A Christmas Gift (from 3 years ago!)

 Today was pretty low key. I slept in, then drove Lu to work before going to Mass, then ran some small errands in the evening with Junie (pharmacy, Walmart, storage, etc). 

But right before Mass I swung by Collector's Edge Comics and FINALLY used this certificate Junie got me for Christmas way back in 2021! To my shame, I lost track of it for a long time but was overjoyed to rediscover it. 

Despite the expiration date being two and a half years in the past, the owner honored the gift certificate. I raided the discount bin and picked up ten copies of the great 80's run of Blue Devil. 

Thanks Junie!

My New Threads

For Christmas Lisa got me a gift certificate for a suit from the tailor shop next door to my office building. 2 days after christmas, on the 27th when Lulu and I went down to Kenosha I went in for a fitting. 

A couple days ago I picked it up but today was the first day I wore the new Duds. The suit felt notably higher quality than the ones I own from Men's Wearhouse and DXL. And I thought I looked great in in it.

I did receive several compliments during the day about the suit, a few more specifically about the tie, but the most impactful comment probably came from a homeless woman that saw me walking to the courthouse. 

Quoting the woman "You look great.  Today."

LOL

I'm not sure why I look so glum that last picture I guess she just hit the shutter at the wrong second.

What a great gift Lisa thank you!

Pawprints Keepsake

This is another of my Christmas presents, this one from Smiley. We did them late today,  after I got back from my road trip with LuLu. 

We anticipated Sawyer would struggle and fight to the point where it just wouldn't happen at all. 

As it turns out he was super agreeable and it took two seconds, sooooo.. we look dumb for rushing it with a muddy paw. D'oh!

Huckleberry on the other hand DID fight and squirm and raise a moderate fuss so we made do with what we could get in the moment. 

Then, without my permission, Smiley made a cast of both Kahuna and Benny's paws -  even though this was MY Christmas gift and I didn't want someone else's kitty cat memorialized. Hrmph lol

It was a thoughtful gift Smiley. Thank you!

Christmas Cards

If you sent a card, thanks! If you want a card from us next year, let us know, it's a tradition we plan to continue. Next year I plan to decorate our card "tree".

- Lisa

Dig a Mammoth Skeleton

For Christmas Yaya bought me a mock mammoth skeleton that came encased in a block of clay. The box included a plastic hammer and chisel with which to free the individual skeletal pieces. 

I greatly enjoyed digging them out but, just as with model airplanes as a kid and Legos when Smiley was briefly interested in them, I really am no good at assembling these kind of things. So Smiley stepped in to help with that part of it.

Shortly thereafter Lulu and I delivered the mammoth to my office in Kenosha, where it sits a top my microwave and one side of my Polish flag, with the other side guarded by a porcelain bird that Lu got me for Christmas.

It was a very thoughtful gift.

Christmas Lessons

Christmas was different this year. Gifts went way different this year, our kids received way less than usual. Covid and work schedules put wrenches into some plans too. Even decorated less. But overall, I'm calling Christmas 2023 a huge success.  I am so grateful for the fun we had and memories made and traditions kept.

What I learned: 

1. My kids still want pj's on xmas eve. We skipped it cause we didn't think anyone would miss it. We were wrong.

2. We skipped putting up 2nd tree. 2nd tree will return as it was missed too. I will be trying to talk Dan into another fake tree and no more real ones.

3. Incorporated a game. We will keep games, prob add more.

4. I never regret sending too many cards, only not sending enough. 

Hope your Christmas was wonderful, even if it was different likes ours!

- Lisa

Our Tree

My tree is finally up*. 2nd tree maybe next weekend :) Now to get some presents bought!!! St Nick comes Wednesday morning.☃️🍬🎁🎄✨️

- Lisa

* she means decorated; the tree was purchased and set up in the living room the Saturday of Thanksgiving week.

My Spam Slicer

I love Spam. I don't care if you mock my taste, for the fact of the matter is: I am right, and you (assuming you dislike Spam) are wrong. 

Anyway, for Christmas Junie bought me this slicer to alleviate one of the *only* negatives of Spam, the difficulty of achieving consistent, perfect slices. 

With this, Achievement Unlocked. 

Consider this a gift-giving success!

The Cookie Tree

Today Grandma Jeanne and I made our long overdue Christmas project, the cookie tree. We went with a spring theme to offset the tardiness. - LuLu

How I Decorated my Cubicle for Christmas 2022

A Potential TV Appearance for the DanDan

This morning interviewed by WTMJ TV 4, donating our  Christmas tree at a neighborhood event that will use it to mulch the community gardens. I said on-air that Lisa gave me the idea,  and better yet I twice mentioned that it was a 9.5 footer lol

Hot Chocolate ala Danny

I made a slow cooker of homemade hot chocolate this afternoon. 6 cups of whole milk, a can of sweetened condensed milk, a bag of chocolate chips,  vanilla extract,  and (in lieu of heavy cream) two scoops of natural vanilla ice cream. Heat for 2 hours,  stirring frequently. 

Yum!

White Christmas

Lisa and I just got back from watching this, sans kids, at the Avalon. I've seen it many times,  but Lisa claims it was her first time.  The verdict? She loved it.  "A singing and dancing extravaganza," she has said many times,  leading me to think I missed the phrase somewhere in the movie ads.

She wants to add it to our  annual Christmas movie (now) trivecta - It's A Wonderful Life,  Elf,  and White Christmas. 

Blessed

When u see a need try to fill it. I felt so blessed this morning for my good family, good friends, and good co workers.

Do I have plenty on my mind worrying me? Do I wish I had more, could do more...yes.

But today I choose to be grateful. 

If you're reading this, I am grateful for you too!

Have the best holidays!

- Lisa

Merry Christmas Eve!

The presents are wrapped and ready.

Merry Christmas (Eve) everyone!

 

Best to just Pray

 

How I Decorated my Desk for Christmas

A Great Gift from Mattel

holiday gift arrived from work - YaYa

Tis the Season

The Christmas tree is up and 90% decorated. :)