1st Sunday of December

Well, Christmas season is here. Sure didn't take long. Except for some gift cards, I'm pretty much finished. Think I'll set up the back bedroom next week to start the wrapping process. Everything is accumulated in one general area so I'll bring in all the gift sacks, ribbons, etc. from the garage and get to it.  Am leaning towards not doing cards this year but I may change my mind.  I waver back and forth when I look at my checkbook.  I used to do a ton of cards but stamps weren't quite so dang high then!

I got a package from Amazon yesterday but once I opened it up (mens' thermal long underwear 'cause I'm always cold) I realized it was going straight back. Do love free shipping and returns.  I figured they would shrink so I ordered a larger size but there's no way they're going to shrink THAT much.  I think I'll  just make do with what I have on hand.

I've got my sewing machine set up in the kitchen (needed to get away from the front of the house and all the hammering that goes on day after day) and I settled in to get going on some quilt squares. Much to my dismay, the machine is acting up.  It's sewing okay but when I take my foot off the pedal, it CLUNKS.  Something awry with the bobbin case.  I called the Sequim sewing store (refuse to give my business to the P.A. guy as he's rude!) and the lady said it was a $70 drop off fee. Also said it would take a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to get the machine back.  Sigh....I really don't want to go that route until I'm desperate.

I went on Youtube and watched a few videos on how to clean the machine yourself. I'd been carefully removing certain covers to get to the dust and lint below but now I've learned that using canned air isn't suggested.  There's one more area I haven't had the nerve to take the screws out of yet but I think today is the day.  Just to look and see if there's an excess of dirt and dust.  Kind of interesting to read all the comments of viewers asking questions of the video people regarding all the problems they were having with their machines.  I wish I had the training to understand all the mechanics of sewing machines. That would be a good talent to have.  Same with the technical problems of computers.

At any rate, I'm going to occupy myself in the kitchen and see if I can't solve the mystery of sewing machine sludge.  Also intend to pull out my copper wires so I can get back to wrapping stones and such.  That is really a lot of fun. Before I do any of that, however, I'm making a pan of enchiladas. Will keep in the fridge until it gets time to heat for dinner. Sometimes I'm so tired at the end of the day, I can't muster the energy to fix a meal so I opt out for something simple (and boring!)

Sue and Paul came over Thursday night for her birthday dinner. Their friend, Tucker, was also invited. We had mashed potatoes, meatballs and gravy, corn, rolls. Delicious!

I can see a little blue sky outside this morning. I wonder if the rains are done for a while. I even ordered a rain hat the other day.  I need to get into Port Townsend one day this week to deliver the cookbooks people ordered.  Was going to wait and see each morning what the weather looked like before I made me decision to drive. I'd much rather go in halfway decent weather than pouring down rain.

Have a doctor appt on Tuesday at 8:30. Maybe I'll go after that. I have to have a discussion about my latest lab work.  I'm Vit D deficient and my kidneys are showing signs of disease.  Oh joy!

I've been watching Hulu this week. Found a few things of interest, although it does take some searching.  Finished a six-episode movie called 'The Beautiful Lie' (from Australia) and now I'm on another Australian movie (also six parts I think) called 'The Slap.'  Very good.

The books by my recliner right now are an autobiography by Shelley Winters, The Dog who danced by Susan Wilson, and Home Game by Michael Lewis.  I got a few outside Xmas lights strung but only a handful of inside decorations set out.  I'll bring in a few more next week or the week after.  Got the washer and dryer running now and fresh sheets on the bed. Think I'll watch a video on how to properly wash pillows. I've been thinking for some time that I really need to try and clean my bed pillows.

And that's about all I got this morning.