You're a mean one, Mr Grinch!

So much for being ahead and enjoying the whole month of December.  Mammy has been sick for more than a week, putting me way behind in the Christmas cheer department.  I have made three trips to the doctor's office (which was beautifully decorated for the holidays if that counts for anything.  I probably paid for most of those gorgeous garlands and wreaths by myself this week!) and have been prescribed, injected,hydrated and vaporized until I can't even keep up with my meds schedule anymore.  I hate to be sick--and being sick at this time of year is even worse.  Unfortunately, the mountain cedar that looks so beautiful on our mantles with it's little blue berries also raises my allergy levels to heights unknown.  I refuse to even put its fake plastic counterpart in my home. I am missing church services this morning due to these terrible coughing spasms that make me sound like a lifelong smoker (Who would want to sit by me?) and if I get to feeling better as the day progresses, I intend to try to decorate the tree.  I put it up last night but ran out of steam before the lights were even on.  So right now I have a six foot tree sitting in the middle of the living room sans ornaments or so much as a candy cane. Such is life at James House.

I worked on the Martha tree earlier this week before I reached Stage IV and I plan to put the finishing touches on it in the next couple of days--just in time for her family gathering on Saturday.  I promise there will be pictures.  It is turning out pretty cute if I do say so myself.

I've also mailed the homemade ornaments and yes, there will be photos of those as well.

The ingredients for the spiced tea mix (a Christmas must have) and boxes of Chex cereal for party mix sit expectantly on the kitchen counter (right in the way, according to my husband who obviously does not yet have the Christmas spirit.  Wonder why...).  I had a delicious piece of apricot nut bread that a friend made last week and hope to get the recipe in time to share it with y'all.  And then of course, there's candy to make.....

Christmas gifts that were ordered online are arriving every day and I am giving thought to my letter to Santa. Maybe next week will be better.  In the meantime, you won't be wasting a prayer on me.  Hope all is well with you too.

Love you.

Mam

Cleaning Day

Lacey and I whipped this house into shape today.  She tackled the cabinets and I took on the bathroom.  Tonight the laundry is done and we are sleeping on fresh sheets.  Love it.

I also worked on the Christmas projects this afternoon.  I promise I can share photos in about a week.  We also shopped for hoodies at Aeropostle.com.  At 60% off sitewide, we spent some serious dough.  It's the only online purchase I've made this weekend which is unusual.  For the past two years, 90% of my Christmas shopping has been done online.  Am I seriously considering going to the mall?

I am still working on the Aunt Martha Christmas tree.  Framed a few things today and expect to get the tree decorated before week's end.  It's going to be uniquely her's to say the least.

'Nuf said.  We're having steak fajitas for supper and I need to head to the kitchen.  So far, my Christmas blog has been really boring but it will get better.  I've got lots to tell.  Catch you tomorrow.

Black Friday?

Did you shop today?  I got up early and checked the computer for deals but since my grandkids are cowboys I didn't find a lot of loot.  National Roper Supply offered free shipping but that's about the extent of my "doorbuster" findings.  I decided to spend the day in my kitchen cooking a pot of beans and making gifts instead of fighting the crowd.  I made a lot of headway and would love to show you what I made--but if I include photos with this post no one will be surprised!  Just trust me when I say I'm making some cute stuff!  I love to receive homemade gifts and used to enjoy giving things I'd made until the post office stole my life.  This year, I'm having fun deciding who gets what.

I hope you had a great day yesterday.  We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner thanks to my daughter-in-law who insisted on it.  My guys don't care for dressing so I tend to cook steaks on the grill or fry catfish for Thanksgiving.  Dan usually eats with his mother-in-law who does a traditional meal at noontime so he's always happy to come to our house for a Thanksgiving dinner that doesn't include giblet gravy.  So yesterday we had our traditional Thanksgiving Day roping followed by hen and dressing and all the fixings.  It was fun but we won't repeat that menu for Christmas.  Christmas is usually a Mexican feast followed by the opening of gifts.

Not a lot to tell about today.  Tomorrow Lacey and I are going to clean house and start getting ready to put our tree up next weekend.  I hate the idea of decorating a dirty house so I'll be armed with PineSol and Dawn all day tomorrow.  At least I won't have to cook.  We have TONS of leftovers.....

