Marvelous Monday!

[blessedw2]

did you know NASA is pushing 2 probes into the moon's interior at 5:38 pm to see the working of the inside of the moon (northern pole) - doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Math and physics put aside, I see an error in the thinking

[Harriet]

Kathryn's post reminded me of this quote, for which I don't have an author. A lady on a fitness site used it as a signature for years. It is on one of the quotation post-it notes I keep on the hutch part of my desk.

Be kinder than necessary.
Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

I've been continuing a deep-declutter today through the living areas of my house. The cubbies, holders and hidden spots.

The wooden nest eggs worked today for the first time and somebody added an egg to the 2 wooden ones I had "nested" where I'd like them to lay. Perhaps better news is that this egg looks different from the first one of December, laid yesterday in the old nest spot. So finally we may be back in business here, at least 2 of us. I hope this is seasonally appropriate - I saw blossoms on some trees yesterday.

"7 days to pull Christmas out of somewhere"

Did I tell ya'll amazon lost my order of 9 gifts, most for children at Saturday's party, and didn't tell me about it for 4 days, asking that I place the order again and start over? This caused a bottleneck of wrapping because the intention was to marathon all gift wrapping together, and they still haven't arrived, even though I changed the shipping to more expensive. The further problem here is that following that I haven't felt I could trust more online ordering before Christmas. Yet I also haven't gone shopping... ...

OKay, if you find something that really helps, review it in H and F for us!

Company coming today to visit. That's fine, the front rooms look great. Hey, they'll be able to see the pretty tree skirt as there are no packages underneath.

Harmony, did you mean you just found out about the gift exchange part yesterday, or just found out about the whole event? You already knew all those people were coming to your house, I guess. In the midst of all your other prep. And were still sane. How are you able to knowingly say the words that invite such a crowd? I think I would develop spontaneous laryngitis. And then other women went into your kitchen to work without you? Uuuuuggghhhh. I almost want to offer you sympathy.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I'm not on task this morning. Partly because I haven't drawn up a schedule for myself.

Instead, there's a window with the google map of driving from Ottawa to Nashville, to Chattanooga, Charlotte and back to Ottawa. It would be doable except at the end of my conference week, dh is flying to Peru for his vacation. So, the question is - do I do the road trip on my own (or dh drive down with me and then fly on to Peru.) I just realized if I went to Charlotte and Chattanooga on my way there (with dh), then I'd only have a 15.5 hour drive home on my own (stopping in Ann Arbor and Toronto on my way home, or, if I stayed on the US side of the lakes, in Rochester.)

OK, I'm walking away from the computer and drawing up a plan for the rest of the day now.

[DeeClutter]

Oh no, Kathryn -staying in the US in ROCHESTER? I would cry.

I, too, have to pull Christmas out of "somewhere". I am NOT ready, but guess what: Christmas will come whether I'm ready or not. I do feel good that I just took care of TWO presents. XDDIL's parents always send us a gift (usually S wiss C olony). I like to do something for dgs14 & xddil so went online and ordered 2 gift cards to be sent to her parents' house (to a nearby restaurant). Not found too often in FL, so did it this way. I left some wrapped presents in NY for 2 DSon's families & other DGD (Shelley's). Was looking for list I had done as I wrapped. Finally went back where I had already looked & there it was. So at least I now know what I left for everyone. Got i tunes cards for each of the 4 older dgk also, so I'm almost set for each of them. Just have to put them into cards. Then I'm going searching on A ma zon for a few gifts to be sent to their houses (and leave them for ddils to wrap. ) The only person I have nothing for so far is DS-R. I am ordering the small metal 'fireplaces' for each of the boys families and expect them to reach their houses just before Christmas.

DH is next door trying to find an electrical problem to the horse barn. Place was sold about the time we got here and they've not had electric in the barn ever since. they're not living there yet, but come early morning and evening (both dark) and are using their vehicle lights to light the area. Hope it's an easy fix for them. This was always dh's field, so if anyone can find it, he can.

Off to peruse the A mazon web site to see what I can find for our dgks.

[helia]

I'm not on task either. I have reclaimed the kitchen, s2s-ed, responded to an email, and started a lol.

I see Kathryn mentioned the possibility of coming through. . . . . Ann Arbor at some point in time! I hope that happens. It would be great if it could work out for us to meet up!!

