Am taking a break, plan to be back after the first of the year.  Stay warm, stay safe and take care of each other.

Sunday evening darkness has set in.  We spent the day doing absolutely zilch.  Have stayed in my Cuddl Duds for that extra cozy feel.  Thought I'd drop by and leave a few words.  Nothing noteworthy is going on over my way.  

Tis the opportune time to reflect how the week of Christmas was spent in our younger years.  Oh, what a flurry.  We both worked, took one evening to do our Christmas present shopping, and hurried our way to the last minute on Christmas Eve when we joined family for the festivities.  

Now, here we are, in a whole new lifestyle that caters to those who have seen the most summers.  There is no more hurriedness and no more shopping.  Our friend-to-friend gifts might be something freshly baked and hand-delivered.  Other than the G-clan, we're pretty much forgotten.  Maybe that's why we cherish our friends and those special family members who find it in their hearts to hold onto uncle and auntie.  

Have been surfing Pinterest looking for a dessert to fix for Christmas Eve.  Want to serve something special.  We've decided on Swiss Steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, our guests are bringing dressing, a cranberry-mandarin orange and walnut salad.  The Eve of Christmas has always been the time of the 'big' celebration, and years ago we managed to do both families in one evening.  We'd start at my parents' house for supper, then open presents.  Then go to the G-clan, open presents, have lunch, and then head for Midnight Mass.  

Christmas Day will be just the two of us by design.  We're gonna make a bunch of our favorite snacky foods and munch all day.  I asked my boyfriend to buy Ballatore Gran Spumante for sipping along with the appetizers.  Venny isn't having a Christmas dinner this year.  Cuddy will arrive on Christmas Day, so we want to be home when baby bubba comes to our door.

Weather forecast still calling for frigid temperatures this week.  Stay warm and safe.  

AccuWeather is tracking a large storm with rain, snow and wind ahead of Christmas, along with bone-chilling temps that could be the coldest in decades.  Already our G-clan Christmas has been postponed until January.  Christmas Eve we're having two of our Venny friends over for supper, which has become a tradition.  Thursday we're invited to Cuddy's parents' which is about a mile from Venny.  Looks like this holiday will be wait-and-see what develops.

Stones Covered With Moss Pattern

Am forging ahead with my latest project plan.  Ordered a twin-size bed sheet to start another Kawandi quilt.  The pattern is called Stones Covered with Moss.  I will sew the quilt pieces on the back side so the quilt will be reversible.  My original thought was to make it a king-size, but probably wouldn't live long enough to finish it.  So, the plan is to make a twin and fold it for a bed runner.  The fabric pieces will all be an Up North theme, with bears, cabins, moose, Native American symbols, trees, etc.  

Have concluded that in order to stay sane I must have a large project to work on.  It's the creative spirit that allows the design to nurture itself, one stitch at a time.  The Kawandi, for me and my little corner of the universe, is what suits me best.  

Also have comfort crosses to crochet for the rest home.  Usually donate them in groups of ten, and that's a lot of work to crochet 20 crosses, then sew two together and stuff with polyfill.  

Last night I had my beloved Jack's pizza, but gotta say the last two have disappointed my taste buds.  The crust has changed to being too close to cardboard for comfort.  Told the boyfriend not to bring 'em home anymore.  The one last night was a Canadian bacon, and it was quite pitiful.  

Time to think about lunch.  Ta-ta till the morrow.

Am back to pass on my two cents worth regarding the magic crochet hook.  Went to YT and watched enough of one lady's video to tell me that the hook has to be the dumbest thing on the market.  She started her video showing how to hold the hook, where the button is to reset the rows and stitches.  Right off the bat she inadvertently hit the reset and screwed her count up.  I couldn't take much more, so I shut the video down and filed the idea in my personal file #13.  Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up for a magic crochet hook.  

Snowed overnight, and a few flakes fall as I type this.  A couple big black crows just flew by.  Such a stark contrast to the winter white.  Checked the weather forecast, and sounds like frigid temperatures will be descending upon the central part of the U.S. next week before Christmas.  Temperatures like 30 below zero.  That's gonna make for tough travels, 'specially for those of us who are teetering on the short end of life's ruler.  

