Way-to-Go & Happy Hanukkah Wednesday

[Harmony]

Blessed, I'm a little surprised that DD would have therapy from 8-5. That seems like a lot. Disappointing to her that she might lose a semester of school.

Helia, sure hope your security is "secure" now. That stuff is scary to me.

Kathryn, sure sorry about the contract. Know from experience what that feels like. Oh, we lived in efficiency apartment once and didn't even have a hose bib to use for the car, which sat in an open parking lot. We used the free car wash with fill-up place all the time, however, that is no longer there. Now I'm glad to have the driveway and hoses, though all the car washes around are easier. I hadn't realized what that all costs you because of the apartment living.

Today is a whirlwind. Someone who was trying to talk with me was having phone problems and we couldn't connect. Someone else wanted me to check something on the computer but she wasn't home to talk me through it and I was afraid to click on the wrong thing and I couldn't look at it. Had to stop & type forms for DH.

Every time I start something something more urgent comes up. I am starting my day over... and see what I can get done.

Happy Hanukkah to Twins. I hope you are having a nice day.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

At least I'm working through the anger by doing housework.

In a way we are relieved. This contract was more complicated than NZ and they have no spec to work from (so that has to be written, although the NZ government had agreed to share their spec as a 'best practices' for Canada to follow, a gift from one Commonwealth country to another.) For NZ, Dh had a spec and has still put in 650 hours so fa. Dh was concerned the Canadian project would be boondoggle since there was no spec yet.

Now that we know they can't read either (imagine asking for bids on a project with no budget, no spec to work for and then not be able to read the bids that responded!), it is probably best to stay away from the project. Except I was seeing it as a legacy project for dh. After doing major projects for other governments (NZ, US and Denmark) he would finally leave his own country with a system that can be scaled up as far as they want it to be.

Floors are washed now, bathrooms are cleaned. They aren't likely to get done next week so I pushed to do it this week.

[Lilac]

Dd1, dd2 and dgd18 came over during their lunch hour to tell grandma goodbye again. They left at 11:45. Dm said that she wasn't leaving until noon, so we should finish our F arkel game. We were finished so she could leave at noon. It is always so hard to see her leave by herself.

Dm hates for a TV to be on unless she is watching it. Anytime I turned on the TV that sits at the bar in the kitchen, if I walked away, she would turn it down to almost mute. So I just quit turning it on. After watching her drive off, I came in, turned on the TV and guess what? The weather was on and they were talking about the possibility of icy roads. Great, dm is heading east and dh is heading west. Dm called after she had been on the road for 2 hours. The highway dept was treating the roads for ice.

Dm has started selling Y ounique makeup. She sells under my dcousin. Yesterday dd2 and I tried the products and liked them. We told her what she wanted and when she went to order them, it kept messing up. She is using an ipad to do this. The company has had some kind of virus, since dm had been here. She would enter 2 and would see 99. So she decided to stop at her db's house on the way home, so my cousin can see what is going on. I told dm I would only write her a check because I didn't want that company having my info. I told dm that she needs a laptop computer. I sent a Christmas card with her and told her it was her Christmas $. She said she will wait and open it Christmas morning at db's house. I had sent her the regular amount and added some. With what I sent and what dstepb sends, she could probably buy her a laptop. Once she has both $$$ gifts, I will tell her I will pay the rest. That ipad is so goosey and touchy. If she is going to have a side business, she needs a laptop.

We seemed to be busy the whole time dm was here. Saturday night dd2 and I went to The Nutcracker. Everyone went on Sunday. Monday night was dgd18's last HS Choir concert. Last night was dgs10's first concert at the intermediate level. After that we stopped by dd2's so dm could see their house. When we got home dd1 came by and we played F arkel.
Yesterday dm took dd2, dgd18, dgs20 and I out to eat brunch at I HOP. We shopped Saturday and Monday.

Dfriends I have to tell you that by dh losing his close friend to a massive heart attack, it has given me a whole new appreciation that we will have the chance to grow older together.
Also, when dm left alone, my first thought was next time dh will be with me when she leaves.

I usually stay close to home when someone travels to or from my home. Once they call and say they are home, then things can get back to normal.

The TV weather just announced that there is sleet on the highway that my dh and dm are travelling on. I haven't talked to dh but I know he knows that I am climbing the walls. Dm has promised to stay overnight at her db's house if the weather is bad.

I picked up my new glasses yesterday afternoon. Dm didn't notice them for several hours and then her and dd1 noticed them. Dd2 still hasn't noticed them. So that must mean they look alright or she hates them. I like them well enough. Dh probably won't notice them either.

I am doing lots of laundry because I have done none since dm arrived on Friday.

