This and That Christmas Crap

Good morning.  A quick update about my fast track life lately.  I have to admit I took two whole days at art class this week, I needed it!  Actually, I didn't work at the office much, but tried to get my Christmas shopping done, and did.  This year was order online and a few gift cards and DONE!  Wait, I forgot the great niece, well, one more.  

Next week is going to be OFF the CHART busy.  Tomorrow I'm attending yet another art workshop with Christopher Westfall.  You might remember a few weeks doing one but it was abstract.  This one is representational, which is basically what I do.  A one day affair I anticipate a lot of learning from a new eye.  That evening I HAVE to rush home because it's our banks Christmas party at Southern Hills and we always love to go to it.  Unfortunately I will miss the Jazzercise girls Christmas party that same night.  Oh well, something has got to give.  Speaking on that I am NOT going to art on my usual Tuesday, opting to work in the office since I'm missing Monday at my desk.  Plus Tuesday night after a full day at the desk and maybe my easel there Snicklefritz is spending the night because her Momma will be on TV (Channel 8-KTUL) to promote The Alliday Show very early the next day.  I'm sure she will be in my care a good part of the day which is okay BUT means I have got to wrap presents quickly today.  Also on Tuesday I have a luncheon with the Tulsa Artists Guild peeps in which I will attend and transport two of my art buddies before heading back to the desk.  

Thursday, YES, back to art class and my peeps!  I really don't need the class anymore, so to speak, but the critique and laughter with my friends is what I pay for.  I LOVE the whole thing!  Friday is back to work with payroll and pay bills!  YUCK!  Then Snicklefritz will again spend the night and be with us till about noon because we have yet another Christmas party to attend on Saturday night.  Busy, busy, busy.  

This past weekend we opted to stay in town and not go to the cabin because The Hubby had a dance thing in OKC on Saturday.  I didn't mind because I NEEDED to get the Christmas tree up and decorated if Snicklefritz was coming.  Actually, my heart was NOT into it this year, mainly because I wasn't hosting anything, next will be a different story.  So Friday morning I didn't go into the office until late in the day.  I spent the morning digging out the tree and decorations out of the guest closet.  That left a MESS in my guest room, Snicklefritz's bedroom when she spends the night.  (Yet another mess to clean up!)  Plus I HAD to get my closet under control.  I still had stuff in a bag from our travels to Italy, IN SEPTEMBER!  I hate clothes.  I took the opportunity to dump TONS of summer clothes that I did not wear this year.  

Oh, and two suitcases out of the guest closet that I don't use anymore.  With a gigantic bag of clothes to give away and two suitcases in tow my first stop on my way to lunch with The Hubby was Goodwill.  Before that though I did get the tree up, not decorated but up so The Hubby could light it.  Last year my wonderful pre-lit tree gave it up and didn't pre-lit anymore and he took all the lights off planning on LED lights.  He wanted to string the lights this year.  That was a first let me tell you.  In nearly 41 years of marriage that man has probably put two ornaments on a tree.  There was reason for that, no design style in tree decor.  So Friday night he strung "HIS" lights.  I looked at the way he did it and knew I would be restringing.  That guy is a MASTER at lighting homes, inside and out, but Christmas tree lighting inside, ummm, no!  While he was gone all day on Saturday until late I put ornaments on but because I can't seem to find the spirit it wasn't as much fun.  It just seems that we jumped right into Christmas without enjoying fall and Thanksgiving.  Next year I am SLoooowwwwing down and enjoying the experience again!  

Christmas tree is done, not like I have done in the past but done.  The storage boxes are back in the closet along with everything else I had to drag out of their and today I will organize the gifts that are piled on the bed into the dining room and wrap.  Yes, wrap, wrap, wrap.  The niece may get money in a card!  

Apron Bag Giveaway

I have been remiss in posting this Apron Bag giveaway.  It comes from the lovely ladies of the online design magazine Prairie Hive.  The giveaway comes courtesy of my oldest Briana from Bifftasticia.  It is only open a few more days so go by and enter.  Thank you. 

