Found a pic of what was provided. Let's see if I can fivure out how to upload it here... Did it! And yep, that was all there was for appetizers.

So...here's what happened, and, thus, why I asked the question. Every Christmas we go over to a certain person's house, as they have room to entertain and we don't really. We both agreed we wanted to do something "different" food-wise, something other than turkey or ham. Initially we had agreed on breakfast for dinner. Then two days before Christmas, said person said they "just wanted to chill" on Christmas, and let's bump our gathering to later in the week. No problem. I was really kind of glad for that myself, actually. A few days later, person invites us to come over "Friday or Saturday - I'll have the appetizers, you bring the drinks." Again, not a problem. Except that... the "appetizers" (for a known quantity of a total of 5 people) was maybe a 12 x 12 serving platter with a few veggies, a few spiced pecans, a dip, and a small portion (think 1 - 2 portions) of charcuterie (salami/pepperoni/cheese). That's IT. That was this person's idea of "appetizers". For a person who works in and has worked in a type of hospitality field for YEARS and is no stranger to hosting parties, I was really surprised (and disappointed, and HUNGRY) by this. I would have totally brought another couple of appetizers if I knew that was going to be the only food available. Anyway, that's why I asked. I was just so stunned by it all.

When you're going to someone's house for a gathering (for 6 - 10 people) and they say they'll "provide the appetizers" to you, What does that look like to you? What do you expect?

Love hearing about all these blessings!

Whether it was today, this week, or this month, share your blessings with me! One way we've been blessed this month is that we were able to take home some wonderful food from dh's company Christmas party last night, including some yummy prime rib! How have you been blessed recently?

We haven't had ribbons on presents for YEARS. Mainly, because we have cats. For cat people, 'nuff said. For those unfamiliar with catly ways, the cute felines LOVE to chew on, and ultimately swallow string, which is so terribly bad for their insides! Thus, no ribbons on presents.

Really quiet in here today. Think I'll close up shop til 2020. Have a Very Merry Christmas, everyone!

Okay, off to prep for our Biology co-op today. Trying not to stress about that! DEEP breaths. DEEP breaths.

Welcome to the Teachers Lounge! Come in and take a load off! Today's theme: while I am not Buddhist, nor do I personally practice any type of Eastern mysticism, Zen conveys a message I think most people get: PEACE, no worries. This year I've yet to truly feel "Christmas in the air" like I have WAY before the middle of December most years. And I've found myself feeling more stressed than anything, for some reason. TODAY in the Lounge, as soon as you walk in, I want you to feel PEACE. I want you to feel that load roll off your shoulders. Breathe. Relax. Sit. Have a cup of coffee or tea. Put your feet up. There are not requirements or obligations here. Just be. Sleep if you need. Relax. Truly relax. What is your favorite way to relax in the middle of a hectic day? Here: sometimes a short cat nap. Sometimes, I take some time to watch a short tv show. Maybe have some tea and a snack with it. What makes December "feel like Christmas" to you? Here: believe it or not, sometimes shopping (even on Black Friday on occasion - which I didn't do this year). Because I live in Phoenix, we don't really get snow here so when it's grey and rainy, and I listen to Christmas songs, that helps put me in the Christmas mood. We finally put our tree up last night so that helps, too. Are you doing any holiday baking? Here: My kids (ages 21 and 15) want to bake and decorate cookies so I need to make sure we do that and it doesn't get forgotten like in years past! Talk to me!

This really speaks to me! I think you may be on to something. Perhaps, we should just "be still" and quiet. And just listen. Hmm. Thanks for that insight!

I have one from Pampered Chef that I've had for years and love. It's all metal, no paint, and strong.

Good night, all!

The offensive lineman tackled me right as I woke up this morning, with his annoying mosquito buzz of where I am failing. Swatted him away forthwith since there was nothing I could do about that particular thing right that moment! Ugh. Hate waking up like that! Today: *make gluten-free double chocolate muffins X *take dd to her event this morning X *do some writing (might complete this novel yet!) *business meeting this afternoon *most likely taking ds to youth group tonight, unless dh gets home in time to do so. X (I can check it off because dh said he'll do it!)

