Thanksgiving Visit Is Over

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday at Mom's. I was exhausted from all of the preparation which took place over 4 or 5 days before the holiday. It's good to be home at last. I finally purchased my Christmas cards but haven't started to write them out yet. That will have to wait until the baby afghan is done. The baby is due in a few weeks. My sister-in-law and I visited The Christmas Tree Shop in Freehold on Saturday. I saw a couple of things which I plan to go back to purchase for Christmas presents. I hope they are still there when I go back.
When I got home today I typed up the minutes from the Nov. 20th Guild meeting and sent them to our president. It didn't take me as long to do them as it took me last month. I'm hoping that this Friday's meeting will also be short and sweet. We have our Holiday Luncheon after the meeting. I have to prepare a Macaroni salad to bring to the luncheon. We will also present a QOV to someone before the luncheon. That will be a nice thing to be part of and to witness.
Tomorrow I have an early morning doctor appointment. I plan to knit for the rest of the day. In the evening the Prayer Shawl committee meets again. I hope to attend that meeting. I'd like to make Mom an afghan for Christmas so that means I'll be knitting during every spare minute so that I complete it by Christmas. I hope that I have enough yarn for her afghan. I'm listening to Christmas music on the TV. It was time to turn the news off for the time being. I'll check in with the news again before I retire for the evening. I still can't find 14 of the quilt blocks I did so that I can finish my sister's quilt. I hope that they show up sooner than later. I'm also late in getting the Christmas decorations out for the season. Maybe I can do that tomorrow, also. Here's to a Happy Holiday Season to all my friends and family.

Friday

The Guild Meeting was a short one this morning. It shouldn't take me as long to type the minutes. There were actually a few committees which had no report. Another thing I don't have to type.
After the meeting I did the food shopping for Thanksgiving. I got a free turkey which I put in the freezer. I'll save it for Christmas. My mother is getting a free turkey at her grocery store which I'll pick up on Sunday. That turkey we'll use for Thanksgiving. There are still a few things I'll have to pick up when I get to Mom's, but the bulk of the shopping is done. I'll travel down to the shore tomorrow to bring all the groceries. While there, I'll do the cleaning that I need to do in preparation for our guests who are coming on Thanksgiving. I'm hoping that I can stay down there until next week, but I may have to return because we're expecting a delivery of a Christmas present which will be left at the door. E. said she'd check up on the cats before she comes down to help out on Wednesday. They're not going to like being all alone for more then 2 days.

Too Much To Do

Did some laundry and straightened up today. It's been a quiet day. I didn't venture out at all today. Tomorrow is the Quilt Guild meeting where I'll have to take minutes. I'll rush home and type them up while they're still fresh in my mind. The last meetings minutes took me 3 hours to get done. I'm not expecting anything less this time unless the meeting is shorter. I won't stay for the program for a few reasons. One reason is that I don't need to start another quilting project. The class is also $65. which I'd rather not spend on that. I'm suppose to go out in the evening to play Pinochle. I don't want to fill my day up that much more. I had planned to bake tomorrow night but Pinochle was changed to Friday instead of the usual Saturday. I may decide to stay home and do the baking anyway. There's so much to get done before I head for the shore to prepare for our holiday guests. I'm starting to feel the pressure already and Thanksgiving is an entire week away.

Being Lazy

This evening I went to get the H1N1 vaccine. I'm glad that's over.
I came back from the shore late this morning. I didn't accomplish anything worth writing about today. Tomorrow I'll straighten and clean up my place. I may read or knit for the rest of the day. Tonight I'm being "lazy". I don't feel like doing anything except maybe watching the tube. After working for what seemed a lifetime, I guess it's okay to be "lazy" once in a while. I've earned it!

Taking Out Stitches

The mistake in the knitting row was corrected by me today. It wasn't easy to take out the stitches as it is to knit the piece in the first place. I was able to continue knitting on the afghan for a few more rows. I'm tired tonight so I thought I'd put it away until tomorrow, By doing so, I won't make another mistake which will have to be taken out. I also knitted on the prayer shawl which is not as complicated to do. I returned books to the library, bought Mom a paper and stopped to buy a lottery ticket. I haven't bought one in quite a while. How nice it would be to win the lottery before Christmas. Just think of what I could do with the winnings. Besides paying bills I could purchase great gifts for everyone on my list. That would make me happy.

A Noneventful Day

It was a quiet non-eventful day. We're watching an exciting movie on tv, however. It's called "Executive Decision". It's a little too 'drawn out', but exciting non the less.
I haven't knitted in the past several days. I have to undo a mistake I made. Tomorrow I'll resume knitting on the baby afghan. I really want to get that done soon. I'm also reading at church tomorrow. I may do some grocery shopping afterwards.

