Looking for Christmas gifts

 

Now that my classes are done, it is time for me to begin Christmas shopping in earnest. I have been shopping since May, to be honest.  But I have not gotten many things yet, just a few here and there.  I do love shopping for the perfect gifts and so, naturally, Christmas is the perfect holiday for me! I do not intend to go overboard this year, but I do want to do special things for the people in my life.  Most people are grateful just to be remembered.  I know I feel that way very much whether it be a gift or a card.  So I think it is important to find special things for people that mean something.  Now, that does not mean it has to be something expensive or extravagant. But I love to get things that fit that particular person.  I have a pile of boxes and bags already filled with things for people, so it is time to get out there and do more.  

Also, this year, I want to do more shopping locally for gifts.  While Amazon and online websites are quite convenient, those companies already get lots of money.  It is time to spread the wealth while I can because who knows what things will be like in the future.  I want to support those people who have a dream and are making it happen with their businesses.  And I can find some great things that way too. Things that I would never have even thought about and then there they are right in front of me.  It's a win/win situation. Hopefully things will work out for me with my health right now that I can take the time to do this.  We all know how much I love Christmas and the shopping that goes with that.  We'll see how it goes!

One Drawer at a Time

 

Now that Jason has moved in, there is definitely more stuff in the house.  Of course, it is not like that was unexpected, but it does mane that I am back to having piles of things all over the place. I'm not complaining about it because it's a good thing that he is here.  And, in many ways, the timing was right for my one drawer at a time process.  I had just finished my first cycle throughout the house and was getting ready to start the process over when he moved in.  Now, I am looking at things with a slightly different angle.  What of mine really can go into storage or be donated?  What do I need to make room for of Jason's?  I don't want my house to make me feel claustrophobic, so it is important not to have too much.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love my stuff and there it still lots in the house.  That won't change, but I need everything to have a good flow to it. I want it to feel comfortable for me.  I can do that.  And I need to keep telling myself that I can switch things out periodically if I want some different decor.  This is totally doable and now that I'm done with class, I can do it!

Favorite Cartoons of the 80s

While the 80s produced lots of good cartoons, I'm making this list around 10 cartoons that I watched consistently.  They had to start production in the 80s, so some of my favorites like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo were not included.  Also, they needed to have actual seasons and not just special episodes like Strawberry Shortcake.  Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

1.  Jem & The Holograms

2. Garfield and Friends

3. She-Ra

4. Snorks

5. Shirt Tales

6. Inspector Gadget

7. Smurfs

8. Alvin & the Chipmunks

9. He-Man Masters of the Universe

10. G.I. Joe

What were some of yours that aren't on my list?

Abide with Me - King's College

 This hymn was mentioned in a documentary I was watching last night about the Roosevelts.  It's been stuck in my head ever since and this is a beautiful rendition.  Enjoy!

Quote of the Week

 This just spoke to me.  That is all. 

Recipe of the Week - Shrimp Salad with Lemon and Kalamata Dressing

 I haven't posted a recipe in a few months, so it's time to get back to my love of cooking!  I adapted this recipe from one I found online.  I didn't have all of the ingredients that the online version called for, so I improvised and ended up really liking it.  I hope you do too!

Shrimp Salad with Lemon and Kalamata Dressing

Pinch of salt

1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined

1 celery rib finely chopped

2 green onions trimmed and sliced

1 heart of romaine lettuce, chopped

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 lemon

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp chopped kalamata olives

Dash of paprika

1/s tsp Worcestershire sauce

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.  Once it's boiling, season the water with salt and then turn down to medium.  Add the shrimp and cook approximately 2 minutes until they turn opaque. Lay them out on a paper towel lined plate to dry.

Add the zest of the lemon to your mayonnaise, then add juice from half the lemon and whisk until it is well combined. Mix in kalamata olives, mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. 

Combine shrimp, green onions and celery.  Add dressing.  Toss to coat completely then chill for 20 minutes to one hour.  

Line your serving tray with chopped romaine and top with shrimp salad.  Can add some fresh black pepper or chopped parsley to garnish. 

Enjoy!

Student Adventures - the final weekend of class

 Here I am in the final weekend of my class.  It ends officially on Monday.  At least, that is when I have to turn everything in.  I have one final paper that I am working on this weekend and then I will be done.  I have enjoyed this class immensely and have learned a lot from it.  And one of the ways that this class differs for me from other ones that I have taken is that I look at this class as a springboard to other learning.  The topics we have covered in elder law have been quite interesting, but I know that we have only touched the surface on many of them. I want to learn more about them.  Things like Medicare and Medicaid can be extremely complicated and if you don't know your way around the system, it could be disastrous.

I do have to work this weekend as well, so I will be working on my paper when I have downtime at work. It's ok, I have permission!  But I will tell you honestly that I am struggling with this paper.  I turned in an outline several weeks ago that I got good marks on.  I missed a few of the required things she wanted, but that's how it goes.  Still, I was happy with the feedback.  I have just had a hard time getting started on it.  I know that once I get going, it will really flow.  I just have this block right now. My topic is why aging members of the LGBTQ+ community fear going into nursing homes. It's a topic that I find engaging and it's close to who I am.  I've found many great articles on the topic. It is simply going to be a matter of putting pen to paper.  Or fingers to keyboard, actually LOL

Hopefully I can get my stress level down and be productive.  I don't want to crap out at this point in the game.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!