Crazy busy...

Since I only have a few of your physical addresses, I decided I'd just post a pic of my Christmas cards to all of you!  

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I must really be feeling my age as lately life is crazy busy. I spent another 2 days with my friend at her place last week. She is having a difficult time, but I think she will eventually get to a good place - it just takes time... and support. 

Coming home I had 3 days of baking Christmas goodies to fill tins and mail out to kids, family, and friends. My plans were to make about 8-10 different cookies, candies, etc. - but time ran out (and so did my energy) and I ended up with about 5 (frosted almond tea cakes, whiskey ball, chocolate nutty bark, peanut butter chocolate chip, and pralines). Didn't get to the Snickerdoodles, Rolo cookies, pretzel caramels, espresso shortbread, or lemon drops - oh well, another time. I will bake several rum cakes sometime this week... and maybe a pecan pie with chocolate chunks and bourbon... (we'll see) for Christmas day.

DH wants a ham for Christmas dinner (I'm not into ham), but that's OK. He and grandson will enjoy it. We're not sure what we're doing for Christmas this year. Daughter and family may or may not be coming in - depending on everyone's work and school schedules. And oldest son and wife just moved to McAllen, Texas. But we'll probably get together with youngest son and his family at some point.

I still haven't completely finished decorating the tree. The ornaments are on it - just need to add the ribbon garland and Mardi Gras beads.  And I can't find the "Merry Christmas!" sign for the front door. I know I've seen it somewhere... just can't remember where.

The 4 kittens (3 black and 1 gray) in the back are enjoying the cat tree lately. They are a cute little group. I think their mama has left them on their own now (they must be about 3 months old... fat and fluffy)! They're also not as spooky as they used to be... coming up to the back door and looking in. If we can get them friendly enough, I'd like to take them to the adoption room at our local shelter.

Here's 2 videos of them playing on the cat tree. It's difficult to see as the videos were taken through the kitchen French doors and the kittens are almost the same color of the cat tree...  and also the window panes are filthy... but it's impossible to keep little paws (kittens coons, possums) off. 

(Remember you can click twice if necessary to get the video and then enlarge it if necessary to full screen)

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And now I'm going to close with a little 'venting'. DH and I just came back from the Post Office to drop off one more cookie package that needed to be mailed to a P.O. Box. (FedEx tells me the USPS frowns on them sending to a P.O. Box - who knew??)

The lady(??) who helped (??) me was a young black woman with 3 inch fingernails...  and apparently the machine that takes your cc and asks you if you're mailing something explosive wasn't working.

She kept telling me to tap it. 

"Tap it where?" I kept asking. It isn't saying anything on the screen.

" Just tap the X or the O."

So I tapped the X... and left it. She said "Tap it again." 

I said, "I already tapped it." She said "that was to whether it was anything dangerous. This is for something else." Screen still blank.

I said, "But the screen isn't saying anything."

She said, "It's broken".  

I said, "But you still want me to tap it."

She said, "Yes!!" and put her 3 inch claws around the plastic divider , pointing to the blank machine. (I wanted to slap her hand away... I knew where the machine was... ) 

"And you want me to insert my cc into this broken machine?"

"Yes!!" she said.

I did, and she gave me a receipt... as I walked away shaking my head.  At one point I almost grabbed my package and said, "NEVER MIND!"

It's amazing how one person can make or break your day... when I got into the car, DH asked me what was wrong. I said, "I really wanted to slap her..." (and that's not me - at least I don't think so)

Going to really close now and hope my little rant wasn't too disturbing. Do hope you all have a pleasant week. Christmas is just around the corner... 

Hugs,

Rian