All Is Well

This morning I had 2 health tests done. All is well, I'm told. That was a relief! Next Wed. I'll get THE flu shot which my doctor finally got into his office. I'm hoping that there will be no more doctor visits for awhile. I need a rest.
Today we made a list of the items we'll need to buy for our Thanksgiving dinner. We're having 10 people for dinner which is more than we usually have. It'll be a real party! I may even have help in the kitchen which I welcome. We'll prepare what we can the day before Thanksgiving which makes things easier on the holiday. On Thursday, Thanksgiving, we usually watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There is a dog show on after the parade which my family likes to watch. After the men arrive I know there will be a football game on the TV. Is it Thanksgiving without the parade and a football game? Not for our family! I'm looking forward to the festivities.

A Nor'Easter

We're expecting a Nor'Easter for the next few days. We're ready! I hope the power doesn't go off so we can eat warm suppers and have a cup of tea or 2 during the day. If the power does go out we'll resort to using candles for light and I guess we'll read if there's enough daylight. I may see if I can get Mom to play cards if reading is not possible. We could play Scrabble or Train Dominoes. She's not a big game player anymore. She may just prefer to nap. But like the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

We're Back

We're back! We returned here at about 2pm. Where the rest of the day has gone, I don't know. I did go to the dentist as planned. We're watching TV news now. I still need to clean up the kitchen and to start the D.W. I'm kind of sleepy so I don't think I'll read tonight because that will definitely put me to sleep. I hope that there's something worth watching later. I may just take it easy tonight and do nothing.

Wednesday's Plans

Tomorrow I have a dental appointment in the morning. I plan to go to Mom's afterward and to bring her back here. The rest of the week is rather busy for me so having her here will make things easier for me. Now that I have a tv she'll have something to entertain her while she's here.

A Day of Reading

Today I spent the entire day reading. I was introduced to a different author by my sister-in-law. The author's name is Wanda E. Brunstetter. Last night I started one of her books entitled "White Christmas Pie" and finished it this morning. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a light, pleasant story about the Amish. Today's book was called "A Merry Heart" which was also an Amish story. I have 2 more of her books out of the library which I'm sure will get read in no time at all. It's so pleasant to read about "good" people for a change. After I'm done with these books I'll read "Truman" by David Mc Cullough. I enjoyed the book "John Adams" which he wrote. Since I like history, I thought I'd read the Truman book. I'm sure I'll learn something I never knew before while reading it. It was time to take a break from knitting and quilting. Instead of keeping my hands busy I decided to read for a change. It was a quiet day without any music or tv on in the background and I thoroughly enjoyed it because my mind was engaged in something useful.

A Slow Start

It was not as productive a day today as I had hoped it would be. I did go to the library and stopped to buy litter for the cats. I dusted and replaced the doilies I washed on the piano and the buffet. Tomorrow I'll clean what's left to be done, and hopefully, I can sew for the rest of the day. I found out that I don't need to be done with the Prayer shawl until after Christmas, so I'll take some time to work on a quilt I'd like to give as a Christmas present. When I go in to sew tomorrow I'm sure that Sandy and Coco will be right nearby. They like to be in the same room that I'm in, no matter what I'm doing. That's okay with me as long as they don't get in the way. I remember when Sandy was a kitten and he use to watch me sew. He would try to catch the needle as it went up and down. I had to ban him from the room. Thank goodness he's gotten over that behavior. I just hope that I wake up well rested tomorrow. I got a slow start today. I don't want to waste the day by being sleepy and not "up" to doing anything. I have no reason to leave the house tomorrow so I should be able to accomplish what I want to do.

The Weekend

It was a nice weekend so far. I arrived home earlier than usual today. I managed to do some knitting on the baby afghan this weekend. I also shopped for some items we'll need for Thanksgiving. We qualify for a free turkey which I'll pick up the weekend before the holiday. I've checked the email messages and the snail mail. There are no phone messages, so that was a relief. I saved a little time because I didn't have to check those. The rest of today is mine!!

The Plan

It's time for red and green I guess, or maybe gold and silver. White lights or colored lights for the tree? Which will it be? I'd like to purchase a small 4.5 artificial tree which is prelighted and is easy to put up. I saw one in a catalogue but I'm sure I could find one in a local store and save on the S&H. Last year I decorated for the season, but I didn't put up a tree. I missed it. I'm hoping that this year will be different. I have 2 cats now. I suppose they'll both try to climb the tree, or at least sit under it on the quilted Christmas tree skirt I made. I'm guessing that Sandy will sit under it and Coco will try to climb it. The tree will be my primary decoration. I have a centerpiece with white and red roses and 3 candles in glass chimneys which I'll put on the mantel. There is a lighted wreath which I usually hang on the LR closet door, and an artificial wreath to hang on the outside of the front door. Since my place is small, that will be the extent of the decorating. I'll still use my Christmas Tree dishes and glasses and put the Christmas Tree teapot, coffee pot and sugar and creamer on the tea table. This year I may get to bake Christmas cookies which I've hoped to do every year but never get around to doing. Ideally, I'd love to have a Caroling party, but that's out of the question due to lack of space. Any way, there's another holiday before Christmas which requires planning. Here's to a Happy Holiday Season!

