Just a Feeling I Have

Christmas is only 8 days away people! Just in case you've been living in outer space and haven't realized it yourself. Are you one of those last minute types? Don't have a thing bought yet, wait til Christmas Eve to do your shopping and hope for good sales? Or are you like me?

I have had my tree up and decorated since Thanksgiving weekend. I actually had 2/3 of my presents bought by the first weekend in November. They were all wrapped and under the tree by the first week of December and all my Christmas cards were mailed out the first weekend of December as well. I baked cookies with friends this past weekend so that's all done and out of the way. Now I just sit back and wait for it all to be over with. The only thing I am missing...... that Christmas Spirit.

This year I have no Christmas spirit! I could care less about the holiday. I am ready and have everything done but I am not excited and don't care if it comes or goes. What is wrong with me?? Usually I am so excited to buy presents for the grand kids and can't wait to show Hubbs what I've bought! This year it was a chore more than a pleasure. This year I just wanted to get finished before I even got started. Those who know me, know I am a die hard shopper and live for this so for me to not want to shop is serious business! We might want to think about intervention!!!!

Maybe sometime between now and next week I will get a visit from the Christmas Fairy and suddenly I will feel the spirit again. I hope so because for me that's what it's all about. That laughter, joy and happiness of the family being together to celebrate.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

Chrouser Christmas Chaos

The Stockings are hung by the chimney with care

Wait Tim, St Nicholas has already been there!

Mark looks like he's lost something!!!!

Oh Wait...........He found it!!

Santa's Elves all seemed to be relaxing and having a good time after working so hard all year long.

They deserve a little fun time because soon they will be busy once again making toys for next year!

Next came the Three Wise People
They are only considered Wise because there is a

woman among them

They came to spread glad tidings and

cheer

Lots of cheer(see what's in their

hands?)

Next came the passing of the cup.

This is tradition among the Chrouser Christmas dinner. Nah, John just wanted coffee so Dick was passing him a cup. Had you going for a minute didn't I???

Finally the next generation of Chrouser Males.

I don't know whether this is a GOOD thing or a SCARY thing.

I will let the picture speak for itself and you can make your own decision.

Everyone had a great time and there are more pictures so I can blackmail some family members later.

I am lucky I get to do this all over again in January with my family from Iowa and Nebraska.

Hope every one had a Merry Christmas and is looking forward to a Happy New Year.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

TWAS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND BLOGGERS WHETHER FAR OR NEAR
IF THEY ARE OLD, YOUNG OR IN BETWEEN
WERE SPREADING CHRITSMAS CHEER.

THERE IS JORI A CAROL SHE SHARED WITH US
AND DEBBIE WE SAW HOW HER TREE WAS DONE
MAMAKAT WITH HER TODDLER'S FIRST WINTER
AND CARRIN'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN TO DAY ONE

SO BLOGGER FRIENDS AS YOU SCATTER
TO SHARE LOVE WITH THOSE YOU HOLD DEAR
LISTEN CLOSE AND YOU MIGHT HEAR ME EXCLAIM
"MERRY CHRITSMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS AND I WILL BE BACK WITH YOU ALL AFTER I AM DONE WITH ALL THE CELEBRATING

Office Christmas Party

Today is our company's annual Christmas party. We always have it at the shop so no one has to go home and clean up and come back out. They just finish up their work and come in and enjoy. Their spouses and children are welcome to come too.

My sister in law Karen has always been in charge of the food and she always does a hell of a spread! If you can't find something to eat then you aren't looking. She spends a lot of time and effort to make this a really great party for everyone.
This year she couldn't do it because of other obligations so Sally (another sister in law) and I are doing it. We knew right off the bat we had some pretty big shoes to fill so we asked the guys what they wanted for the party.
Here's what they said:
Wildcat: for those of you who aren't familiar with this- it is raw ground round with onions and salt and pepper and they eat it on rye bread.
Hot Wings and Meatballs
Smoked or Deep Fried Turkey with buns for sandwiches
Cheese/Sausage with crackers
Salsa/chips- this is my homemade stuff that is awesome
Veggies and dip
Veggie Pizza
Couple Pasta Salads
Shrimp and sauce
Simple desserts

So this is exactly what they are getting. Nothing fancy and nothing catered. Sally and I made it all ourselves. Slaving over a hot stove/oven to make these people happy.
Of course, I have to work today so I can not help Sally set up, Hubby will have to do this. So I had to leave a detailed list for him and I do mean a detailed list!

It went something like this:
The basket is to put the crackers in. Put the napkin in the basket first, then the crackers.
The Veggie pizza is already cut but be sure you put it on a serving plate before you put it out- do not serve it on the baking sheet!
The spoons for the salad and the salsa are in the sack.
Make sure you take the salad, the shrimp,the veggies tray, cheese tray and the veggie pizza from the fridge and the cookies and the wings from the garage.
I have to spell it out for him because if I don't he would just slap everything down as is and call it good.

