Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

I wanted to post a few photos and tell you about our visit in Charlotte, but iCloud doesn't seem to be cooperating.

Instead, I'll just wish you a happy Thanksgiving!

What's on our menu---you ask?

Turkey
Greg's stuffing
Barb's dressing
mashed potatoes
gravy
carrot casserole
spinach casserole
sweet potato casserole
corn pudding
homemade cranberry sauce
yeast rolls
pumpkin pie
apple pie

Something for everyone but more than can fit on a plate! Reminds me of our big, Italian family Thanksgivings---just add pasta!

A lot to be thankful for.

Let the Holidays Begin!!

We leave today for Charlotte and Thanksgiving with the Lapps family. We're all so excited!! We have quite a few fun things planned.

Tomorrow we'll do our regular pre-Thanksgiving shopping. We don't do the "black Friday" thing anymore. I have to admit, I did enjoy that "back in the day." 5 a.m. never scared me---I was right there. But not any more. There's really not a thing that I need that badly to fight the crazy crowds. Instead, we'll head out tomorrow and go to Hobby Lobby---I need that wrapping paper---they have the best---very thick, tons on the roll and half price (I know, they mark it up so they can mark it down---that's what everyone's doing these days). We go to Pier 1 and Steinmart. After that, it's wherever anyone else wants to go. I'm not sure how I'll keep up, but I always have my book with me, so I'm good to read while waiting.

I have a special treat planned for lunch---high tea at the Ballantine Hotel. This is to make up for the fact that the special day I had planned for Elizabeth didn't happen when she was here due to my incapacitated state!! We'll make up for it---and it's HIGH tea!! I'm really excited about that.

When we get home, we'll start prepping for Thanksgiving. It goes pretty fast with so many people helping. It's all fun when we're together!!

Stephanie even cooked! Gasp!! Her treats look really good.

I'll get back to you on that!!

On Friday, we'll do a movie and lunch somewhere. Family games are always in the mix. And lots of football for the guys. All fun, all good!

Safe travels to everyone out there!

Now I Remember Why I Don't Like Pinterest

You can get lost there for hours!!!

Basically, Pinterest is a place where you set up electronic bulletin boards for any and every topic under the sun. You get to decide what you name your boards and what you "pin" to them.

It's a conspiracy, I tell you!!! Pinterest sends things to you via email based upon the boards you have set up. Who can resist following a link to some of your favorite things? Before you know it, you've spent a few hours just browsing around.

To make matters worse, they keep you informed about who is "following" you and what they are pinning. In a way, that's sort of fun. First off, I didn't know that guys did Pinterest. Imagine my delight when I was notified that my new "son-in-law-to-be" started following my boards. I can see where he might like my recipe boards---after all, he loves to cook. And he might even enjoy iPhone ideas or travel info. But I seriously doubt he's interested in my "The Royals" board---or anything related to scrapbooking. Still, it's flattering when someone follows you. I've said it before, he's become my #1!!

And then there's Analise---the 11 year old granddaughter of my closest friend. I had to chuckle when she started following me. What in the world would an eleven year old find interesting in an old lady's boards. Surely not books, fonts or bathroom ideas!! Still, I thought it was cute. So cute, that I decided to follow her back!!! I thought she'd get a kick out of that.

What are eleven year olds pinning? Of course, her pins would be all about girly stuff---even if she's not allowed yet---fancy, crazy makeup techniques and "over-the-top" fingernail fashions. What little Analise doesn't know is that---covertly---this allows Connie and I to keep an eye on what she's up to!! Now that sounds like a good idea! Until maybe it's not. I guess if anything untowardly starts popping up, I'll just "unfollow" her! She's a little sweetheart, so I don't expect anything like that to happen. Wait, there might not even be anything untowardly on Pinterest anyway. No worries!

So, back to the hours I just lost this morning. I started checking out a few things. Then I realized that my neatly organized boards needed a little re-organizing. Of course they are all in alphabetical order. Would you expect anything less from me?

The next time I have a few hours, I'm going to re-organize and divide my recipe board. I should have done that to begin with and had specific categories. Right now, all recipes are jumbled together. I have 635 pins there---a huge mess. That will haunt me. But here's the kicker: I don't think I've ever referred to that board to get a single new recipe! I get so many new recipes from blogs that I follow--you just can't try them all. OMGosh! My mind is spinning. So much information comes at me all the time!! So much to do.

