I am slowly getting myself back into work mode.  I really don't want to go out on the road but it's a necessary evil. 

I have lots to do today but I am going to go for a long walk.  The weather here is just fantastic so I want to clear my head and enjoy it while it lasts.  I have lots to think about.  I am still stuck in the tug-o-war about travel/work and finding a way to stay home but still make a living.  I can't seem to shake it this time despite all the signs, gentle nudges, etc.

Went to the chiro then walked out the backdoor for a crossfit workout!  It was nice!  I had a day planned for getting a number of things done; it hasn't turned out that way.  My grandson decided he didn't want to just hang out at his mom's today so I retrieved him and dropped him at karate.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow.  I am waiting to hear back from a person that has a dresser to give away so I can pick it up and take it to my daughter's. 

Ok, back to work.  Today will be a rest day then tomorrow I will visit with the chiro, then walk out the back door to a crossfit session.  Goal this week is M, W, F.

I have so much work to do.  It will be a mix of business and personal today.  The house is only half cleared of xmas debris so that has to happen then some banking and errands to complete as well.  More program stuff to do and follow up on then I need to get my presentations worked out for MN.  I have some email to send off related to that meeting as well to work out the travel and reservations. Ugh!  It's already overwhelming and that's just a portion of it!

So, back to reality and work. I hope you all have an easy and uneventful return to life after Christmas.

I don't want to go back out on the road. I am cooking up an idea for a way to make money without having to travel.  If I can figure it out, I would still be self employed but 1) no traveling 2) doing one of the things I truly love to do.  It's a very tiny spark of an idea and will take some research and work to make it happen but with the money I have already in the tube and a bit of solid luck, it just might work! 

Christmas morning was very quiet!  I fixed breakfast for everyone while they slept so they just ate as they wished.  The boy slept in until after 8:30 am.  I truly enjoyed the quiet before the day started full tilt.  We had a nice time and the boy was thrilled with all he received.  The mice were a big hit. He was speechless for a few minutes and couldn't believe his eyes.  Priceless!

I started all the food prep stuff while they were all still tucked in.  The rolls needed to thaw and rise so I set that up first.  The meats I just set out and prepped all the veggies and necessary pots and pans.  Pretty relaxed morning overall.  I started all the real cooking after lunch then took a nap. And since we cooked on Saturday, all I had to do was warm things up for the midday meal.  We didn't need to be at the gathering spot until 5. 

We had a great time with friends/family.  Lots of good food, good fun.  We ate, did the gift exchange, played white elephant, and then played a couple rounds of cards.  Drank too much, ate too much and just plain enjoyed ourselves.

Today has been very relaxed start as well. I didn't get up until 10 am!  Well, I got up at 7 am and put the dogs out then back to bed.  We had breakfast/lunch and have been just cleaning up the Christmas mess.  I am heading out to the crossfit gym at 4:30 to work off all the food and drink of yesterday.  The boy is having a fit to be taken to karate so I guess I will have to get dressed sooner than I thought.

Have a great day!

I got up way too early for a weekend!  I have already made two lists and coffee. My plan is to get the pork roast in the oven before heading out to crossfit at 10 am.  It can cook away while I fight my way through the wod!  Then come home to finish up the rest of the meal and make a salad or two for tomorrow.  The big meal tomorrow won't be until after 5 pm so I can get the short ribs done before the turkey, then the bread.  We will have the pork roast to work with for breakfast and lunch. 

I still have a few things to finish up today for Christmas.  I am not looking forward to shopping but it's minor stuff and does not require anything crazy like going to the mall!  Then it's full on wrapping.  The boy is allowed one gift today.  This has been much thought over and pondered.  He's already picked it out and set it aside.  Now the trick will be to have him wait until evening to open it when his mom is here.  Should be an interesting battle.

My favorite part of all this is Christmas morning, of course.  We always hold back the gifts his other grandparents ship so the pile grows over night.  I will be sad when I don't have a child in the house for Christmas morning.  The other big surprise will be from his mom.  This kid has asked for a mouse, a live mouse, for Christmas for about three years now.  Well, now that she has her own place she bought him a mouse, two in fact with their own little habitat.  We are still working on the presentation but I am certain it will be photo worthy!

So, it's Christmas eve.  I will workout, shop, cook, eat and try to enjoy the evening with my family. 

Crossfit complete!

We all slept in this morning!  We had a lovely breakfast and just lazed around for a bit.  The boy decided to stay home from karate at first then about noon changed his mind.  That was good for us, so we dropped him off and then went to the grocery store to gather the last of the Christmas weekend food items.  I have been baking since we returned and probably will have the ovens going through the night.  I steamed a full pumpkin, again the other day and it made over 2 gallons of mash.  I made a batch of pumpkin soup the other day, delicious and now the first batch of pumpkin cookies are bagged.  The first of four pumpkin pies is in now.  They take forever to bake so I am entertaining myself her and facebook while it does its magic.  I have one banana/orange bread out and the second one in the oven to be out soon.  Then I will fill that oven with another pumpkin pie.  Laundry is up and running as well.  It's a productive day around here and pretty relaxed overall.  We will pick up the boy around 6 and decide on supper. 

I still have a few things to pick up for gifts but I don't really feel like it today.  I might go out with my girlfriend who has worked all week tomorrow and knock it out.  I am so close to done!

Tomorrow and Sunday will be full press on food preparations.  We are responsible for the turkey and braised short ribs, black bean salad and yeast rolls. Plus all the goodies.  We split up the menu Saturday night over cards.  We are expecting roughly 30+ people.  At least they are not all coming to my house!  Plus hubs has menu request for just us.  Whew, it's going to be a full couple of days.  Maybe I should just get out tonight and finish what I need to do so I don't have to leave the house at all tomorrow!

So, I hope that you are all getting to the end of your to do lists and can sit down and enjoy for a minute soon!