Hubby is in charge of the booze and there's always plenty of that. Beer, booze, wine , Tom and Jerrys and once in a while someone will bring champagne.
It has been known to happen that an employee will end up sleeping in the break room due to too much partying. Better that than send them home in that condition.

There is not any copy machine stuff going on (at least I've never seen any) and I've never caught anyone naked and naughty at these parties but they do have a good time.

So grab your party hat and come on over, drinks are on me!

Deck the Halls (and anyone else that gets in my way)

Man I hate going out to the stores this time of year! Even the grocery stores are nasty right now! Case in point- Hubby and I went to do our grocery shopping at 6:00 pm Friday night (this is not our usual time to do this but we were literally out of everything and had no choice) thinking we could get in, get what we needed and get out.

First of all everyone and their dog were in the damn store at this time of night! This is supper time for cripes sake, what the hell are people doing buying groceries now??? Then it seems the store thinks this is the optimal time of day to restock their shelves and the produce. There are boxes all over the aisles and stock people standing around talking and laughing. That's right, I said standing around. Not restocking as they were supposed to be doing but in groups of 2 and 3 having a good time and taking up more space so you couldn't get through with your cart. Where is your Customer Service people?????

I went in armed with all my coupons to get their "deals" so of course when I went to get what was on special, they were all out. WTF? Where are the people who were supposed to be restocking the shelves? Couldn't they be putting more of these specials back on the shelves so I could buy them??? Sorry but there is a limited supply and once they are gone they don't restock. Of course, that explains why these people are just standing around. There is nothing to restock the shelves with.

As we continued through the store, people cut us off as we came out of the aisles, grabbed things off the shelf just as I reached for them and never once said, "sorry" and were just plain rude.

We finally got everything we needed by which time I am so angry,hungry and ready to get the hell out of there and go home that I could just scream. We are headed for the checkout lanes of which there are a whole 3 open when miracle of miracles, they decide to open one right as we get there!! Someone up there does like me. I am2 steps away from the lane when some lady bangs her cart into mine, pushes her way into the lane and starts unloading her groceries onto the counter. I feel my arm slowly moving forward to grab her and I know I am seconds from decking her when hubby (bless his wonderful heart) grabs me and says " it's OK honey, we're not in any hurry." Of course as I turn to glare at him with a look that could kill and inform him that even if he isn't I am cause it's after 7:00 pm and I'm hungry, another cart pushes their way in front of us!!! At this point I just want to cry but would settle for a good stiff drink, all the while wondering where the hell these people's Christmas spirit is?

I look at them, smile and say, Merry Christmas, all the while I am thinking " I hope you get run over by reindeer in the parking lot!"

Christmas Cookies

One of the things I like about this time of year are the cookies and candies being spread around.

One of the things I hate about this time of year are the LBs being spread around my hips and ass because of the cookies and candies!

This weekend it is baking time for me. My kitchen is turned into a baking machine and usually ends up covered in flour from one end to the other!
I have always loved to make all different kinds of cookies for Christmas.
There are Snickerdoodles, Peanut Blossoms, Spritz, Chocolate Crinkles, Gingersnaps, Peanut butter Balls, Almond Cookies and of course what is Christmas with out the Cutouts!
I love decorating the cutout cookies the best. I do several different colors of frosting and I can't begin to tell you how many jars of different colored sparkle and accessories I have to make them look FABULOUS! The trees have to be trimmed just so and the snowmen have eyes,noses and buttons down their fronts. My husband gets frustrated because he just wants to slap the frosting on and be done with it, "after all we're just gonna eat the damn things!" but that's not the way it's done in my house. Don't tell my husband but he is right, we are just gonna eat the damn things but it's so much fun decorating them before you eat them.

Then there is the candy. I used to make a lot of this when I and my kids were both younger. I would make Divinity, Nougat, Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Caramel Corn, and Almond Bark Pretzels. Now adays I only make homemade peanut brittle and fudge and if my Hubby is really lucky, I might do a batch of the Almond Bark Pretzels which are his favorites.

I was never satisfied with one batch of these cookies and candies, oh no, I had to make double batches. I would put some out to be ate right away and put some in the freezer thinking we would still have some when Christmas came. Right? Wrong! Not in my house there wasn't! Even now with all the kids grown and gone and just me and the hubby. I do the same thing and think there will be some by Christmas time. Wrong! I think there are little elves living in my house that come in at night and eat these cookies while I am sleeping.

Of course the doctor did ask my hubby yesterday if he was putting on a couple LBs so maybe I should start calling him Santa's little helper?