Did you accomplish anything today?

[galvo]

You'd be most welcome, CebuShan.

[Poppylicious]

Bringadogalong ...

(Took me ages to break that down ... And I'm now hoping it isn't a real place otherwise I may have offended the Chookster with my laughing.)

I have done nothing.  The floors need hoovering, the bed sheets need changing, the bath needs scrubbing ... I'm saving it all for tomorrow and Christmas Eve (otherwise I'll only have to do it again anyway before my guests arrive).  The temptation to do it is so hard to resist though ...

This evening (about 10ish) we're going supermarket shopping.  The aisles will be devoid of snivelling children and ratty parents and dodgy shopping trolleys and bargain hunters, but we will have to play dodgems with the shelf-stackers as they restock shelves.  It's a small price to pay for a relaxed food shopping experience.

 

[cariad]

I decided last minute to send gifts to my semi-estranged parents. I could not find decent chocolates to send to my father, but just as well as they are all calorie-obsessed bores over there. Last year I conspired with my mother to get him caramel apples with chocolate and nuts from Whole Foods, who incidentally will not take credit card details over the phone. So my mother being the take-no-prisoners ninja shopper that she is found some Whole Foods hipster employee who told her about a new internet site that sends gift cards via mobile phone texts, or something, cannot remember specifics. Whole Foods accepted that, and because my mother found a promotional code, I gave her a $50 text for only $40, and she was able to pay for the apples and get herself a posh coffee or something.

This year I decided to give them a set of ceramic knives, and I sent a jigsaw puzzle as well. My family has been really into jigsaw puzzles ever since my husband brought a free one over from work, so we usually have one out when my parents come to visit, and they quite enjoy them. I figure it's a silly little something that they would never buy for themselves, and isn't that the true meaning of Christmas?

I am trying to do a frenzied clean today, though progress has been minimal. Aidan had a terrible, sudden-onset headache last night and I decided he has not been getting enough sleep, so early night and he woke up this morning feeling like new. (relief there!) So, we took our sweet time getting to the childrens center, and then OH MY GOD, MOM, I THINK I'M THE ONLY BOY HERE!!! (His best friend has a half-day at school and should be there by now. Breathe, Aidan, breathe! Cooties aren't nearly as contagious as they say.) I have to go out before 6 to pick up my traditional gift to Gwyn: insulting and/or mildly crude microbrew beers. I always buy his favourite - Santa's Butt, although I try to find a couple new ones each year. I don't know if there is much left to discover, though, after I got him Lump of Coal, Reindeer Droppings, and Old Chub, to name a few. If you know and love a beer connoisseur and need a memorable gift, look for Santa's Butt. They'll thank you for it.

[Riki]

I have always dreamed of spending Christmas "down under"! Christmas is my favourite holiday & Summer is my favourite season. How awesome would that be to combine the two!

Oh yeah... Santa on the beach....... *LOL*

Seriously, though.. I get that.. I'd love to go for a swim this time of year and not have to sign a waiver in case of the shock to the heart by the cold water

[Riki]

Hmm... Santa's Butt... I may have to look that one up.  I'm surprised none of the microbreweries around here do that.  They all have the stupid Anne of Green Gables themed beers, though.  Anne of Green Gables didn't drink beer.  It was currant wine she had.  *L*

[willowtreewren]

I drove a friend to her chemo treatment this morning. As I was taking her back home the car started acting strangely. Oh, oh.

Fortunately I was just a block from a Pep Boys and wheeled in. Carl came and collected us, but I had to miss my physical therapy session. The car is "temporarily" fixed (to the tune of $400). I had to miss my physical therapy, though.  There won't be another chance until after the new year since we are leaving town in the morning.

After we go pick up the car, I'll take a gift to my dad. The laundry is done, but I still need to pack and wrap all the gifts. Then we are off for a lovely 15 hour drive (in a different vehicle) to Massachusetts in the morning.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Aleta

[cariad]

Christmas is canceled!

The off-license that stocks everything was out of Santa's Butt!!! I tried phoning around. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to ask for a beer called Santa's Butt without sounding like a complete perv? The man at the second place couldn't understand me and I had to SPELL IT for him. Gah! 

