Journals of the Days Before Christmas

Saturday, Dec 20

It’s been a busy little day. Katy and Cody and the grands came over this morning around 11. And George’s cousin Elizabeth came over to see everyone. After that we headed to ML Rose to get a burger and a beer. And then it was time for the kids to nap back at Cody’s parent’s house where they are staying.

I did the above pic BTW, yesterday in Zen Color on my iPad while using the pencil to tap the color in. It’s so satisfying.

After we ate, George needed to do a liquor store run for a few things so we’d have some things in stock in case anyone wanted anything. I asked him to run me by Starbucks and get coffee and I used my Starbucks card. I still have $9 on it and I’ll use it this week.

Oh I forgot to say that we had a nice little dinner last night here with the “sausage fest”. George has been wanting to cook Aunt Martha and Uncle Ken a big German style sausage dinner. He included some ribs for Mom and I. I try not to eat too much of the sausages but I love kielbasa and brats, etc. They don’t always love me. But I ate some of that and had ribs. So a little of each.

We ate on the Christmas china. It was really nice.

Tonight we are just not very hungry after our big lunch out. I will eat a little bit though here in a few.

I have been converting some of my Notion files to Excel files this afternoon. I’m very pleased with how the Mac is handling all the Microsoft stuff. It’s like magic and I feel like I’m in a familiar world with Outlook and Excel and Windows. 😉 It will speed things up for me tremendously with things I am wanting to do in 2026.

I plan to keep Notion as a Personal Planning Dashboard for my Weekly Planning. I can post some thoughts there. And plan my weekly goals out by day. And I decided to keep the Resources and Archives there where I’ve created some data bases, have attached files and records etc. It really works well in that respect as far as attaching documents and listing websites, and all that. I think I might post some of my analytic thoughts about YouTube strategy there but I’m not sure yet. I might use Excel. I will decide when I set up everything for the new year, or in the new year, b/c I’m not ready to work yet on too much.

So I’m in the midst of changing that around my systems for my needs. I’ve loved notion and I think I still want it around. It’s free and is a great place to park thoughts and plans. I still have my Reminder app on iPhone for my daily To Do List and for making lists in general. So it’s fun to figure all these things out! Everything evolves over time. I think I probably don’t need an actual planner anymore as I don’t even carry the one I have around in my purse. I keep it on my desk. But with Outlook and Google working so well together along with Apple – I’m able to easily use every device. I’m getting used to it now.

All this is Geeky, but I have it all figured out and I’m loving it.

Ok, gonna go grab some leftovers and watch Port Protection with George. Tomorrow we go to church and Katy and Trace are going with us. River and Cody are going hunting with his Dad. So we get only one grand child tomorrow. But River loves to hunt with his Daddy and can’t miss the opportunity to go with his Poppa. So we understand. I so wish we had them back in town so we could see them more but we understand that too. I think it’s good for them to grow up on the ranch. But if they ever want to leave, we’d love to have them back!

Just me thinking. Because we miss them so. Ok, gonna go now. More tomorrow. Here’s pics of the Sausage Fest last night.

Sunday, Dec 21

It’s been a nice day today. We had church. The hard part was waking up and getting out the door, lol. I woke up at 3:30 and couldn’t go back to sleep until about an hour and half later, so the 6:00 a.m. alarm was not welcome. I have a lady I watch on YouTube in the middle of the night who does a silent vlog, vlogging from Nigeria – she cooks, cleans and has subtitles, and it’s really soothing and puts me to sleep again. Otherwise I’ll toss and turn til the sun comes up. It just makes me reset my sleep.

But we headed off to church and Katy and Cody and the kids met us there. It made me so happy to have them there with us this year. Afterward we met them at Aubrey’s for a fantastic lunch meal. The place was hopping but we walked in and got a table.

They headed home so the kids could get nap and quiet time. River has quiet time now instead of a nap. But Trace still has nap time. It really makes a difference getting to visit with them more since we are not working. We have been able to have so much more time with them.

George and I headed to the store. I needed to get my sausage ball ingredients. And just a few more things for the week. I’ve not been eating enough fruit and getting my Vitamin C so I got some of those little oranges (Cuties) and the kids can take some home too. I’ve been craving oranges. I might have that for dinner. lol

I have enjoyed my down time. I started playing another FarmVille 2 on my iPad. Just a silly but relaxing way to just unwind.

