Christmas. Again.

Many, many years ago I loved Christmas.  Lots of decorations, baking, cards and such.  Then my father died on December 22.  His funeral was Christmas Eve and the two have been forever linked.  Twice I sent beloved dogs to heaven on Christmas Eve, then three years ago one of my sisters died on December 23rd.  I still celebrated the real meaning of the holiday with church activities and remembering friends, even tho it was bittersweet at times.

Then, this year I got a job working retail just before Thanksgiving.  Humans are terrible creatures some times.  They lie and steal.  They treat others badly - maybe in an attempt to feel superior or important?   Some are very lonely and just need a kind word.  Having the free gift boxes set up near my work station was a fascinating study in human nature.  When customers thought they cost money, they needed two; when the found out they were free, they needed five.

And yesterday I think I lost my faith or my heart broke.  I'm not sure which.  Two Mexican women - no US identification - and a large group of children came in to return bags of clothing.  All of the items were children-sized and brand new.  I believe all were donated to their family, probably by some well meaning church group - maybe even my own, and they were trying to cash it all in.  The kids were poorly dressed and looked a bit worn and haggard.  When the women found out they could not get cash or even store credit for their haul, but would have to wait for a check from our corporate headquarters, they gathered it all up and took it away.  I've been in a horrible mood ever since. 

I'm trying to not let the actions of two horrible woman color my response to the entire human race.  There are good people out there who appreciate the donations of well-meaning people.  At the moment I'm not inclined to share my bounty with anyone, or even include them in my prayers to a God they seem to not know.  Looks like it will be a reflective holiday for me.

End of the World

If the world is ending on December 21st, will it be ending every hour around the world? Will it end first in New Zealand and last in Hawaii? And what time specifically because I'm thinking its probably already the 21st in some part of the planet. I just need to know if I should iron pants for work tomorrow or have dessert. I want to use my last moments wisely.

Cold front

So a cold front is trying to push thru the area.  "Cold" is relative in south Texas - we should have chillier than normal temperatures by Friday, including the possibility of frost in the morning.  It will be in the 70's again Saturday so no need to rush out and purchase an actual coat.

Love sleeping in on those chilly mornings.  Snuggled under quilts with the windows open.  Yummy.  Even Tyson likes staying in bed then.

This is the handsome boy himself.  There is a bit more gray around that cute nose these days, but none of us are getting any younger.  He's snoring so loud I've turned off the TV.  It's a pre-bedtime nap.  Always good to warm up before the real thing.

I'll unearth a jacket and we'll go for a walk.  Hope he wants to sleep in tomorrow.  I know I do.

Christmas wishes

My dog, Tyson, had his Christmas wish come true last night.  My neighbor walked Tyson around 5:30 and fed him.  Such a lucky dog to have so many people who love him.  I got home from work around 6:30, walked.... then fed him dinner again!  Two dinners in one night!  Woo woo!  He slept well thru the night, but we were up at 6:30 to take care of business.   Unfortunately the complex where we live has auto-timed sprinklers... that came on just as he was, uh, getting into position to take care of business.  Now that the sun is up, we'll go out again and see if we can have a peaceful stroll.

Eye doctors, reading glasses and trombones

Went to the eye doctor yesterday. Told the initial-exam person that I was "playing the trombone" when trying to read - I moved my arm up and down to show her - trying to find the place where my eyes worked best. Thought I probably needed reading glasses.... when the doctor came in he asked how long I had been playing the trombone and did I play with a group?

I explained that I don't actually play the trombone - that its a figure of speech people use to show they might need reading glasses.... He said, oh, so you're not having trouble reading music when you play the trombone? It says here in your file you play the trombone.

Well, if it says it in the file it must be true. Apparently I now play the trombone.

I sort of need reading glasses - I only need one lens. The initial-exam person suggested I buy some reading glasses off-the-shelf and pop out one lens. Won't that be a good look? I wonder how that'll look while I'm playing the trombone.

Working Girl

Getting a job has certainly cut into my blogging and sewing time.  Working part time is great - no alarm in the morning unless I'm scheduled for an early shift; most shifts are 5 hours which is enough time to get things done, but not so long that you're exhausted or bored at the end; and I'm less than 10 minutes from home so its a great commute.  The money isn't great, but its coming into the bank now rather than going out.  Hooray for that!

Working in Customer Service at Kohl's department store.   Unfortunately I get the customers who are cranky or unhappy, but the majority of them are pretty good.  I'm still amazed at what people will return.  Its a study in humanity that's for sure.

We will see if after Christmas I'll still be employed or I'll have more time for sewing!

Election Day

The move took the wind from my sails, but I'm getting back on course. 

Just a few words about voting and elections.  I must admit I took the privilege of voting for granted until I lived outside the U.S. for several years.  Not everyone on the planet gets to choose who leads their nation or who forms the laws that govern them.  It's an amazing process that began just a few hundred years ago.  I am incredibly lucky to live in such a place.

My personal politics are varied. 
Because of where I live - Texas - illegal immigration is an important issue.  Individuals have the right to start a new life in a new place, but they need to follow the rules of their new home.
As a woman, reproductive rights are an important issue.  Abortion isn't a choice for me, but I believe it should be legal, safe and available for any woman who makes that decision.
As a taxpayer, the national debt is an issue.  It's out of hand and I don't want to see our foreign policy suffer for it.

