Pandora's Casket

Yule didn't start out very promising. With everything that was and is going on it was just a question how things were going to turn out. But as the morning grew so did everyone's excitement and attitudes were starting to get festive.

With the gifts wrapped, tree lights glowing and the smells of baking and cooking in the kitchen it was starting to feel like Yule. The little ones had a blast running around and yelling, snacking and teasing one another. The older children had fun doing nearly the same thing with the exclusion of running around!

Dinner was the traditional spaghetti and meatballs but this year Jamie was in the kitchen with me and he was cooking it not BB! He did a super job and he packed that sauce with everything you can imagine. It was yummy! BB better watch out he might be a contender with sauce making

Trevor couldn't do anything due to his hand so he went over to supervise Cody putting on the pool covers for the winter. Knowing Trev even if his hand wasn't hurt he would have just stood there supervising!

Yule Eve was a huge success and all anxieties were laid to rest!

An interview with Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary on Winter Solstice has just been published on-line by the Los Angeles Times in a blog article, “Winter Solstice: The cold-weather celebration is hot again.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/winter-solstice.html

Thanks for your support of Circle Sanctuary!

Solstice Blessings & Best Wishes for a Wonderful 2012!

Today is only Tuesday and all I can think is I want the week to hurry up and end. It is only Tuesday and I am simply tired.

Spent the entire day at the doctor with Trevor. We were there at 8 am and left around 3 or so. He goes in for surgery on Thursday. Great timing is all I can say about the entire situation. haha

I would rather sit and check out annuity rates for hours than to sit in another doctors waiting room right now. I mean you go from one room to another, then a building to another then back again.

We got home around 4-4:30 and still had things to go out and do. I know that there is something that I was supposed to do tomorrow but right now I can not remember what that is!

Between Trevors surgery, Yule and then BB, Jamie and Duncan going to Australia I am pulled all over the place! Talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. That is what this week is turning out to be!!

There are so many changes coming up at the end of this year. Some good and some sad. But the changes are all for the best and so very exciting.

With Jamie and BB going to Australia for a visit this means that they are in for a life changing experience.
Especially BB! I am so envious of all the sites that she will see.

Of course, I will miss them all so very much but the time will pass quickly and they will be home again.

I will be changing rooms so as to be closer to the down stairs. No more crazy lady in the attic. Although I will really miss my room.
Nick has decided that he is going to take my room and he is going to love it! It's pretty big for a 12 year old that's for sure.

All and all it will be a mixed bag of emotions for the end of the year.

All of a sudden it hit me that it won't be long before it is the end of the year.
With that thought the dread of running year end reports and starting the purging of all files, both personal and business.

Luckily I have everything pretty much sorted but the files are always a pain in the rear.
It will take about a week or two in order to get it all finished and ready for packing away.

The new files for the new year always looks so sad being empty. Especially the shipping receipt boxes.
But then it will be full again in no time at all!

Tis the season to bake. Next week the girls and I spend a day or two baking cookies, cakes, breads and of course fudge.

Usually we start this between the 22nd through the 24th.
Especially on the 24th as the fudge that is made earlier never lasts longer than a day or so.

This year I actually found all my recipes that I use.
I put them in my main filing cabinet for work so they would be right in front of me.

Worked out good this year!

Finally this year I set up my Yule town. It is a little busy as I need a huge table to spread it all out.
But in the mean time it looks so cute. I had forgotten how many pieces that I really had for this town.

The little ones sure do like it. Jeremy and Duncan will just stand there looking at all the cute little figures, houses and other things that are included in the town.
The one thing I could not find was the small train. I am wondering if maybe this was one of the pieces that was broken two years ago.

Oh well, maybe I can find a replacement to add to next years town. Of course I have to purchase a table too!

Yule is getting closer and closer. For those that ship packages you might try to get those packages out very soon.

First Class Parcel is starting to take 3-10 days to arrive and this could even become longer due to the Yule season.

Some cases Priority mail is taking up to 5 days, yes that's right 5 days, to arrive.

Here are some dates that might help you when you are preparing for your gift sending:


Domestic Mail Class/Product Dates
First-Class Mail® Service Dec. 20
Priority Mail® Service Dec. 21
Express Mail® Service* Dec. 22
Parcel Post® Service Dec. 15
Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship Dec. 19
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship Dec. 22


Remember you can always utilize the USPS site to purchase postage at a lower cost than at your local branch.

Plus there is no standing in lines!