My Christmas Week(Ok, Maybe 10 Days?) in Pictures

 Making the medical rounds.....

I saw a local TV Personality/Newscaster in the waiting room at this doctor's office.  He came out from over on the side where the plastic surgeons' offices are........hmmm........

 

Decorating the tree.....

 

Keeping up my strength to celebrate the Season.....

 

It snowed again.  Nothing is melting it is so cold.....

Late last week I went to the Dollar Store to buy some really cheap Dawn dish liquid(real cheap because of the coupons I had).
I had a weak moment in the store and bought 2 rolls of gift wrap.....ugh......I so don't need this!

 

But how could I say no to Thomas the Tank Engine and Justin Bieber for 1 dollar?!?
I did however, resist the TWILIGHT themed paper.......


 Then the Winter Solstice came to town.....

Followed the next day by Santa on a fire truck......

Sunday saw Hubs and I running out for necessary supplies, like Gingerbread flavored Marshmallows....

 And as we went down a depleted Christmas décor aisle I saw a stack of music CDs of Holiday tunes.
I exclaimed as I pawed through the CDs, "I wonder if they have a copy of "A James Brown Christmas"?
I really did say that, ask Hubs!

And then a Christmas Miracle happened and I pulled out this.....

I didn't even KNOW he had recorded a Christmas album! lol
Moral of this story.....Be careful what you wish for!!
Of course after that, I just had to bring Jimmy home with us.
After all, you don't want to piss off the Universe when it provides for you......plus it was 50% off to boot! ;-)

I saw this bank sign on the way home........and yes Sonya Ann, that is an adult bookstore sign next door to the bank.......

And here is what my fire pit looked like 24 hours after the Solstice.....

Before......

The After this morning......

Went out to get blood work done this morning and saw Santa walking down the highway.
Didn't get a picture unfortunately but you all know what he looks like, right?

Came home to bake some pecan pies......ALWAYS a tradition at Christmas in my home......

 

Next the Chocolate /Cinnamon Chip Cookies Hubs requested.....

And one big Cookie for Santa tonight.....

(For Santa=whoever goes to bed last gets to eat the cookie.)

Then Santa's helpers finally arrived with the Christmas Drawers.......it wouldn't be Christmas without new socks and drawers in this house........

Now Christmas can REALLY happen!

Off to start Aunt Lula's Rolls......

Sluggy



 

Songs of the Season from My Local High School Band

This is from the Christmas Concert at my tiny town's high school last week.

#2 Son is on the far right, front row in the white shirt, playing the flute.
His buddy is the kid on the end in the row behind him playing the trumpet.
You'll notice that the Concert Band is quite small, about half the size of the Marching Band.




And here is the Jazz Band at the high school and the only number they performed.
#2 Son is on the far left, playing the bass guitar.
Sorry for the shaky video but I had to stand in the back to shoot this, it was the last number, it's hard to hold a cane and a purse while trying to shoot a camera and I was getting tired. lol

If you thought the Concert Band was small, the Jazz Band is even smaller. 8-)




Sluggy

Monday at Rite-Aid....I'm a Big Spender!

Total out of pocket was .13¢ at Rite-Aid yesterday......

2 x R-A Candy bags on sale/rain check .99¢ each=$1.98
2 x Quaker Oatmeal cups on sale/rain check=FREE
2 x Jack Link's Jerky Dippers on sale/rain check=FREE
2 x R-A facial tissue rain check .59¢ each=$1.18
1 x Snickers 6 pack bars on sale=.97¢
SubTotal......$4.13

I used a Facebook R-A Q for the Snickers 6 pack=$1.00  You have to like Rite-Aid on Facebook, then Go HERE and print it.  Of course since the Snickers are on sale for .97¢ and the Q is for $1 off, you'll have to buy something else to cover that .03¢.  8-)

$4.13-$1.00=$3.13

I paid with my $3 in +Up Rewards that were expiring on Christmas day and paid .13¢ OOP.

I'll be back on Thursday since I have $30+ in +Ups expiring on the 27th.  I hope to pick up some candles on Christmas clearance then.

