Splendiforous Saturday

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

(((Blessed))) for travel worries with a youngster. My ds managed to refrain from mentioning any travel problems he had (self-caused) on his last trip so I didn't hear about them until he was safely in the car on the way home (albeit at 3 in the morning but that's due to the airline, not his carelessness, although the airline's delay meant he made the flight he would have otherwise missed due to carelessness!)

Forgot to mention about my ring issue.

I wear three all the time - my wedding/engagement (it's now one ring); a plain gold one that ds picked out for me when he was around 4 - he brought me a catalog and pointed to the ring and said that was what he'd give me if he had lots of money so I coughed up the $90 and bought it for myself; and my pre-engagement ring - a sapphire that dh designed for me with the intention of adding diamonds later when he could afford them.

Since 2007, my wedding and pre-engagement rings have been in and out of the shop. I guess after 22+ years, they are simply wearing out. The third time my wedding rings were into the shop we had them remade into one ring, much stronger, and added some diamond and sapphire chips around the main (very small) diamond. The jeweler had me bring in old rings I didn't wear any more and added that gold to my ring so it contains bits of my growing up, family history, as well as the new stones.

My sapphire broke in one spot so we took it in for repairs and added those diamond (actually large chips) that dh envisioned for it. It broke (I think) a second time in a different spot or was just resized as well. Can't recall which.

I thought maybe my rings were breaking so much because I was taking the ones with the stones off each night. So, since they've been remade, I've been leaving them on. I always did when traveling but I started to do so when home. And during the move it was important to keep them on me.

Anyway, due to the pain in my hands/arms, I recently went back to taking them off. Three nights ago, I realized I had lost a diamond from the pre-engagement ring. So had a cry over that and put it aside for when I have time to get it fixed. Dug out a ruby/diamond ring my father bought from a pawn shop for his mother during the depression and have been wearing that because I can't stand for my right-hand ring finger to be 'naked.'

Last night, was applauding and adjusted the ring after. It felt funny so I looked down and sure enough, a ruby was missing! Sigh.... At least in this case I knew the ruby had to be nearby since I hadn't moved since the previous applause and had adjusted the ring then without any sign of a problem. So I put the ring in my change purse and looked down carefully. Eventually, I found the ruby stuck to my skirt so I put it away too.

Now both rings and the one stone I've found are in a little bag, waiting to go to the shop. I dug out a ring I bought while on the cruise (when my wedding ring broke) and will wear that on my right hand until I can get my rings fixed. I have a stunning diamond/ruby ring my dad gave my mom (not from a pawn shop!) and a pearl ring and an opal ring, I could wear, but I'm worried I'll damage the good ring and the pearl and opal aren't strong enough to hold up to my right hand motion.

So, there's another errand I need to run. Until I get those in the shop I think I'll be unsettled.

BTW: I haven't moved since my previous post!

[blessedw2]

thank you d kathryn - dd slept in - she woke at 6 and then fell back to sleep. She is definitely harder on herself. It's a good learning experience isn't it.

[Twins' Mom]

I am relaxing in front of the computer myself, Kathryn.

Helia, I think this season is stressful for just about everyone! Even when one doesn't celebrate Christmas, there are lots of aggravations related to everyone else Christmas shopping and getting ready for the season. Traffic is horrible, stores are crowded (I used to hate going to the Super W almart for groceries as there were so many Christmas shoppers, when all I wanted was groceries!) and people are short of time and temper sometimes. I think I've said here that we don't do Hanukkah in a big way at my home - it's not supposed to be a major holiday and I believe that decorating for Hanukkah as one would decorate for a Christmas (but in blue) is inauthentic as a Jew. OTOH, decorating and holiday prep are fun and I'm often torn about how much to do. I have a few menorahs out, a large bowl of dreidals and gelt, a couple of the colorful Hanukkah "prayer books" displayed, one with a menorah and colorful candles. The front porch has a small brass menorah on a blue runner (wishing I had a larger menorah I could put out there, but the larger ones are either too valuable, breakable, or not weather resistant.) I have a child like Hanukkah banner on the front door also.

And even if we don't celebrate Christmas there are seasonal expectations of holiday parties and holiday gifts...Macs' P therapist, the massage therapist, cleaning lady, dh's assistant and his clients...

