Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve ... it was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a moue! The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. they had been worn a year and needed the air!

I finished work early today and made my way to Walmart and Superstore to pick up a few groceries and food for my animals. I arrived at Walmart and thought that everyone must have followed me there as I ended up what seemed like miles from the front door.

I made my way over the pet food section and loaded up and then zoomed over to Electronics to see if there were any more of my favorite DVD's on the shelf. I was please to see Season 7 of JAG. Season 6 of Law & Order SVU, Season One Volume One of Love Boat, Season 4 Vol 2 of Touched by an Angel, (I aready have Vol 1 at home), and a DVD burning fire log ... I have three of them now. I buy one every year as I want to see if there the flames look more realistic. I had planned on purchasing a fireplace for my familyroom. However, that plan went down the toilet literally when my toilet went on the fritz. The fireplace monies will be used for a new low flush toilet. I then can put the fire log DVD on my laptop place it on the new toilet while I take a leisurely bath with my new bubble bath I got for Christmas! Now I certainly couldn't drag a fireplace into the bathroom. You have to make the best of it.

One thing about long lines and Christmas time people chat with you like you are old friends. We ended up talking to one another and wondering why so may checkouts on such a busy day were closed. We narrowed it down to one thing: Money! Someone piped in and said "they" should give us the groceries for Christmas as a friendly gesture of goodwill. since there was no Christmas music playing we figured that the former was not an option. We continued to wait. I finally got out of Walmart and drove across the road to Superstore. The place was so crowded that I found myself putting my things in someone else's cart! When I arrived at the check out I noticed that not all the check out stations were opened and the lines meandering throughout the isles of the store. The people were very friendly and told each other where they thought the line may end up. I got behind a lady that was quite friendly and she told me that she lives out of town but was in town for Christmas at her daughter's placed. Since she seemed friendly enough I asked her if she stuffs her turkey. She said she did but warned that you have to be careful. I then realized that I had forgotten to buy stove top stuffing and didn't dare get out of line as I would never know where to find it. I never cook stuffing in a turkey as I am afraid that I would poison myself and the dogs and ruin Christmas for us.

My dogs love ribs; I decided to cook some in the slow cooker for them to enjoy throughout the holidays as a treat. The dogs are presently laying in front of the TV, (the fire log DVD is playing). I just got up to check on the potatoes that are boiling on the stove. Teddy, my poodle followed me into the kitchen as likely thought I was going over to the slow cooker to check on the ribs.

The picture above is of my back yard ... looking out from the french doors of the family room. I love sitting in this room and watching the snow fall. I am off work for the next 10 days and I know I will enjoy every minute. I will get up early tomorrow morning to put in the turkey without the stuffing into the oven.

Merry Christmas to One and All,

Jaime & Company

Saturday Musings

It’s a cold Saturday, December 1, 2007, morning. I certainly do not want to venture out today. However, I do need to take a quick trip to the bank which I could have done yesterday (Friday), but didn’t because it was too cold outside. The weather report for this area states that it’s going to be a very cold winter. Burrrrrrrrr. This is one of the reasons that I plan all my trips to and from the house as once I am home I like to stay at home.

Yesterday, I wrote about weekend lists so I think I will walk over to the fridge where I keep my list of things to do and start at the top: clean bird cages. I have three of them (1) 10 lovebirds live in a cage that is 3’Lx6’Hx2’W; I have 13 budgies in a 4’Lx6’Hx2’W; I custom built these cages and last but not least I have a lone budgie, Blue in a wire cage. Her partner recently died and she’s not accepting any new partners. Blue use to live in the main cage but I had to move her because the hen laying female, Sunny was too territorial and would fight with her and almost did her in. I took Blue out of the cage as her foot was bleeding quite a bit and I figured she wouldn’t make it through the night. Much to my surprise, four months later, she’s doing fine with the exception of her beloved partner who died a month ago. Blue use to have difficulty flying but since having her on her own she’s strengthened her flying muscles. Last weekend when I was cleaning Blue’s cage she few out of the cage and few around the house. This is the most I have seen her fly without crashing to the ground. She’s doing pretty good and seems to not mind being on her own. She spends a lot of time in front of her little mirror chirping at her reflection.

I will sell my birds before I retire given my plan to go RVing as a fulltimer. This past summer I ran an ad to sell all the birds lock stock and barrel. However, people seemingly do not want the responsiblity of caring for so many birds. I will try again in the spring and perhaps advertize them separately or as pairs.

I digress; I don’t like long lists because it takes longer to strike off the items. Therefore, my lists are relatively short and usually tailor made for the weekends. If I do venture out today, I no doubt will be bombarded by all the Christmas sales. I love listening to the Christmas music in the mall and the stores. It does put you into the mood. Sleigh bells ring are you listening ....?

Well, I need my cup of java for the day and should get going for now. Till next time. Cheers!