i've been sitting here working

on a to-do list as well as making some changes on the Grandmothers' Recipe blog.  I noticed the background I'd applied way back wasn't really working so great anymore.  I went with one Blogger offered and made a few color and font changes.  Done.  Next I should probably work on adding pictures and making the ones I have better.

As for the to-do list, I'm just trying to figure out what all else I need to get and when I'm going to get it.  I have more presents to get. I also have food I need to go get.  Oh, but in order to get all the food, I need a list of what all I plan on making.  This is SO my thing.

Those fuel points I didn't get from Kroger?  They emailed me back saying they needed a few bits of info from my receipt.  That was the 18th and I replied immediately.  I still haven't heard back so I'm calling today.  I have more gift cards to buy and I'm not playing around.

The dogs are sitting in their cage by the bar right now.  Why?  Because they're weird.  I let them out earlier and after breakfast and bathroom, they wanted back in.  Whatever.  It's not hurting anything.

Okay.  I feel a little motivation starting to kick in.  I need to take advantage of it.  I also need to see if I'm expecting any deliveries today.  Oh yeah, all that wrapping I wanted to do?  I got to do it and I cut my finger in the process.  It's all back to Even Steven.

i wanted sweetness yesterday

and I'd had pralines on the brain a week or so back so I made pralines.

I doubled the batch.  For some reason I thought the 15-20 the original recipe made for wouldn't be enough for the two of us.  I scooped them out onto parchment paper to cool and then scraped the pot with a spoon for the dried up residue left behind.  Then I found out that scraping the pot after pralines has a lot more impact than licking the bowl and spoon after mixing a cake.  I didn't feel so good.  I think I might've had too much sugar.  Later on we had ice cream with praline crumbled on top.  I never thought that Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla wouldn't be very sweet.  It's like the sugar overdose fried my tastebuds.  That wasn't very enjoyable, not being able to taste the ice cream, but I ate it anyway.  I should probably have ice cream by itself tonight, just so I can appreciate the taste of Blue Bell.  I should also stock up on more Ginger Ale if I plan on licking a praline pot again.

last Tuesday it hit me that

Christmas was only two weeks away.  That was a week ago.  Christmas is one week away.
ONE WEEK.

I did get things ordered and now I'm working on the rest of my list.  There are a few gifts that have me stumped but I think it'll all be things I can buy locally and not have to order.  I wish I had everything here because I'm in the mood to wrap presents.  At least I'll have one arriving today.  I think the other things arriving today are stocking stuffers.

For now though, I'm a little irked.  I had a plan.  I needed some things from Amazon.  I went to Kroger to buy Amazon gift cards so I could get double fuel points.  I came home to order the things from Amazon through Ebates so I could get cash back on certain purchases.  I was just about to throw my Kroger receipt away but first I wanted to make sure I got double fuel points.  I didn't get ANY fuel points, not one.  I looked up my card's account and that purchase doesn't even show up.  Thinking back, I don't even remember if he asked for my Kroger card so I could get any points.  There was an issue with one of the cards so I had to go back and get another.  I'm wondering if that caused a distraction.  Anyway, I emailed Kroger this morning.  If I don't hear anything back, I'll head down to the store with my receipt and used gift cards.  Seriously, that was over 600 fuel points.  Heck, that was 1200 fuel points.  That's $1 off a gallon with fuel points leftover to go towards another fill up.  I for sure want my fuel points.

Okay, I'm creating scenarios in my head now.  Time to sip on this Coke and simmer down.  Perhaps a blueberry muffin will help.  I have two packets of mix that need to be baked.  I should probably make those.

I should probably get busy on other things too because ONE WEEK.

i've talked about the different

personalities of our dogs lots of times.  Maggie is the leader and she's stubborn.  Archer is the helper and possible voice of reason.  (At least that's what I'll assume is happening when she's up to no good and he's standing back while barking at her.  Or, when they busted out the fence and Maggie stuck around to visit with the police while Archer bolted and ran back into the yard.)  When we go outside, Maggie enjoys our company unless she's doing her own thing.  Archer, on the other hand, will drop what he's doing to see if we need his help.  Sometimes Maggie won't even pay attention to us in the backyard while Archer is more like our shadow.

We've been having to lock them up because of the fence.  I found somebody on Varage Sale to come replace pickets.  They came on Saturday and for now, our fence doesn't have any gaps in it. (Knock on wood.)  He put the old pickets with the fence sections we already have collecting out there.  We let the dogs out when he was finished.  I looked out the window a little bit after that and Maggie was snooping around the old pickets.  Then she decided she wanted one.

