I believe I have completed my Christmas shopping. And, not only completed it, I have it all wrapped and under the tree! Well, except for Tom's things. I mean, what I have for him has been wrapped, but not under the tree. We usually just put the others under the tree and keep ours out - and bring them out Christmas morning along with our stockings for each other. Tom has been a difficult one to buy for this year. Come to think about it, most everyone has been difficult to buy for this year! I would much rather look at things to buy that they 'want' or 'need' - but except for the few lists I received, it has been a guessing game. Tom gave me a verbal list - but they weren't 'fun' things. There is nothing he nor I need and although I have some 'wants' - they are not in the Christmas budget. Still, I know that whatever I receive I will love. I always do.
I baked nearly all day yesterday. Made only one batch of cookies and made several breads, muffins and tiny bite-size muffins of my cranberry pumpkin nut 'bread'. I love this bread, and if you heat it in the microwave for about ten seconds before eating a slice - yum, the cranberries will burst open with flavor. Sent some with Tom to give to Ralph as they are meeting for breakfast this morning. The rest went in the freezer. Today I want to make my bread and butter pickles. Got the cucumbers and onions setting on the counter, waiting for me to get started. Need to put the jars on to boil yet. I enjoy doing this too. Plus the pickles are soooo good!
I probably won't make my salsa this year to give away... unless I can think of someone who would want it. One son still has some of when his daughter was here and made some. I can't believe he still has it. We go through our salsa within a very short time. Still, Tom likes it so perhaps I need to go ahead and make it. I will try to can some of it.... I have before, but I'm always leery of doing that. My salsa, after about 3-4 weeks, will begin to ferment in the jar. Bubbles will form on the inside of the jar, and if you open it, this bubbling 'stuff' will begin to foam and flow over the top of the jar. LOL Needless to say, by then we just throw it away. Doesn't usually get to that stage anymore - only one time when I forgot a jar in the back of the refrigerator.
So - today will be bread and butter pickle day - and once that is completed, will decide what I want to do. So - technically, I am 'done' with Christmas preparations. Until I decide to bake some more. I mentioned making snickerdoodles this afternoon. Mmmmm. Very few places can make snickerdoodles like mine. I still need to get the grandchildren over here to make Christmas mice and cookies. I still have lots of cookie dough and pretzels and chocolate and all the things needed for a fun time. I need to contact the parents and see if I can't get them in the evening for a couple hours - perhaps right after school.
My brother has issued the challenge for a half marathon walking our canal come March. My little sissy and I said we were 'in'. But, in talking with her later, she has things going on at the time he suggested, so I suggested perhaps making it June and us going to Indy. Will have to check that out with bro and see what he wants to do.
Of course my 'free' time for vacations will depend on if and when I get a job. I must admit, I haven't looked that hard just yet. When I made the decision to 'retire early', I really wanted to take November and December off to play and just regain my life. And, I feel I have been able to do just that. I feel my time off has helped me physically (although I still need to go to the gym), emotionally (I'm a lot less crabby, I think) and spiritually (I get to spend what I call 'Quality' time with God each morning). It has also helped relationally in that Tom has learned to give me some space (as I have him) and because I am here all the time, he doesn't have to fight for time with me.
I have applied for one position a few weeks ago and need to follow up on it today. I have checked the want ads in the paper. I see a few out there I could apply for, but I truly want to stay in my 'home area' so that I don't have to spend all my time on the road each morning. I still have one lead I have not followed up on yet, from a medical director whom I used to work with. I am facing a little over two weeks when I will not have medical insurance for me. Need to find something to cover me, so am checking into single insurance until I get a job. Praise God I am healthy and do not need constant medical care. Tom already has medicare and has his supplement plan all set up for January 1 so he is taken care of. I'm still too young for medicare! :-)
So, how are you doing on your Christmas shopping and baking? You still have plenty of time, yes, but don't wait until the last minute so that your Christmas is filled with rushing about and no time for reflection
Blessings!
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