What I've Been Up To

 The last 10 days have plumb worn me out and it has nothing to do with Christmas. 

My in-laws live almost an hour away (that's practically next door for our rural lifestyle) and for 5 days, we left the house between 4:30-5 and headed that way. DH took his dad who is 88, hunting each day. They were unsuccessful, but honestly, this year,  it was more about them spending time together and to get his dad out of the house and give him a break because my MIL is declining and isn't able to be alone for long anymore. And no, they will absolutely not accept any help coming in and that even includes us.

One day my MIL piped up, "They better get something today."

I replied, "That would be nice. We could use the meat, but if they come home empty-handed I'll be back tomorrow."

Her response: "Well son of a B!" 😂

So each day I packed ingredients and pots and pans for a meal and dessert. Yes, my MIL has those things, but the ingredients are out of date by many years and she won't let us throw anything out. I don't want a fight on my hands at this point as I'm just the DIL. So I just help as I can and will continue to do so as time goes on.

My SIL comes to visit for 2 days every 2-3 months so I leave the fighting to her. 😉 We both used to put leftovers in the freezer, but I told my SIL that no longer works because my MIL can no longer process that something needs to be taken out and defrosted and my FIL has never been allowed to set foot in the kitchen so even though there are 6 months worth of food in the freezer, they are living on sandwiches and frozen pizza. OYE. I thought about a meal delivery service, but they aren't open to trying new things, which I kind of get as we are set in our ways as we age.

So, after those 5 days, I spent 4 delightful days caring for our granddaughter at their home while her mommy & daddy took a short trip. E called it a 'field trip'. 😂

She had school function one evening called Christmas Around the World 

I haven't set foot in a school in over 25 years and I was surprised, and delighted, to see this huge display of homemade nativity scenes

And the gingerbread houses were impressive

Gingerbread men were on hand for the festivities

As were Santa and Mrs. Claus

And playing on the playground

Is extra fun at night

One day was jammie day at school

And another day we went back to see Granny, drop off a poinsettia and make some Saltine toffee

Trying to cool it faster out on the deck

Which piece to try first?

Taste tester. 🥰

And on Sunday, after 9 days, I was finally home long enough to catch up and on Tuesday we finally made it out to cut a tree

DH found a beautiful tree one day when he was riding the fence line

We carried it back to the Can-Am

And headed home

Now I just need to muster up the energy to decorate it. Anyone able to spare a couple of elves? This one is knackered.