Blogmas Day 10-Lists and Links!

     

     We are preparing for the first really good winter snow fall for the season expected to start late morning to midday. My older daughter has friends for the weekend, and they came late last night bringing board games and she did a shop earlier in the week for provisions for them to have a good old fashion tuck December tuck in. My younger daughter, after they did a second performance last night, were loaded and bac on coach busses for their 3 1/2 hour drive north (four+ for us) so will be safely back before the snow starts there, but I think the northern half f the state is expected to get less than the metro and south. If she needs food and stuff, she can eat on campus, or walk a  few blocks to either a Walgreens or a grocery store if they don't want to move cars. Her acapella is scheduled to do a few performances over the weekend so I'm hoping her roads are clear before they traipse all over the northland. Ds texted during the Vikings game last night-we were home to still see much of the second half, fully prepared that the defense was going to crash and burn and blow their 29 point lead. they tired! the game ended 36-28, Vikings for the win-sorry Joann. This week the Steelers were the worst of the two disappointing teams. DH has t go to work, but I'm guessing they'll spend more time moving the few cars around and plowing than actually doing any sales. 

     That leaves me! With knocking off a few hours early to dress like a human going out for the night, pic up people, and brave rush hour traffic to get to the concert on time, I need to  play catch-up this morning and I have a few meetings. Now that my commute is 10 steps to my office, I save valuable time previously spent in commuter hell on days like this. If it is slow this afternoon, as it's supposed to be my day off, I'll get  started on my Saturday list-the laundry, regular cleaning, and the decorations finalized.  The mammoth job will be to clean both the refrigerator and freezer thoroughly, the crevices of the kitchen, and the stove-even pulling out and getting the sides for those pesky spills that might not have been caught. But hey-I have all day Saturday too. I need to get cards addressed and ready to mail (Anna in France, I think yours's may end up being a New Year's card!). I need to finalize my  gift list-make sure I have not forgotten anyone, and list the items still needed, and start wrapping. I probably sound like I am overwhelmed, but I'm not this year. It is my weekend though to also binge some YouTube streaming and a holiday classic or two. 

If this weekend plan sounds like your cup of tea, here's a few places to go for a little help. 

Are you not sure what's available to watch and on what platform? Real Simple provided this link to help plan your Christmas viewing list. Where to stream your favorite holiday shows and movies

Are you looking for more sustainable ways to  wrap your gifts this year? Eco-watch has you covered with 12 Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping ideas. 

Good Housekeeping has an abundance of tips to deep clean my kitchen. 

And while I address those cards, I even found tips to write a nice but not  vomit inducing Christmas or New Years letter. How to Write a Non-Braggy Christmas Letter-It is possible! 

     As we are 1/3 of the way to December and officially on the two week countdown to Christmas Eve, mostly I'm trying to convince myself to not sweat the small details. I want to enjoy, but its just fine to get a few tips and help to also get the kind of holiday I want to have and give to others. .