Solstice Sunday

[bittersweet]

Today the winter solstice occurs at 4:03pm MST today. We will have 7 hrs, 28 minutes between sunrise and sunset. While that doesn't seem like very long, it's much better than Inuvik, NWT where they haven't seen the sun since December 6th, and won't see it again until January 7th, 2015!

This getting up early needs to stop! I have six days off work, and it would be nice to sleep in past 4am! Somehow, yesterday, I managed to not fall asleep at work, even with less than 5 hours of sleep. Today will be a hodgepodge of errands, housework, and Christmas prep. Somewhere in there, I'm also going to fit a nap.

Off to get a few things done before the nap monster starts nipping at my heels:

- critter care
- wash dishes
- take out trash (I got it ready yesterday morning, but forgot to put it out)

[bittersweet]

That lot is done....dishes are about 80% done, so I'll let them air dry a bit. DS is also up early - not sure why, since he most likely isn't working today. My motivation is definitely hiding this morning, but I've got to try to keep moving anyways. Soooooo much to get done!

Next round:

- make list of errands
- sew two kittycat pads
- tidy small tables in the living room
- vacuum living room
- water plants

Before I head off, I'll set out some morning munchies .... muffins, fruit, coffee, tea, and there's a big pitcher of ice water in the fridge!

[Ramblinrose]

Morning B'sweet....

Thanks for reminding me of the Winter Solstice ... It's always been one of my favorite days of the year. Memories of getting of my school bus .... I only rode one in high school...and walking home in the cold and dark is a favorite of mine. Sound weird I know but I loved how the early night seemed to wrap around me. Plus I knew from that don't on summer was on its way. I disliked the Summer Solstice simple because I knew my summer days would be gettng darker.

I only have a few things to do this morning besides normal routines. Today is a day to soak in the fun and laughter with my friends. There will be at least three generations gathered together with perhaps a fourth joining us. I'm sure there will be plenty is Christmas spirit to pass around.

I tasted a small sliver of my cheese cake.. This is something I always do... To make sure it tasted right. It passes my test. Once Sweetie is awake and moving around I will put the final touches on it. I don't wake him up by making noise. And now that my homemade cranberry sauce has set and is cool I want to label and wrap them.

Know many of y'all have plenty on your plate that need to be accomplished today. I hope y'all can find a moment where you can look around your world and enjoy these next few coming days. Everyone seems so busy doing for others without a thought for themselves. This is a reminder to appreciate the season not just Xmas day

[blessedw2]

good morning d rose and d b is sweet

a good day and lots of energy to all of you.

I still have to stop by the music shop to pick up left handed banjo and guitar finger picks

[bittersweet]

That round is now finished. I didn't sew the kittycat pads, but I did do the minor repairs on three shirts that have been waiting for months Also put away the clean dishes and washed the rest of the dirty ones. Sitting here now with a fresh cup of coffee, and debating whether to do another round or have a nap. I think perhaps I'll just have some breakfast and sew kittycat pads till I make up my mind (or take a nap )

[BookSaver]

Good morning, villagers ~
Thanks for opening the thread, Bittersweet. It is a good feeling to celebrate the solstice and think ahead to more sunlight in the US & Canada.

The cat let me sleep in until 7:30 this morning so I had a late start. I've been tottering around finishing bits & bobs -- clean dishes put away in the cupboards, took a basket of folded clothes upstairs and put them in drawers, clothes that needed to hang dry overnight are up in the closet now, moved last night's load from the washer to the dryer. Updated/adjusted my menu plan for the next week. Made sure my outfit for the Christmas Eve party is clean and hanging ready for Wednesday. Played with the cat.

I reread yesterday's PWYC thread, because yesterday I only had time to speed read and I wanted to go back and fully appreciate everyone's activities. If you have time, go back and read the whole thread straight through. It's a good one, with ups and downs throughout the day, and a Dance of JOY in the middle.

I have not made any progress in the kitchen or dining room, so those rooms need attention today and tomorrow.

DH's work schedule over the next 2 weeks:
Home today and Monday(vacation),
work Tuesday & Wednesday,
home Thurs(Christmas Day)-Fri(vac)-Sat-Sun-Mon(vac),
work Tues & Wed,
home Thurs(New Year's Day),
work Fri.
I think. I need to confirm with him to make sure I have planned enough lunches.

When it's just myself home for lunch, I'm sort of unstructured about the time and food because I automatically keep a running tab in my head of nutritional content for my day. DH never eats breakfast. When he is home for lunch, if I don't plan a decent meal for him, he will just snack on junk food and pop all day, which worries me.