I just thought of one more place to try.... I'll pop over on the way to get the boys. Must clean, wrap, desperately need a hair cut and color. Need more time!!!!

[Poppylicious]

They all have the stupid Anne of Green Gables themed beers, though.  Anne of Green Gables didn't drink beer.  It was currant wine she had.  *L*

When I was a book-loving 10 year old I adored Anne of Green Gables in the way only a 10 year old book-loving girl can.  I didn't even really know what a gable was for years ... idiot.  If I win the lottery I shall visit you so that I can see where it was set and drink some Anne themed beer.

 

I've been baking!  Yay!

[CebuShan]

Treated myself to a "tea tree" facial & hair treatment today. Felt wonderful and I needed to feel special. Got some grocery shopping done this afternoon. Going to make some renal-friendly snacks to take to the center tomorrow.

[Riki]

They all have the stupid Anne of Green Gables themed beers, though.  Anne of Green Gables didn't drink beer.  It was currant wine she had.  *L*

When I was a book-loving 10 year old I adored Anne of Green Gables in the way only a 10 year old book-loving girl can.  I didn't even really know what a gable was for years ... idiot.  If I win the lottery I shall visit you so that I can see where it was set and drink some Anne themed beer.

 

I've been baking!  Yay!

I have some pictures of Green Gables in one of the Island Wanderings photo albums on my facebook profile.  It was in winter when I took them, so there is snow on the ground around the building.  The park was closed, so if we had've been caught there, we'd have been in a bit of trouble.. *G*

I think I may be sick.  I was fine up until a few hours ago.  Mom says that Dad is sick as a dog, and he was here Monday, so he may have given me something.  I'm kinda hoping it's just a chill, and after a good night's sleep, I'll be fine.  I do have a bit of a temp, though.  My last check said 38.1C. That's 100.6F

[cariad]

No one had Santa's Butt. 

I did find a new beer called Sheep Shagger which mitigated the disappointment.... ever so slightly. Santa's is his favourite. Not sure if I should go further afield tomorrow in a desperate quest. I did score a bottle of Entire Butt which I know he likes, but it just does not bring the same je ne sais quoi to the gift. I ventured into the rough part of town looking, but no luck there. I do have loads and loads of beer, and some very nice ones, so I should probably just settle on what I have.

I think rather than trekking all over the city embarrassing myself ("Can I help, Ma'am?" "Yeah, uh, there's this beer I'm looking for? By the makers of Bad Elf? And, well, I apologise for the name, but it's called Santa's Butt...." "Excuse me? Missed that last part....") I'll just buy him a nice bottle of whiskey to go with the cute whiskey rocks set I have for him. We are going very low key this year, other than that I have the beers, some stocking stuffers, and clothes for the boys to give him. That's pretty much the extent of it. We went to a quick lunch (no tea room) and did a bit of wrapping, grabbed dinner at the grass-fed burger shop, boys watched Narnia and Gwyn is putting them to bed. Then the wine comes out and we will wrap and chat and relax.

[cariad]

Oh, Riki! So close to Christmas.  I hope the sleep is the answer. Take care of yourself. 

I somehow don't see Anna of Green Gables making for a terribly popular beer. I remember reading that book on some family holiday, and it was OK for a distraction but nothing special to me. In fact, if you had not mentioned it, I don't think that book would have ever crossed my mind again.

Feel better....

[jbeany]

Cariad, I know it's Christmas and all, but hey, perfection is still unattainable, even if Santa makes it look possible.  Go with the beer you have!  Besides, how long have you and hubby been separated now?  You really think Santa's butt is the one he truly wants to get his hands on?   

Triple batch of cinnamon roll dough rising in the fridge, to be shaped later in the afternoon.  Last minute run to the store for one more batch of bacon.  Darn it, I stood in front of that counter two days ago, and said "Nah, I'm sure there's two already in the freezer."  Nope.  Only one.  Glad the store is only a block away.  Roasted bacon-pecan nibbles with sugar and salt coming up soon! 

[Riki]

I feel much better today, actually.  I think I may have just been a little dehydrated.