I also used an Exclusive Deals F/B Q(no longer available)for $3 off a $25 Kohl's gift card to pick up a discounted gift card in a different transaction that I am not including in my drugstore shopping.  I did some Kohl's shopping for Christmas this season and have $20 in Kohl's cash to spend the week after Christmas so this gift card will either be spent in conjunction with that K cash or saved until a killer sale comes along sometime next year and #2 Son needs new duds.

Sluggy
 

Sluggy's Nativity Scene

We dug out the ceramic Nativity scene my mother made back in the 1970's this year and set it up earlier this month.
We have a few different sets but this year we used my mom's.

Here is 2013's display, in all it's glory.........

                     Click on picture to embiggen

You may notice, when you look at it close up, that we have a few unconventional additions.
If you ever had little kids you will understand.
When the kids were little, you never knew from one day to the next who would make an appearance in the Nativity tableau compliments of the kids' toy box.

So we have continued and embellished the traditional.

After all, who am I to say that Batman and Pound Puppies didn't come to Bethlehem that night many years ago?

Sluggy
 

Another Rite-Aid Transaction from Last Week's Ad

A second transaction I did at Rite-Aid last week to pick up a couple of Black Friday Rain check items that finally came in......

2 x Blue Diamond Almonds FREE w/rain check=$0.00
2 x Rice Chex cereal .79¢ w/rain check=$1.58*
3 x Trident Gum packs on sale 3/$3=$3.00**not pictured, tucked away for Xmas**
2 x Milky Way dark candy bars on sale .67¢=$1.34
1 x Cold-Eeze drops on sale=$3.99
1 x Case of Water w/20% discount=$2.79**not pictured**
SubTotal......$12.70

Coupons Used

1 x BOGO Mars candy bars IPQ=.67¢
1 x $1/2 Chex cereal(just expired but attached to my rain check so R-A honors it=$1.00
1 x $1/2 Chex cereal Load2Card came off too=$1.00
Coupon Total.....$2.67

$12.70-$2.67=$10.03

I used $10 in +Up Rewards that were expiring and paid .03¢ out of pocket.
I received back $4 in +Up Rewards($3 Cold-Eeze, $1 wyb3 Gums).

*  The cereal was a Black Friday weekend deal--Buy a box for $1.79, get $1 +Ups Reward back, meaning you paid .79¢ per box(limit of 2)after reward.
These 2 boxes ended up costing me -$1.42 combined.....yes, negative $1.42, so the store paid me to buy them. lol

I had a 1/2 IPQ and then a $1/2 L2C Q came off my Wellness card.
Then, I am a Savingstar member and had clipped this same $1/2 Chex cereal coupon so I get $1 back from them for this purchase.
Spend $1.58, get $3 back.

I'll take that deal all. day. long.

This week I just have $3 in +Ups Rewards to spend/roll.
Good thing because there isn't a lot worth my time to bring home this week.
Maybe some Finesse Shampoo for $1 a bottle after sale/+Ups?

Hopefully I can find some more rain check items in store(that weren't totally free after +Ups)and use my +Ups on those.
Though I don't think at this point the Planters 3 pack of nuts Holiday packs are going to appear but that's ok since my store has no time limit on honoring rain checks so I'll just save it until Fall of 2014, in case these items don't go on special this low next Christmas. 
Ya see?  I can find the bright side on any situation if I have to. lolz

Sluggy
 

This Week on The Dining Table

The "Winter Solstice is Past & 2 Days until Christmas" Edition.......

 

While we were out running errands on Sunday I saw this mom and daughter putting a clothing donation in a bin at the gas station as Hubs was checking the air pressure in my van's tires.  The little girl had on reindeer antlers and a red nose, which you can sort of see in my bad shot.

I felt like telling her to be careful if she wants to go around looking like the resident deer population in these parts. This is PA, home of the gun-toters and deer hunters.  The kids here get the first day of Hunting Season off from school as it's an official state holiday. lolz

 

On to the Meal Planning.

