HanShotFirst

For Christmas gifts, I had no issues finding or receiving items once I figured out what I wanted to give. All my QVC purchases arrived in a timely fashion as well as Amazon. It did take a few extra days than I thought was normal for a Vera Bradley order to be delivered but that was it. For household items, I haven’t been able to find my favorite brand of hairspray or Quilted Northern toilet tissue in my Walmart for about 3 weeks now but that’s it.

YUM to all of those goodies!

Christmas Eve lunch is supposed to be hosted by my Dad’s sister and the menu is grilled steaks, fried potatoes, hash brown potato casserole, and some kind of rolls. I’m sure there will be a large variety of desserts. We as a family are bringing the hash brown casserole and brownies. Found out yesterday that it is all up in the air though. My aunt is very worried about Covid because of the entire bunch of us she and my family of 4 are the only ones fully vaccinated. Also the weather is supposed to be rainy so not great for grilling outdoors. We’re playing it all by ear now. Christmas Day will just be my family of 4. We are going out on a limb and doing a turkey breast, a small ham, dressing, dumplings, Mac and cheese, fried and/or baked potatoes, and maybe purple hull peas. Sister Schubert rolls of course. Dessert will be homemade chocolate pie and chocolate sheet cake. This will be the first time my 77 year old mother has actually made dressing so we shall see how it turns out! LOL! In her defense, the dressing job belonged to her sister and her mother. Mom’s job was dumplings, Mac & cheese and some sort of chocolate dessert. This is the first year since my aunt’s death 2 years ago that we’ve wanted to try turkey, dressing and dumplings. Wish us well! Lol!

I’ve had a real tough week this week and completely forgot my birthday was Wednesday and that I was saving my SS gift to open. I opened it this morning andI just love the gifts! Thank you so much SS. I got a beautiful Harry Potter Quidditch set and a deck of Harry Potter playing cards!

Well, I’ve had a package stuck at my post office for 5 days now. I’m giving it until tonight then I will open a missing package ticket. Luckily it’s not a gift but I want my stuff. It’s limited edition Vera Bradley Luna Lovegood items so doubtful I can jut re-order them. I really really hate that UPS turns over so many deliveries to USPS. Really I do.

After one last purchase last weekend, I am done and done and done. My shopping list is completed, all gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I was after the dreaded "one more thing" last weekend and lucked out at the first store I went to, I don't bake for Christmas since I am never at my house but always at my parents' so she does all the baking, although we've cut back severely this year.

Y’all! I don’t ever win anything! Ever! I’m so excited! Thanks Brad for all the fun contests here!

Awesome!

Oh my goodness! In my 28 year career in a hospital laboratory, I’ve seen this scenario many times which is why I’m scared to death of these blood thinners but I’ve been assured by 2 pharmacists and my doctor that this one is much safer than the old ones. So glad you’re almost back to normal now!

Forgot it was December. What a week I’ve had. Went to see my PCP Monday for leg pain. Had a venous Doppler ultrasound Tuesday, immediately got put in a wheelchair and told not to get out. Yep, blood clot in my leg. Yay me. So, I’m on blood thinners for 3 months but the pain in my leg is so much better. And to think I’ve been walking around with that for a month, just thinking I had a strained muscle in my calf. So grateful the clot didn’t break off and become a pulmonary embolism. On a positive note, I wrapped one gift today and boxed up some others, waiting to put a final gift card in with main gift.

I splurged and got myself one as well and then I really splurged and got myself a Le Creuset small Dutch oven from QVC.

One of my favorite year-round treats….. Peanut Butter Chews 1 cup light karo syrup 1 cup sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp vanilla 6 cups corn flakes Measure corn flakes into a large bowl or dish and set aside. I usually use a 9x13 baking dish in large saucepan, mix sugar and karo syrup and bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, butter and vanilla. Mix well. Pour mixture over corn flakes and mix well until cereal is fully coated. Drop into cupcake papers or you can drop on parchment/wax paper and flatten slightly for more of a cookie shape.

I thought so! You have a beautiful tree!

I see the photos correctly too.

Here’s mine for this year. All Hallmark Keepsake ornaments.

Hilarious!

That is adorable!

Bopeep, that quilt is awesome!

For someone that swore she wasn’t going to buy much I sure ended up buying quite a bit of stuff….. Online shopping from Kohl’s, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Best Buy and Target prior to Friday. Kohl’s: 2 Big One throws (smh) Target: $10 Hamilton Beach toaster and one beauty gift set at 30% off Ace Hardware: batteries and one red and green LED light bulb each Best Buy: Apple Watch SE, 2 movies and one outdoor smart plug Walmart Event 1: 2 books and a movie Walmart Black Friday: mattress pad, 2 pillows and 2 of the onn dual port wall chargers Dollar General (in-store Thanksgiving night): discounted Lowe’s gift card Belk (in store Friday night): clothes and a new everyday jacket for me and a holiday print sheet set for me QVC throughout October/November: I don’t wanna talk about it. LOL

The only store I went into today after work was Belk at 5:30 pm. It was crowded but not unlike any normal Saturday afternoon. The holiday items were picked over. The luggage sets were wiped out. Didn’t really go all over the store though. I did end up spending $94 on clothes and a Christmas themed sheet set for me though so time well spent. Everything else was purchased earlier and online for store pickup, which was fairly easy and flawless this year. I still need to compile my annual “what I bought” list though. LOL

Well Len, I had to work so yep, you win the prize for sure in my book. Lol

It sure is hard to cook for one, Thanksgiving or not. I’ve never tried to cook Thanksgiving for one because luckily I live close enough to family to make just a day trip due to my work schedule. I think i would probably just cook myself a burger.

I got the mattress pad and 2 of the pillows for pickup on Friday. We shall see if the order stays or gets cancelled. No biggie if it does.

I absolutely LOVE my Target store’s drive up service. They are always on the ball and I never have to wait more than a few minutes.

I’m hoping for a Wondershop deal still too. I always bought several things, whether I needed them or not.