Maggie picked out the one she wanted and then started to haul it to different spot to chill.  Archer was by her side watching.  I can't tell in the picture if he was joining in and got hit in the face or if he decided to put his mouth on it to help.  Based on his legs, it looks like he was trying to catch up and is getting hit in the face.

She got it where she wants it and now it's probably in a million shreds.  So while Archer is a great helper, Maggie really is a hard worker... as long as it's something she wants to do.  I wonder if she'd want to haul the wood to the street for trash pickup.

the new episodes of

Vikings started back up on The History Channel on November 28.  We were excited.  While at my doctor appointment on the 28th I kept reminding myself that as much as I didn't want to be there, at least I had Vikings to look forward to.  When the time came, we didn't get around to watching.  No biggie but then it hit me that we'd never watched directly from tv, it was always Amazon Prime.  That meant I didn't have a dvr set.  That meant the November 28th premier wasn't recorded.  I set the dvr and saw that while we'd catch every other episode, the first one for the second half of season 5 wouldn't air again.  Great.  We were stuck.  We couldn't continue without season 5, episode 11.  That went on for a couple of weeks while I accepted the fact that we would have to catch up online later.

A couple of days ago I checked the History Channel app on my iPad just to see if that episode might be up even though I knew it wasn't on Amazon.  There it was.  I told Cosme.  He wasn't thrilled about watching it on an iPad but I reminded him of our Amazon Fire Stick and there you go.

Last night we caught up on the Fire Stick via The History Channel app.

We were not disappointed.  I need more ASAP.  Cosme woke up this morning still analyzing with predictions about that final scene.  I can't wait for next Wednesday.

I really should've started

Christmas shopping months ago.  Like, January.  This is hard work.  I've got my lists going and I'm thinking hard.  I have ideas for most of it.  You know who's hard to shop for?  Mom.  She's picky and if it's something she really wants, she probably already bought it for herself.  More than anything though, she's picky.  She's a lot like Papaw.  The only difference is, Mom will admit it.  I've got a couple of ideas but it's still hard.  Kind of like I go into most things over thinking, I do the same for Christmas.  I think I try to put too much thought into gift buying.  This year though, I've purchased a few things not because it's something that someone has asked for or needs, but I've bought a few things because THIS reminds me of that person and I think they need it.  You know what?  That makes gift buying SO much easier.  So just a heads up, there's a chance Christmas gifts might not be exactly what were wanted but it's what I felt like buying.

There are a few boxes under the tree from Chesney's.  Eric knows it's china.  Does he want china?  No.  Is he getting china?  Yes.  It was place settings left over from what we ordered plus a few pieces from a broken up place setting (that she sold to me at cost).  I'll confess though, he will be getting something else and the china is really just a wedding present wrapped in Christmas paper to look good under the tree.  I did threaten him though that if he didn't watch it, that would be his only Christmas gift.

A few of Lauren's presents are things I thought she could use.  Did she ask for them?  No.  I saw them and decided I thought she could use them.  They're wrapped under the tree.

I messaged somebody last night about coming to replace some fence pickets.  I sure hope they'll do it. I'm not willing to get back there and the price was reasonable.  We just need a fix so the dogs can run around without me worrying about them busting through to the highway.  I know the fence really needs to be replaced but pump those brakes.  One thing at a time.

Okay, let's get back to shopping.  Gift card, anyone?

i think i did too

much yesterday.  I was worn out last night.  I took two Tylenol and fell asleep pretty early.  Or, is that how every day is supposed to end?

Remember the time I called someone to come fix what was bound to be faulty wiring and it ended up I just needed new light bulbs?  I'm sitting under one of those fixtures now.  I left the bulb in that he put in until I make it to Lowe's to get more.  I think the wattage on this one is sun.  It's SO bright, TOO bright.  I probably won't make it over to Lake Jackson today so I guess I'll just sit here and work on my tan.

It was brought to my attention yesterday that Christmas is two weeks away, yesterday.  I didn't realize that.  I mean I knew we were in December and Christmas was definitely close but two weeks away just wasn't registering.  Half the presents wrapped under the tree aren't even from us.  I need to get busy busier.  I've been working on lists but wow, I've got some shopping to do.

I am five weeks post hysterectomy today.  My doctor called yesterday to let me know the official lab results from the fibroids came back and while they did look weird, they were fine and just degenerating like she thought.  (That doesn't mean they were going away, it just means their blood supply was cut off and they were dying and changing consistency.)  So now I have one less thing to worry about.  Well, I wasn't worried about the fibroids but now I can claim to have one less thing to worry about, focusing all my extra energy on shopping.