I was up before 8 and cleaned out my car and warmed it up for dd to go pick up ds at GA Tech. I let her take my phone because she said she was out of data for the month - just realized that we pay for her phone and data anyway and it's all on the same plan...OTOH, I know my phone is charged (hers is often not charged up) and she has my phone charger in the car also. Hard to give her any kind of meaningful directions because I don't remember the name of ds' residence hall - I know how to get there but not the name of it. I printed a GA Tech map for her and circled where it is, and she is to call and consult w ds, hoping he will wake up and answer his phone.

Dh is gone to Torah study and will be home soon. Working on a.m. routine. Another holiday party this evening and then tomorrow is a congregational meeting, followed by a book signing for a member author, and after that we are to go out w friends for drinks/supper/snack or whatever.

[Sadie]

Good morning ladies

Foggy here.

Work day for me. Know it will be busy at work. Santa will be there. This man is Santa because the suit fits but he doesn't have the personality for it.

Its the weekend before the weekend before Christmas.

On the home front I have started looking at small appliances that aren't being used and giving them away or throw ing them out
Typing on my tablet so things might look funny.

Off to shower and head to work.

Great day to all!

[ellyphant]

Good morning, ALL! It's nice to see BITTERSWEET and LYNLEE!

I've had coffee and 2 gingerbread snowmen for breakfast. Waiting for ibuprofen to kick in so my back will bend! I may be exaggerating, but my back is not right and the only thing I did yesterday out of the ordinary was carry in groceries.

Have to go to local deli for sandwich meats and assorted food gifts for a basket I'm putting together for relatives. Daughter will deliver it on her way home after Christmas. That should save a bit on shipping costs. Went to church Christmas dinner last night. Such good food and company.

Must get moving.

[Harmony]

So nice to see bittersweet here today. Wow, moving. We've had a bunch of moves in the village, always nice to go alongside for the "read".

It is cold again today. I have tomatoes trying to ripen. And a green pepper. I think my green beans quit producing because it was too cold. My cauliflower and broccoli is still ok but not producing yet.

I have jerky duty this morning. DH made that smelly stuff yesterday from some venison someone gave us. We've been round the clock moving the drying trays every 1 1/2 hours. I did the last one late last night (this morning) and he did 2 through the night and I am watching for the last pieces to dry properly while he is out working.

I just printed up a little letter to put in Christmas card to my DStepSon and family from us. I keep trying to work on our relationship with them, because there are 3 DGrandchildren, but for some reason they aren't very interested. Still, I send gifts every holiday and birthday and DH tries to call now and then. I don't know what they are so mad about. We don't travel around to see anyone, hardly, so it's not like we've neglected them, which is what they think.

Enough of all that. I need to go up to flea market where I know they sell one gift I want and have never been able to find anywhere else. It's close by. I'm just waiting for my dehydrator chores to be done first.

Y'all have a nice day. Twins, your decorations sound really lovely. Oh, Ellyphant, I have the same issues with my back. It just doesn't want to bend. Does the cold make it worse like mine does?

[blessedw2]

dd made the plane - she said it was like the movie "home Alone" United even had a wheelchair ready for her.

[bittersweet]

That round is finally done!

- make new cards - Done!
- activate credit cards - Done!
- put away folded laundry - Done!
- change upstairs Scentsy - Done!
- clean off small desk in computer room - Done!

I also did a fair bit of rearranging, sorting, decluttering, spot washing, etc (all in the same room). There's more tidying to be done in here, because DH's recovery disks for his puter were on the small desk, and only disks 2-9 were there. No clue where #1 is! At the moment, however, I'm seriously debating whether to do another round, or go have a nap. I didn't sleep well last night, and I have DGD coming for a sleepover later this afternoon. I'd really like to have a nap, but I actually have a bit of motivation, and SO much to get done!

OK...one more round, and then I'll revisit the nap question.

- fold put away next basket of laundry
- put/throw away 10 things from big computer desk
- clean/put away kitten kennel
- clean bathroom
- gather all bottles/cans from upstairs

[blessedw2]

sending everyone lots of energy!!!
heading to the airport soon and do some holiday shopping w dd shopping

[helia]

Well, my tutee just called and was wondering where I was. We were supposed to meet at noon, not 1 pm, so I'm not tutoring her after all. Oops!! I feel bad. . . .

I have made a reservation for a hotel in Chicago! I found a good price through booking.com. I have also s2s-ed and had some lunch.

Next will be finishing the a.m. routine and then going to get some gluten-free mix to make for small group.