[Lilac]

BookSaver, 3 years ago we bought a HE set of top loading Kenmore W/D. We had 90 days to decide to keep or return it. I think on the 91st I realized I didn't like it. If I was buying new again, I would look high and low for a set that is top loading and washes the clothes with enough water. I just hate how little water this uses. I always wonder just how clean everything really is.

When dsonil took dgd3 to the dr. on Friday, they gave him a choice of a shot or a 3 day round of prednisone. He picked the prednisone. Wrong choice! They said it taste so awful that you have to have the child take a spoon of chocolate syrup before and after. I showed up as dd2 was cleaning up a mess after dgd3 gagged and it came up. She laid her on the bar and held her down to take more and dgd3 was having none of it. I was in tears, I felt for both of them. Dd2 ended up calling the on call dr. and having another RX prescribed, same thing, just more. She said last night her and her dh had round 2 with dgd3 and the medicine. She is so irritated that he didn't just have her get the shot and be done with it. Once she started this med, they couldn't do the shot.

Dd2 will be at her inlaws this afternoon. Dd1 is coming over to wrap her Christmas gifts. She doesn't have the H allmark Channel so she is looking forward to watching a Christmas movie.

[Twins' Mom]

Today looks like a suitable winter solstice day - cloudy and overcast. We'll have 9 hrs 47 minutes of daylight, if not sunlight.

We had a nice evening last night - we got to the evening party as it started and visited for a little less than two hours. The family is one that dh is particularly close to - we had Thanksgiving with them also. The father of the host is the guy who had heart surgery to put in stents on Friday so we left and went by the hospital to see him and his wife - he is still in Cardiac ICU so we could just spent a couple of minutes there. This party is always sparkling top notch all the way. They had put up a high ceiling tent on the patio with the fire pit going out there - beautiful home and beautiful flowers everywhere. The U.S. S enator from this area was in attendance also and left just before we did. Got a hug from him....not sure he knew who I was, but he does know dh.

I was up around 9 a.m. - dh went to the hospital for the morning visiting hour and then had breakfast with our friends, I think. He's still out, is probably hanging out at their house. We're going to friends for brisket and latke Hanukkah dinner this evening at 5:30.

Yesterday I truly took the day off altogether. I did some reading, some playing around on Ancestry.com. I found a local city record that great grandfather died in 1910 of malaria and found corroboration of info from my ddad/mom about his uncle (who was actually not much older than he) who died of smallpox in 1915 and is buried in the same cemetery where my father is buried. I didn't even walk my poor ddogs, altho they did get plenty of time outside and with the family. Dh and ds set up his new TV - it's not much bigger than the old one but is a "smart" TV. Too bad I hardly know how to operate a TV anymore.

I should get out of this seat and do some productive things.
-put on clothes, brush teeth, wash face et al
-walk the dogs
-clear and wipe kitchen counters
-clear kitchen table, where dd piled laundry from the dryer because she is doing her mountain of laundry.

[Twins' Mom]

Kathryn, so sorry for dunc's pain and the move for him. He will probably have better care, less possibility of falls and will be warm for the winter at least. Also sorry for breakup of your dsis' marriage, from what you've told us it's no surprise I guess, but is nonetheless difficult.

I should have joined Harriet yesterday in the Dance of Joy, however, I think I was just too tired.

Yuck, Lilac, I do recall that prednisone tastes bad in a liquid form - too bad the he didn't go with the shot - it hurts but is over quickly!

Booksaver, I can't say that I love our HE front loading washer - I know I could do a better job of keeping it clean and non-smelly but frankly don't get to it. Our old washer lasted close to 20 years - at the end would only run on "normal"' cycle, not the "permanent press" cycle however.

Bsweet, so nice to have you with us again!

RR, hope you have a lovely day with your family generations today. Your cheesecake sounds wonderful!

[Elizabeth]

CUE HALLELUJIAH CHORUS LOUD!!! The house appraiser has come and gone and did not mention Elizabeth's Own Ceiling Repair.

Friday, there was no Bunco at church, so I was free to run my errands and got the last person off my in-towners list. I have only one out of towner left and a woman from my knit/crochet group had an excellent idea for her - southwest style earrings. We also got notification that the governor is giving us a half day off for Christmas Eve!

Saturday was another Hallelujah day. It began with an adoption application for two of the orgs kittens, and with a possibility of two more (to a different home). None of them were my fosters, but I am still happy about it. I took the first application myself. Another thing that really made my day - the X told my friend twice that his wife (AKA the other woman) would be at her Christmas party last night, but that he and DD12 would be in Alabama. She was a no show, and neither I nor my friend missed her. My friend feels obligated to invite them to things, because she always has, and they have invited her over for dinner. Her daughter hates them.

Today's Plan:
get two cats vaccinated
treat myself to lunch out
jewelry store
library book return
grocery store
dollar store for Christmas cards
Bible study
webwork