aftermath

For breakfast today I had leftover tea re-heated in the microwave, and left-over oatmeal cookies.  I began putting things away, and  as I tidied up, I found the presents basket.  To start this whole gifting arrangement, I "salted" the basket with three gifts (leaning heavily toward chocolate) and after everyone left a present and taken a present, there was one for me ( a wonderful Japanese "useful" piece of fabric which can be a scarf, a package wrap, wall decor, a placemat or  table runner or . . .  quick - think of ten things you can do with a piece of fabric 24 inches square and neatly hemmed on all sides.

And then I found the presents leftover.  If I were virtuous, I would find a more equitable way of distributing the wealth.  I ain't virtuous.  I kept 'em!  But I think people went far over the $5 limit I had put on gifting.    Look, look!  A tea apron - hand embroidered gingham!  Isn't this just awesome?  Wish I knew who had contributed this because it just makes my eyes skarkle, and I want to gush appropriately.

 Looky there!  Someone spent hours carefully placing each and every cross stitch to make those pretty flowers.  It's SO wonderful!

And after squeeing over the hand embroidered apron (with a pocket - every apron should have at least one pocket!) I opened the other leftover gift and found potholders.  hand made potholders.  See that colorful graphic potholder with the squares and triangles?  It's pieced!  It's made with itty bitty bits of fabric sewn together with astounding straight seams.  The other potholder inspires me toward a Christmas present blitz.  It's a pretty print neatly trimmed and seamed, with a hand-croched hanging loop.  I need new potholders, but these are almost too nice to use!

And BethieM made door prizes which we didn't get around to distributing.  Maybe next month?  Those are still neatly wrapped because I know who to give them back to if I can make myself let go.

Today is the big push to finish the re-writes.  I may have to take a couple hours for a grocery run as well.  DH has been knocked down by the rhino that got me two weeks ago, and will, I hope, just stay in bed till he feels better.  But we need groceries.  Usually we go together, he drives the cart, I tag along enjoying the outing.  If I have to shop by myself, I prefer to go when the store is less crowded.  Sunday after church, the store will be crammed with large families, but we need a few essential items and what are ya gonna do?  There are the senior citizens who wander away from their carts with the purse wide open in the baby seat.  I want to sew the darn purse to her coat sleeve!  People will steal your wallet, ma'am!  There are the women wearing what I can only assume are pajama bottoms, with flip-flops,an unzipped hoody, multiple tattoos, piercings, and hair done in that blonde on top, black underneath technique and styled into a ponytail that looks like it has been slept in all week.  They tend to park in the middle of an intersection of four aisles and block traffic while they go through pockets and purse looking for that damn shopping list.  And there's aslways that one poor man with four little kids who are running wild, swarming all over the store, opening bags of candy, pitching fits because he won't let them have have sodas RIGHT NOW and generally making a strong statement for birth control.  With DH in charge, I can happily sit back and observe.  When it's up to me to negotiate this minefield, I want a flamethrower and an armored personnel carrier.  And what's with the woman who brings her chihuahua into the store in her purse because, "He hates to be left behind."  Would you rat on her?  I sure do!