Cariad, Anne of Green Gables is EVERYTHING around here.  Just about everything has the house or her face on it.  I'm sure one of the microbreweries makes a beet with her face on it.  I know there's a John A. MacDonald themed beer, for the Fathers of Confederation, and someone makes raspberry cordial, but I forget who makes it.

[cariad]

Cariad, I know it's Christmas and all, but hey, perfection is still unattainable, even if Santa makes it look possible.  Go with the beer you have!  Besides, how long have you and hubby been separated now?  You really think Santa's butt is the one he truly wants to get his hands on?   

You know, you make a good point there, jbeany!
I don't think he would have even noticed the beer missing if I had not told him of my escapades trying to track it down.

We made Santa an apple pie last night, Adan is learning to cook which takes some of the stress off his parents.

Roasted bacon pecan nibbles? I must keep these secret from Gwyn forever! He'll never want anything else.

Glad you're feeling better, Riki!

[willowtreewren]

Accomplish anything today? 

It's Christmas! 

But, I have been doing laundry for my dear daughter....she hasn't been feeling too well.... and I packed up one of the stockings to take home with me, because I'll need to make another matching one for NEXT Christmas....

  Yep! There will be another little one joining us by then.

Aleta

[cariad]

Have accomplished very little today, but that's what Boxing Day is for, at least in our house.

We had another non-traditional, stress-less Christmas dinner last night. The boys all had a ribeye roast that they had sampled at whole foods, with provolone cheese, rosemary, garlic, thyme, and olive oil all shoved into strategic places. Liot did not eat much of it, probably because of all the candy he helped himself to through the day. They had peas and roasted potato on the side. I had another veggie burger from the Trampeleau Hotel with potatoes and the most amazing mushrooms on the side - they are called Hedgehog Mushrooms and were divine! As an appetizer, I had some of the pickled watermelon rind I received for Christmas, with some bleu cheese. I just love trying new and unique (vegetarian) foods.

For breakfast this morning we had some of the leftover lemon/cheese croissant and the boys had some of the chocolat ones. They were so unbelievably scrumptious, I had TWO. I bought them off Williams-Sonoma during their annual 20% off croissants sale. Still a touch pricey, but nothing like what you would pay for a mediocre one at a bakery. We still have more in the deep freeze waiting to be thawed and baked....

Late lunch is ready, so I'm off for now. Ta!

[Riki]

I got up and went to dialysis.  Since it was a holiday today, the unit had a skeleton staff.  I hate that. I was an hour late getting on, when I generally only wait a few minutes. (we totally need a raspberry emoticon for situations like this. *L*)  When I came home, Mom had made turkey soup!!    I ate 3 bowls, then waddled into my bedroom and played Lego Harry Potter for about 2 hours.  Now I'm thinking about delving into the book that Rsudock gave me for Christmas

[cariad]

Oh, I forgot to mention, found out I received an A in psychological anthro. I wish I had had more time to do a proper job with the paper, but he is known for being a very difficult grader. The last classes I took with him many, many years ago, I got an A-. I guess he has become less particular.

The only class I have yet to receive a grade for is Public Health. So far I had not missed any points, but 40% of my grade was the presentation and paper, so no guarantees of anything.

[CebuShan]

     I got an e-mail informing me that I won a gift card from a local favorite restaurant!   

[willowtreewren]

I've been writing thank-you notes! 

[cariad]

I got an A in my final class. I hope to get my paper back from her with comments. I am torn on whether or not to continue for a public health certificate as I am finding Public Health to be not really my thing. I am all for prevention and changing behaviours when feasible, but there is something about the hard focus on changing behaviour that unsettles me, especially with regards obesity which they are rather obsessed with in that field.

Speaking of changing behaviours, I have been eating like a crazy person. Gwyn is taking the last of the lemon ricotta croissants out of the deep freeze as he suggested we just eat them tomorrow and 'have done with them'. We have four left and I swear I could eat those single-handedly.  I want to get back to much healthier eating and exercising on the Wii Fit, so I will check back in as I (hopefully) make progress on that soon.

[Poppylicious]

Yep! There will be another little one joining us by then.

Aleta

Only just noticed this, Aleta!  Huzzah! 