Giveaway OVER

It is over.  The giveaway to celebrate my 1,000 post is OVER.  I know it was a long time in coming but it is done.  I don't do random integer or anything scientific/computer to do a drawing but chose the old fashioned way - pulling a name out of the hat, so to say.  I printed out all the names, wadded them up and tossed them in a basket and then caught my neighbor taking her trash out and had her do the honors.  Sorry there are no pictures as it was quick when I saw her outside and it was frigging COLD!  But, the lucky winner is a local girl, Flea.  Congrats missy.  Will contact!  Thanks everyone. 

Rerun versus Linus

When I was a young girl, probably 11 or 12 my favorite TV special was Charlie Brown shows and my favorite saying was "O Good Grief."  My dad called my Charlie Brown most of the time because of it.  Last night I was watching evening television I was gearing up for the finale of Biggest Loser but it wasn't on till 8 so I found A Charlie Brown Christimas on.  Yippee!  I invested an entire hour watching the shoe waiting for BL and within that hour I sat confused most of the time.  What in the world happened to Linus?  Lucy spent the entire hour calling Linus, Rerun!  What is so up with that for goodness sake.  Oh Good Grief!

GIVEAWAY...tonight MIDNIGHT is the end.  Don't forget to enter!!!! HERE

Dinner Party

I actually missed a blogging day.  It is has been 3-1/2 months since I started posting every single day and yesterday I skipped.  I felt guilty, a bit, but hey, I've been good so far and besides, here I am again this morning.  Tuesday night was the last dinner party and it was awesome with a HUGE hitch in the meal.  Actually, it was the making of the meal.  I think I put something here about it, but I accidentally left my beef dish on the stove all night long on Monday night, forgetting to refrigerate.  I had to buy all the ingredients again ($80 worth of meat) and miss my art class to remake it.  Kind put a dent in my fun time, but all in all it was a fun time Tuesday night and I will make up the class either today or do 4 hours on next Tuesday.

The table setting ...

Got to use my Christmas plates and gold silverware I love!

I also want to apologize to my bloggy friends for not visiting your blogs and commenting.  I've just been so busy and my time to read is suffering.  I promise that in the next few weeks I will be back to catch up but don't forget to enter in the giveaway that will definitely end next Wednesday, December 15 and encourage others to enter.  I will probably add a few more things to the gift bag, like note cards of my art!  

I'm a Dolt

Today is not good or rather this week is not good.  Originally I posted that the giveaway was ending on December 15.  I am going to stick with that date so NEXT WEEK, NEXT WEDNESDAY, December 15 at midnight.  So actually it is 2 weeks.  I don't know what I was thinking.  Thank you reader for pointing it out.  Hmph.  This has been a busy couple of weeks so sorry for the confusion everyone.  On top of the beef dish being left out and having to remake it today my massage has been canceled AGAIN!  The girl has quit.  I threw a fit because I was booked for 6 months and am booked for the next 6 months.  I NEED A MASSAGE!

This and That Weekend

This weekend has been kind of a blur.  Saturday was the Alpha Rho Tau luncheon, my art group.  You know it is kind of weird that I was the youngest "member" at the meal.  There were two others, students from TU (University of Tulsa), who joined us because we gave them scholarship money to further their education, but basically I think I'm the youngest in the group.  I seem to have that happen a lot in things I get involved in.  Sometimes I can be the oldest but that doesn't happen often.  After the chit chat and yum yum we, my neighbor and paint friend (75 years old) Sheila and I headed home.  I rushed into comfy clothes to meet my dear friend C at the movie theater.  We wanted to see Burlesque.  Good movie, not great but good.  I absolutely cannot figure out how in the world Christine Aquilera has that HUGE voice.  Amazing!  Cher sang a bit too and was really good although not the best too look at anymore.  I love Stanley Tucci, her sidekick.  As C and I sat watching the previews, my favorite part of the theater experience, we noticed people, women coming in.  There were probably not less that 15 women at least over the age of 70 parading in that darkened room.  Some were even struggling the stairs but they made it and settled in for the show.  We had them above us, beside us and below us so we could hear some of the comments!  One part where the object of Miss Aquilera's affection was down to his backside showing we heard, "Oh My!"  C and I giggled and then, "That's hot!"  Oh my goodness.  That was so funny and cute too.  Definitely a people watcher kind of experience wouldn't you say. 