Off for some devo time w/ mug of tea #2, and then I'll make the bed.

Distracted -- I'm not ready for Cmas yet either -- and our little family is celebrating Sinter Klaas with gifts for each other this Saturday. At least I'm done shopping for the packages. Dh still hasn't shown me the tool he wants me to order him. Maybe that just won't work, and I'll have to go with other gift ideas for him. I've got him one gift, possibly 2 (I bought a sweater for ds but I think it would fit dh better), and some more ideas. For me, the important part is getting the ideas. I've already bought dd14 many gifts -- and I have many more ideas for her. I think I'm going to double up some of her gifts, giving them to both her and dd17. Like the hot chocolate maker. I'm sure dd17 (and others in the family) will use it. Apparently, it can be used to steam milk for coffee too. Well, maybe that should be a family gift. I have bought nothing for dd17 so far. Or for dfriend R - but I know what I'm going to get him, and we're having our Cmas with them after the New Year as they, or at least S, will be out of town until then.

[Lilac]

Dd2 and I are suppose to be shopping today so we can finish our shopping and be done with it. I am going to keep her on task and pick up the few gifts I still need. After she dropped the kids at daycare and school she went home to do her hair and pay bills. Here we are 2 hours later and I am waiting. I want her to finish so that I don't have to worry about babysitting while she does it later in the week. This is her last available day to shop. Grrrr..... How I raised a daughter that insists on flying by the seat of her pants, is a wonder to me!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Oh no, Kathryn -staying in the US in ROCHESTER? I would cry.

Why? This would be in May.

Unless they are tears of happiness.

[OKay]

Blessed - you have the most interesting information! I had no clue NASA was doing a project like that.

Distracted is a good term for me today. DParents called and asked if I would take them to watch DNephew working in pasture across the road from us. DNephew was trying out an attachment on front of his bobcat that cuts trees down. WOW! Does it ever! DNephew is still learning how to use it, but he is cutting down about 2 trees per minute. I contacted DBrother and he detoured from his cattle checks and met us in the pasture. DMom went with DBro to feed a couple pastures and she got to see the wild hogs that have started coming up when feeding cows. Meanwhile I took DDad on a tour across pasture while keeping DNephew in sight as he was cutting trees amazingly fast. This probably makes no sense....but DParents are thrilled with their experience.

Meanwhile.....back at home.....nothing much got done that I had planned for the morning. >>>shrugging shoulders<<<< OH Well.

[Ivy]

Good Morning, Villagers.

I'm "groggy" and am drinking coffee. We had a big storm with 60 m.p.h. winds. Branches are around the front of our house. 2 trees blew their tops out and are across the driveway next to our old house in front of this house we're in now. 8,000 people are without power in 2 counties. DH will dress and cut up the tree tops, which blew out and continue up the 1/4-mile driveway to see if limbs from old Maples came down, and he'll throw limbs out of the way, too. The college is closed because of no power. Our plastic patio chairs got toppled and blown about 5 feet. We don't have trees too terrible close to this house, built in 2004. And since we have power, we're happy.

Some of you said you're not ready for C'mas either. Me, too. I haven't even wrapped or gift bagged a gift. I'm crocheting on my last gift and the spirit's just not "into" my getting it done. I guess the reality of life's tragedies, like CT, hits home. I feel badly for them.

Harriet, I loved that quote.

Blessed, I wonder NASA is doing that? What's it supposed to prove?

Kathryn, You sound tired today and like you had a very busy weekend and today is busy for you, too. I'm glad you cut out your DS20's jacket.

My To Do:
Shower, pray, journal, etc...
Crochet body side #2 on a stuffed doggie.
Dust mop the fir floors.

I have a "to do" list on the eating bar, but I'm too lazy to go fetch it. But I DO have things on my plate to do today.

Happy Marvelous Monday, Villagers!

[helia]

Sitting here on this machine. Nothing is getting done. Well, I take that back. I have ordered 3 more gifts. . . .And I've eaten some lunch.

I too love that quote, Harriet. What a wise way to approach people. I may need to make a copy and hang it up somewhere where I can see it daily.

That is interesting about NASA's project on the moon. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

I will not come back here until I have more progress to report.