Wednesday is all about taking your time

Today my plan is taking things slow and steady.

A stew is in the crock pot. That's an 8-10 hours slow
Laundry is going. That's a good 1.5 hours per load since I have only one drier. My dream laundry room would have at least two drier. But I can't complain as I finally have a laundry room again after 9 years.

I'm slowly picking up the family room. Not rushing.

Everytime I walk past the basement door, I go down and grab a box of xmas stuff. I might not put out what's in the box but getting it up out of the basement is a big start.

I've checked in with unemployment.

Starting to think about thinking towards holiday baking. Now that I have time on my hands I'm contemplating making fudge and peanut brittle. Of course I first have to find the candy thermometer if it is still around. I will definately make up a couple batches of cookies. Chocolate chip. Cake mix of some flavor. I'll wait until my sister comes home to make the sugar cookies as that's always been something we've done together. I'm also thinking snickerdoodles. This way I can make up a cookie platter or the neighbors.

If I have the funds I'd like to get the fixings to try my hand at making home made pecan pie for the holiday as well.

But until I get the house cleaned and decorated, the baking can wait. It's just something playing at the back of my brain.

Things you only find yourself saying at this time of year

"CAT! You had better drop the baby Jesus right now!"

When I think my house is bad

I watch "How Clean is Your House" on BBC America and realize it's not so bad after all.

It doesn't look like I've gotten much done in the family room but I've gotten 3 loads of laundry done (laundry room is just off family room) and two more are in the machines.

I've gotten the ceramic christmas village set up. The creche up, the garland and stockings up. The tree is up and lights strung, no ornaments yet though. Train under tree is set up too.

So I'm doing well.

Emotional status for the evening.

I'm actually starting to feel the pre-holiday excitement. I think it took actually putting up the tree and putting the lights on it. The lights outside have been up since the weekend before thanksgiving.

But while my shopping is just about done and there's been snow, I just haven't feel my usual excitement.

But now I'm starting.

Tonight I'm watching ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas - right now it's "Twas the Night Before Christmas" 8pm on ABC is "Santa Claus is coming to town". I love the holiday specials. I think that's helping too.

I am worried about how Christmas day itself is going to be. Being the first Christmas without mom. We will survive but I know it's going to be hard.

In other news, I made some lady's day today. I don't mind telephone surveys and will usually take the time and answer them. I got one today on advertising for health insurance. One of the questions was why did the Independent Health Insurance commercial and billboards stay in my mind. I had to explain that I wanted to know what marketing guy managed to get "You deserve the Red Shirt treatment" through. I mean, I'm a former Trekkie, red-shirts are the guys who died immediately upon landing on the planet. Why did an insurance company want me to die? She paused and went - "Oh. I will definitely write that down. I wonder if they realized what they were doing".

Also discovered that the Banquet Crockpot classics Herb Chicken and rice is pretty tastey. Ok, a wee bit on the salty side but a little bit of sugar and pepper and it was perfect. Recommend.

Hope all are having a good night.