Amazon, here I come.

so far everything's going

okay.  This is the tree as of this morning.  All the lights I added last week are still on.  There are still a couple of sections where lights are out but it's not worth the trouble to get them on.  I'll deal with it.

A few years ago, not long after we switched to a 9' tree, Mom told me I needed a bigger tree topper.  You might can see it in the tree post from last week... maybe not though.  When I put the tree up this year, Eric told me I need a star and not a finial.  While Paige and I were out shopping one day, I found a sparkly red star.  I bought it.  It's not positioned perfectly but that's something I'll have to work on another time, maybe.

You know, I'm not into shine and sparkle but when it's about Christmas, my tune changes.  I need it.  Speaking of tunes, I need to start some Christmas music.  I had Alexa playing some the other day but she didn't quite get it at first.  I asked for her to play Christmas music by Elvis.  She started with King Creole and ended up playing it three times with other non-Christmas music.

I woke up on Saturday with tons of motivation to TCB.  I made breakfast for us and then I started cleaning.  It felt good.  I took a few breaks in between chores but I got a lot done and I felt like I'd accomplished quite a bit.  I'm hoping for a repeat today so I can get to a few things I missed over the weekend.  Only a few more weeks until I'm released.  This Wednesday will be 5 weeks since surgery.  Next week should technically be the date of my 6-week followup but the holidays messed that up for me.  Anyway, I can't wait to be back to normal.  I know I haven't mentioned that yet.

I'm hungry.  I need breakfast.  I need to start a roast in the crockpot.  I also need to get started on everything else.

i went to dollar tree

yesterday and got some little ornaments to add to the new trees by the door.

They're cheap and plastic.  The tree can fall over and if the ornaments were to break, it's no great loss.   Same thing goes for if the weather starts to ruin them.  I can just buy more later. While I am working on sprucing up the trees, the cords are still just like "BOOM, here we are".  I guess it might help if one weren't striped like a candy cane.  But I guess it does kind of match the rug.

Sheesh.  I REALLY need to clean the door.  I'm sure repainting is due but man, give me a break.  I'm hoping it just looks worse in the picture... but I doubt it.  It does look pretty rough in person too.  Let's face it.  We need a new door.  I hope I can get through the day with the will power to not drag out the pressure washer.  I really don't see what it would hurt though.  Maybe.

I also added some red mesh I had in the garage.  I just stuffed it in the base.  Does it help?  Should I take it out?

The wreath has so much red and no gold so I figured I could fill the empty base with it.  Here it is when I step back.

Does it need more?  Did I do it right?  I just don't know.  I think I might have an idea about the cord situation though.  I'll look into it today.  You know what?  The more I look at the garland, the more I think I need red ribbon with gold instead of gold ribbon with red.  I'll have to start a list of things to buy at the end of the season for next year.

I'm tired.  I dozed off last night watching tv and when I woke up, I felt so well rested.  Wonderful.  I ended up going back to sleep at 2:45.  Today I might take advantage of recovery mode.  Rest sounds good right now but I'll give it some time.  I've got plenty I'd like to do first.  Being this tired might be the only thing stopping me from pulling out the pressure washer.

One thing I need before anything?  Breakfast.  One thing I'm not in the mood for?  Breakfast.  I think I'll make some chicken nuggets and fries instead.  Ugh.  I'm tired.  I won't let it stop me right now though.  I've got to stick to getting back into my routine.  I've got to get started early to keep me motivated.

Okay, I'm doing this.  (yawn)

ups delivered my

package last night.

I got two of these.

I was hurrying to get them set up in the dark and they still need work.

They need a little more fluffing.  I'm also not happy with all the cords showing.  I don't know though.  I mean it's not like anybody will be surprised to see that all the lights are plugged in since they are on.  (It might look magical but that's where the magic ends.)  I also think there needs to be something in the pot as a filler.  It looks so stark.  I'm also wondering if the trees need red bulbs to tie in all the red on the wreath.

Oh, how I'd love to clean the porch.  One day soon I'll be cleared to sweep but until then, I notice everything that needs sweeping and it's driving me nuts.

Speaking of recovery, while I'm still taking it easy, I'm managing to work on my routine.  (This blog, for starters)  I've been doing more and it's an awesome feeling.  When I woke up this morning I thought about what all I can get done today.  It hit me that one day soon, probably not long after being released, I'll think back to being in bed with limited activities and miss it.  Oh, I did add more lights to the tree yesterday.  It wasn't fun but once I finished, I stepped back to look and was glad I did it.  I'll get a picture of it today and hope I don't jinx anything, causing more lights to go out.