A Christmas Show

This afternoon I attended The Hunterdon Hills Playhouse with 3 friends. The Christmas show started this week. It was a variety show, not a play. It was very entertaining. The cast was very talented. They were excellent dancers and terrific singers. The lunch which was served was also very good. I had fried shrimp and scallops and miniature potato pancakes. It was served with mixed vegetables. Dessert was served buffet style in the vestibule of the theater. There were many delicious looking desserts to choose from. A friend of mine gave me her ticket because she was not able to attend. Thank you, G., I have had a wonderful time.

A New TV

The TV has been delivered and it is going now. The picture is great; the sound is also great. I'll be able to watch the news programs I use to watch and the few other channels I find entertaining. Right now I'm listening to a music Channel which has always been a favorite of mine. I noticed that 2 of the music channels are playing holiday music already. I'm going to hold off on listening to holiday music so early because I'll be sick of it by the time December comes around. I guess I'll be knitting and watching TV tonight. Maybe I'll even watch the Yankees game. I wonder if they'll do it tonight or mess everything up?

Made The Meeting

The call came in time and I did make the meeting. I returned home about a half hour ago. We had a productive meeting and exchanged good ideas. I gave the labels to the leader of our group for her to hand out to everyone as they finish their shawl or lap blanket. Then they can be sewn on to the piece. I have to measure my shawl. I think that it's more than half finished. I'm knitting it 60 inches long and then adding fringe. I can't wait to see what it'll look like when I'm done.

Day Is Ending

Our MJ game is over. I just got home. The gang was very noisy today. It was hard to concentrate. We had a friend of one of the gals come to watch a game in progress. She is just learning to play. I don't know why, but I was looking forward to a serious game so I was disappointed that the gang was restless and chatty. I did win once. Before MJ I went out to vote this morning. It'll be interesting to see who wins as Govenor of our state. All I can say is may the best man win!! In a few hours I'll be headed to church for the Prayer Shawl ministry. I'm expecting a phone call which I hope comes in before it's time to leave, otherwise I'll be late for the meeting. Tomorrow, at last, I'm getting the long awaited for TV.

Another Busy Tuesday

Tuesday will be a very busy day for me. I'm suppose to play MJ with friends and in the evening the Prayer Shawl Ministry meets for a couple of hours. I have to find some time in between to make a couple of important phone calls. The problem with that is that if I have to wait for a call back, I can't leave the house until it comes through. Actually, if I don't get to play MJ it won't be so terrible because I played last week, and I'd have a rather long drive to the home of the gal hosting it tomorrow. So, if I look at the bright side of not playing, it would be that I wouldn't be using so much gas during the day since I'll be using some at night. When the funds are low I like to conserve gas for less frivolous things instead of playing MJ again.

A Friendly Visit

Today my good friend from FL came for a visit. We talked for 2 hours. We share many of the same craft interests and always have a lot to talk about. She brought me some fabric for my stash. It will come in handy for doing the block of the month or for making a quilt for charity. Fabric is so expensive these days that I welcome any pieces I am given. Besides quilting, we both knit. She showed me what she is working on and I showed her what I am doing. I always enjoy her company and wish that the visits weren't so few and far between.

A Fast Day!

Don't know where Sandy and Coco are. They must be sleeping in the bedroom. Oh, no, Coco is in the cat bed on the floor. She's sleeping so peacefully. I didn't even realize she was there.
The day flew by today. I did get some knitting done on the baby afghan. In a little while I'll knit some more. Just taking a break from it for awhile. I've emptied the dishwasher and have put the supper dishes in it. The laundry is almost done. Music still plays. I've sent a few email messages and also read a few. I'm looking forward to getting the new TV set up. That'll give me another choice of something to do in the evenings.

November

The clocks were set back last night. We got an extra hour of sleep. I went to church and read at the 8:30am mass. After returning home I started some laundry and also started the dishwasher. A friend of mine is stopping over tomorrow for a visit. I plan to make scones so we can have them with tea when she arrives. Later today I'll vacuum and dust and clean the bathroom. I'll spend a good portion of the rest of the day knitting. The labels I ordered have arrived so I can bring them to the Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting on Tuesday and show them to all of the knitters. There is beautiful classical music playing on the CD player right now. Coco is sleeping on the wing chair and Sandy is sleeping on the bed. All is right with our small world! It's November now. The next holiday we have to look forward to is Thanksgiving. We plan to have our celebration at Mom's. Perhaps Christmas will be here.