Still, I'll leave you with this---just in case you have a few hours to kill and would like to check out my boards---I'm not above aiding and abetting!!

Here I am: Barb's Pinterest Boards

And if you only have time to check out one board---do pick "The Royals." They are all so darn cute!!

Wassup?

 I am thinking: Where in the world did I put the Christmas wrapping paper? I'm sure I had plenty leftover and even purchased some on sale last year. For the life of me, I can't find it. Frustrating as I want to get some of these gifts wrapped. Although I'm pretty close to being done with my shopping, I won't know until I have it all laid out and inventoried!

I am thankful for: Great friends that are always willing to have a little get-a-way now and then! We had a fun and relaxing time at the farm. We had lunch outside yesterday, but it was pretty chilly to do much else. We stitched, read, talked and watched movies and tv. 

From the kitchen: I will be making my hostess gifts this year---but not until the first part of December. Of course, I'm banking on being out of these boots in another couple of weeks.

I am wearing: I'm ready to transition to pants as the weather cools. But, these boots will keep me in capris for a bit longer.

I am hoping:  I haven't bitten off more than I can chew with my December schedule. It's pretty busy---which I like---through the holidays. Still, this year, I'm acting like I have no limitations---when I just might. We'll see....

I am reading: The Secret Daughter---a book about adoption that shows all sides---adoptee, adoptive parents and the birth mother. You can really feel each person's pain. So far it's very interesting. I'll let you know if it's worth the read when I finish.

I'm watching: Bates Motel. It is my newest passion. I only have 3 episodes left to be caught up with the series---getting ready to start season 4. I'm trying to stretch it out because whenever I do this, it's a letdown to have to wait for a series in "real" time. I really like the binge watching. I also started Scandal---so that will be another good one to take Bates' place. 

I am busy creating: Still stitching away. I'm nearly finished with my "Along Came a Spider" Halloween canvas. I'll also be finishing up a couple of Connie's projects. Of course all that's left is the harder---un-fun stuff. I can see why she was stalled. Why am I doing it for her? Because, uhhhh, that's just what friends do!

I'm bummed: about that wrapping paper. Just can't stop thinking about it. Not having it is really holding me up.

I am hearing: a new Pandora station. I decided that I wanted to listen to some opera. I put "opera" in the search and up popped "opera to relax radio." It wasn't exactly what I was looking for---I really wanted those Italian tenors singing opera. But I went with it and am loving it. Basically, it's a lot of current/pop songs set to symphony music. Truly relaxing. Not really opera at all.

I appreciate:  a good life hack. I think I already shared the one about cherry or grape tomatoes this summer. It's one of my favorites and worth repeating. When slicing a bunch of small tomatoes, place them on a plate that will hold the number you need. Invert another plate on top and slice through the middle with a serrated knife. Works perfectly! 

Well, here's another I discovered and tried this week. When you need to peel a large number of hard boiled eggs---I was making egg salad---just drain the eggs and shake vigorously in the pan. The eggs will all crack against each other. The shells will literally just slide off. No more wasted egg as you try to pry the shells off! 

Around the house: Tomorrow, the Christmas decorating begins. I have a couple of ladies who have been decorating the outside of the house and doing other "un-fun" tasks for twenty years now. I used to have them the weekend after Thanksgiving, but several years ago, they requested to come the weekend before. As it turned out, I like that better. I can usually get the house decorated before going to Charlotte for Thanksgiving. That won't happen this year, but it will be nice to have some of it done before we leave on Tuesday.

I’m craving: good salads---all-the-time.

I’m feeling: like this broken ankle and toe will never heal. It's better, but still painful. I have stopped the ibuprofen, so I guess it's to be expected.

I’ve completed: several tasks for the wedding. Working on getting the invitations ready to go out. 

I’m writing: "stuff" for the wedding: directions, greetings, menus, program, a lot.

I’m organizing: Mindy's gifts are not organized yet, but hopefully tonight they will be. Right now they are just all over the sunroom---waiting to be seen by Justin. Then we'll get them consolidated and put in boxes until they can take everything to their condo.