We have had some neat pre-Christmas happy parties already.  On the 22nd we're invited to Cuddy's house for an afternoon of holiday sips, snacks and a Christmas movie marathon.  I'm a movie lover, so I await this with child-like anticipation.  Somewhere along the way here I'll watch Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase.  That's a Christmas must for me.  No matter how many times I watch that movie, I laugh till it hurts.

We're receiving a few Christmas cards each day in the mail.  Ours will be delivered via air waves, rather than the postal system.  I just don't have the pizazz anymore to do the traditional things.  I do hold high regard for those who still do.  

Till the morrow, ta-ta. 

Never a day goes by that something new in the world reveals itself.  

This morning FB introduced me to a crochet hook that counts stitches and rows.  Holy toads, whoever would've thought of that for an invention.  First thing that comes to mind is how one resets it, or how it works when different stitches are made in one row.  Gotta check this out to see if it'd be worth my while to order one.  As it stands now, there is a pint jar on my dresser filled with standing crochet hooks.  With so many, it's obvious there are quite a few duplicates.  It took me until retirement to actually have myself organized enough to not need duplicates anymore.  Everything has its place and I know where to look for my crafting equipment.

Tis a very hazy day, looks like the clouds are down to the ground.  The boyfriend is out and about picking up our meds at the pharmacy and grocery shopping.  I paid our monthly cell phone bill, plus renewed a couple of subscriptions.  Fixed a deluxe salad for lunch.  There isn't a soul out and about.  Would guess everyone is doing the same thing, and that is basically nothing.

Think I'll do a bit of research on this new-fangled crochet hook.  The second something new like this enters my brain, it drives me nuts to know all about it.  My first reaction was that it's silly, but then I think of how I stop and count the stitches to make sure I've hooked the right amount.  For the sake of keeping up with the latest inventions, it's likely I'll be getting one.  Just one more way that our era is being updated and replaced.  The ongoing story of existence.

This morning we sit back and relive yesterday.  Our dear friends from way way back brought two pizzas, and the four of us sat around our table and talked about the fun times we've shared over the years.  There's really nothing more special than the friends who've walked through life with us.  They were kind and left pizza that we later shared with Cuddy's daddy.  Yup, our little fuzz bucket went home last evening,  and there's a crater in our home since he left.  But, the good news is he's returning on Christmas Day and staying with us until April.  Like I told his daddy, we make sure Cuddy is safe, warm and loved.  Who among us can ask for anything more.

The wind's blowing, the tree branches are wiggling like we used to do when we danced the twist.  One lonely leaf blew onto our deck, and I watched it dance around by itself.  

Satellite images show a massive storm tracking across the country.

This is the current weather radar, and we're right smack dab in the path of the storm that's almost upon us.   Tornado damage is reported in Oklahoma and Texas.  Roads are impassable in western Nebraska due to snow and wind.  The boyfriend planned to go to the pharmacy to pick up my meds, but I convinced him to stay home.  The days of heroic actions are over at our age.  The two of us bird dog each other's safety like mother hens. (giggle)

I've got a good book started.  Bought it at a thrift store that had everything half price.  All books were 25 cents, so it cost me a whole 12 cents.  The title is Where the Past Begins, a writer's memoir by Amy Tan.  It's a perfect book to read during a winter storm.  

Yup, just that fast and it's starting to rain here.  

For maybe seven years now we've had an HP Envy 4520 printer that worked well with our Chromebooks.  Well, the powers that be have made that model printer no longer compatible with Chromebooks.  The printer works perfectly fine, but is now totally useless to us.

This frustrated the pants off of me today.  Spent the hours researching printers that are compatible to Chromebooks.  So many gimmicks in place for the consumer to get trapped into.  Ink cartridges are one biggie.  Some printers have the plans where the ink is automatically mailed to you, and there are different plans available.  Didn't want that.  Some printers have about five different colors, each in one cartridge.  Didn't want that.

Just minutes ago I pressed the buttons that ordered a Canon PIXMA TR7020a printer that will accommodate two ink cartridges.  Total price for printer plus extra ink cartridges plus tax totals $200.36.  Should arrive in about one week.
  