Thankful

The house is empty.  Kids have gone home or out to visit.  Ronnie is feeding horses.  So quiet here at my desk.  Food has been stored in refrigerator. Dishwasher is humming.  I never want to see dressing again.  At least not until tomorrow.  Maybe by then I'll be able to swallow another slice of that pie Lori sent too....

So much to be thankful for.  This day was filled with many memories.  New memories were made as well.  All is right with the world tonight.....

Hope your day was sweet.

Thanksgiving Eve....

Hello from your long-lost Mammy!  I've really not been lost--just retired!  My life changed on July 31st when I walked away from my job at the post office and waltzed into early retirement.  Now I'm really busy!
I spent most of August canning green beans, peas, tomatoes and other goodies from my garden.  We'll be enjoying the fruits of my labor tomorrow when we sit down to a Thanksgiving feast fit for a king (or queen!). I have been chopping and dicing all day in hope that when the blessing is said over dinner tomorrow I will not be too tired to eat.  I am tired tonight but it's good to know that tomorrow will be easier because of the work I did today.

I've decided to get serious about my blog during the holidays.  I want to share this first Christmas outside the post office with all of you so I am planning to blog almost daily.  I am already making ornaments and going through recipes....and I haven't purchased a single gift!  Usually my Christmas shopping is finished before Thanksgiving because it's impossible to accomplish after that.  The post office is just too busy in December to allow time for anything but work.  It's been years since I've been able to really enjoy the holidays and I intend to love every minute of this one!

Cousins, I'd love to offer you an opportunity to be a guest blogger next month.  If you'd like to share a favorite Christmas memory, a recipe, photos or just wish everyone a Merry Christmas, let me know and we'll plan a post.  Maybe Aunt Martha will even write a note or two....

I hope your Thanksgiving is a happy one and that you take time tomorrow to give thanks for all your blessings.

Love you all!

Mammy

Routine day.....

I went to the cardiologist this week for a routine visit.  She said I am too fat, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels are too high and I've got to start exercising.  So I came home and started eating salad and drinking water (LOTS of water) and walking.  Today I am hungry, craving a Coke and tired.  Getting healthy may kill me.
I had planned to do this anyway but thought I would start August 1 after I retire.  Dr Samaan said she thought the better idea would be to start on the drive home.  What a spoilsport.

Fortunately there are lots of fresh veggies in the garden.  Unfortunately, they will now be grilled or boiled rather than fried in cornmeal and butter. 

Even with the scolding from the doctor, I continue to smile. Counting down the 48 days until retirement makes me giggle.  Let the games begin.... 

Retire: re-tahy-uhr

To withdraw, or go away or apart, to a place of privacy, shelter or seclusion; to withdraw from office, business or active life, usually because of age; to fall back or retreat in an orderly fashion and according to plan.

That's Webster's definition of what I plan to do on July 31st.  Yes, Mammy is retiring from the post office on that date and going home to do what I love to do.  I seriously doubt it will be done in an orderly fashion or according to {any sort of }plan (why change now?) but I am looking forward to it more every day.  It is time.  For years I've been told that I'll know "when the time has come."  And once again, the oldtimers are right.  When the Postal Service announced their plan to offer all postmasters the opportunity to retire, I jumped on it.  I have filled out and submitted two books full of forms (Who knew retiring was so difficult?) and I still have a retirement counseling session to sit through but for the most part, I am just counting the days (54 from today) when I turn my keys in and count my drawer for the last time.  After twenty-eight years of rising early to stuff mail in boxes and sell stamps, I'll go home to bake pies and play with grandkids and watch movies on the Western Channel with Poppa.  Life is good.

For sure, there are other things on my agenda .  I guess we all have a bucket list but mine is pretty simple.  I have always been a wife and mom at heart and I look forward to enjoying a clean home and an uncluttered schedule.  I'll share more as the day gets closer but for the most part I just wanted to let you in on my good news and invite you over for a glass of sweet tea and a tea cake or two sometime in August.  I imagine you'll find me barefoot in the backyard when you come calling.....