I’m still trying to figure out why I can’t seem to find any time for blogging these days.  Other than a slightly longer commute, I still have as much time in my day as I had before.  I hope I figure it out soon, I feel like I’m so very very far behind!

So we are a week away from Christmas.  Tater has been changing the little count-down numbers every day, and keeps reminding us that its “almost here.”  Yes, we know.   We also know we’re not done shopping yet.  So if we could get full advantage of the remaining seven days that might be nice!  I did pretty much finish up with the things I needed to get, including the stocking stuffers.  Usually I’m out buying those the day before Christmas eve, and it is a struggle to find enough stuff.  I should be better set this year.  I hope.

And I finally baked a cookie that I can be proud of.  I’ve made several batches of cookies, and brownies, since I’ve moved here, and none of them have turned out right.  I was blaming the oven.  That’s because I’m not always the brightest light on the string.  Brownies end up crumbling into nothingness, and cookies flatten out and end up tasting like, and feeling like, burnt molasses.  Chewy, but not in a good way, not to mention flat as pieces of paper.  Yuck.  Then I remembered that we are at altitude here, and maybe there are instructions for high-altitude cooking of chocolate chip cookies.

Aha.

So today’s batches of chocolate chip and butterscotch chip cookies turned out beautifully, as you can see.

I’m just going to have to remember to always check the recipe, no matter what I”m baking.

The house is decorated, there is still snow on the ground (and two small snowfalls to come this week), we have plenty of candy, and Klown did manage to book us one Santa gig.  On Friday we will be visiting the Independent Living Center where he works to do our Santa/Mrs. Clause thing.  I was worried I’d not get to put on the dress this year, which would have just made me sad.  Of course, it’s a free gig, but I’m not going to complain.  It’s something.

Speaking of Klown, he had hernia surgery earlier this week.  We were trying to put it off until spring, but it just wasn’t going to make it.  His surgery was outpatient, but occurred so late in the day that he was unable to get on his feet before the surgery center closed.  So he spent the night on the post-surgical ward, and got to come home the next day.  In typical Klown fashion, he overdid it the first three days when I wasn’t home to watch him, so I made him stay home and rest the last two days.  I’m not above taking away car keys if necessary.  He needs to get healed so he can go back to work.  January is going to be pretty rough with only one paycheck, and I don’t need him putting his ability to work in jeopardy just because he’s bored and tired of being at home.  He never was one to want to stay home, while for me, not having to go somewhere every day pretty much sounds like heaven.

As the year comes to a close, I have much to be thankful for, and much to be looking forward to.  Yes, it looks like we will have to move, but at least we’re here where we can actually look at property and do some research to be sure the place isn’t in foreclosure and doesn’t have some of the idiosyncrasies that this place has.  And we might get lucky and find a place for less money, which would be wonderful.  Yes, it looks like my car is going to need a new clutch by the end of January, but that’s not unexpected in a car that age and is really just routine maintenance.  But I live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  I have a great job that I love doing, and work with some amazing people, not to mention some amazing students.  We are all, except for Klown, healthy.  Winter is just beginning here and I’m growing into my own; frozen landscapes, clear blue skies, the call of the hawk on the dry winter air, it all speaks to me as nothing else does.  I’m out of summer hibernation and enjoying each day that I get to wake up and breathe Colorado air.

I love this time of year, and feel badly for those that are struggling with their holiday spirit.  This was my grandmother’s favorite time of year, and I celebrate all there is to celebrate.  The pretty colors and lights, the brisk mornings, the beautiful presents under the tree, the ugly Christmas sweaters I encounter, the piles of treats just waiting to be eaten…  I cannot imagine not enjoying this time of year, if only because of all the beauty and the holiday wishes that seem to get spread around everywhere.  January is long and cold and austere, and I’m going to build up my fat, jolly, gluttony self in anticipation of poor boring old January!

I wish all my friends and family a blessed holiday season, no matter what they celebrate, and hope that they, too, can find joy and happiness in these warm times.  It isn’t about what we have, it isn’t about what we can buy for others.  It is about what is in our hearts, and how we treat those around us.  That is one element of the holidays that I think everyone can manage to embrace.  Happy Holidays!

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 18th, 2011 at 8:27 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.