Dd1 is going to stop by and take my pulse. When I use my bp cuff, it always shows a high pulse rate. This way we can find out how accurate that is.

[FelineFriend]

Got a Christmas music CD in the mail, from a free ministry, will wrap/give it to DD/DGS-18. Am crocheting myself ponytail scrunchies, will do the same for gifts for DDIL & DGD-23 months, as DGD has super long red curly hair, so scrunchies will work well in her hair, too.

Am drying my snowmen tablecloth, it's light blue, got out cobalt blue placemats. I was tired of the red-green-white striped Christmas colors one. Needed a change. Got out my pink jacquard tablecloth and fabric napkins, to use around my b-day, too.

It rained here, but it's dry right now, more rain's due.

DH is watching a documentary on World War II. He's been tending the fire, got mail, took garbage can to the curb.

I did some research, but enlisted more help, from DH's cousin, as she works at a garden nursery, and she's an avid gardener. Cannot find the "specific" info, I need on-line, without sites wanting to sell trees to me.

Did family emails this a.m., have "reconnected" with DBRO & DSIL, am looking forward to meeting my 3 toddler/baby nephews in person, and it's a good thing. ♥ ♥

Happy Hanukkah to Twins' Mom, too! Just a quick C. I. here, for now, as too busy to CUOP again. Sorry.

I'm back.... DH just turned on Christmas music, he's filling up potholes now, all along our 1/4-mile long driveway, with loose gravel, which is on the sides of the driveway. He's 73 years old, he's diabetic, he's active, on and off, all day/evening, which is GR8! Sometimes, he puts me to shame! I'm 10+ years younger than he is. I like it, too, because he gives me a few moments to myself, on and off, throughout the day. It's not like he's here, sitting in my chair with me, glued to my hip! I think it's nice, when a DH is retired, how he gives the wife a breather, occasionally. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder. ♥ ♥ Oh, my Christmas music is so pretty!

Twins' Mom, On TV this morning, they showed the candle-lighting for Happy Hanukkah, special foods, and a family was singing, gathered around the Menorah. (I think that's what it is called.) (???) It was so nice, to see the family celebrating together. I liked seeing this. The foods look so wonderful. Oh, my. What a beautiful time of year! Enjoy!

[Lilac]

I walked upstairs, looked out the kitchen window and dh drove up, right after I hit submit. He said the graveside service lasted 15 minutes, then he talked to a few people and hit the road. He had no weather issues.

Dm called at 4:40. When she it the big city, it was raining and then turned to sleet. She tried to take a shortcut to their house and got turned around. 20 miles later, she was at their house. Dcousin, opened the door and said you are spending the night, right?

Better go and heat up delicious leftovers for supper...............

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone! My Hanukkah has been happy because I am at payroll and have gotten the database mods and reports completed for my demo tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow morning, I will have to deploy them to production, but I can get that done in time. (Famous last words). I overslept and had to drive here in the snow. It has not stopped snowing yet. Having the car means I *may* be able to join my church group for caroling, assuming the snow does not cause too much backup.

Took a break because I heard people talking in the hall that I NEEDED to talk to before leaving. I will not be able to deploy to production and will have to do the demo from development. Ok by me, lessens the chance of getting in a hurry tomorrow morning and pulling a bone-headed blunder.

Last night, Elizabeth's Own Ceiling Repair Company started work on the sewing room and I do NOT recommend them. The patch does not look very good. However, it looks better than a hole, and it is a multi-day process. (Guess what is on my high priority list tonight). DD12 and I went to a fast food place instead of the usual last night because she wanted to shop for her cousins. One more OFF the list. I now know what I am getting for two others (had to wait for word from their mom to see if it was something they'd like). While we ate, I gave DD some details about my brother in the hospital. (For the whole saga, see Joys and Concerns, page 7 I think). After she left, I finally remembered to return library books and go to the grocery store. I still have not put up my Christmas tree, but did put a Christmas tablecloth out on one of the kitchen tables.

Got a message from my mortgage company - they want a letter of explanation for two $18 checks written on the same day. Very odd. I guess they wanted to make sure it was accurate and not identity theft, but I would think $18 would be below their radar. They accepted an email of explanation instead.

Tonight's plan: caroling with church if I get there in time, return cell phone headset (hopefully they won't get robbed a THIRD time), two different stores for gifts, more ceiling work, wrap some gifts, Quicken update, sweep up the cereal I spilled in DD's room.

lucylee: I can, in theory, get email on my phone. However, that would cost even more than allowing texts. Just connecting to the internet seems to incur a charge. Yes, I have an archaic calling plan, but it's cheap, and that was what I needed while unemployed.

