Bopeep

I'm getting a little put out with our USPS. I felt like my package should have been delivered Saturday. Post Office said it would be delivered Monday. OK, whatever. Now it says "Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way". What does that even mean? Give me a date!

My cousin just told me they have a store in Penn Sq. Mall, in OKC. But that mall is about an hour from my house, and the traffic is so horrible in that area I probably wouldn't go even if it were closer. LOL

Was off work yesterday, so I missed Santa's arrival! Luckily for me, he left my goodies on my desk . Thank you so much to my Secret Santa! I got a bottle of my favorite B&BW scent shower gel, a beautiful throw, and a box of See's peanut clusters. I'd heard of See's candies, but never had them. OMG, SO GOOD! Thank you thank you thank you!!

Sending love Illinoismom!

We are down to 4 that I haven't heard from. I think one may have shipped, and just forgot to send me tracking info (her SS recipient has posted she received, but her ornament hasn't so I'm not sure). I gotta be honest, I am really worried about one of them. She's been on here for years and she's always so excited about the exchanges. But she hasn't been online on GD since 11/7. I'm praying she's okay. If I don't hear from her in the next couple days, I will be reaching out to those that volunteered to be an elf (thank you!).

I got it, thanks!

So, as of right now, there are 15 Santas I have not heard anything from, and 5 on the ornament exchanges. I know everyone will come through, and I start getting a little panicky for nothing . Please let me know if you are not able to ship by tomorrow. Also, please don't forget to post here when you receive your gifts, even if you are not opening yet.

I've used those bags from QVC for 3 years now. I love them! But then, I hate wrapping. LOL. I do wrap everything for the children. Most of the fun in getting gifts is tearing off the paper .

My SS gift is boxed, addressed, and ready to go out tomorrow. I have never second-guessed myself so much in a SS gift choice. I sure hope they like it! Also, I would like to apologize in advance to my SS for all the tape on the box. After I got everything in there, I was afraid the box wasn't sturdy enough so I was trying to shore it up, LOL.

Used mine up yesterday. I hardly shop at Kohl's, but my niece has a birthday this weekend so that made it easier.

I have just 1 or 2 more gifts to buy. I haven't wrapped a darn thing yet, lol. Wrapping is my least favorite part . I've gotten started on my candy, but only because cordial cherries take 2 weeks to set up. I have so much more to do, plus the cookies. It seems like every time I'm ready to get things done, something else comes up. I did a small batch of cookies this weekend, because I'm mailing them out, and discovered my oven doesn't work. UGH. Yes, I'm going nuts like never before.I tried to be all organized and make a calendar to get it all done, and I'm already behind and it's just December 4th. LOL. I decided last night that I have to quit stressing. Do what I can do, and don't worry about the rest. I do it all because I love it all, and right now I don't love any of it, and that's on me.

I believe that is how it used to be done by most. So, my question is when do you take it down? I mean, how long do you get to enjoy it? Honestly, I love the tradition, but as soon as Christmas is over, I'm ready for the tree to be gone (but maybe I wouldn't be if it hadn't been in my living room for a month already).

We have chicken & dumplins for Christmas dinner. I make 3 big stock pots of dumplins, my sister fries the chicken, my other sister makes the mashed potatoes, and we all meet up at Mom's the Saturday after Christmas. Now, I have done a big dinner for when my kids come to my house on Christmas Eve, but after it's all over and I'm tired, they leave the mess. So I don't do that anymore. LOL

The deadline for shipping is this Saturday, the 8th. If you are not going to be able to hit that date, please let me know as soon as you can.

Personally, I don't care for the Misto sprayers, but a lot of folks love them. Another option, and my preference, is the EVO sprayer: https://smile.amazon.com/Trigger-Sprayer-Non-Aerosol-Cooking-Capacity/dp/B01MT673U6/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1543853034&sr=1-6&keywords=evo+oil+sprayer

I did B&BW Saturday for the candles too. I checked the night before to see what time they opened, hoping to beat the worst of the crowd. Well, it turns out, they had opened way earlier than normal. It was already shoulder to shoulder. Worth it though. I won't pay $25 for a candle, but if I can get them for $7 (20% off coupon) I'll stock up for the whole year! I bought 20. Got ready to bake a batch of cookies yesterday, and discovered the bottom element in my oven isn't working. Since I had to get the cookies done, I ran to Walmart and bought a counter top oven that I didn't want and don't have room for. Then I burned a couple batches while learning the new oven. What my oven took 8.5 minutes to do, this thing does in 6. Maybe my element has been bad for a very long time . Oh, and "Happy December"!

We'll be praying. Question - does anyone find it helpful for the names on the list on page 1 to be linked to the post where the gift was received? If anyone uses that, I will certainly do it again this year. But if not, I'm not going to mess with it .

OH NO! I'm sorry that happened. Will Kohl's make it right and send another one?

So, I went back and read your list. I think you gave plenty of information and your Santa shouldn't have any trouble .

Did you get enough oil on your chicken? The breading will not crisp up without the oil. And if you use flour, it will stay a nasty pasty white. I spray the oil until the breading is completely coated/wet.

Congratulations everyone!

WooHoo! Let the game begin.

It wouldn't let me see it

That jailhouse scene was the best!

Please don't forget to send tracking #s when you ship. And PLEASE don't forget to comment here when you receive!