Can you tell I'm not fully awake yet? Had a hard time thinking of a creative theme for the Lounge today! 😉 What's for breakfast today? 2nd breakfast? Here: 1st: coffee. 2nd: who knows! What's on schedule today? Here: changed a meeting and good thing too since I forgot dd needs to be somewhere this morning! This aft: school and another mtg. Anyone ready for Thanksgiving, which is just over TWO weeks away! Here: GAH! No! Can this year slow down PLEASE? Oi! Talk to me! 🌽

Hmm. I never really thought of cocoa as expensive. Perhaps we're thinking of it differently? What is your approximate budget for this each month?

Boy has been battling something for about two weeks ( general cold virus I think) and now says his stomach doesnt' feel well. 😕 We might, eventually, get this term completed. Maybe.

I like the hot cocoa mix idea, too, but my first vote is for cinnamon rolls. However, I know those can be a lot of work to make. Hot cocoa might be easier. You can put it in a Mason jar and wrap with a pretty ribbon.

Had to make a caffeine run. And now we're back! Now to get teen on task before he spends all day in the bathroom ( I swear each time he goes in it's for a half an hour!).

Hello, all! Yes, I'm back. If it may only be for today. I keep wanting a simpler life but it only seems to be getting busier. Hmm. Anyone else with me on this? The Desert Landscape part of today's theme comes from the fact that the dog and I just returned from a "preview" hike. I'm leading a Desert Survival Science, Homeschool Edition class this Thursday and wanted to make sure I had, for the preview class, a relatively easy trail to follow and enough plants to talk about! Thankfully, we found one! Even educated an older hiker while I was there. 🙂 What are you up to today? Here: hiking, quick trip to PetsMart with the dog, baking gluten-free muffins, school, writing, webinars, figuring out what's for supper, cleaning house. Any field trips this week? Here: not technically a field trip but our outside class on Thursday. Anybody tired yet? Here: ME! Talk to me! 👂

*taking the dog for a "hike" shortly to plot out a path for Thursday's upcoming Desert Survival Class, Homeschool Edition *working on my NaNoWriMo project *school with the young man *plot/plan lessons for our Biology co-op *figure out what is for dinner *a webinar or two *clean part of the house

9 year olds and 15 year olds are cut from the same cloth. FULL of hormones! And they know everything, and we know nothing. It's beyond infuriating some days! Now, that being said, as a woman recently hitting menopause, the influx of hormones into the system SUCKS! Sometimes, some days, there is just NO controlling our hormonal attitudes. EVEN when we know better. EVEN when we know that the words about to come from our mouths are likely to make people get mad at us and get us into trouble. And yet, it happens anyway, despite what we "know." I don't remember what I was like at 9yo but I definitely remember 15. I didn't like me much so therefore most other people (especially family), didn't either. I'm betting there is something else going on with your 9yo that she hasn't told you yet. And she probably REALLY needs a HUG.

Welcome to the Lounge! This will be the last Lounge for awhile. I'm going to take a sabbatical from most social media for awhile. Lately it seems that wherever I try to chat online, discourse is only allowed so long as it doesn't or might not offend anyone. I cannot control the actions or responses of anyone but myself. Sadly too many instances of that not being understood have happened to me lately. Therefore I will be seeking out a different venue for free thought and expression. May you all truly have a wonderful weekend and much better online experiences!

The drug you were originally taking for Afib. Were you taking it twice a day? Would it be possibly to cut it down to once a day? I had to do that when they put me on a beta-blocker. Another type of heart drug that can negatively affect BP. When I went to once/day, it worked out much better.

You have NO obligation to show up. Yes, you've been there and working diligently. But you signed NO contract with them from what I understand. While there may be a bit of fallout with your mom for a time ( and you WILL live through it, I promise), perhaps the abruptness of you not being there anymore will be the wakeup call she and her boss both seem to need! You are under no obligation to be there. They have not treated you as an employee, they really haven't made it worth your while, and they have no legal recourse against you for just saying, "I'm done." so now it's time to say, "I'm done!"

Once again, not understood. Admins, feel free to delete this post. Signed, Frustrated