Yesteday, daughter B and had the open house of handmade gifts at our home.  She invited a few other crafters and for 4 hours the house was a buzz of holiday buying and selling.  She wasn't as pleased with the turnout but several of the people I invited came and bought.  I had my paintings of which none sold but I did sell many of the note cards that are made from the paintings.  It was fun but my legs and feet were in such pain from standing and milling around that I could hardly sleep last night.  Throbbing!  They are a bit better now. 

This week will be another round of hosting a dinner party with the same menu as last week.  We also have a cocktail party at a neighbors and hopefully I will get my massage and facial.  My massage therapist has been very, very ill for the past three months and so no massage for me.  Sad and achy. 

Signing off for now but don't forget the giveaway which will end on Wednesday at midnight.  Comment (with email or way of contact) and maybe post a link on your blog to enter.  This is to celebrate my 1,000 post so you have to post on it please!!!!!  HERE!!!!!

The Next 1,000

I guess it is onward to the next 1,000 today!  I thought that I would give up posting everyday but alas here I am.  I'm addicted, what can I say.  This morning has started a bit earlier than I wanted to as nature began bugging me at about 3:45 am.  I couldn't stand it and got up to relieve.  That can be a bad thing so close to my usual wake up time as it was this morning.  I crawled back into my warm bed but tossed and turned as the mind woke up and started running at warp speed.  I still have so very much to do the rest of this week and on so the noggin is making lists and planning.  I also want to paint but I can't seem to sit long enough or get my mind focused enough to concentrate.  I want to finish my Christmas really soon so I can be done with it and just play.  I also want to see the new Harry Potter and haven't found the time plus the new Narnia movie that is coming out!  I'm in heaven this time of year with these kind of movies. 

Daddy called last night around 9 pm and of course The Hubby was snoozing on the couch and came into the bedroom as I was talking.  He can't hardly stand when someone calls at a time where he thinks it's too late and then he can't stand not knowing who it is.  Grump.  Anyway, Daddy was looking for an old recipe that Momma and Grandma used to make, a date roll candy.  I thought it was in his recipe box but it had another name on it and he insisted that it was not the one.  Okay.  Then he called back 15 minutes later (great) and said that his sis may have Grandma's, whatever.  Funny that he is getting in the spirit of cooking these holidays.  He's funny about this cooking stuff and is pretty good.  I must say that his voice sounds so strong and not so wobbly! 


Now this is adoration and love.  An every evening happening.



Now don't forget the giveaway from yesterday.  It ends next Wednesday, Dec 15.  Come on by on that post and leave a comment.

1,000 Post

The day has finally arrived, post number 1,000.  I can not believe it.  On June 28, 2006 (oddly a Wednesday too), I decided I would start a blog.  It was a hard day for me that day when I began tapping my fingers across the keyboard, typing my blog.  This blog became a friend for me.  It was/is a friend that has opened doors to many more friends across the world.  My blog, Jill of All Trades has allowed me to write my feelings out and work out some issues with the help others along with the experience of actual writing.  I thank all who have come by to visit me and leave a comment or two. It is inspiring and a wonderful pat on my back to be somewhat acknowledged.  Now to the ramble of the day for number 1,000.

Last night was the first of two dinner parties for us. Unfortunately, I did not get pictures except for the ...

flowers and the stain 

I will have to wash that. 

