It's almost Christmas and the elves have arrived!

I totally get the hungry feeling after eating oatmeal. I have tried hemp hearts, and they work, but they are sometimes hard to find. And then my big question is, do you want whole hemp hearts or ground hemp hearts - which one provides more nutrition? I'm going to use my protein powder because I have it and need to use it up! But first, let's use the carbohydrate powder. It's time to clean the cupboards! 

So many choices!! I laugh about eating oatmeal for breakfast, because when I was chatting with my aunts earlier this year, most of them will NOT eat oatmeal. It was a staple when they grew up, and they were "forced" to eat it because it was the only thing available. I get it! We ate porridge every morning as well -- at least my Mom cycled through the flavours -- oatmeal one day, then Red River (flax, wheat, and rye), Cream of Wheat, and, hmmm, there may have been one more. But I like oatmeal! Even though, as a kid, I hated it because that was what "poor" people ate. The "rich" kids got to eat boxed cereal laden with sugar! 

Now that my gift has arrived and opened by the recipient, I can share what I made. 

These are two elves (a boy and a girl) that I made on the embroidery machine. The legs are one hooping; the arms, then the body; and the head is also one hooping each. So when assembled, they are about 2 feet tall. They are adorable, and I had loads of fun experimenting with various materials to make them. 

The girl elf

The boy elf

I still have one pair of legs left, and I think I'll make the elf girl for myself using the legs. You can't let a pair of legs go to waste! The instructions called for buttons to join the pieces, but I used my KAM snaps! And they worked like a charm. KU took the items with her, and I just barely finished them before her flight! M picked them up yesterday and sent me a note that they like them. Dillon is a nut about Christmas, so I'm sure they will be hanging up by now! 

The pattern is from Designs by JuJu. 

Thank goodness, I like these, because somehow I seem to now have a pattern for a witch, a snowman, a nutcracker, and several other door-hanging people! How did that happen? 

The same way that it is now Christmas Eve. Where did the time go this year? Slow down - we need to slow down and savor every moment! I have loads of memories from 2025, so I don't feel like time totally slipped away on me. 

We had a big snowstorm the previous night, so when I went out, I decided to wear my new winter boots. Oh my -- what a joy to put on boots that didn't squish my feet. No wonder I never wore winter boots before! OK -- I'm an idiot, and I know that! I detest shopping for shoes, which is probably why I had so much difficulty on the Camino. But the snow was wet, so the boots helped to keep my feet dry. 

Murphy approves of the new boots

And all was good on the walk, until Lexi and I came to Tim Horton's driveway. A car pulled out as it was going to merge right into the traffic. She was on the sidewalk, but I was watching the traffic, and a lot was coming, so Lexi and I forged in front of her. Lexi was on the OTHER side of the car - the driver's side, and I was RIGHT on her front bumper when she decided to move. Let me say that I'm sure the entire neighborhood heard me yell! I hope it scared her! She rolled down her window to apologize, and well, I let her have it! I was fuming. 

Yes, I know that pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers, but her windows were tinted, so I could not do that. So I watched her like a hawk. She didn't look right when turning right, which is a HUGE issue. The only thing people care about is merging with oncoming traffic from the left. She didn't even sense me in my bright orange coat, even when I was right in front of her! How could she miss that? She only stopped when I yelled. At least she wasn't on her phone that I could tell. The rest of the walk was uneventful! 

Miss Lexi, after the excitement

Here's the saga of my two girls. The Husky wants in - too much snow, while Murphy is lying flat out in it! Sigh.................

MOM -- I need to come in—too much snow! 

But Miss Muprhy likes the snow because she is hot and likes to cool down in the snow! 

MOM - I wish we lived where there was snow all year round

But it was peaceful with the snowfall, and as soon as I got back from walking the girls, I shoveled the driveway. Our sidewalks were plowed, and I think the guy struggled with my stakes - I have no idea why - just drive beside them. We live on the corner, but the curve is very gentle. He ran over my neighbor's small walls by the side of his driveway. Thank goodness, we got rid of those several years ago. Silly things! 

And when the plow came later in the day, I watched how they avoided putting windrows at the bottom of the drive. Holy - that sure slows the process down a LOT. There was only a little snow in my driveway, so after he left, I went out and removed it. I know -- I can't help it. And then I laughed when I returned to the house to see all the dog hair on the floor. 

