OUTBREAK & PUPPY TIME
Flu is hitting the building…

NYE with the pupperoni.

ALL AROUND THE WORLD
I have a lot of globes. I have passed some really good ones up and that makes me sad. I just don't have the room for any more. I have been on the lookout for this one, though…

I don't want to pay what most are asking…

That's actually a pretty high listing I've seen them here and there for $70-$80. Though this one looks like it was pristine. I want to pay around $30 for one. Maybe $40 - tops.

The hunt continues.

LET SLEEPING DEER LIE

JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

DEER ME

Why do they come to me?

I feel like he is hungry.

I can't figure out what he needs.

I don't know if I should feed him. It seems like no. I don't know what to do.

I've heard rustling when I get in and out of the car and I think this may be the little one that is living in front of the game room window. And now that I think about it… I think this is the "dog" Chrissy and I saw int he front yard the other day,

What do you want, little deer? Are you hungry? Where is your family?

OH CHRISTMAS TREES

CHRISTMAS
I got my centerpiece together even though nobody is coming over….

We watched some strong man competition…

…and I went to the hospital to eat with the dad.

He had flowers in the room which is nice for everyone that has to be in the hospital during the holiday.

MUST MAKE THE MEATBALLS

I didn't want to have to "be" anywhere so I opted out of Debbie's for Christmas Eve. I was off and really just wanted to chill out with the pup and then go to see The Dad and then come back and watch a movie or something. It didn't really work out like I wanted.  I couldn't get my thoughts together and I was just all over the place…

Christmas Eve Shenanigans…

I made stuffed shells -

and watched the fights and that was it.

I never watched a movie with the pup or wrapped presents or anything like that.

One more sleep till Christmas...

…someone is keeping an eye open for Santa.

THIS CHRISTMAS
The K Bros sent The Dad this hoodie…

He made me these crafts in OT today. ;-)

I have nothing ready - I have some gifts bought but nothing wrapped or even gathered together. This is so unlike me and I hate it.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
Trip to Walmart yesterday… as our bus approached the door this Salvation Army dude jumped on and serenaded us…

This was his set up…

PINECONE FOREST
I had crafts yesterday and these were the cute little trees we made with their initials.

COOKIE MONSTER
Needless to say, Christmas is not really first on my mind this year.  Last year, when my boss was off on maternity leave,  we had a cookie exchange in our department and I suggested we do it again this year… you know, because I love making cookies so much.  (I DON'T)  Anyway, I waited until the very last minute and went out and bought the stuff for those cracker cookie things that I remember 150 years ago Lucille made… we just had them in Lawrenceville, too,  and I thought I would go for it.

I failed, miserably.

I had no other choice but to run to Target…

… I intended to make chocolate covered marshmallows as well but decided to forget about that after I made about a dozen and realized I had way too many more to make… so I made some little cocoa packs…

... and added them to my cute little bags…

…and at my favorite hour - called it a night.

I've come to the realization that I just like packaging things up.  The cookie part - not so much.

BEFORE PHYSICAL THERAPY I WAS A PAIN IN THE NECK - said the Pinched Nerve

Just a little PT humor.

Anyway, exactly as I thought… he can't keep up with the rehab here. Here we go again…

OH - CHRISTMAS TREE!
Some of our entertainers are tree-mendous.

PUT A TREE IN IT
This wagon was one of my fabulous finds that had a caveat to it… you can get it but it goes directly to storage.  When I first cast my eyes on it at Miller's in Verona I gasped. It was empty at the bottom of the steps in the yucky basement but, in my mind,  I saw it just filled with trees. Not exactly like this but this will do for now. I think Lily approves.

My Tascha Parkinson ornaments have a home now, too!

IT'S OK, I USED TO WORK FOR A LAWYER
The Dad has been back at East for awhile now… he left the LTAC at McKeesport b/c they didn't really have the PT he needs so they sent him back to East which I hate. Not sure he's going to be able to handle the therapy here so we have to prepare for what might come. Chrissy and I spent the day at the lawyers today to get some paperwork settled… she used to work for a lawyer back in the day so I told her to take care of business for me.

IT SNOWED!!!

I always considered myself a snowman girl but these Santa finds are taking me over to the other side.

JUNK STOP
My boss and I collect lady heads… she pays a lot for hers. I won't. I like the thrill of the hunt. This was a good find. $10 in Millers in Irwin.

Had this little globe but I just love her so… peace on earth.

I met the Murphy's at some warehouse sale. Got this cubby thing.

MOE MOE MOE
Cara and I stopped at Moe's and brought The Dad some tacos.

It's beginning to look like Christmas at the LTAC…

We left him with some reading material and headed out - hoping to not get gang banged in the parking lot.

FRIDAY FUN
Chrissy and I went to Jeanette… ate at the BM. We love saying that.

How did we not know this bakery was here…

Hello, bread.

We did some shopping… This kind of made me sad…

Chrissy gave me my Birthday gifts - I opened them in the car in Panera's parking lot.

I even got a new tree.

I know - she is an enabler in my tree obsession… She knows I have a like 9 trees in storage but still got this one b/c it's fabulous and it was on sale and she knew I liked it.  Good enough reasons for me. ;-)

C IS FOR COOKIE TOUR
It's that time of year again… Lawrenceville's cookie walk.

There were some risqué gingerbreads!

Some words of wisdom and lunch...

Stop off for coffee at The Abbey...

…and cake at The Butterwood Bake Consortium.

Cassie, Courtney and I had to get back to work - it was our light up night.  The girl scouts didn't come this year to put the luminaria out but I was on it - went to storage for these guys...

Hello, friends...

…and Santa too!

It's beginning to look like Christmas - sort of.