Rhapsody in blue

I love writing - not just the manipulation of words and ideas, but the actual act of putting pen to paper.  I have several fountain pens that I enjoy using but I'm not above snagging a free pen with an insurance agent's name emblazoned across it...Roller balls, gels, stick bics, you name it, it's probably tucked away somewhere in the house.  Which explains this pile taken from my desk:

This doesn't include the pens from the kitchen.  Or my work area.

I've begun the process of sorting/tossing and, honestly, how many pens does a person need?!  Have you ever read (in Real Simple, e.g.) how much sense it makes to label your miscellaneous, but vital, cords?  You can see that I've also begun labeling a few cords - that one is for my camera - but the thought occurred to me that there are a lot of very similar cords floating around the house, and here, in context, I know which is which, but once they're packed and unpacked and my context no longer exists.....And it may seem  an insignificant start but I have started, and it makes sense to tackle whatever area I happen to be using.  That way I can do 5 minute attacks all over rather than facing a 10 hour just-slog-through-it-session, which will no doubt happen eventually, but right now this is working for me.

But we were talking about writing utensils. And this semester I rediscovered the delights of mechanical pencils. They flow. They glide.  They make a satisfying scritch.  They makes taking notes (almost) effortless.  This little blue model set me back about $1.25 - and I'd be lost without it!  I'm on the lookout for another model - an upgrade. 

Wednesday night I came home from work and did all my wrapping.  Partly to see what shopping was left to be done, but the ultimate goal was to get this finished so I could clean my sewing room and work area the next morning before going to work.  And I did.  Another round of sorting/tossing.  (There will be a lot of s/t in the near future).

I need to find a few stocking stuffers, but was pleased (relieved) to find that I was, otherwise, done (done being a relative term this time of year).    A CLEP in American Government is scheduled for Tuesday, work Monday and Wednesday, 7:00 breakfast at the library on Thursday, then hit the road for Iowa.  Charlie needs a bath sometime before we leave.  There will be errands on Tuesday after I test.  And lots of s/t worked in around everything else.  I really should get off the computer....

drum roll....

The semester has ended.  Today I can clear my desk and start on a new round of activities:

wrapping Christmas presents

laundry

ordering books for next semester
schedule CLEP

returns from online shopping

mail hold for Christmas travels
cleaning/sorting
realtor appointment
packing to move
hair cut

groceries

Charlie's tags
transfer/delete files
reading

i had hoped

to sign off today with christmas greetings, pack my bags and head out to visit family in central iowa.


this map has changed all that.....
tim did pack his bag, but headed west, to work, (confusing charlie who'd been told he'd be going to see grandma and what else does the suitcase mean but road trip!?) where he will be probably til friday....

there have been a flurry of phone calls - should we?? can we?? will you?? our plans have been postponed. we'll make the trip next weekend. christmas will come and go this year via phone calls. once, long ago, we opted to think we could beat the weather and spent christmas eve in a motel in hutchinson, mn. as much as we look forward to gathering with family, these days we just don't risk being on the road in bad weather.

i have plans to clean a couple closets, catch up on some reading, nap. it will be the perfect time to do the paperwork for a couple garden club awards. i hope you'll all be warm and dry for the next few days.....

it's beginning to look a lot.....

we had snow again last night...-2 when tim left for work around 7:30 this morning. if this predicted storm happens as scheduled he'll overnight in north platte.
i did my christmas decorating this weekend and have cookies on the agenda for tonight. we'll see what the day brings. this morning i'm getting a box ready to send to jacob and kate. they won't be able to join us for christmas this year and will be sorely missed. i also wrapped my first packages for under the tree. (3)(packages, not trees)if nothing else it helped solidify the whatelsedoineedtoget refrain that has been running through my head....
decorating seems to diminish each year - not because i don't enjoy setting everything out but becaue i hate putting everything away when it's over- there are some favorite 'must haves' that will continue to find their way out of the storage tubs.
the old fireplace came with the house and i have so much fun hanging it with stockings.





this is something new i'm trying for this year. i love sparkly things and the combination of glass and 'crystals' reflect the lights and add a pretty glow to my kitchen.

so it's officially under way at my house. i should have carols playing while i bake tonight, a few last touches for decorating, a list to revise and cards to get started. our local pony express group will be riding with cards in a traditional saddle bag to get them stamped with a pony express delivery mark if cards are ready for collection by the 11th!! (poorly worded but watch to see what your envelope looks like!!)

change of plans

i had been psyched for a last, relaxed day of preparation and packing on tuesday but it looks as though we will leave for fort dodge that morning so as to help iva around the house. she broke her arm. packages are wrapped and ready to go.
it meant moving a few details forward but we're essentially ready to go. i need to figure out what clothes to pack and make sure that last load of laundry gets done tomorrow night - nothing too major. i might even get in on some of the holiday hustle and bustle with a grocery run in fd beings we'll be there for such a long time. hope you have a merry christmas.

photo ops

this is for those among us who like to see pictures included in a post.

i delivered my plates of goodies to the neighbors on tuesday and afterword realized that i had missed yet another photo op. the counter looked so festive laden with colorful plates. did i think to take a picture??







when i had my basket loaded ready to play red riding hood on her way out the door did i think to take a picture??




time doesn't permit much more for this morning's post but i will have more ....

whose workshop ??

its beginning to look a lot like christmas.. (hum along)


my favorite embellish
ment- scribbles paint.
a dribble here, a swash there, you never know where it might turn up.
packages are getting wrapped.

cards are ready to be signed and addressed. and if i could get off the computer that just might happen yet tonight. i've updated the garden club website as well as checked in to see who has blogged what, done my emails...
it turned cccccold over night. containers of cookies have been moved to the garage and if it hadn't been so cold and blustery (charlie was actually blown over while in his 3 point stance this morning) i would have assembled and delivered plates to the neighbors today. that will be the plan for after work tomorrow night.
...everywhere you go...(keep humming)