Making Plans...Christmas is coming!

 Yesterday I went to the store to gather things for making cookies.  I think I overdid it, and what is going to happen after all the grandchildren get their cookies made, is that I will be baking and giving away lots of cookies to get them out of my house.  I've been doing real well these past few months, not buying too many things that weren't good for us, trying to eat more healthy.

But yesterday.  sigh.  I was gathering all the different kinds of chips to put into the cookies, oatmeal, sugar, flour, etc...... and I had a breakdown.  I wanted cookies.  And I wanted cookies bad.  I didn't resist.  I did go with the store brand, and I'm here to tell you, it didn't matter.  The taste I was craving is in the store-bought cookies as it is in the national brand.  I didn't even buy the kind of my favorite... oreo with the white center.  I got the store brand oreo with the mint center.  Why?  Because hubby likes the mint center.  Of course I opened them once I got home and ate three of them.  Then put in a baggie and put the rest away.  LOL  Hubby doesn't know I bought them yet - but I'm sure he will see them today.

I could not believe the traffic yesterday late afternoon!  It was bumper to bumper, stop light to stop light!  It took about 15 minutes longer to get to this specific store than it normally does.  I didn't even stop at Michael's on the way home to get some yarn I need.  Traffic was that bad.... I'll run over there today.  I'm trying to keep with the same brand and that's what I started with.  We ate pizza out of the freezer last night because after I told hubby about the traffic, even he didn't want to go out!  I can only guess that people have started their Christmas shopping at the Mall as it looked packed as I drove by and cars were turning into that area.  Same thing in the Costco area.  I avoid that like the plague.  Glad I am done ordering for Christmas!  I did get a few snacks for hubby's stocking while ate the store so didn't even stop at the dollar store.

I have a few things I hope to get done within the next few days.  I want to draw up menus and ask my children what they and their families want for their meal.  Some say 'ham sandwiches' or 'ham' is fine but I really want it to be what they want.  I did buy another whole ham last night so it will be on warm most of the day Christmas.   

When my mother was alive she would give me $15 and ask me to pick up a ham for each of my children as a gift from her.  At that time we could buy a ham for $5.  That has long past, but I have continued the tradition of buying each one a ham.  This year is no exception, although I am doing it a bit different.  I have bought a canned ham.  Not sure how that will go over, but I tell you what, it is a lot less work than the one we put in the oven and bake!  I opened one up for us a few weeks ago. The ham was delicious and had lots of flavor.  We ate it cold, I heated it up, and it was still good.  That's what made me get it.  AND, it can stay in the refrigerator, not stuffed in the freezer and forgotten about.  Will see how it goes over.  I've thought of stopping the ham gift from my mama, but I think the children love the thought and it hopefully does help them to remember how much their grandmother did love them.

I also want to get a schedule put together for the grandchildren to start coming over and baking cookies.  I've gotten all the 'stuff' now, I think, so they can come anytime.  Even if they want to come during the week while I'm working, that is fine, as I am still home and we just need to schedule a time when I don't have to be in a meeting.  I can run in and out of the kitchen.  I know the youngest son will be bringing his children down on the 19th.  Will have to work them all in before Christmas.    And the son dropped the bomb on me that his middle child and his fiancee want to get married while here and want Grandma to do it.  We need to talk first.  The examples they've had haven't been good ones.

I sent an email to a couple grandsons yesterday to ask if they planned to come bake cookies this year or not.  I don't want them to feel they "have" to.  I know they work now and they need to rest as well.  Life can be hard sometimes.  I'm waiting to hear back from either of them.  Surely they will think of baking cookies sometimes during the next couple of weeks and yes, I will work them in.  If they say they can't make it this year, I do plan to bake a batch of cookies for both for them to have for Christmas.  What's Christmas without cookies from grandma's?

I'm taking the 17th off so that I can get my salsa made, and some of my baking done, making sure I have everything I need done.  Also need to make cheeseballs for my two bosses as I will be taking their gifts down to them on the 18th.  Also plan to meet up with a couple close friends I work with earlier on the 18th.  Working from home is an advantage as I don't have the long drive home (can you imagine in the traffic I was in just going to the store yesterday?  It will be horrible!  But, I'm home so baking will be much easier.  Some things I can't do right now - like making salsa.  It only truly lasts for about 3-4 weeks.  I want it to last a bit longer past Christmas so am waiting.  The baking can go in the freezer; not a big deal there.  The cheeseballs have to be made the night before.  It just isn't good if it sits a couple days as the walnuts get soggy.  And who likes soggy walnuts?!

It's time to get my butt up and moving - bought cereal to have for breakfast....haven't done that for awhile either.  Will watch Jentezen Franklin's service at Free Chapel at 9AM and then The Gathering Place at 10:30AM.  Get my church in, and then will decide what to do for the rest of the day.  I do need some red yarn so will need to do a quick run to Michaels' to get this specific brand.  Hope they have red for if not, this will go on the shelf until after the holidays.  Not specifically for a Christmas gift, just something I'm working on.

Hope you have an amazing day!