The Last Minute Christmas Prep

Yesterday – after I knocked off a brilliant opposition brief to a totally ridiculous motion – I was racing around Casa Claire and beyond trying to take care of last minute things on my pre-Christmas to-do list.

First and foremost was driving into Longmont to enshrine Jim Karn’s Little Jimmy Books on the MOS Literary Bookshelf. That’s the adorable Assistant Manager Jen (above) wearing her Christmassy red doing the honors. Thank you Jen. I also picked up a Power Ball ticket, so fingers crossed.

Struck up a conversation about writing with a nice young couple, just married a year. Ah, young love. They were very sweet.

Another closer to home errand was anchoring some bright colored mushroom art by the elves back door at the foot of the Giant’s Causeway at Casa Claire. The Mules keep toppling it whenever they scratch up against that particular tree. I finally embedded a spike in the base and sank it solidly, so it should hold up. The elves, who enjoy bright things, are thrilled.

One of my crow cousins came by to supervise the work.

The elves’ front door is at the base of JTS, and already has more art than they could hope for. Unfortunately the door at the base is lost in the shadow.

I went out front to give Smokey some extra cuddles. She likes to hang on the front porch in the late afternoons absorbing the winter sun, while she waits for dinner to be served.

Then I took advantage of the continued afternoon warmth and topped off the back water troughs, making sure to detach and empty the long hose so it doesn’t cause any freezing issues later. I used the trough refill wait time refilling one of the hay bags and emptying a wheelbarrow along Hadrian’s Wall out back.

While I was making that HW trek I spotted Blue, Claire and Honey hanging together along the Western fence.

Nice that they have each other.

Blue came by to show me how dirty she got rolling with the mules in the dust.

That dog has some broad shoulders.

Her fur is very thick so I can usually just wipe the patina off like she’s a piece of furniture using a wet handful of bounty paper towels.

She won’t let me put her in the tub and runs from the hose.

Earlier in the day, Lisa went out to buy a small plastic bin and came home with a large living room rug, so that had to be placed just perfectly – numerous times – over one of those sticky rubber webs that never looks right the first (or tenth) time. She has not stopped moving since she retired. She really needs to go back to work before it kills me. But the house is looking nice.

So Friday was a productive day. And even with the chores, it was magical.

Now Saturday is again upon us. No rest for the wicked. Weekend chores. Hopefully, when I win lotto, or land that movie deal, I can hire others to do them.

Until then, I better get on the good foot.

You fine, five readers put all thoughts of chores to the side and embrace the Holiday Weekend. Lots of Merry & Happy. Have some fun. This is why we slave all of those other months.

Enjoy your families and friends. Eat, drink, Love.

I’m going to cuddle some kitties and make my rounds.

And let us all strive to make today a great one.