Good Morning and today is Saturday the 14th day of December 2019.
We are coming closer to Christmas with each passing day.
Some folks are stressed as they have not started shopping, baking or decorating or wrapping.
Some folks have stressed as they have finished shopping, baking, decorating and wrapping but feel as though they are missing something.
See how it does not matter at which point you are at someone is always going to be stressed.
As I age, keeping it simple is the most important.
Now sometimes I may do/change my plan as I did with the cookies/baking.
Just to be a “cookie hero.”
New phrase but same meaning as “people pleaser” or “cannot say NO when someone gives a compliment.”
That is what happened with me and the baking.
I had decided that I was only going to bake sugar cookies this Christmas and a small batch of fudge for one little boy.
I had decided that I was not going to participate in the “cookie exchange” at work.
It is not really an exchange but there ended up being 15 people participating.
We were supposed to bring enough for everyone in the group to have some.
Now people pass by where the cookies are that are not participating and of course, have one.
But at the same time we always have treats out and about so doesn’t really matter.
I am doing as I have done other years, wrapping them individually for each person.
So they will be just for that person.
I ended up baking fudge, sugar cookies and couple of kinds of chocolate chip cookies.
I would say that I have more than enough for every person/group/event.
Story from Friday December 13, 2019.
As I mentioned yesterday my daughter was going to pick me up from work and we were going to go to PETSMART and pick up the clipper head so that I could give Mr. Alvin a haircut.
She would then drop me off continue to COSTCO (pick up my few items, as well) and then come back to my house for supper.
So ended up she did not get away from work on time – much later as they were short staffed and she is in Management, so she could not leave the new staff person alone.
By the time she left her office, got to her car and over to me it was 4:45 p.m.
She was tired and frustrated.
No blame there.
The car needed gas so we stopped at a nearby SAFEWAY GAS BAR and I ran to the SAFEWAY store and grabbed a couple of items.
One of our long time staff members had retired and we had a big party for her at the office.
There was so much food that they were asking folks if they wanted to take some.
I took a few things for us for dinner and grabbed some salad as well.
After we were done (which was quick) we found that there was a PET store nearby so decided to stop there and grab the clipper head and some Christmas gifts for our fur babies and their friends.
I asked one of the staff at the pet store and no they did not carry that particular clipper head.
There was no way that I was going to spend more than $100 to buy a new one so we picked up a few gifts and left.
The traffic was so bad and backed up and SLOW that we just continued home.
COSTCO would wait until next week (better for me, anyway).
Poor Alvin was waiting patiently.
We arrived home at 6:30 p.m.
CRAZY.
Snowing …..
Anyway, Alvin got to go outside and have dinner and all was forgiven.
We had a bite to eat and visited before I filled a tin of Christmas goodies and she was on her way.
It was almost 9:00 before I actually sat down for a break.
Dishes and tidying up and stuff.
So my plans changed for today.
I was going to be giving Mr. Alvin a haircut right about now.
Needless to say we were not up when we should have been.
But that is okay.
We are having company at 1:00 p.m. so time to eat breakfast and put on some laundry.
Tidy up the house (which to be fair looks good) but I want to vacuum and wash the main floor and do the bathrooms before she arrives.
So there is time.
It is almost 9:00 a.m. – the coffee is brewed.
Time to throw on some clothes and get going.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Saturday, December 14, 2019.
Remember that no matter what is thrown your way …. you just take a deep breath and if you need to scream going into the bathroom and SCREAM.
Not an actual SCREAM that would wake the neighbours but a silent scream at the top of your lungs.
It is amazing how wonderful you feel after releasing all that anxiety and frustration.
It works.
Have a great day.
Remember there are not many things that happen in life that cannot be changed, fixed or put off.
Of course, there are some things not the majority of things that we deem to be so important are not really in the grand scheme of life.
Happy Saturday.
Coffee is ready.
Yes, I am going.
Always, Carol & a patient Mr. Alvin.
My New Life @ 51 