Gotta run!

[Harmony]

Lilac, I hope all of your family stays safe on the roads.
FFriend, great that you've reconnected with your db.

I've had this nagging thought that I don't have enough to give DH but something is wrong about that..... and finally remembered the pkg. I'd tucked away a couple weeks ago. I've managed to get all the gifts I have wrapped and it's quite a stack. I have 2 more gift ideas for 2 people and I've ordered 1 online (crossing fingers it's here on time). So, more shopping to do.

One arrived in the mail today...and it is wonderful. It was something used but I paid a couple $ extra for the one they said was like new condition...and it surely is, I am very pleased.

Talked with one wife of a subcontractor today about something and she was driving around at the time..."and just where did the big toy store go"...ah they tore it down 6 months ago. I was able to tell her several stores who now have some toys in their store. Mighty inconvenient, I must say, to live in a town with no toy store. I'm sure all the grandmas and grandpas are scrambling this year.

Need to do another batch of dishes. And put away some clothes and make the bed. I have not been warm enough so I'm getting out the down cover. Must clean up the mess on the table again, and in closet where whole stack of empty boxes became an avalanche on my head.

[lucylee]

Hello, everyone!

Busy day for me... looking back at last night's 5x5, this is what I have accomplished:
[x] finish my shopping * all except a little bit more to put in dh's and dgs' stockings
[x] deliver dmom's files to her and help her with whatever I can
[/] do laundry
[ ] wrap gifts
[ ] call bar-b-que restaurant to make sure I get my order in on time for next week * completely forgot about that one
-- but before I left the house, I did
[x] s2s
[x] Bible reading
[x] s/s both bathrooms
[x] stretching exercises
[x] post office
[x] called dmom, who wasn't at home. More on that in J&C.

But I've got some time left before dh gets back home. I should have the laundry and the wrapping done, and I can call the bar-b-que people tomorrow. I still am nervously waiting for 3 gifts to arrive, but otherwise, except for those two stocking stuffers, I'm done. Done.
And I apparently lost my mind in the candy section(s) at various stores. I cannot believe all I bought... and very little for dgs! Most of it is the traditional kind of stuff I always get for us adults... BUT... today... oh my... Hobby Lobby had Gimball's cherry candies in stocking size packages AND cherry creme drops... and Cracker Barrel had cherry mash bars... and the service station had lemon AND orange moon pies... I really went overboard, sugar-wise, AND $$$-wise, for that sort of thing. I got dgs some animal crackers and 3 little books at the dollar store, and I'll get him some twizzlers or tootsie rolls or something else like that.

Spent a little time w/dmom, who was very appreciative of her files being completed.

Now I'm home, everything is separated into ziplock bags for each person's stocking, and I just need to wrap stuff and get the laundry finished.

Brrr... icy roads... (((Lilac))) (((Sadie))) (((Elizabeth))) & your family members who are out in it.
Very happy to hear good news from Sadie's ds, and glad to hear Lilac's household is back to "normal."

Enjoying mild weather here, although it will be down to freezing tonight, I think. I didn't have to wear a coat shopping today though, and that is always a BIG plus, IMHO. I absolutely despise having to wear a big bulky coat into the mall, and then getting too hot in the stores, and having to either sweat or haul the coat around with the packages, so I LOVE it when it's still warm enough to do without while Christmas shopping.

Kathryn, that is too bad about losing that contract, but I'm glad you could find some good perspective on it, too.

Sad too, for blessed's dd... wishing (hoping) there will be some way to work this out for therapy without missing so much school, but it seems to me too, that if she'd have to be absent that long then she'd probably do better to just take a break from school.

Is it cyber-security that helia is talking about? That IS scary. Right now I'm wondering what is going on with a (stupid) social media thing dh has signed up for. It's NOT a stupid thing, but there is no reason for dh to be on it -- L inked In -- probably a lot of you have it. It's fine, so far as I can tell, for people who are still working and want to network with others as a way of getting their name and their resumes out there... but * sheesh * what does dh need with it? The thing is, he APPEARS to have sent a HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to a man at church this morning at 5:00 a.m. Ha Ha. I can assure you, dh was NOT on the computer at 5:00 a.m. sending happy birthdays to anyone, and although he has nothing against this man at church, it's unlikely he would start this newfound social activity with him. But the man has sent back a "thanks" and dh is going to think this just looks silly when he gets home and sees it. Shaking my head...

Waving to Harmony... FF... and EVERYONE ELSE!!!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Lucylee: One thing I dislike about linked-in is that it sends invitations to join to people it finds in your address book. I've received many from people I barely know and thought it was rather 'forward' of them. Turns out they had no idea the service was contacting me under their names.

