Thursday - where did the week go??
Happy Thursday, everyone!
Well, best-laid plans and all that, Wednesday turned out to be a lot more busy than I had planned. I managed to take care of a lot of phone calls that had to be done, made a dental appointment (YUCKIES!), emailed new procedures for my BPW dinner meetings to the members after re-structuring our Agenda and Dinner-ordering procedures to make better use of our time...I even created a new position – the Dinner Co-Ordinator and have two volunteers already! They will take the dinner orders as the members and guests come in to the meeting and assign them a number and make sure each lady gets their proper order. And I’ve asked the treasurer to fill out all the receipts (for payments for the meeting) the week ahead of time except for the name and date…that will save us A LOT of wasted time as this lady is in her late 70’s, is deaf and works VERY slow. So all she has to do now is add the date and name to each receipt as the ladies arrive. She loves her position so hopefully this will help her a bit - I just have to be patient.
I had started a huge pot of chicken breast meat thawed, cut into chunks, onions, dried celery leaves, garlic and spices to make chicken & dumplings, leaving it on the stove at very low temps while JB was outside, and asked him to keep an eye on it and to stir it now and then and gradually turn up the heat to simmer while I went for some Christmas shopping for an hour.
There was a special sale at an Artisan Store in the city so off I went at 5 pm when they opened and I shopped in there….so many amazing crafts and stunning colours of fused glass pendants and crystal beaded bracelets, hand made soaps and scented candles, knotted scarves and so much more. I exchange gifts with a few friends and one, Ginette, loves silver. So I found a stunning bracelet…the artisan had used two antique silver spoons and hammered them flatter and made them into a beautiful silver bracelet complete with magnetic catch and a silver safety chain. It was more expensive than I’d planned on spending but after looking at lower-priced bracelets, I just had to give her this one anyways. Ten percent off helped. I also got beautiful rose petals made of hand-made soup for my friend Rosemary to add to her gift of home-made baking which she asks for each year.
Then I headed to Shoppers Drug Mart and bought some stocking stuffer items like new toothbrushes for everyone, toothpaste, deodorant, long leather bootlaces for their workboots and other small necessities they will need anyways. Okay I have to admit that I bought a package of “ANGRY BIRD” BANDAIDS for the boys….they are always getting a cut of scratch in the shop. However, by the time I got back to my car, my legs were hurting so bad that I had to stop and lean against my car for a few minutes before I could bend my knees to get into the car. Finally I got home, got all my parcels inside and found JB just coming in…he had been outside all that time…it was minus 3 degrees celcius, helping Derek in the shop next door…. and hadn’t even touched the chicken breast chunks so I had to make a sudden executive decision and change the menu…Derek’s home made garlic beef soup and chicken and veggies over rice with a sesame sauce. Chicken & dumplings will be for Thursday dinner.
Seems to me that Christmas is getting so darned commercialized that we are all brain-washed into thinking that we HAVE to buy! Buy! BUY! I cannot see the logic in spending more than we have and getting deeper into debt. The Spirit of Christmas is about LOVE and BEING with those you LOVE and Celebrating life!
I do not care WHAT DATE my boys come home for our family dinner as long as we are all together. Dec 25th is just a DATE…think about it. Family & friends are more important than presents. I try to simplify more and more each year. I see so many people struggle to give what they cannot afford to other people who often do not even appreciate the true cost of that gift and I am NOT talking about the money it cost, but the stress and worry and all the emotional issues people get when they cannot afford the things they buy for Christmas gifts. *gets off my soapbox*
Today, I will see my doctor and get the results of my white blood count and the reason that it is so very low and what the remedy will be. He will also have to increase my sleeping pill strength. As well, I have to hand in all five pages of forms that I had to fill out for using tylenol 3’s.
From there, I have to head to the other end of the city and meet with the Manager of the Polish Club that is renting my group their private park for next summer’s women’s event. I have to pay them the rental fee and fill out more forms *s*
Then I must head home and finish making the chicken and dumplings. I know I will be exhausted when I get home and once I sit, I am finished. But that should mean that I will sleep better tonight. *s*
Have a wonderful day, everyone! Hugs, prayers and positive energy to all.
Nancy B
Good morning Nancy and everyone.....
Nancy....the bracelet you bought your friend sounds so lovely. She will be so happy! Sorry the chicken and dumplings didn't work out as planned. Darn men they get so wrapped up in things they forget! I am sure the other meal was excellent too. Enjoy your chicken and dumplings tonight. I agree with Christmas shopping. I don't have much so I send what I can. I don't use credit cards ever. I refuse to get in debt over things I can't afford. That isn't what Christmas is about!! Hope your doctor appointment goes well.
I have an appointment this afternoon. Otherwise nothing else planned. If I have the energy I might reorganize my closet. I want the winter clothes closer to the front where I can get at them easier.
Wishing everyone a beautiful day. Prayers for many in need.
Love and hugs to all....connie d
Good morning Nancy B and Connie and all my OFF sistas!
I have to agree with you, Nancy. A date is just a square on the calendar. With Butch working overseas for all these years, we have had to adjust our thinking and our celebrations accordingly. We celebrate when we can. Works for us.
Connie, hope you are feeling better! Praying for you everyday.
Not much going on here today. Just hanging out with Benny, doing a little laundry, watching a little TV. I would like to laze around in bed all day reading, but 2 year olds don't like that much! LOL!
Hope everyone has a great day! Love you all!
Vickie
Hello Nancy and my OFF Family,
Nancy, I love to read about your excursions, and your cooking. I have always wanted to make chicken and dumplings. I think once I get settled into my new place in Michigan, I'll try making it for my daughter's family and me.
Today, I took Utley to the groomer's. My sister won a gift certificate for dog grooming at a place around the corner from me. Utley is just getting a bath, and his nails clipped or ground, not sure which.
While he's there, I swept, mopped, dusted my living room and kitchen floors. I also got rid of some stains on my hall carpet.
After, I get Utley from the groomer, I'm heading to the Salvation Army to drop off some stuff, and then to AC Moore, the craft store, to see if they got the alphabet train letters I'm looking for. I'll also pick up some more of the green and white yarn for Lincoln's bedspread. It's a good price on sale.
Must scoot.
Love and prayers,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Hi Judy,
My daughter got her Masters from Michigan State, and all the uncles and aunts got their degrees there. I'll be living about 30 minutes from East Lansing. So, Colleen told me I could make Lincoln's bedspread in MSU's colors.
Love,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Yep. Except it's Go Spartans, except when they play Penn State. I'll never give up my Nittany Lions.
Albert Schweitzer