Here is what was planned last week--

 

Sunday--Dinner Out after some Holiday shopping w/Hubs at Bob Evans
Monday--Chicken and Dumplings(to use up the rest of that chicken & milk about to expire)
Tuesday--Ravioli & Sauce(use up leftover sauce), Green Salad
Wednesday--Chicken Fried Steak(I'll have something else), Mashed Potatoes, Veggie Medley
Thursday--Something Inexpensive Out after #2 Son's Christmas Concert(the last one we ever have to attend!lol)
Friday--Shrimp Burgers on rolls, Deviled Eggs, Green Beans
Saturday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Spinach Salad

Well we ate everything listed with the exception of the Chicken Fried Steak(#2 son had to work that night).  #2 Son had brought a big plate of leftover food from his Marching Band Christmas Party/Dinner for us so we split that instead.  We had Grilled Salmon(got on special last week)and a Veggie Medley(from freezer).
 

As for the food spending last week....
There was 1 trip to the grocery store & 1 trip to Rite-Aid and I spent a grand total of $30.09(including my Rite-Aid trip at $.19)on $132.26 worth of groceries/toiletries at 2 different stores.  We are at $215.04 spent on $722.52 worth of groceries/toiletries for December so far(grocery store value only is $363.71---Rite-Aid freebies and almost-freebies really skew the totals).
8 days left in the month and $84.96 left in the food budget(if I want to come in under $300 this month instead of the usual $400).

I am still hopeful I can pull off a $300 food month.  We will be out of town and NOT cooking for some meals the rest of the month so I need to do little food buying.  I'll probably just pick up some loss leaders this week and a few special things for #2 Son.

Leftovers going into this week--Ravioli(1 helping).

Here is this week's meal plan---

Sunday--Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad
Monday--Seafood of some kind, Rice, Brussel Sprouts
Tuesday--Chinese Food out(Christmas Tradition paid for out of Xmas Budget)
Wednesday--Prime Rib, Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes, Homemade Rolls, Corn Casserole
Thursday--Chicken Fried Steak(Hubs and Son only), Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Sugar Snap Peas
Friday--Leftovers
Saturday--Dinner Out


What I need to purchase for this menu?....... well the Duck for Christmas idea went over like a led balloon here. sigh
So I need to buy a roast but luckily they are on sale the next 2 days. 8-)
I need to buy some seafood(not sure what I am getting yet....scallops? shrimp?), a roast, cauliflower and sweet potatoes.  I have everything else already. 


What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Sluggy

End of Year Decluttering Porn....I Am Almost Done!

Another 2 loads headed off to Salvation Army Friday & Saturday........

 

 

Today I will be out in the garage working on a 3rd load to take in this coming week.

Sluggy

 

 

 

 

 

For Tanner.....lol

Celebrating the Winter Solstice and getting rid of cardboard boxes from the garage that I emptied this morning, all in one fell swoop.....
 

Unfortunately I don't know any prayers, chants or incantations to recite while bonfiring it.

Sluggy

Blessed Be the Light

Wishing all my Pagan friends a Blessed Yule today!

And may the Winter Solstice be the beginning of a renewed year of light in your life.
We can all use more light and goodness in our lives.

 

And added for reader Meg B. an Ian Anderson Solstice song....



Here's a recipe I fancy for a Yule Wassail.

Recipe for Yule Wassail
3 red apples
3 oz brown sugar
2 pints brown ale, apple cider, or hard cider
1/2 pint dry sherry or dry white wine
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger strips or lemon peel
Core and heat apples with brown sugar and some of the ale or cider in an oven for 30 minutes. Put in large pan and add rest of spices and lemon peel, simmer on stove top of 5 minutes. Add most of the alcohol at the last minute so it heats up but does not evaporate. Burgundy and brandy can be substituted to the ale and sherry. White sugar and halved oranges may also be added to taste. Makes enough for eight. Wassail!

Sluggy

A Little Christmas Music

For your listening pleasure......



Sluggy

Christmas Surprises and Cards

Two days ago now, I greeted the UPS man at the door.
I was expecting some packages this week and he brought me two on that day.
One was #2 Son's main Christmas present but the other one?.....I didn't recognize the store it came from.....disregard the dog's back end in this photo...lol......

Hmmmm......
So I opened the box and found this......

 

 

Plus there was a note on the invoice about thanking us for hosting her this past Summer.
It was from Tanner!
That little sneak........lolz

Thank you Tanner for the unexpected Christmas present!!
It is now parked under the tree and awaiting it's unveiling on Dec. 25th.
I must say I think there's a cement block in there.....it weighs enough to be one! lolz

It is finally beginning to look a little like Christmas inside the house.
Some more Christmas cards have flown in.
I tell ya, that card from Sonya Ann was beginning to get lonely......

