[crochet2]

I had not a coupon in my paper this past week either. South Jersey doesn't get anything the weekend before a holiday. I have no hope for this coming Sunday either.

I had a great Christmas, but was I ever tired. Last Friday evening, a friend had an open house. I cooked a dish I rely on during the winter to pick me up a little.

And by the time I got home, I had no energy to wrap anything. So I popped in a movie, curled up on the couch and just relaxed.

I was up bright and early on Saturday. I had to vacuum, do a load of laundry, shower, etc. before I could start wrapping.

I wrapped for my nephew, my boyfriend, and the neighbors to my nephew where I was also invited for brunch. Then I wrapped for my aunt, cousins, and a couple more friends.

Then I was off - first to my sister's for gift exchange. Thankfully nephew was happy with just everything, nothing he didn't like. I received a new Holiday Celebration Barbie. And the much-liked, ever-needed tangerine lip balm from Avon. My favorite!!

His neighbors are sweet to invite me to their brunch. I always make cookies and give them boxes of cocoa mix. They ususally have a quiet Christmas Eve together, but not this year. So when I saw Mary show up in the skateboard shop, where I was getting nephew a gift certificate, she told me to just bring it to the brunch. What wonderful food and company.

Then home for a quick gift exchange with boyfriend (and he got Christmas dinner while he could). I only opened one thing, a small jewelry box, with a beautiful opal ring in it.

Then I had to pack the car again, and go to my aunt's home, for more food and company. Dinner was very quiet. With my uncle's passing a couple of months ago, and my cousin's daughter and son-in-law moving to North Carolina, there was no spirit to put on the tv for background noise, something my uncle would have done. And for some reason, she had no Christmas music on either. Just the four of us quietly eating. It was a little strange, but when it comes to prime rib, I can be very quiet, and just eat.

When the dinner dishes were done, my cousin who had to be with his wife's family, and the wife showed up, then came my aunt's family on her side, my nephew and sister. Then it was time for dessert. I had some Irish potato cake. It was chocolate and had both pecans and marachino cherries.

I went home full, and pretty happy. I got great gifts, including the new kitchen timer I so desperately needed. I have worn off the numbers bewteen 30 and 45 minutes. Usually, I go through kitchen timers due to dropping them. Not so with this one.

My girlfriend and I were scheduled to shop on Sunday. We go out to breakfast at a wonderful little mom-and-pop breakfast spot. Then we hit the stores. I needed tissue paper - am now set for a couple of years. I also look for clothes for work. And I only found 1 pair of jeans. I also needed some new tops for work, and found 7, but only after some really hard looking.

The bargains were not nearly as good as last year. So I didn't buy as much. Even so, we were gone from 7 am to after 3 pm.

I was dog tired, and still had to cook dinner.

I was actually happy to go back to work on Monday, it is less stressful!!!

My girlfriend thinks we should go out again Friday, during the day.

Well ladies, I better go for now. My bed is calling and I have to work a full day tomorrow, but am off Friday.

Take care all!!! Norma