are covered and the Murry tree at the corner of the house is beautiful! The snow was over the top of my snow boots! 
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I am loving the snow pics. Here in Illinois, it is a dry as a bone. Working on wrapping presents and then getting ready for Christmas party. Hugs to all.
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Enjoy your party! DD and SIL will not have power restored until Monday! My house is busting at the seams! They live at the foot of a mountain and have over a foot of snow. Power has been out there since noon today. They have been here since 2. There is close to 8,000 without power in my county and probably 4,00 in surrounding counties. That goodness we have a back up if our power goes out!
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michelle: lol about the schools.
Varga: thanks for the pictires
Our tree has been up for a week. Got started on
Christmas shopping and got some cleaning done. My family is going Christmas caroling tomorrow night with some other friend.
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Great pics and great tree. Last year was a pretty nasty, gastro illness plagued Christmas. This year is going to be awesome, filled with health and wellness. My niece's nickname on my phone is robesideass - pronounced Robe Side Ass, due to the fact that she showed up only in a robe at my home and was sick as a dog on Christmas. I asked her what she was going to do if she needed assistance with a car issue, and we both came up with call ROBE SIDE ASSISTANCE. Looking forward to not having the plague and being able to enjoy the Holiday.
Tonight's Christmas party at the club was very nice and the food was excellent. Continued wrapping presents, with a few more to go. Hope to be done tomorrow and begin my design work.
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The Christmas party was great fun. Stayed up late and drank way too much. It was great catching up with old friends and making new ones. I didn’t take any pictures, I was too busy talking!
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I am trying to get everything wrapped up. Just ordered my husband some golf shirts, so I know his won't be wrapped anytime soon..... Need to go to Sams and buy some of their thermal coffee/soda carriers. Splitting up sets and stuffing nuts in them for extra presents. I dread going out on a Sunday to Sams, but here it goes......getting my Reindeer and sleigh readied for the trip............
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Wow...lots going on here!! I escaped from all the work on Friday, and spent late afternoon and evening in Seattle. Was so fun to be in Pike Place Market. Got suet for Christmas puddings, and stopped by for a Dungeness Crab cocktail. I walked by a stall selling saffron grown in Washington State! I can't imagine picking 40 acres of crocuses. Of course I had to buy some, so I splurged on more than I would normally buy. Thinking lots of steamed mussels in butter, shallots, parsley and wine...plus the saffron.
I had about $50 that I needed to use up at a gourmet place, so blew half on Truffle Salt from Italy and the rest on cans of caponata from Sicily. I love it, and haven't seen it anywhere else recently. I bought a couple of persimmons and a Romanesco broccoli in the various veggie stalls. I stopped by Bavarian Meats for a ham hock for the pea soup I am planning for later today. Good ones make such a difference. I managed to avoid all the yummy looking German candies, but I did say yes to a hot dog the lady asked me if I wanted. This is the real deal and just delicious.
On to the wine bar to do some last minute double-checking of the wine I will be sending to friends for Christmas. I was meeting a friend there, but who should walk in but my friend Sarah who had just arrived in town. She just finished an internship at a biodynamic winery in the Willamette Valley, and is staying with relatives for about 6 weeks. It was so great to catch up and learn about her journey to becoming a leading wine expert. A major apprenticeship and she is putting in the work. I can tell you that if you need to get your fitness level up, all you need to do is volunteer at a boutique winery at harvest time!
At some point, my friend Dan appeared and we all chatted. I ordered champagne for the 3 of us as had just deposited a large consulting check. So fun.
Then musicians arrived and we were treated to tango music. I don't think a complete coincidence that I had been drinking Malbec earlier.
I bought 3 bottles of wine prior to leaving, two of which are for friends. My friend helped me drag stuff to the bus (remember the groceries???). I slept all the way back to my car.
Yesterday, I decided that time to get Christmas in action, so after doing a work errand, I stopped by the Christmas tree place. Because I chatted up the guy last year, I got the "used to be in the business" discount. They tied it to my car, but I got to set it up solo. I understand now why people get married.
Dragging today but walked the 5k route as no way could I run with this chest cold thingy I seem to have acquired. Came back with a bag of oyster mushrooms. Sipping a mug of Chai with local honey and cream. YUM!!!! Pictures from my tree adventure below. - Claire
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Oh, Claire, you have so much fun on your journeys. The farmer's market sounds so fab and hanging with friends even better!!! How do you know how much saffron to use when cooking? My son tried to grow some in a window box, and the squirrels ate it. How much does your farmer's market charge per gram? Yeah on the truffle salt too. I used to think that truffles were chocolates, until my brother in law used truffles on grilled burgers.
