Merry Christmas

 

TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very Merry Christmas.  

I hope your day was filled with good food, family, friends and good times.  

Christmas Memories

 I just finished making a batch of Chex Mix this afternoon, and the first thing that came to my mind was my great-aunt Sybil.  She was married to my grandpa's brother Paul.  But I digress.  Way way back in the day, we visited them in Rineyville during Christmas, and that was the first time I ever had Chex Mix.  She had a huge batch of it in the old school Tupperware cake coverer and plate.  I was blown away.  It sure is a great Christmas memory. 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

 I didn't do my usual Saturday morning grocery shopping trip because I wanted to get some fresh peel-and-eat shrimp for our traditional Christmas Eve snack supper, so I went this morning.  I can't imagine it would be any busier tomorrow on Christmas Eve. I needed a drink when I got home to steady my nerves.

One thing stood out to me - I saw at least half a dozen shoppers with an aluminum roasting pan in their carts.  They could have gone to Family Dollar less than a block away from Kroger and bought one for $1.25 instead of paying over $5 at Kroger.  I know this because I bought one at Family Dollar yesterday to use to make my Chex Mix. Maybe they'll learn. 

The Mojo Is Off

 Since Neighbor Nick's trees were trimmed down to the trunk, the Old Man and I have noticed that the squirrels and birds have been acting a bit crazy - they have had to find new homes.  It's more noticeable in the squirrels - they used to run on the top of the fence and then jump over to a tree, but now they can't.  Oh well.  That's progress. 

This Day Will Go Down In Infimy

 Today is a very important day for me - it definitely is a monumental day in my life:  I signed up for Social Security.  I will get my first "old age pension" payment in February.  

Someone tried (key word) to talk me out of applying now and wait till I was 67 to get a bigger payment.  I told them thanks for their concern, but I want to start drawing now.  The main reason is the talk about Social Security going broke in 2030.  

I'm happy.  And if it wasn't 9:30 in the morning, I'd have a glass of champagne to celebrate. 

News From The Compound Update

 We thought that Neighbor Nick was going to have both of the gigantic trees cut down to the ground, but instead he changed his mind and they cut off every limb and branch, and cut off some of the tops of the trees.  It's totally fine with me and the Old Man - at least now we won't have to worry about limbs and branches falling on our house.  

News From The Compound

 It took a minute, but the tree cutters are here today taking down the two gigantic trees in Neighbor Nick's yard.  They were there at 8:00 this morning, and have been working non-stop.  As of now, tree #1 is all branch-less, and they are sawing now to take the tree down.  They said they'd be done with both trees today.  

Stay tuned. 

We'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You

 My Favorite Cousin and her Dear Husband had planned their Christmas visit this week.  But both of them have nasty colds so they aren't coming down.  She said this is the first Christmas trip they've missed since they moved to Indiana in 2015.  

We really enjoy their visits - we pack in a lot of partying into three days.  I guess it will be up to me and the Old Man to eat the big batch of Chex Mix that I made. 

A Bright, Sun-shiny Day

 After all of the rain yesterday, today is as pretty and sunny as you'd want it to be.  But more heavy rain and thunderstorms are headed in starting tonight and going through tomorrow.  I am still hoping the weatherazzi is right that Thursday will be a non-rainy day so the tree cutters can come and get their job done.

Stay tuned. 

Here Comes The Rain Again

 It started raining last night, and as I type this it is pouring.  The weatherazzi is calling for rain every day for the week, with the exception of Thursday.  

It rained a couple of days last week, which caused the tree cutters to cancel on Neighbor Nick. The rescheduled for today, but once again had to reschedule until Thursday.  The two trees they are going to cut down are between his house and ours and both of them are half dead.  Whenever we have some wind, small branches are scattered all over our driveway and our front yard.  A year ago, one pretty good sized limb fell over our driveway and took down the phone line, so it is beyond time for them to go.

Stay tuned. 

Flashback Friday

 

In elementary school, the PTA room mothers would have a Christmas party in each classroom after lunch.  We would have cupcakes and cookies, and each of the kids would get a stocking just like in this picture.  We would also get either a pencil or pen that looked like a candy cane.  

It's sad that now, they don't call it a Christmas Party - it's usually called something else, like "Winter Festival".  And the room mothers dare not bring home baked treats - they all have to be store bought.  

Try Again, Weatherazzi

 We didn't get the 2-3 hour long snow squalls that the weatherazzi was calling for.  I was comfy in my LazyBoy chair and was keeping a vigil watch out the back porch doors, but didn't see a flake.  

Snow Update

 The weatherazzi were a bit right - when I left this morning to go to my Bible study class, you could see a slight dusting of snow on the back porch ramp and on the garbage can lid.  The farther east I drove, you could see that they had a little bit more.

Now, they are calling for "snow squalls" this afternoon.  As I type this, the sun is shining and there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Stay tuned. 

Snow Alert

The Weatherazzi is getting worked up over two "waves" of snow tomorrow - one in the morning and another in the afternoon.  As of now they are just calling for a "dusting" but here in the Ohio Valley, that can mean anything from an actual dusting to a foot.

Stay tuned. 

Dodged A Bullet

 We dodged a bullet today here at The Compound.  Background, first.  Tree cutters are coming tomorrow morning to cut down two gigantic trees in Neighbor Nick's side yard.  I had already thought to move the Silver Bullet to his driveway tonight, since they will have the big crane set up in our driveway.  So this morning, I was sleeping good, and slept in a bit, when I heard the Old Man say "get up and see what's going on.  They got the road in front closed off, and lot of trucks." So I quickly put in my contact lens and threw on clothes to go out and move the Silver Bullet, thinking the tree cutters were there a day early.  But it was "just" the water company, replacing water lines to a home that was four houses up the road from us.  The two houses on either side of that house had their water cut off, but thankfully we weren't affected. 

I ran up to the post office to get stamps and get the fixings for a batch of Chex Mix, and when I got home, went ahead and parked the Silver Bullet in Neighbor Nick's driveway.

Stay tuned for updates on the two gigantic tree removals tomorrow and Wednesday.  

Christmas Decorating Update

 Our little tree is lit up and decorated.  And we are waiting for some battery-powered lights to put up on the fireplace mantle and hearth, which should be delivered tomorrow.  We needed a little more light in the family room.

Stay tuned. 

Christmas Decorating Update

 All of the Christmas decorations are in place, with the exception of a wreath and greenery out on the side and back porches.  The little live Christmas tree is in place, and I will decorate it tomorrow.  Batteries are in full supply for our light-up decorations, so all is well right now.  

Stay tuned. 

So Much For That

 So much for my dream about winning the daily double at Gulfstream with #5 and #7.  The winners were #1 and #6.  Oh well. 

Dream Update

 The racing has resumed at Gulfstream Park, and I just now made my bet for the late daily double for #5 in the 9th race and #7 in the 10th race.  Wish me luck.

Stay tuned. 

Dream Dream Dream

 I had an interesting dream last night.  I dreamed that I won the late Daily Double at Gulfstream Race Track, and the winning horses were number 5 and number 7.  I don't remember how much I won, but I know it was big.

I checked and Gulfstream isn't racing today or else I would make that bet.  They will race tomorrow, and I will for sure bet.

Stay tuned. 

It's Almost Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I had to take a friend to an eye doctor's appointment this morning, and on my way home I stopped at Home Depot and got a very cool three and a half foot fir tree for us.  I've got it in the garage with water in the stand, and am going to surprise the Old Man tomorrow when we start decorating for Christmas.