Walking through the forest with the snow

In the afternoon, I walked to the grocery store to do DH's groceries. I guess he didn't want to tackle the madness that was the grocery store. Just because the store will be closed for ONE day, why was it total chaos? I have no idea, but I carried two bags home, and all was good! I wore my running shoes because by then, the sidewalks were clear and dry. Only a bit of snow in the forest. Did I mention that the snow was wet, so it was very heavy to shovel? 

I did my shopping in the morning, and OH MY— I got pie!!! Somehow, this ended up in my shopping bag. I swear I didn't stop at Michael's, but when I got home, there was pie! The crust is broken, but no big deal. I want the dish, not the candle! Someone was with me the day we bought those pie patterns, and perhaps she will like the second dish. Or I might just want to keep both! 

A pie candle

But Michaels' wasn't busy, and everything Christmas is 60% off. It's been 60% off for over a month. Then I went to Fabricland, and it wasn't busy, so I quickly got what I needed. 

Then I went to Staples to get three things done. Good grief - that place was a shambles!!! Many of the copy machines were down, and one of three photo printing machines was down. They also have new instructions for using the copiers, which didn't make sense to me at all. Apparently, they didn't make sense to many others either. 

I also wanted to get that book coil-bound, and I was sure I would have to leave it. Nope - the job was done while I waited, which was amazing!!! Now I can transfer my notes from my book to this book, and I'll be set!! I'll have to keep the book beside the digital cutter, so I'll know where it is when I need it. Hmmm -- I should make a cover and put a pocket in it to hold this book! 

My book is now coil-bound

I will confess I struggled to get my documents printed, and it was entirely my fault. I don't know what is happening to my brain. I think because so many people were frustrated and waiting for machines, it rubbed off on me. Let's hope it was that! 

I asked for help. I nicely told the staff member that I was frustrated, and she helped me! But the changes they are making have come about because many people go with things to be printed, and it's on their phone. When I go, my stuff is on a USB. Nothing has changed for printing from a USB drive, but I thought it had, which confused me to no end. Anyway, now I'm good for the next time I need something copied or printed, and I might try printing from my phone, but I don't know. All these new-fangled ideas for technology!!!! It tests the senior brain for sure! 

However, I got all the pictures printed (my home printer needs some TLC) for my 2026 goals, so I hope to get them organized today! I'm very excited to be getting some of this organization done! And it's not even the end of the year - I still have one more week! 

But I also got some writing done (about time!), and my plans for the rest of the writing look good. I'd love to get that off my plate ASAP, since I've been procrastinating about it. 

I sat in a chair in the living room to read last night, and guess who was there? Her thought process was that if the left side of the chair doesn't work, let's scoot around the back and try the other side. That dog is insistent!!!

MOM - I WOOF you!!! A LOT!!!!

Meanwhile, this is Lexi hanging out beside DH's chair in the family room. Sigh......... Why do I get the hyper dog? But she is dang cute!!! They are both adorable! 

Lexi just quietly hangs out with DH

Then I headed upstairs and thought I would drop in on the crazy puzzle. As you can see, I've got a few more pieces added along the bottom. The colors are very dark and similar in tone, so it's hard to tell what is what. I'm mostly going by shape! I guess I'll be working from the bottom up. I've tried to isolate some sections, but can't seem to make head or tail of that like I could on a "regular" puzzle. But that's OK. A little bit every day and I'm good! 

Progress on the jigsaw puzzle

There was no spin class this morning, and while I could have gone myself, I decided not to. Lazy!!! But I'm OK with that! I should do some stretching later this afternoon. 

Remember, there is a Virtual Retreat this morning - we start at 10 AM and go until at least 2 PM. If you are with family, that is good. Many people don't have family nearby, and rather than sit alone at home, we can all gather together and sew. Here's the link. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88421755791?pwd=alembPc4qQybCv1ElwMvrqc400FolX.1

Meeting ID: 884 2175 5791
Passcode: 720274

Zoom will be sending me another notice that this is NOT a good idea, but what do I care? I've never had an issue, and I can kick out someone who isn't supposed to be there! 

Well, I'm off!!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!