We went to the transplant clinic and saw the dishy nephrologist.  Phwoar.  Then I spent some money on clothes and attempted to cajole more money out of Blokey, but he didn't get the hint ... so I didn't get the gorgous long cardigan I wanted.  He later grumbled at me for not buying it.  I only didn't put it on the credit card because I thought he'd grumble at me.  I had no chance of winning that one really. 

I've eaten too much today.  I blame the supermarkets for making me think I actually needed to fill the cupboards with all that extra food over Christmas.

 

[jbeany]

I got an A in my final class. I hope to get my paper back from her with comments. I am torn on whether or not to continue for a public health certificate as I am finding Public Health to be not really my thing. I am all for prevention and changing behaviours when feasible, but there is something about the hard focus on changing behaviour that unsettles me, especially with regards obesity which they are rather obsessed with in that field.

I agree.  I'm all for changing behaviors, but I do think that some in the health field seem to think that it should be something as easy as providing the information and getting people to immediately change their behavior accordingly.  'Cause we all respond so well to being told we're doing something wrong and that we should be doing it some other way, after all.   "Stop eating everything that is cheap, convenient, and tasty."  Especially when it's coming from a President's wife with a professional chef and a team of full time gardeners.   

Nice job on the A!

I went to a retirement party and a court hearing today.  Mailed packages, washed the car, and plan to do nothing of use for the rest of the day.  Good enough!

[cariad]

I got an A in my final class. I hope to get my paper back from her with comments. I am torn on whether or not to continue for a public health certificate as I am finding Public Health to be not really my thing. I am all for prevention and changing behaviours when feasible, but there is something about the hard focus on changing behaviour that unsettles me, especially with regards obesity which they are rather obsessed with in that field.

I agree.  I'm all for changing behaviors, but I do think that some in the health field seem to think that it should be something as easy as providing the information and getting people to immediately change their behavior accordingly.  'Cause we all respond so well to being told we're doing something wrong and that we should be doing it some other way, after all.   "Stop eating everything that is cheap, convenient, and tasty."  Especially when it's coming from a President's wife with a professional chef and a team of full time gardeners.   

Sooooo true! I make no secret of my love of all things Obama, but I think she is utterly misguided with her 'war on obesity' or whatever it is. I can promise everyone that as a former fat kid (thank you, prednisone!) I would have immediately internalized this and thought 'oh, great, even the First Lady knows there's something horribly defective about me!'. She could have made this about social justice and equal access to high-quality food, even lobbied to change ridiculous food laws that cripple the federal government from properly protecting the food supply, or threw her political clout behind keeping physical education and extracurricular sports in public schools, but instead we get the same old 'we should all follow low-calorie diets and do military-style exercises every day.' Unrealistic and proven repeatedly to be ineffective. Promoting high-quality foods and fun exercise would capture more participants who are just sick of the damn lectures and policing of our behaviours. Which is what public health is starting to look like to me, thus my dilemma....

Today we met up with friends who we rarely get to see. Our boys are so similar, but they really need to see each other one-on-one or my son will gravitate toward his closer friends whom he sees every day. It was so cute, they did not have much to say to each other at first when we sat at the cafe enjoying lunch, but by the end of the day they were lagging behind at the zoo, engrossed in conversation. At home, the adults cracked open the beer and wine and the three boys had some sort of battle using pillows as shields, stuffed animals as weapons (we even threw GwynBear, Mom!!! GwynBear being our huge Gund bear that we bought for Aidan before he was born.) and blankets as 'forcefields'. We could hear the stomping around upstairs but I could not be bothered to go up and check on them, and hurrah! No injuries, no property damage! Success!

These friends are a special-needs teacher and a nurse, such a fab couple. We were talking politics (as we usually do) and I was talking about the evils of dialysis and this nurse who is ferociously smart and politically active had never heard of NxStage. Sure, she is not a dialysis nurse, but I just said "See! See??" She has two jobs right now and she told me that the one job she absolutely adores. She works in hospice. Wow. I just couldn't. And of course she is protesting with "Oh, no, you could, you could! I am not special!" but please. I just so thoroughly admire that.