I’m obsessing over: Mindy is obsessing for the both of us.  She's welcome to the job. I'm not really the obsessive type. Oh wait, I am---but more like in the OCD department. 

I’m looking forward to: our Thanksgiving trip to Charlotte with the Lapps. It's always so much fun. I may not be able to do quite as much as I'd like, but to be sitting around with family---well, it doesn't get any better than that!

Sometimes You Just Need a Break...

...from all of this sitting around. Sooooo, I'm heading out to the farm with Karolyn and Connie for a couple days of relaxation. I'll be doing pretty much exactly what I've been doing. Watching movies and stitching.

Yep, life can be tough.

Just Around the Corner...

...and the excitement is building!

Schedules and Accomplishments

My Schedule These Days

I almost feel guilty reporting this---because I think I could really become accustomed to this lifestyle. I'm a creature of habit. I like my little schedules. It wasn't hard to fall in to this one:

4:00-5:30 a.m.---Wake up; Make tea; Put on music; Check emails; Facebook; blogs.

7:00 a.m.---turn on GMA; eat breakfast; continue with computer stuff.

8:00 a.m.---get cleaned up for the day; make-up/maybe/rarely.

9:00 a.m.---turn on Kelly and Michael; check “to do” list and do a couple things; browse catalogs/order Christmas gifts; stitch.

11:00 a.m.---watch a show I have DVR’d; stitch.

11:45 a.m.---lunch; more tv; stitch; Netflix (Monumental Mysteries, Bates Motel, Foyle’s War and Scandal). I’ve watched many movies and documentaries. I’m trying to stick with just a few series so that I can get through them systematically.

2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.---put on music; read and nap.

4:00 p.m.---local news; computer stuff.

6:00 p.m.-7 p.m.—dinner; check emails; tv with Butch.

7:00 p.m.-midnight---more tv and stitching; check emails before bed; read.

As the pain recedes, I’m doing more. This week, I made dinner a couple of times. I've unloaded the dishwasher a few times and opened the dozens of boxes arriving. Mostly Christmas stuff---some wedding stuff, so that’s good.

Accomplishments

I can still manage to be productive from my chair! I'm a "lister" and love nothing more than checking things off or---in this case---putting things---"on"!

1. Completely caught up on my stitching class.

2. Waded through a foot high stack of magazines.

3. Culled my Netflix list--- I’m down to 21 items.

4. Watched dozens of documentaries and movies from Netflix.

5. Put together my timeline for the wedding.

6. Put together a very lengthy task list for the wedding---very detailed---down to who is going to help get the gifts home after the wedding. I don’t want to let anything fall through the cracks.

7. Watched umpteen Ted Talks that have been on my list for awhile.

8. Cleaned out files on my computer.

9. Planned AYM for 2016.

10. Planned a special project for my friends.

11. Got honeymoon information together for Mindy and Justin.

12. Made many wedding arrangements over the phone.

13. Read 3 books.

14. Started my Christmas shopping---actually, I'm nearly finished.

I wanted to start wrapping---the perfect thing to do from a sitting position. But apparently I'm out of wrapping paper.

15. Played umpteen games of Trivia Crack with family and friends on my iPhone.

16. Spent hours on the phone with Sandy.

17. Re-organized all of my fibers and floss bags.

18. Stitched a couple of Connie’s projects.

19. Started bow making for my Christmas packages.

20. Wrote the handouts for the AYM November and December kits.

21. Wrote the “welcome to Nashville” letter for the gift bags for the wedding guests.

22. Started working on plans for Katie’s shower.

23. Made some surprise reservations for Thanksgiving at Sandy’s.

24. Put together the Christmas lists.

25. Culled through and re-organized the photos on my computer---deleted 1201.

26. Downloaded about 50 new fonts and put them in the proper folders.

27. With Connie’s help---put together a December schedule for us and our friends.

28. Made the necessary reservations for the December events.

29. Kept up with the bills.

30. Handled all of the beach business.

I've gone out a little, but I'm still laying low. I know that the more I stay off of my feet, the quicker the fractures will heal. I have a really fun and busy holiday season planned. And I don't want to miss a thing!! I had my first, comfortable shower this week---meaning that I didn't have to balance quite so much to keep weight off of the ankle. I'm still taking the ibuprofen for pain and inflammation, but I can tell it's finally getting better.