I desperately need something printed before then, I can always use the printer down in the office.  Just for kicks I ordered a white printer instead of black.  Anything to modernize and bring the atmosphere up instead of down.

There was a concert downstairs this afternoon, but I got so tangled up in this printer mess, that we didn't go down for it.  Nothing drives me up a wall more than not being set up with my computer and printer that acts like an IV for me.  Talk about an addict.  Yowza.  

This afternoon the boyfriend mixed us hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps toddies.  Ooooh, talk about yummy.  Leftovers will be supper.

Haven't heard from Cuddy's parents, so don't know when they'll be picking him up.  Looks like he'll be spending another night here.  

Think I'm gonna play some Candy Cane Mahjong to get myself settled down.   

 A snowy, hazy, foggy day.  Quite perfect for a day of quiet contentment.

Have gotten into the routine of posting later in the day.  Seems the hours speed by and before I know it darkness is setting in. 

Not a lot going on to share.  Haven't heard from Cuddy's parents as to when they'll be returning from their Florida Christmas adventure.  If I remember right, tomorrow might be the day Cuddy goes back home for the holidays.  Will wait for the text advising the plan.

The boyfriend put together a batch of spaghetti for supper.  Can't help but remember years ago when the five of my little nieces called their Gramma's spaghetti....pasgetti.  Oh, how the five little girls loved their Gramma's pasgetti.  

My Mom, their Gramma, would take the pasgetti out on the lawn of her house yard for a picnic.  She spread a blanket on the grass, and the little girls had a party eating her famous pasgetti.  Memories warm my heart.

Darkness has set in, the red lights on the deck are lit and ever so festive.  It's time to turn today's page and close the book.  It's my hope that all my readers are safe and warm.  Let's each one make the best of the moment and pray for tomorrow's blessings.

Nite-nite.

Woke up to a white world.....about 5" of snow fell during the night.  

Our dinner party brought three classmates together.  Before diving into our chili bowls, the four of us clasped our hands and prayed together.  Our evening was brimmed with comments of how fortunate we are to still be together....and for all of our individual blessings along the way.

The blonde brownie dessert was dynamite, and I'm here to say that the two of us will have repeat servings this evening, despite the deadly sugar intake.  

Am sipping a Vodka Gimlet, fashioned with vodka, Rosie's Lime Juice, a titch of olive juice and a few pimento stuffed olives.  That, to me, is the ultimate libation.  Leftover chili with all the trimmings will be our supper.

Today we learned of two dear friends, each having recently received a troubling health diagnosis.  We're all in the same age range, which tends for us to circle the wagons of love around them.  When we were young, growing old seemed to be light years ahead of us....so far in the distance that we didn't worry about it.  Well, how frail the youthful mind with regard to the human lifespan.  Here we are.....lined up with all of our beloved friends who have walked beside us.....each one accepting his/her assigned burden.  All we can do is stay together and pray together, not knowing which one of us will be next in line to be tagged "you're it."  I'd lack integrity if I said I wasn't fearful.  I'm fearful of being left alone.....am fearful of being the first of the two of us to go.  Am fearful of the tears, the aloneness.  

There are so many aspects of leaving this world that are scary.  Just like the anticipation before birth.....there is the dread before death.  It isn't the after-life that I fear.  It's the letting go of life, the thought of never seeing the trees change color, the snow fall, a thunder and lightning storm, the full moon, the rising sun.  I mourn the thought of my beloved possessions being dispersed with careless disregard.  All the things that my heart holds dear will need to be relinquished or destroyed.  

This may sound daunting, but this is the way I feel at this moment.   When my friends suffer, my heart feels their pain.  I've said for years that My Creator over-dosed me with empathy.  My life was blessed with the ability to enjoy others' happiness, as well as feel their pain of suffering.  I'm so unable to understand how people can inflict pain on others and not show a shred of remorse.  My soft-heartedness has been the source of intense pain over the course of my lifetime.  Sort of an invisible affliction that the rest of the world was totally unaware of.

Our city is right now displaying fireworks.  The boyfriend sits on the couch, looks out our patio doors, and can watch the fireworks perfectly.  Yup, we sure do count our blessings, the everyday ones that are sprinkled out before us.  

