almost 10:00 pm...

I know I should be in bed sleeping. But a nap overtook me at about 3:30 this afternoon, and I slept almost until 5:00.

In the morning, I get to go back to work after my long weekend. (I had Saturday off due to weather, and only put in two hours Friday before bugging out to home in heavy snow.)

So I have been warm and snug since mid-morning Friday.

I finally made two picture frames for my beach pictures, which I had been planning to make for over a year and a half.

I wrote a very short essay about grief, which my grieving friends took as poetry.

But mostly I have done nothing. Read some, baked some, scanned Pinterest. I found a better birthday gift for Becky, got that sent.

Re Ordered some jammie pants for Connor... the store had two categories- boys 4 to 7, and boys 8 to 20. I needed a 14, so chose the second category. Then they broke down the available sizes in the category, " XS S M L " . I figured XS must be about an 8-10, S a 12-14, L a 16-18. Needing the 14, I ordered an "S". The pants arrived- clearly marked "size 8". Sheesh. If they had the numerical size, why not let me ORDER a numerical size?
No online exchanges... I have to drive to Fayetteville to exchange, or give them to someone else. Since they were ordered in a pattern that CONNOR likes, none of the kids they would fit are interested.
Maybe I will add them to Gavin's stuff, he can match his big brother. (I reordered the next larger size... maybe I should of gone up TWO sizes?) Trouble is, I haven't heard from Gavin's custodial parental unit since his birthday gift arrived back in September. Not sure if the address is even the same. :(

Making plans to have Connor and Alana here, the 21st to 24th. Trying to think of fun things to do with them. Becky, Paula, and kids are going to try to come before the end of the month. I  am trying to make menu plan generalizations, as we have some specific dietary "don'ts"  among the guests.

I am sort of leaning towards chicken and dumplings for the 23rd- or perhaps gumbo. (Something that can be kept simmering for later arrivals, doesn't contain pork, isn't spicy...) I've got a turkey in the freezer to cook sometime while I have guests. I can't have enchiladas with Connor and Alana, they find them too spicy. I would need to modify the recipe to have them with Becky and Paula, as my regular recipe contains pork.... Guess I need to think things over so I can have groceries laid in before we get folks here!

I made a terrific goulash tonight... Sam tasted the sauce and said it was good- but didn't taste like 'home cooking'. Tom said it was great, and didn't think it 'needed' anything. Dan agreed it didn't taste like my usual kitchen fare.  (Cooked ground beef with onions, celery, and bell pepper, Portobello mushrooms, and one chopped, de-seeded jalapeno. Seasoned with salt, smoked paprika, Hungarian paprika, a dash of cumin and a grind of black pepper. Added a jar of summer canned tomatoes from our garden, and a can of tomato paste from the store. Didn't have 'elbows', so the pasta was farfalle (bow ties).  Cooked sauce and pasta separately, then combined. There wasn't a smell left of it.
Thanks for reading. I will try to stay on top of things here!
~Tammy~