I'll stick with Facebook under pseudonyms, thank you very much.

Dh's singing went well. I went shopping. The weather is a bit dicey and it is Wednesday night so all the malls were virtually empty. Made parking easy and no line ups at the cash. Yay!

Picked up the turkey for next week and the ground beef. Finally. Could use more ground beef but at least I have the bare minimum. Dh remembered a few items I usually pick up for Boxing Day so we got those as well. Dip, the ingredient for dh's dip, egg roll wraps and specialty cheeses are now in hand.

I bought cute napkins and sectioned red plastic plates (couldn't get regular ones) for Christmas Day dinner. It was W*lm&rt so I can take them back if I find a better deal. I won't do better than I did on the cutlery. It comes in a nice tray and there's more than enough. I'm rather pleased about that. Still looking for cups, will probably by foam ones because they are so much cheaper than plastic. We decided for Christmas dinner that we'd use disposables since there will be 22 of us. The pots and pans will be enough washing up to do!

Dh and I are still really upset about the contract. Not so much the losing of it but the fact that they publicized we had it and are now telling the other companies that there was a discrepancy in our bid. Not true. The money section is under a heading called Hourly Rate. The references are all to our rate sheet. They did not read the bid correctly or follow the links to the rate sheet and are now blaming us.

Sure we were surprised we got the work (dh has only done a few hours of work in Canada because no-one here thinks he's worth what he charges.) But it wasn't 'too good to be true' for us to think that we legitimately got the job, other countries are paying that rate and there is no other person in the whole world better qualified to do the work. Period. We thought the stars were finally aligning and dh would be able to leave a legacy for our country as he has for other countries around the world. Oops, our bad.

We will escalate the way we've been treated. We want an apology and the other bidders to know that the government procurement office mis-read the bid, not that we did any untoward.

It makes me want to start to avoid paying taxes. After all, if the idiots that are in charge of government spending don't have basic reading comprehension, then I don't want to put any money in their hands to mis-spend.

[Harriet]

Lilac, I'm glad to hear your dh is home safe and sound. Hope your dmother either stays with her brother or feels very confident on her way.

Emptynester, so happy for your feet!

Twins', that made me feel so smart, that you thought my monogram idea made sense.

Cathy, I hope you and Wayne have a fun trip.

Ha! blessed annoying. Yeah, right. Encouraged for ddyounger.

Dee, you were missed!

Kathryn, that is frustrating. Carelessness for sure. Yes, a quick clarification is in order.

Sadie, although I have absolutely no plan yet , I would love to be one of your watching-weight buddies.

I dreamed last night that lucylee had found a way to use bullet-ing in posts and was enjoying it, bullet-ing everything. But the bullets were huge and colorful - orange mostly, I think - at least an inch and a half across, in crazy designs including a half-moon. I was worrying about how to tell her we probably didn't have the bandwidth for that! Became convinced it would just break her heart not to have those orange bullets! Was glad to awaken and realize that lucylee is not posting orange outhouse door decor.

we are having a nice Christmas. DH seems happier than I've seen him in a while.

How nice, Harmony.

Hmmm... .... is my dh happy... ... I think he is both pleased with somewhat better health and health habits (such as pricking his finger every morning and seeing good numbers), and at the same time dismayed that this kidney stone situation continues. He does hurt a lot, poor thing. I know he dreads the long car drive on Sat to my first-in-laws. Long drives bother him. He's grateful the tooth thing will be over soon, but dismayed it cost a FORTUNE. We have dental ins but doubt it will be very impressive.

I wrapped 10 more presents. Eventually I was achy and sat down to wrap as much as I could.

I ironed the two baby dresses I am giving this year. Yes. I ironed. There is not much I will iron, but these ... ... worth it. Dnephew's baby girl will get a floral that is not just gored but truly gusseted, with 10 gussets sewn into the wholecloth of the skirt. Each triangular gusset has 2 darts, so the effect is like an upside-down two-tone flower blossom with a lot of movement in the skirt. (Can you see the trick to ironing this, though? Whew. ) Ds and ddil will get a vintage (ebay - Australia) batiste smocked baby dress with tiny pockets that is so delicate and sweet it's like cotton candy in mint green. Effortless to iron.

Also bought 3 dresses. (smile - Barbie size) Those I had mentioned here before from Etsy.com that have the nice cuffed short sleeves, very modest. If they are as nice as I think when they arrive, I may recommend the lady here. It is so hard to find well-made, modest Barbie clothes. I glanced at stores and I think they are even cheaper and gaudier than ever. When I bought the Barbie for dd34 to give, I chose one with a coat!