Here are the new additions to the collection......

From the brother in-law's wife

From my 1st Cousin 1 x removed

 From a college friend and her Hubs

 From an online friend

 From a college friend and his wife

From a childhood friend


Woohoo!  We are up to 7 cards. 8-)

And I had a good laugh when I saw the envelope from one of these cards.
I guess Hubs and I are just sooo important and well-known in our town that people don't even need to use our last name(s) when they mail us anything!

Incriminating information has been removed.  Just look at whom the card is addressed to......

Heck, Hubs and I have ascended into the strata of Celebrities known by just their first names now.....
Cher, Sting, Bono, Madonna, Elvis, Bing, Charro and now.....ME! lolz
Or maybe the real reason is because our town is just so danged small......nah, couldn't be that...... 8-))

Ok, lots to do today.
We have to pick up the repaired vehicle(ouch!)when #2 Son gets out of school and I have a load to take to the Salvation Army Store but I need to finish getting it recorded on paper before I go.
I am off like the wind.....

Do you send Christmas cards?
Do you enjoy receiving them?
Have you ever gotten a surprise Christmas present?

Sluggy

Clueless & A "Last"

Does anyone using eBay EVER read the blasted listing information anymore?!

I woke up today to TWO BEST OFFERS on 2 items........probably desperate Christmas shoppers, right?
And this is after I spent a good chunk of yesterday adding in BIG LETTERS that I am NOT shipping out any items bought AFTER December 18th until January 2nd.
I am on vacation from now until after the 1st of 2014.

I guess these folks just missed that message at the beginning on each of those item listings, huh?
Ugh.

And in associated news......

This here is the last rent check for my storage unit that I mailed out earlier this week!
It pays me up through January 2014.  I doubt I can get it all emptied out before December ends so I paid for December and 1 more month.
And I enclosed a note telling them that I was ending my rental as of January 31st.
So there is no going back now! lolz

We are suppose to get warm weather here this weekend........talking about hitting 60 degrees in December!!! 
I'll be taking advantage of that warm spell to finish getting the garage organized so I can get the rest of what's in storage into it.
Then it's another load or two to Salvation Army before we bid adieu to 2013.....the crappiest year I can remember.

Sluggy



 

Put Those Credit Cards Away!

Consumer spending is NOT the path to prosperity! Keep that in mind this holiday season when you are "shopping 'til you drop".



Don't go into debt to have a Happy Christmas!

Sluggy

What's Your Favorite Christmas Song?

I was planning on posting some Christmas Youtube videos/songs during the next week.
Poking around online for songs/video ideas got me thinking about my favorite Christmas songs/carols.

Here are my top 10 Secular type songs.....at least my favorites this year......

10.  Merry Christmas from the Family

9.  Shake up Christmas

8.  You Ruined My Christmas

7.  We Need a Little Christmas

6.  Silver Bells

5.  Christmas Island

4.  Hippie Christmas

3.  Maybe This Christmas

2.  Christmas in Dixie

1.  White Christmas

And here are the ones that just make me want to take hot metal pokers and shove them into my ears.......

10.  Dominic the Donkey

9.  Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas

8.  Wonderful Christmas Time

7.  The Christmas Shoes

6.  Jingle Bell Rock

5.  All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

4.  Santa Baby-especially the Madonna version

3.  Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

2.  I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

1.  Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer


And here are my top 10 Religious/Traditional songs/carols.....again, my favorites THIS year.....

10.  The Seven Joys of Mary

9.  O Holy Night

8.  O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

7.  Lo, a Rose e'er Blooming

6.  Past 3 o'Clock

5.  Down in Yon Forest

4.  In Bleak Midwinter

3.  Ave Maria (the Bach/Gounod one)

2.  When Was Jesus Born?

1.  The Wexford Carol

And here is one that really isn't a Christmas carol/song but feels right to listen to it this time of year anyway.
A capella fans will like this....



 

So what songs/carols are on your list of favorites?

And which ones do you think will make you go insane if you hear them just one. more. time!?

Sluggy