Hello friends, how are you? Things around here have been really busy. I have been taking a couple of extra days off from work each week to try and use all of my vacation days by the end of the year. I am now a firm believer in the four day work week. Many studies have been done and it proves that employees are much more productive working only four out of five work days. I know that when I have that extra day off I get so much more accomplished at home and am usually ready to head back to work. Oh well. That is my opinion.
Can you believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve? How is that even possible. It seems like this year, as crazy as it has been at times, has absolutely flown by. Our Christmas will be really low key this year and that is fine by me. Mark actually has to work Christmas Day so I will be on the couch snuggled with the fur babies watching movies. I already have a supply of snacks and popcorn and several movies picked out. I think this may be the first time in my life I have been alone on Christmas Day. I really don’t think it will be too bad. With many families choosing not to gather in large groups this year I am sure I won’t be the only one. I just remind myself that next year will be better. My family is not having a really large gathering the way we have done in previous years. We will save that for next year.
Back to work issues. My computer at work died last Monday. I had been having problems with it. I have had it for about ten years or more and it definitely served it’s purpose. Unfortunately I was unable to get a lot of things off of it like old pictures and some documents from years ago. Usually there is a way around getting what you need and I will do that. As far as the pictures you know me and I take about a million pictures so I have copies everywhere and since I have a MacBook everything is stored in the cloud anyway. It will be fine.
I haven’t done a lot of Christmas shopping this year. I bought some things online, did gift cards and gave cash to some of my nieces and nephews. I hate giving cash but considering that I didn’t get out to shop it will be fine and they love it so yes I am good with it. I knitted quite a few things this year for different people and I always enjoy giving those things, scarves, socks and hats. I made approximately one hundred and fifty chocolate peanut butter balls on Saturday and I will have a post later about how to make those. They are really simple to make and people love them. I make hundreds of them every year. I made most of them for my nephew, he was having a small get together with his friends and asked me to make them for him. I also made banana bread and cookies to give to a few people. Tonight I am making cake pops and I will let you know how they turn out. O.K I have been running back and forth working on the cake pops while I am writing this and I can tell you they are messy!!!!
The weather here has been really cold the last few days and guess what? we may even have snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I think with a lot of people staying in it will be the perfect time for snow.
So just the usual busy time before Christmas, bake, clean the kitchen, shop, work, bake some more, clean the kitchen, pick up items from the post office, take items to the post office to be mailed, wrap gifts and enjoy the merriment. You get the picture. How is your Pre-Christmas shenanigans going?
The other morning I woke up rather late and as I was walking down the stairs I looked out at the lake and the most beautiful sunrise was happening. I grabbed my camera and ran out the door in my pajamas. Scruffy was right on my heels although he looked a little confused as to why we were going all the way down to the lake. The skies were red and a perfect reflection on the lake. If you turn the picture upside down you can hardly tell which is the reflection. Only the growth from the tree branches give it away. I went back in after getting a few pictures and my husband is just shaking his head. It’s only 27 degrees you know that. I really hadn’t noticed. He just shook his head, he is used to my wild racing around to capture the perfect picture.
It seems I am in continuous prayer for someone who has COVID-19, has lost someone from this or is having to be quarantined because of it. Please stay safe and be careful, life is so very precious. We lost an unforgettable man in our town last week that served as our City Mayor. He was a wonderful, special man and we are in shock that he is gone. Our city and county and many many people will forever remember his smile, dedication and just genuine kindness that he portrayed in his everyday life.
Merry Christmas to you and all of your family. Be safe, be happy and always remember
Love your day your way!!!!
Southern Patches 