Little Cuddy's t-shirt arrived, and he likes wearing it.  Yesterday I took a picture of him laying in his bed beside his little Christmas tree.  The ornaments in the tree are hand-made by Dale and are made of spoons.  One red cardinal was a gift from our next-door Venny neighbor and the other from Cuddy's other momma.  The shirt Cuddy lays on is his real daddy's t-shirt.  The shirt comes along with Cuddy on each of his stays.  

Yesterday I sent out the G-clan Christmas memo setting out the gift-exchange rules.  The price limit is $5, the gift must start with the second letter of the person's middle name, must be gift-wrapped.  I'll come up with a fun way of deciding which gift each person receives.  

Well, it's time for me to head to the chili bar.  Till the morrow ta-ta.

FRUIT KABOBS

 Sun's shining, but later on the weather may get iffy, and tomorrow we should get maybe a mixture of rain/snow.  Time will tell.  Just so long as our two guests can make it here and return home safely.  Safety is always of the essence.

Final touches on the meal, setting a table, which is always fun.  I'm making fruit kabobs with grapes, banana, strawberry and marshmallow.  The bananas are the trickiest.  Will have to put them in Real Lemon Juice so they don't turn brown.  They will serve as the salad portion of our supper.  Simple.

Guess I'm known for making holiday favors like these kabobs.  Have been doing it now for over 50 years.  Pinterest is a wonderful source of new ideas.  One of my go-to websites for sure.

The G-clan has asked me to be in charge of a silly gift exchange for our Christmas together.  Think I'm going to give everyone an elf-name.  Pinterest offers a variety of names according to first name and birth month.  Silly is fun.  Our world needs to be more silly and less serious.  Any way I can sneak in a little silliness now and then, well, that's what I'm gonna do.  

Christmas is said to be a lonely time.  Remembering the past and how things used to be.....is hard for all of us.  That's why it's critical that we find ways to shine the light on new traditions, because someday they will bring back nice memories for someone else.  That's how I look at it.  

We have some of the most wonderful memories of Christmases past, but we know they are gone and will never be again.  That's why we've gotta keep going forward and not linger too long in the past.  That's what I try to do.  Family dynamics change constantly, people change, and society changes.  Nothing can stay the same, nor do we want it to.  Who knows, maybe something absolutely spectacular is around the corner waiting for us.  It takes a positive attitude in a negative world to fill our thimble with peace and joy.

Ta-ta.     

We're busy little elves today, putting together tomorrow evening's party supper with friends.  Gonna have a chili bar with toppings of grated cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, chopped ripe olives, sour cream and Fritos.  Already have the blonde brownie baked for the copycat Applebee's dessert.  Tomorrow will make the maple cream sauce that's served warm over the brownie and butter pecan ice cream. 

We like to plan meals that can be prepared ahead of time.  The green onions are chopped, as are the ripe olives, tucked in the fridge in zip-lock baggies.  Don't know what we'd do without little baggies.  We have an area in the kitchen cupboard where all sizes, from snack size to large size, reside.  Our frugal nature has us washing and reusing them.

For appetizers, we're serving a goat cheese log covered with a blueberry glaze, with Wheat Thins.  Also bacon-wrapped water chestnuts.  Those are ready for the oven, but will stay in the outside grill till tomorrow.  We need room in the fridge for other stuff.  The grill makes a nifty extra cold-storage space for times like this.

Our holiday decorating is complete.  We're going by the "less is more" tradition this year.  Have to start thinking about baking goodies to give out to our Venny friends.  It's definitely a share and share alike joint.  We have some marvelous bakers out here that love to bake and share.  Guess that's what this season is all about.  

This morning our world is covered with hoar frost, so wintry.  There might be some rain/snow tomorrow evening.  We watch the weather radar on our I-phones, and that tells us exactly where a storm system is and how fast it's approaching our area.  It's great for those traveling.  

Am getting lots of pictures from Cuddy's parents in Disney World and Epcot.  They're down there for a week taking in the Christmas lights and all the fairytale atmosphere that Disney puts out.  I'm the beneficiary via phone of gorgeous photos taken minutes before me seeing 'em.  Makes me cringe when I think of the day when we took pictures with a camera, had to send the film away, half of 'em fizzled.  Man, the luxuries we have today.  

