The 12 days of Christmas Tree: day one

On the first day of tree set up, Nov 27, I had to hem the curtains that I bought months ago, and hadn't gotten around to doing. Because the curtains are behind the tree-- and once it is up, the curtains cannot be accessed to hem. And they will be in all the pictures-- admittedly in the background. But I do not need more photographic evidence of my procrastination. Investment: take down curtains , measure, cut, measure hems, press, sew. Rehang curtains. Longer than you think or it seems it might take!

Back to the Future!

On this memorial day weekend, we experienced a 23-hour power outage due to storms.  Now we have a generator, so the freezers stayed frozen, refrigerators refrigerated,  pump pumping, and we were able to have hot showers and flush!! (for those who do not have a well system, trust me that you want a generator or nothing at all works!).  The generator does a great job--it is huge, and was acquired after the multiple- day inconvenience of the "east coast power outage".  Now, we can survive.  But it does not support our energy consuming lifestyle.

It was 23-hours of back to the future!  We had to wash dishes by hand (was mid party when the storm hit), no TV (yes, I do remember a time with no TV ), no Internet, vacuuming, laundry, or cooking (yeah!!)  It was HOT (90) with no air conditioning (and yes, that was not something that we routinely had until I was an adult!).   We could not print to our wireless printer, watch netflix, or find out when the power would be restored at the power company web site.

We used candles and flashlights, and listened to the tree frogs, while we made somemores over Sterno.
We were awakened in the middle of the night, when the batteries ran out on the alarm system.  We went out for breakfast.  Popped into a store for some A/C and window shopping.  And returned home to the darkness and the quiet.

Just the buzz of the generator.  A hot breeze on the porch.  A magazine to read.  A novel for 4.  Some knitting for me.  Taking advantage of the light.  A little weed pulling (something you don't need electricity for), and some hand mending.   It was a though time was standing still as we were sweating away on the porch---a luxury that I did not have in my youth--a screen porch.  At least the bugs were outside.

It seemed like more fun then---before we knew about all the modern conveniences that make our lives "easier".   You went out to move the sprinkler---there was no "system" on timers.  I guess we were used to being hot, although I remember lots of fans to move the air--but we have only one very small fan left in our possession, the rest being deemed unnecessary by central air.  You opened your garage door with an "umph"--not a button. 

Just when we were about to try to find a wi-fi hot spot to find out what was going on, the power came on--reluctantly at first.  Startled the dog, who seemed to have adapted better than the humans!  All of the touch lamps were on, all of the auto switches defaulted to on, the timers a mess, the clock blinking a menacing 12:00!!   For just a second, I almost wished it hadn't come on---wait! What was I thinking.   Turn on the news to see what was up!  Throw some soap in that dishwasher, full of dishes from last night, and turn on that air conditioning!!  Yeah! 

So although we long for the simpler times, really, our lives are much better now.  Not better living through chemistry---as the commerical said in my youth....but better living, period.  Made easier with electricity. 

So thank you to the power company work crews who were out on this hot holiday weekend to restore my power--so that I may conspicuously consume it in comfort!!!

Procrastination as an art form

This has been my theme for several months now....procrastination. I had our Holiday Cards printed in November. I printed out the mailing labels in December. I declared that they might become Valentine cards the week before Xmas. Now it is the day before Valentine's day, and the Holiday newsletter still is the victim of procrastination. Do you think it will be odd for my friends to get St. Patrick's day Christmas Cards---because I think that is where we are headed!

Return to normal...

They have all left. Some sooner than others. M1 and J. left this morning. It is quiet--nice. Nothing is moving! Mr. Cat may come out of hiding soon. I must vacuum and put a few things back where they belong.

Always glad to see them come. Equally glad to have my house back after a few days. The deer are probably glad it is quiet too. J. found them quite annoying--he needed them to leave "his" territory!!

Now, On the the laundry, and the next adventures!

Thanksgiving gone to the dogs!

A. and J., grand puppies, with emphasis on "puppy" joined the fray for the big Turkey ingestion! Egged on by Z., we had pandemonium for much of the day, with litter mate like pack wrestling. WWF has nothing on these two! High maintenance, but cute as can be, they stole the show from the turkey--which was luscious, yummy, and worthy of a Rockwell painting (and I don't even like Turkey!)

As for black Friday, there is no interest. We all decided that there was nothing that we needed, wanted, couldn't live without, were willing to fight crowds for, or was such a deal that it could not be resisted. Sorry retailers. Maybe if you did not start your holiday hype in July, we would care more about a "Christmas Holiday Shopping Season". We are doing lots of "home and hand made" gifts anyway. Besides, the Internet is a wonderful place, where you can get almost anything without leaving home!

And there is pecan pie left--:)!

Over the river and through the woods...

So, o.k., there is no river, and I am not really any one's grandmother--but there are some woods, at least right here! And it was snowy--just like the pictures in the elementary school song book! We don't have a sleigh, but people got here anyway!

Despite the protestations and asides, the T'giving meal was just fine. We had just enough turkey--and no bones!! A few sandwiches the next day, and it is but a fond memory!! There is a little gravy left, and some stuffing, but I think that will be a hard sale, as the stuffing lover has left town! And in spite of what anyone predicted, sweet potatoes from a box are not bad!!

Now, the tablecloths are washed, and awaiting the Xmas feast. The last of the silverware is back where it belongs. The dishes are put away, and since we are all grown ups, there are no crumbs to sweep up. Maybe not the "Martha Stewart" Thanksgiving, but good enough--and we have much to be thankful for!

Being all together (even though we start to get on each others nerves in a few hours), and being "far from want"-- all of us.

And then there is/was pie!! We ate the fabulous "Angies' pecan pie that M1 brought, along with most of the pumpkin. Mr. CP--bought two more enormous pies--just in case 30 extra people showed up---and since neither of us need the calories, these will go to our respective work places in the morning, where our co-workers can share in the calorie load!!

Oh, so very far from want.....over the river and through the woods......

The "M" bomb

We had a delightful time in the sun and warmth (to us--the natives were bundled up like it was going to blizzard any second) of Florida. Nice flight, o.k. rental car, good food, family, fun, nice resort, etc. At brunch, Mr. CP could not "wait" any longer, as he later explained "I could not leave Florida without asking". So between the sips of coffee from the enormous "bowl"of coffee, and the last nibbles of toast and Jam, Mr. CP says, "So, when are you getting married?"--and pulls out his blackberry, poised to note a date, and in the awkward silence (with minds on both sides of the table whirring to think of what to say next...) he adds, I need to plan ahead, you know! He never got an answer......stay tuned (maybe for quite some time) to see how this plays out!

In the mean time, E, mother of M2 (my M2, not E1's -M2) is aghast at an emailed picture showing J's family--that M2 is in---she did not take this well, obviously, as she brought it up at dinner, and it seemed a "thorny" issue. She doesn't know that this years Thanksgiving picture at D's also included P, who is almost family anyway in a different sort of way. We are like that.

So we had a delightful Thanksgiving--and saw all of "the four" on the same day, just miles apart. Go to reset myself with some sun--hope it lasts until we see it again here--and Mr. CP did O.K., despite the need to walk places--tired, but made the trek. He is not yet 100%, and it is good that he is reminded once in awhile! We got back in time for some "leftovers" at D's--turkey, stuffing, bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pie....yum. Sorry(?) that we had to pass on the Curry Goat due to the airline schedules, but I am sure it would have been interesting, if not delightful. Sorry, but I am not interested in the squid.

If J and M ever answer Mr. CP's question, there may be celebratory Curry Goat for all! (and I am sure Squid for those who would appreciate it!)