Countdown to Christmas

OK, the shopping is done - not that I am that big a shopper, but some things have to be bought. I've been in the kitchen a bunch and we have yummy gifts to give. Dean made dark chocolate peppermint truffles and fudge cookies, and Brandon came over yesterday and we made toffee fudge that is absolutely amazing. I have a few things left to wrap, and we ordered Christmas cards, but they have yet to leave the dining room table. Maybe they'll get sent before Christmas; maybe not. I've been happily listening to Christmas music; Allen is anticipating the day after Christmas when all the stations will be playing regular music again!

This is the first year in more than 20 that I'll have to work at Christmas/New Year's time. It's very strange. I work until 4:00 on Christmas Eve, then Allen, Dean, and Grandpa will meet me at church for the 4:30 service. I'm off Christmas and the day after, back to work on Monday, and only off for New Year's Day. Obviously, Dean is out of school and Allen will be off starting at noon on Christmas Eve, so I'm sure I'll grumble a little about being the only one to have to get out of bed the week after Christmas. On the other hand, maybe dinner will be cooked by someone else that week. Ya think?

Life, as always, is interesting. I keep wondering what is in store for me next. I am working with some wonderful people, but I really miss the kids at the school, as well as the event planning, marketing, etc. Not a lot of room for creativity these days, so I will need to find another outlet. In the meantime, I continue to pray for my friends still job hunting.

So, if you don't get my card, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Oh, yes, and a flu-free season!

Holiday Eating Tips

I was given these last year shortly before Christmas, and just now received them again. In the Spirit of Christmas, I offer you these 11 simple tips. Feel free to share them with all your family and friends. After all, I just did, right?

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
7. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
8. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
9. Same for pies. Apple,Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
10. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
11. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, cookieless January is just around the corner.