I also have been looking at making earrings in 2026 and watched some videos on making them. Looks really easy. I’m thinking I could have some fun with this next year. I am so tired of so many of my earrings and I thought that I really didn’t want to have to buy any and thought it seemed like they’d be fairly straight forward to make. Turns out it is. And I’d like to take some of my old jewelry – like from necklaces I don’t wear and make earrings from them. I’m just really stoked about this. I can also make my family and friends some. And of course I would vlog it if it went well. I’m not really interested so much in making necklaces or bracelets though but never say never.

So I’ve got some things picked out on Amazon and I will get them with my Amazon points.

So Mom has had some type of electrical issue happening. It happened at end of November and a repair person came out and fixed her fridge. He said it might have been lightning. And she thought it had zapped the heat. But then later realized the heat was ok.

Well she called saying the heat was off at their house and also her dishwasher wouldn’t work and then also her burglar alarm system was not working. They have checked breakers supposedly. So Hiller is coming tomorrow. She calls them Hillard’s. I told them they might need to get a hotel tonight. But they said they could make it. I said they could come over here if they want but some of us would have to sleep in the recliner. I could give up my bed to somebody and sleep with George. Our recliners and sofa are really comfortable, but we’ll see.

Anyway, I’m off of here for tonight. Just wanted to do a little entry. I think I’ll pour a glass of red wine, and watch sister wives.

Here’s the Zen Color I did last night. I love old General Stores whenever I see one. There was one in Albany, TX. I love the old wood floors that squeak. Looks like this gentleman is about to head home with some gifts and a Christmas tree about sundown. The horse was anxiously awaiting his master. The gentleman looks like he’s happy and going to surprise his family with the tree and gifts. I also love art and trying to assess the situation and read into the meaning. 😉

Oh and I’ve just now seen that this is the art of John Sloane who is one of my favorite artists. I’ve seen his work in many graphics and have blogged with them many times. How neat. His signature is there above on the bottom by the lantern.

Monday, December 22

It’s been a rather relaxing day today and we are heading out to eat tonight at an Asian restaurant where they cook at your table. We are seeing our TX family tonight, as this is their kind of food. Mom complains at the thought of even having to eat at an Asian restaurant so we did not bother to ask, knowing she detests it at all costs.

Also they let us know (Aunt Martha did) that the heat was back on. I’m not sure what is happening but I wondered if she just couldn’t see it? We have had these issues before.

So today we got up and got our showers and got ready as we thought we were going out to lunch with Katy and the boys since Cody was going hunting. Katy called at 10:30 or so and she had gone to Cracker Barrel and Cody and his father didn’t go hunting so she wanted to go out Wednesday instead and that is fine. So we have had the day to relax and will try again tomorrow for lunch out with Katy and the boys. But we get to see them tonight. So that will be fun.

I did some dusting that I had been putting off in the back part of the house and did some windexing. Also I played Farmville 2. And it’s been so much fun. I was thinking I had already done Farmville2 but I think they may have redone it? I’ll have to look into it. I had gotten pretty far into the other Farmville. It was not the first FarmVille. So I don’t know what the deal is, but it’s been an enjoyment for sure – just mindlessly feeding animals, growing crops, earning money, selling things, and decorating the farm, lol.

I have not been reading much though b/c this has been more fun to me.

I’ve also worked on my Year in Review. Since I’ve not blogged this year it’s been harder to do. But I got a few things of the blog, and also looked at my Calendar. So hopefully I won’t miss anything important.

I’ll do a separate blog entry – more than likely on New Year’s Eve.

I’ve already worked on New Year Goals.

Alright, so I’m going to go work on the puzzle I think. I have not decided. But it’s almost Christmas and I’ve not started the 2nd one. lol

Tuesday, Dec 23

We had a great meal last night with the grands at the Asian Nobu Sushi and Hibachi place. I actually caught the rice shrimp! First time in my life. I told myself “you can do this” instead of “oh gosh, I always miss it”. So that worked. I absolutely loved my meal and the taste was so good. I love that Yum Yum sauce and the veggies were so good and the fried rice was divine with flavor. I love the salad with ginger dressing and the little bowl of soup. It was the perfect meal. I got steak as my meat. I usually do scallops too but I don’t know, I’ve not been much of a fan of scallops recently for some reason. And I normally love them. It’s a texture thing now.

This morning we slept in a bit. It was 7 I think when we got up. It was 9 hours of sleep. I was so dazed. I also feel so dazed when I sleep that long. I’m probably still trying to catch up sleep from years of not getting enough. But I tossed and turned and woke up and had weird dreams since midnight. As always.