I know the flowers were springy but they fit in my great, great, grandmother's flower bowl perfectly.  I was tossed up on whether to do my Christmas dishes but they are gold and stars and fancy and the meal of beef bourguignon called for simpler settings.  The meal was awesome and the company too.  It turned out to be a wonderful evening and still I do it all over again next week! (Sorry for the bad photo.)

 

Now I believe I will give away a few goodies for this awesome occasion of post #1,000.  All you have to do is comment, simple and easy, which is my motto!  I would ask though that you please link it somehow to your blog, promote it, simple as the giveaway is.  Thanks to all of my readers and dear friends for being here these past 4+ years.  I will ship "ANYWHERE" so no fear to those who live far.

  Smelly good candle - Awesome CD of Elton John and Leon Russell (my fav guy) - Fav French Lavender body butter - and a couple of funny Christmas wine corks I just had to get.  See simple fun things.  So go ahead and please enter in this drawing to end in exactly 2 weeks, December 15 at midnight!

Here are the facts:

Comment

Link

Ship anywhere

Ends December 15 - Midnight!

Goals

I am getting close to my goal of 1,000 posts and as I near it I am trying to come up with a giveaway.  I think it should be Big, Big, Big, don't you think!  It's very important to me that I have accomplished this goal along with posting every single day for the past 3 months.  Definitely, it has been a struggle I'll have to admit but so worthwhile.  Writing everyday hones those writing skills although some of the gunk I've written is, well gunk.  So be prepared to follow, comment and pass the info on when I come up with a good giveaway soon. 

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The Holiday's are fast approaching and I/we have decided that instead of "me" doing Thanksgiving we will spend it with his family this year.  It has been several years since we've done The Hubby family Thanksgiving and it is time.  Part of the reason is that since all the stuff going on with Sis, I'm just needing some distance.  I will have Daddy to the cabin and the turkey day feast there next weekend, so time spent with him will be accomplished.  Christmas on the other hand will hopefully be here on the eve with The Hubby's family and Christmas day at my Daddy's.  We've kind of got a thing going on with Daddy and Christmas Day, and since his house is in such good shape now we can enjoy the time spent there.  We've also hosted some major parties in the past for the Christmas season, but this year I decided to break it up a bit.  Hosting parties for 50-75 people is daunting in the least and I'm not up to it right now.  So I've broken up some groups of our friends and am hosting dinner parties.  The first one is November 30 with three other couples, so 8 people in all.  I am a very laid back kind of host and so the menu will be beef bourguignon, salad, bread and a fall cobbler of apples and cranberries.  How does that sound!  It will be easy and I can even fix it ahead of time so the main thing is to visit.  I'm excited.  I will have the next group the next Tuesday and then a night of neighbors with heavy appetizers.  I think this should all be great fun.  There may be more but for now that will do. 

Thinking Cap

It is almost the end of the month and this is the 30th post for the month.  I've had to put on my thinking cap to come up with interesting topics worthy of the written.  I have baled a bit sometimes with pictures but I'm still here.  If I keep going I will have my 1,000 post by the end of the year and I'm thinking of a really BIG giveaway!!!  

Last night was a restless night of trying to sleep.  I don't know what was wrong with me but it was a toss and turn night.  I fell asleep about 10:30 but sweet Clayton woke me up at midnight because The Hubby had fallen asleep on the couch and Clayton could not stand it.  The Hubby trudged to bed and I was awake.  I tossed and turned and punched the pillow till about 3:30 when I finally drifted off.  Of course the alarm went off at 4:45 and I was up again, groggy.  I needed to hit the treadmill with Mr. Wade but I just couldn't get my mind together and I know the body won't cooperate with little sleep.  I'm even having a hard time getting my thoughts together here.  This doesn't happen often and I hate it when it does.  Sleep should be good tonight and very welcome.  Hopefully that thinking cap will kick into gear for tomorrow for an awesome blog post???!!! 