I like to think of myself as part of the 80%.  Ten percent of the population is radical at either end of the spectrum and the rest of the 80% are in the middle on most issues.  I'm avoiding all news coverage today.  Did my part last week at early voting.  Nothing left to do but respect the person who gets to take the Oath of Office in January.

Scrapbooking Memories

As I'm going thru the craft room, packing boxes to move, I uncovered way too many magazines devoted to scrapbooking.  I also found the Stampin Up annual catalogs, seasonal catalogs, mini-catalogs, etc. associated with my time as an SU rep.

Took the time last night to wade thru many of these publications before they hit the recycle bin at the church up the street.  So many clever ideas!  Mostly though, they reminded me of the friends I made thru scrapbooking and how important those friendships were to me.  We don't really keep in touch any more for the most part - not like we did years ago.  Their kids have grown; their interests and priorities have changed.  Sort of feels like everyone has moved on but me.  With the sale of the house I love, looks like its my turn for new adventures.  Hopefully I'll remember the highlights along the way so I can include them in a scrapbook.

Gluten free mac & cheese

Found a new, easy recipe for macaroni and cheese.  I love mac & cheese - all versions - as long as they are gluten free.  Unfortunately the boxed versions that are GF are kind of runny and don't taste all that good.  This recipe I stole from Pinterest and changed to accommodate my Celiac disease.

Start with your crock pot.  Always use a crock pot liner.  It makes clean up so much easier.  Spray the liner - it sounds crazy, but it makes a difference.

Whisk two cups of milk, one 12 oz can of evaporated milk and an egg.  Add a tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper.  I didn't measure either - I just added some.  Pour into the crock pot.  Add a 16 oz (standard size) package of GF pasta.  I used corn pasta that had a substantial shape, not tiny little shells.  Add 12 oz of shredded cheese.  The original recipe called for a specific kind of cheese, but I used whatever I had in the frig - I think it was Kraft Mexican blend and some about-to-get-tossed shredded white something.  :)

I would say make sure the pasta is covered by either the milk mixture or cheese so it gets cooked completely.  Cook on low for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.  Don't cook longer than that.  If your crock pot cooks "hot" then cook on low for 3 hours, then on warm for another hour. 

This makes custard-like baked macaroni and cheese - not the runny, soupy kind from a box (although I enjoy that soupy kind).  Next time I make this I'm adding a can of tuna.  It was delicious.  No photo of the finished product - I was in too much of a hurry to eat.

Waves

Usually I'm making waves somewhere.  Today I was painting them.

Helped my friend Keith set up the classrooms at church for Godly Play training next week.  This is an "S" disguised as a wave.  Jonah's boat will be placed on the blue felt sea, and these waves will tip him into the drink for the whale's dinner.  I tried the trick of using a push pin on the back of the "S" so the painted piece wouldn't stick to the plastic/newspaper.  It's harder than you would think - to get a push pin into balsa wood!  Wearing my Smurf gloves, but the paint will eventually come off.

The Godly Play program is really interesting.  Teaching little kids (under kindergarten age) about Bible stories using a moveable sand box, three dimensional figures and small props.  The training books are really strict!  A parable or story lesson must be stored in a certain type of box, marked with a specific color dot, on the exact shelf in the designated corner of the classroom.... Seriously people.  If we can find all the pieces and get all the kids to sit down I think we're doing pretty good!

Stocked up on 50% off thread at JoAnn's this afternoon.  Love half price thread! 

My New Year's Resolution for 2012 was to use up most of the fabric I already own.  The only allowable fabric purchases were for white/off-white for backgrounds.  Picked up some creamy stars to use with military fabric, white holly branches for Christmas and some tan print on tan from the clearance rack.  Used my 50% off coupon on interfacing for t-shirt quilts.  I'm ready to sew!

Irish Proverb

Stole this from Pinterest.  I like the photo and the proverb.  Spent a day in Dublin on a trans-Atlantic cruise stop last April and thought the city was wonderful. Loved all the bridges across the River Liffey (I think that's how its spelled).  Enjoyed the Book of Kells display at Trinity College and was happy to leave a few Irish Euro at the book store.  Unfortunately (or maybe it was a good thing) the book store at the museum was packed with teenagers while I was trying to shop.  I couldn't see all the things on the shelves!

Some day I will return to Ireland for a longer visit.  There are shirt tail relatives still living there so it might be interesting to look up a few - see if they look like any of us.

Spent the day cutting out quilt block parts.  I'm trying to use up fabric I already own.  So far I have blocks assembled for a couple quilts; taking the finished blocks to Quilt Group tomorrow for help in placement.  I have two other quilts cut out waiting for in-town quilt retreat next week, and two quilts cut out ready to assemble the blocks when I get home tomorrow.  I'm a lean, mean quilting machine these days.  Actually I'm not all that lean, I try not to be mean, and mostly I'm just trying to keep from worrying about not having a job!

Lunch and Luck

I'm currently not employed.  Rather than bemoan the fact that I'm broke, I've decided to embrace my free time.  How lucky am I that I had ice cream for dessert after lunch today?  Hmmm.  Is lunch an authorized dessert meal, or does dessert only apply to dinner?  Is breakfast authorized to support dessert?  I won't think about it too hard and just revel in the fact that I ate ice cream in the middle of the day while reading a new book.  Can't do that strapped to a desk!

Welcome

Assuming my laptop and I come to a better understanding of who is in charge, I'll try to post regularly about the projects on which I'm currently working, adventures I have in mind, and the incredibly smart, adorable dog that owns me.