Saturday

After all the late night wandering I did, I still woke up before 7:00 AM. I have a busy day today, but I did take time to make the French toast (planned for last weekend) to use up some of my old bread. The rest went on the top of the dryer to go out to the birds tomorrow. After eating and cleaning up, I made up my grocery lists.

I decided to be a rebel again and not shave. So, I just showered and got ready for shopping. It's above freezing, so I got my light jacket instead of my heavy leather one and headed out.

First, I went to Kroger's. Now, I am really not familiar with this store (like I was at Farmer Jacks and am at Meijers), so getting my list filled involved a LOT of walking back and forth (and it's a pretty big store). In the first aisle or so, I ran into a young woman (maybe, mid-twenties) in a grey sweater who was shopping with her Mom. Several times thereafter, even though I had backtracked several aisles to find something, we ended up in each other's way. But, the most impressive thing was when I asked a lady employee at the end of the store (maybe Aisle 30) where I could find dried sweetened cranberries and she said, "Oh, they are back at the other side of the store (maybe Aisle 2)" So, I trudged all the way back and while I was looking for them, the grey-sweatered woman showed up!

So, I asked her in a stern voice, "Are you stalking me?" She laughed and said, "Well, I guess I am!" Now, here's where I could use some divine guidance (or maybe just a friend who knows good pick-up lines), but all I could come up with at the moment was, "Well, don't make me call Security" and went on shopping. I have been kicking myself in the butt (figuratively) ever since. I am SUCH a social boob!

I dropped a bundle there, just shopping for items I am out of, even though I did a complete grocery shopping last Friday! Go figure!

Then I went to Westborn, to pick up fresh produce, herbs, exotic mushrooms and specialty cheeses. I spent way more than I had planned, there, too. And, its only 12:30!

Once home and with the groceries put away, I changed clothes and began my Christmas cookie baking. Now, as long time readers may remember, the last two years, I have been joined in this effort with my friend and ex-employee, Tracey (the woman who comes over with her dog Samson, the Pomeranian, that Scruffy likes to beat up). However, she has scheduled then canceled several visits over this past year, citing overtime work. And, I believe her, knowing what Spacely Sprockets Manufacturing has been faced with. But, I don't feel good about asking her over at the last minute, so I will do this by myself.

Now, remember, I am a self-confessed "Foodie" and, we DON'T bake (Okay, there are the occasional biscuits and my pasties but that's an aberration, dammit!) So, I must tell you with two people, baking Christmas cookies is kinda fun. With just me, it's just a chore.

But, I soldier on. In the middle of the oatmeal raisin cookies, my brother Carl called. There's a problem! Somehow the staff lost Mom's new, unread copy of the Blog I mailed her. So, Carl being Carl, he wanted to know how I copy it off the web, so he could recreate it for her. I told him I am coming to see her tomorrow (Sunday) and will bring last week and this week's Blog to her, hand delivered.

Then just as I started to ball up the peanut butter cookies, Lu called to tell me they will be at least one day later than she said, due to scheduling conflicts. Stopping and talking also allowed me to take stock and I realize how bad my legs and back are feeling. So, when the last of the peanut butter cookies are baked and cooling, I wash up and take a nap.

I got up at 6:15 PM, starving! So, I warm up the second steak I'd broiled this past week and two more little baked potatoes and eat them. I still have two more kinds of cookies to make, but my heart isn't in it, so I decided I'll do them first thing in the morning. I cleaned up the mixing bowls and the cookie sheets (no point in putting away all the ingredients) and finish up by 8:00 PM. I watched TV until 11:00 and then went to bed, reluctantly setting my alarm...