So..... Busy!!

It seems like the last month I have been overly busy. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but just that I have not had time to do a lot of things. By now I have usually baked up a storm. Literally. However, this year, I have only been able to work on my baking twice. I'm usually canning bread and butter pickles, making salsa, jellies - all to give away for gifts. I haven't even gotten started on that - and am not sure when I can.

I have done some shopping, but I'm sure I'm not even 1/2 way done - but yet, I am. Limiting myself to each gift for each person. Just can't do as I have in the past. Some may get just what they ask for - and I'll leave it at that! Just the price of buying things to bake with has risen so much that it has become costly to bake anymore. But, I still love to make things from scratch and even from package, so will always continue to bake. I love the way the house smells when something is baking in the oven.

I only have one day vacation left this year so have scheduled the 20th off work so that I can finish up the shopping and baking over that weekend. I did stop at one place last night - and may try to stop a couple evenings yet to pick up one or two things - but as the children really have all they need (just like we do) and the grandchildren are older and little toys and dolls and trucks just don't do it anymore - they are harder to buy for. I dislike just buying a gift card (yet I'm ok with receiving them) because I like to pick out something special. Yeah, it's still the 'leave a memory' thing. I want each gift to be a special memory for each child, each grandchild.

At least we have the traditions - and I'm afraid that if I ever miss, they will be disappointed. The daughter and daughter-in-law get their chocolate covered cherries and the two sons usually get summer sausage. Unfortunately, I went out last night in search of summer sausage - and there wasn't any at the location I went to. This could be a problem, but I will keep searching. Problem is now, they have cut the size of the sausage down to about 1/3 of what it was - and charging twice as much for it. Seriously!! They used to be a 'cheap gift' to buy for the boys for $3.98. In September I last saw them and they were $7.00 for 1/3 of the size. I didn't buy any then because I felt it was too early, plus I'm hoping I could find the bigger ones that I used to buy. Although my oldest son told me the other night that he didn't care if he got it or not. However, the youngest grandson made sure I knew his dad needed some summer sausage. LOL

This week I am working solo at the office - meaning my coworker is on vacation this week - therefore I am doing my 'old' job, my 'new' job, and my coworker's job. I'm not even breaking for lunch - only for coffee, water, and going potty! I want to keep us as current as I can - and with having to be on the phones as well, it makes it hard to work. But, I shall persevere!!

Only a couple minuttes left before I need to sign on to the phones so need to get off here and move on. After all, it's a workday!

Hope you have a great day and get a lot accomplished!

Blessings!