We left at 9:30 to meet Katy and baby Trace (Toddler Trace more like it) on the Lebanon Square for some shopping around the square. George bought us both some earrings for our stockings. 😉 Katy, living in TX, likes ’em big and with bling. lol. They are cute on her. The shops had some sales going on. But mostly we didn’t buy anything except the earrings and George got something for River.

So we went to lunch at Cedar City Brewing on the Square. They have a really good lunch. And the beer is good too. They had a good crowd.

After lunch we went our separate ways so Trace could get in his nap. And George and I had things we needed to do to get ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. George picked up the Baklava from our neighbor who makes it and it is so good. And I made sausage balls. I also did 2 loads of laundry, one being my flannel sheets as it’s been 2 weeks. And they smell so good with the Buff City Soap.

Katy asked me if I’d had heard of Buff City Soap. I said “do you NOT watch my videos”. She said “no”. lol. Which is fine. I wouldn’t want to watch my mother’s videos either if she made them, lol. I thought it was funny. Because I’m always buying buff city soap. I love it. Matter of fact I will get free soap for a year, lol! Because I spent enough to get that perk. Yay! (I guess. lol).

So George and I are having a lazy night tonight then since it’s been a busy day. George is fixing a Mac and cheese dish that has hamburger and a bit of BBQ sauce in it. It’s like a skillet Mac and cheese is what he’s shooting for. Dinner was supposed to be light, but, that’s what we picked. We DID eat a pretty good lunch this morning.

I have been eating little Cuties about once a day with the 100 calories heart healthy nut packet and string cheese torn apart in strings. It makes a cute personal charcuterie board or bowl as I do it using a pasta bowl. I really enjoy this as a meal or a snack. Once night I added squares of pumpernickle rye and melted butter and I dipped the bread into the butter and called it dinner. I’ve been feeling the need for more Vitamin C. I have not been getting enough and this is the time of year I need it the most.

We’ve been eating way too much lately as is what happens when we eat out and it’s usually not too healthy.

Well I’ve been enjoying Farmville 2 today when I’ve had a chance to work on the farm. I understand we have snow coming by Christmas Eve on there, so I will have to check it out after our dinner party tomorrow night. I’m enjoying it so far and advancing enough here and there to have fun decorating the farm like I want it. Soon we have cats and dogs coming to the farm. This has been so relaxing for me. When I worked – many years ago I got into Farmville 2 – but it was on Facebook. It’s completely separate and rebuilt on a different platform and the other one supposedly no longer exists. I had to ask ChatGPT. I also used to do YoVille, and that was an incredible journey that fulfilled a lot of my needs – loving computers, loving to decorate on line, got to work on line and earn money to buy things to decorate your house with. And Mom did it too and after work we would go visit each other’s houses and you could make your character talk with a blurb over its head. We had so much fun on there. It changed over time though and wasn’t as fun, but you could visit a lot of others houses and get ideas and you could get really crafty with the transformation of the houses. I’ve not seen a program or game quite like that, that wasn’t dark and dingy and have monsters.

Anyway, I’m having a glass of wine now and we’ll probably watch Port Protection. We were too sleepy (mainly me) last night after we got back home. But we might watch it tonight.

I figure I will post this tonight and I may post a special blog post on their own over the next couple of days. We shall see how it goes though.

By week’s end I’ll need to vlog a bit and start working on the Jan 3rd vlog.

But I’m really enjoying my time off of YouTube just getting some rest and getting to “re-create” myself. Hopefully this will make me a more fun self in 2026 for the channel.

If you are reading this to the end you have to let me know. But I’m ok with this totally just being for me and my memories.

Oh and Mom called and said her dryer is not working properly. That the heater is not working and then she added after 3 years of living there that “it never has worked right”. What? I don’t know but there is a black cloud over her house haunting her and telling her she needs to “get out”. I have no idea why everything is going sideways unless she is shorting something out by punching buttons that she can’t see what it’s doing. So now the dishwasher is out, the burglar alarm out, and the dryer on the blink. The air was out several times and came back and the fridge quit but a repairmen fixed that. It’s only 3 years old. Maybe a lightning surge but these are all on different circuits George said.

And she has been thru 2 dishwasher’s and 2 microwaves, and I know we’ve bought 3 toasters, and I think she’s on her 3rd garbage disposal. I think she drops things down in there. While we are on it, I think she’s on her 3rd recliner. I just don’t know. I don’t know. At some point it seems like that would just get old. I guess she needs an electrician. She had Hiller scheduled but I think she canceled. So I don’t know what she decided to do. But it’s been a nightmare for her. Finally the pest control got rid of the ants. It’s like she has been sent plagues of bad luck.

Anyway I’m over and out.