Well, think I'm gonna have lunch and kick back for a while.  Till the morrow...ta-ta. 

A trip to the grocery store today screams an economy that's growing worse.  There's no way prices can continue to go north.  According to the rumor mill, people of all societal levels are going to food pantries to put food on the table.   The joke (?) is that there are those who drive up to the food pantry driving new SUV's.  That's just plain wrong to my way of thinking.  

Oh, I know I put myself on the line by writing my true feelings.  There are many who disagree, and that's as it should be.  I'm getting rather tired of holding my tongue and only listening.  Bottom line, our society has lost integrity.  There are certain parts of our population who are easily offended, and the rest of us are expected to abide.  And, with that, I shall zip it.

Today I had a lot of fun designing a bracelet for someone special.  The boyfriend teases me about the perfect late-life hobby that makes me so happy while sitting in my retirement recliner.  I absolutely love to make things, but I need to have someone special to give them to.  Otherwise, we'd have to pay for a storage unit to store my creations.  

The boyfriend put together a meat loaf, and its baking aroma has me salivating.  We're both sipping a pre-meal cocktail and will be hungry as bears when it's done.  

We're having guests over for supper Thursday, so tomorrow we'll be preparing food ahead and cleaning the house.  What's more fun than entertaining friends....'specially during the holidays.  I remember when we were kids, neighbors visited neighbors in the evening and about 11 o'clock the kitchen table would be filled with a full-fledged meal.  Guess that's what makes me whole-heartedly enjoy inviting guests and being invited out as guests.  Call me old-fashioned.

Actress Kirstie Alley passed away from cancer.  I always liked her.  Can't help but think how the Grim Reaper takes us one by one, no matter our fame or our fortune.  

Ordered Cuddy a t-shirt to wear in the house.  The t-shirt arrived today, and it's just as I hoped.  Also ordered a curling-iron brush that will accommodate my shorter hair style.  Both were ordered online from Walmart, postage free cuz their total reached $25.  Can't beat it with a stick.

Started writing my article for Venny's December Newsletter.  Right now it's in the "iffy" stage.  Thoughts have to be formulated in my brain before I can put down on paper what will inspire the reader.  

Well, best to get to my computer and let my mind float from Candy Cane Majong to YT videos to which I subscribe.  Tis a quiet evening, the red Christmas lights on the balcony are so pretty, and darkness has us cuddled in for the night.  The boyfriend spent part of the afternoon in the workshop making a memo board for one of our Venny friends.  She asked him to make it for her.  He's happy to use his creative mind to make things for our Venny family of friends.  

Nite-nite.     

Schools closed today due to uncertain weather conditions.  Our doorbell rang this morning, only to have a Venny friend hand over a plate with two freshly baked--yet warm--cinnamon rolls.  This is the one I devoured along with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.  

Our Saturday night party was over the top.  We laughed, joked, acted silly, discussed global unrest, but decided the world's problems couldn't be solved with common sense.  At least we addressed them.  We sipped toddies, nibbled on appetizers, stuffed ourselves with supper and dessert.  It was one of those evenings we affectionately filed away in our memory album.  

I was gifted with a pair of Cuddl Dud Sherpa Socks in my favorite purple color with big white snowflakes.  Also a bar of fragrant homemade soap and body lotion.  These are what I call heart-to-heart gifts.  

Today we putzed around, put up a few holiday decorations, and are having leftovers from last night's homemade chicken noodle soup and hot chicken sandwiches.  One of our Venny friends has a bad cold, so the boyfriend fixed her the soup and took it down to them.  They're the couple who take care of Cuddy when we have something going on and need to leave for a few hours.

Nothing too newsworthy going on.  Stay safe and warm.    

PARTY TONIGHT

Dear me, a few minutes ago I texted our hostess asking what time to ring their door bell tonight.  Yesterday I talked about the importance of my calendar so we know where to be and at what time.  And, here I am with a calendar reminding us where to be...but not when.  Another glitch in the noggin.