Pretty tree, now for presents for yourself underneath. I have wrapped most gifts, even presents to myself. At this point, I don't want surprises, I want what I need. So, I needed a bedspread, new sheets, a couple of rolling carts for side tables for bed, closet organization items, and that is what I am wrapping. Just finished ordering my mother in law's items at Chicos online, with a 50% offer today. I am liking the opportunity to order online and just have presents delivered for wrapping.
I had a vitamin d blood test today, and got a jolly flu shot too!!! (My arm is starting to sting where I had the shot. ugh) Plan to get out and look for short strings of lights which are battery operated. I want to fill my Ikea lanterns with ornaments and lights. I need to grocery shop as well, since we have no food in the house
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I have no presents wrapped. None. But I have shopped and am almost done. I haven’t put all the ornaments on the tree. My cat is a 2 year old and he plays under the tree and breaks ornaments. So the bottom is almost empty. However, my reindeer wreath is full. 🎄
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TaRenee, you are getting there. I feel so much more on top of things this year. Last year was a crappy Christmas, just was not in the mood. I find myself more in the mood for everything this year. The flu shot slowed me down to a halt today with arm pain and tired. Hopefully, I will rebound in a day or so. I did find tiny lights to put inside my Ikea lanterns, at the Michaels store for $5 per strand. I will take pics.
Varga, I did take a pic of the Fly Londons and will post in a bit.
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Pretty tree, TaRenee!! I am so enjoying mine. Long day today despite the fact that I am dragging. Off to bed in a bit.
Michelle.....I have a briefcase for my large laptop (Longchamp) wending its way from Japan to replace my other bag which has long since outlived its useful life. My pea soup was just delish which is a good thing because lots more to consume. Just got a call from my business partner. Possibly a 6a call about something else I need to get resolved. YIKES!!!
I haven't even thought about Christmas Puddings other than buying the suet which is the hardest thing to obtain. That will happen over the weekend. I got my wine order out today which greatly simplifies shopping. Yes, most of my friends partake. Checked on the saffron and it's competitively priced vs. Trader Joe's, but because I bought the larger amount. Something like 400,000 crocus stamens to produce one pound. You can divide by 16 to figure out one oz.
More to do with shopping, but now about 2/3 done....a minor miracle considering the other "excitement" around me. - Claire
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Oh, Claire, by the way, you had me at suet. When I think of suet, I think of what fire creates inside of chimneys. But, I believe what you are referring to is some type of animal fat with its early beginnings in England. And, so in honor of that, a little explanation and a little Paul Revere's Ride.
Ikea lanterns with two strands of "seed lights" battery operated, from Michaels. Seed lights are $5 per strand. I might illuminate my vintage glass lamps, from my father. I would probably put a strand in just the top part of the lamp. If we lose our power, which does happen here, we can use these lanterns.
I will never forget the following poem, from my 6th grade speech contest. We had to memorize and deliver in front of an audience. My nun instructors were the best speech coaches and expected excellence from their students. I believe that it was their early influence that helped set the tone for my life. Whenever I hear or see this poem, I think of my dad and his lamps and lanterns.
Paul Revere's Ride
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 – 1882)Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch
Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light,–
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm."0 -
Love, love, love the lanterns. "Soot" is very different from "suet" as not quite as tasty in puddings or in a topping crust for meat pies. Anyway, it's traditional for Christmas Pudding. My ex was horrified until he tasted the final product, and then he begged for seconds.
One of my email accounts has developed a sign-on problem which I hope is resolved by the time tomorrow shows. I can access my email online so nothing to respond to. I just let my other computer update while I went out for a walk. Worked perfectly as the deed was done, and I didn't waste any time on this nonsense....at least not yet.
Hoping for an early night. Work luncheon tomorrow, and I think I have it all covered. Finally getting in some monies I am owed from my consulting, so life is looking up. Of course, I need to retire more of my business loan as a first step. And then my retirements. THEN, Claire gets some money for fun.
My additional Waterford goblets should be here in a couple of days. Will showcase at Christmas dinner.
I love the low light this time of year. So atmospheric and contemplative. A friend tells me I should move southward. However, the seasons are very special to me, and I think it's a primordial force with me.
Here is a recolored picture of a sun dog I took while skiing a number of years ago. Who would want to miss this experience? For me, it symbolizes the light and miraculous spirit of the season. - Claire
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Claire- beautiful picture!
Love the lanterns and Christmas trees.
Stressful past 3 days. Will update later
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I am using the EZ Bowmaker and trying to make some bows for my lanterns and door. Then, I must get on making jewelry for Christmas presents. It will take me 5 days to complete the pieces. I have had the bowmaker for a couple of weeks, and have been very interested in trying it out. Lisa Robertson, from QVC, does a really nice job explaining how to work with the little gadget. I will post results later. Varga, here are my brand new $20 fly london's that I picked up at a resale store in St. Louis.
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