1. What’s the best $5 gift to give someone? 

The clear answer is a coffee but at the same time, I think the best gifts like that are something special to that person. Sadly, five bucks doesn’t go very far these days.

2. What’s your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season? 

It used to be to take a bath but lately, I’ve been using the sauna more. I’ll read for a little bit then just sit there in the dark (I hardly ever used the built in colored lights) and think. I also like when the family watches a Christmas movie together. It’s (usually) restful, unless the kids argue.

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes? 

Hmm, I like a ginger snap cookies but for the most part, no thanks. We have made houses in the past when the kids were little but it was never some big tradition. I like ginger in dishes well enough. The only time I really eat it is as a palate cleanser with sushi.

4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day…will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants…which one do you wear most often? 

I mean, how does one celebrate that? I wear them most every day. I actually need to go to Goodwill and do a thorough look. All mine right now have come from there and I have two pairs I love – one from Lee and one from H&M – that fit so well but they are both worn out. Maybe once this week is over and I’m not going to campus twice a week until January I can go. And yes, I have a very hard time parting with jeans; this outing to look for new ones will not make me happy.

5. As we head into this holiday season what’s your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

#1 – find a full time government job. Yes, it’s time to go back to it. There’s just too many benefits, figuratively and literally, and it’s just going to be better in general. I have applied to FSU and TSC; I’ll see how it goes. But if we are talking holiday-related, just to appreciate my family; this could be my oldest’s last year here.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Ooh I am motivated today! I have quite a bit to do, including errands. So I told my daughter I would take her and her friend to school then I am: going to Goodwill for a Pyrex (for candle-making) and potentially some jeans, go to Costco for the Boston Butt for Saturday’s party, as well as some last minute FSA items before we lose the money at the end of the year, potentially the mall for glasses. I need sunglasses with readers but I can’t really buy online because honestly, I have a small head and most glasses are too big. I like the Zenni ones I normally get but I can’t manipulate that site into letting me add bifocal readers to them.

When I get back, Isaac has to go up to a specific clinic to do his drug test to ref city sports and then I need to pull out the lasagna for dinner. I was super motivated yesterday and got dinner made (pan-seared chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes) but before that, I’d made my sauce and after dinner, I assembled. Oh, and before that, I made my awards for the brew club brown ale competition Saturday. I will show a picture when they are done but I literally made candles that look like beer in glasses.

For those who recall we had plumbing issues, thank GOD it was nothing major: the overflow gasket in the tub in the kids’ room was worn out so any time someone filled it too high, it was literally just falling right into the downstairs bathroom ceiling. The guy came out and fixed it quickly and efficiently, though did have to cut a hole in said ceiling. That portion was going to need replacing anyway but now we have to do some DIY drywall. I think we can; our friend used to build houses so he knows everything. BTW, it was 29 this morning. I hate the cold. I have to go now and find a couple pairs of socks so I don’t freeze while running errands!