Cuddy will sport a new Christmas sweater for the party.  Daddy Dale bought him one at WM yesterday while picking up necessities.  We tried it on him, and it fits perfectly.  It's a secret, but I ordered Cuddy a little t-shirt to wear around the house this winter.  We're giving him the time of his life.

While the boyfriend was gone yesterday, our door bell rang.  One of my Venny lady friends had a problem with her I-pad and getting it to connect to her printer.  Tried to assist, but instead offered to retype her paper and print it out on my printer.  Wouldn't you know it, my printer was low on ink.  Got out a new black cartridge and one colored cartridge out, removed the empty cartridges, and put in the new ones.  Nada.  The printer's message read that the two cartridges were missing.  Huh?  Double checked and triple checked.  New cartridges were installed.  Then something clicked in my brain.....I didn't remove the little tapey things from the cartridges before installing them.  Yup.  Another glitch in the noggin.  

All through life we all have daily glitches.  It's only now until our later years that our imaginations magnify them.  So much hype about the diseases of the mind and the elderly.  Naturally the brain is going to wear out like our joints.  Whatever happens, happens.  All we can do is exercise our minds like we do our muscles and pray for the best.  It seems when we get older either our bodies give out first or our minds falter.  There are five words that both of us try to live by.......IT IS WHAT IT IS.

The little fuzzy one interrupted my sleep last night.  Needed a drink of water, but then he walked over to his little bed in the living room and crawled in and cuddled down.  So, I took a blanket and slept next to him on the couch.  This morning my back feels like I fell off the Golden Gate Bridge and landed on cement.  Think the next time he does that I'm gonna pick his little butt up and take him back to bed.  My canine parenting skills are subject to scrutiny, trust me.  Don't have any idea how a little creature weighing 20 pounds can win over an adult person's heart.  They are filled with magic, and Cuddy has his very own wand and definitely knows how to use it.  

It's fun having a party to look forward to.  I can picture our host and hostess preparing the meal, prettying up their home, and their two little fur children waiting for Cuddy to arrive.  Friends are life's most beautiful gifts.  Lifetime friendships are solid gold.  

Have a good Saturday.  It's pretty nippy in our neck of the woods.  Ta-ta till the morrow.

Another week draws to a close.  Now that we're retired, it seems it's always Friday.  Polar opposite of when we were chained to our jobs.  Seemed then time crept slowly and was forever until Friday.   Life was very structured, and we obeyed the alarm clock like it was a drill sergeant screaming in our ears.  One of my beloved late-life blessings is cuddling down for more sleep.  The little things now are big things.

Tomorrow we're invited to be with our dear friends, gathering for a holiday party.  Cuddy is anxious to go along to see his little fur-friends, Chi-Bear and Yuki.  Both are very welcoming to Cuddy, and that makes our little guy feel special.  The six of us who'll be together are dog lovers.  Will be a fun time for sure.

Guess late last night or early morning there was a shooting in our town outside a bar.  Lordie almighty, it's like the wild west out there.  It's one thing to read about shootings and killings and violence in other places, but when it's in one's home town....well, that's a whole different story.  

My "to-do" list keeps growing, and that's cuz of my inability to keep my nose out of a good book.  I'm hooked on books like addicts to cocaine and heroin.  Have been learning about the synthetic opioid fentanyl.  Didn't realize it's 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.  Also found some scary statistics, i.e.:  138.543 million (or 50%) of people aged 12 and over have illicitly used drugs in their lifetime.  138.522 million Americans 12 and over drink alcohol.  Scary.  Guess I'm fortunate to admit to being a procrastinator rather than a drug user.  

Hopefully today I shall be able to check off a couple of tasks from my list.  Don't know how we could survive if I didn't keep a calendar on my Chromebook.  We're beyond functioning with post-it reminders.  We're at the phase where we need to pull up a monthly calendar that shows us where we need to be and the time.  The Google calendar is very user friendly and serves as our North Star.

Best get moving at my turtle pace.  The cuppa is yummy, it's just nice to be able to sit back and not have to hurry.  Think I've finished that chapter.  Isn't it fascinating how, one by one, we change our ways and merge into another lane on life's highway.  Let the young exceed the speed limit....I'll be in the creeper lane content to watch 'em buzz on by.  Maybe it's a sign of fulfillment....who knows.