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winner

It wasn't a scientific drawing but I did draw out of the hat and the winner is Janie B at Life Not Wasted or Lost .  Congrats my dear and thank you.

More Anniversary - Don't forget the Giveaway!

Well, I have apparantly hit the wall with words as Monday's post celebrating my 4 year blog anniversary showed.  DUH!  I just could not come up with funny or interesting things to put down in print and am mad at myself.  My first blog post, as I had mentioned before, was me dealing with the death of my dear friend Gail, the death of our sweet dog and the illness and eventual death of my mother.  I did not do a retrospect kind of look at where I have come in four years. 

I have to say that I did not handle all the death in my life and ended up having a little counseling to try and deal with it all.  Still have days of sadness but that is to be expected.  I really found me during all of this.  I found the love of painting which has so enriched my life right now.  I've been through the marriage of our first born, the weight issue - up and down, and during the four years I have grown more than anytime in my life. 

Life is good for me and I rejoice in where the road I have taken has placed me in life.  I am so thankful for my family, friends and my blog friends. 

Be sure to comment and leave contact info on Monday's post for the giveaway and please pass it on.

Giveaway

Wait it is not me but our daughter, B at Sheezkrafty...She is giving pretty little switch plates away.  The contest is until June 23, Wednesday so there is lots of time.  Just a few ways to enter so check it out.  It is in preparation for her big show, The Alliday Show .  These are just some of the switch plates she is giving away....

And the winner is...

The winner of the crocheted baby blanket is...drum roll please...

Heather M is the winner of my handmade baby blanket. Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway. I had great fun watching all the entrys come in.

Deadline looms

The deadline looms for the end of this fabulous giveaway of the handmade crocheted baby blanket I made. Please visit this post and so you can be entered into the giveaway (NOT THIS POST.)

PASS it on to others to enter also. Thanks everyone. This has been great fun.

Giveaway...too good to pass.

CONTEST CLOSED!

Do you have a baby on the way or a grandbaby to swaddle or just need that perfect baby gift, well, I have the perfect giveaway for you. Yes, I said you. While serving jury duty I spent the down time crocheting this beautiful handmade spring yellow with hints of blue and pink baby blanket. You have a chance to win this cute soft blankie for that little one. I will keep the entry time open until Sunday evening (Easter), that would be April 12, 7pm. I probably will do the drawing, literally a drawing by The Hubby. I am new to the giveaway game and not sure I can figure out the Random Integer thingy so I will take the easy way out and print out the names and have The Hubby draw so be sure to put your email address so I can contact the winner. Please PASS this giveaway on and on and on for the wonderful handmade baby blanket.


The rules...Comment and leave an email address, very simple, oh, and pass it on, pass it on, pass it on. Ends April 12, 7 pm. I will ship ANYWHERE!

Zombie Chicken Award

I'm so very honored by Yogi's Den for awarding me this honor. He really made me blush by his fabulous words. So here goes:

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all..."

Mommydosey Is my friend and the one who showed me the light of blogging. She has been there to guide me and help me when I was lost. Not only that but I love to keep up with her witty life of kids and DaHusband. Here's to you my dear.

Chronicles of a Country Girl is next up. Kate takes the most fantastic pictures of her hubby and dog George and I don't miss, ever. She is gentle with her words and pictures that make this blog a never miss for me.

Kay at Musings, with her wonderful posts of travel, grand baby, husband and life after work. She lives in Hawaii with her husband and she shares pics of some of their travels and gardening and life. I found her through, well I don't remember but she is a constant read and reader for me. Thanks my dear.

Daryl of Out and About in New York City is a great place to check out the sights of NYC. She and I have exchanged gifts, comment and friendship over the blogosphere. Great pictures to not miss.

Char of Ramblins is a blog that when my Google Reader pops up I hurriedly look to see the next entry. Her photography is just amazing and it is a blog I love to read and give my eyes a beautiful joy.

Thanks you Yogi and ladies, it's your turn now.