Time to make the bed.

TCB and loving it.

and just when it seems

like things aren't going my way, I'm back to Even Steven.  I was bummed about the lights yesterday but plugged in a new strand and they worked.  I decided to make the best of it and just add more lights.  Yes, I'll need to take down ornaments but seeing those bright lights kind of pumped me up.

I needed to go to Kroger to pick up my Clicklist order so I thought I'd stop at Walmart for more lights.  I also needed to get something to plug in two more things on the front porch.  I'll post a pic when they come in (Wednesday?) and are set up.  So I picked up my Kroger order and stopped at the gas pump.  I didn't have a credit card on me.  I called Cosme and he still had my card from when we went to eat after church on Saturday.  No problem.  I decided to fill up later.  I did see about $20 in my purse so I figured I had enough to get some lights and a plug.  I headed to Walmart and after I picked up the things I needed, while making sure I didn't go over $20, I headed to the food section to grab some hamburger meat.  I'd already decided to make meatballs for dinner and even though I had ground beef out to thaw, I figured a fresh package would be easier and I could get a head start.  I picked up a few more grocery items before making it to the beef and decided I didn't want to cut it close with my cash so I left it at that.  The ground beef I had would have to thaw in time.

I left Walmart after spending $13 and went home.  I started to bring in the bags of groceries, leaving the heavy stuff for Cosme to get later.  I saw my bag of chicken breasts and noticed another bag with cold stuff.  What?  I didn't order anything cold other than chicken.  I investigated.

It was two packages of ground beef.

Huh...  I figured I messed up and accidentally ordered it.  I checked my receipt and didn't see it.  I called Kroger because that's a lot of meat and I didn't want it to be a test where I am pointed out every time I go to the store as that dishonest lady who thought she was being sly and getting away with something.  Also, somebody else wasn't going to be happy when they got home and didn't have all their meat.  Kroger thanked me for letting them know so they could replace it in the other order and told me to keep it.  So, now I have fresh ground beef.  I also decided since the weather was so pretty, I'd grill burgers instead of making meatballs inside.  Then I realized I probably couldn't pour charcoal on the grill and might not should be lifting the lid.  I made burgers inside and that was fine.

So yeah, Even Steven had me not feeling totally bummed about the lights on the tree.  And today I will start on the lights.  I wasn't looking forward to it when I woke up but then something the doctor told me hit.  If I'm going to do something like that, I have to plan on it taking a little longer with breaks and resting periodically.  I'm going to try it.  I don't have anything else that has to be done today.  My goal is to fix the tree... and make meatballs.

before surgery I made sure to get

the Christmas tree up and decorated.  I did.  A few sections of lights didn't work so I added more.  I have a whole section out now.  I'm furious.  I'm mad because I can't add more lights without undecorating a large section of the tree and so far, I haven't found an easy fix.  Let me clarify this.  I'm not furious about having to take everything down, that irritates me.  I'm angry because now I'm on the mend and I shouldn't be doing that.  I went to the trouble of getting it up and going before surgery and now it wants to crap out on me.  That's why I'm angry.

One of the pre-lit strands has a few bulbs out on it but I think the main problem is the fused bulb, according to YouTube.  The base on that is longer so my regular replacement bulbs won't reach.  I also learned on YouTube that a lot of the newer trees make it so you can't replace just the bulb.  I tried swapping out a bulb from a new strand into the fused base but that old bulb isn't going anywhere.  I just had an idea though.  I think I'll swap a few of the fused bulbs around to see if anything changes.  Maybe that's not even the problem.  Wait.  You know what the problem is?  A pre-lit tree.  This is my last one.  As much as I hate stringing lights on a tree, I hate this predicament even more.

I'm about to need a Coke.

I did accomplish something yesterday.  I made breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  That was a first in a while.  I also cleaned the kitchen, did a little laundry and made the bed.  I had a sore incision last night but took ibuprofen and went to bed.  My goal for the week is to make all/most of our meals.  Wish me luck.  I'll start with breakfast.  I'll eat my breakfast and try to focus on all the things I can do as opposed to the things I can't.  Oh, and isn't it funny how my brain picks now to decide I need to pressure wash the front porch?  Typical.

Ugh.  I'm going to go take out my frustration on breakfast.  A little emotional eating never hurt anyone, right?