The economy must be having an upswing after Jody and I went to Jackson this weekend to do some Christmas shopping. Everyone else was out there with us too it seemed by the looks of the traffic. I would like to think that we are 90% finished with our purchases, but I know, from years of experience, that we are not that close. But ( and it is a big BUT ) I will sleep well tonight knowing the Stocking purchases are finished.
Did I ever mention that I got ashes and switches (it was actually coal and switches) in my stocking when I was about 6 years old? Yes, I did. Stockings were usually full of apples and oranges, nuts in the shell (that's why I like walnuts) and what room was left was full of candy and maybe a dollar. My stocking was the very first thing I went to on Christmas Morning. Mine was red velvet (real velvet) with a real white fur lip and I loved holding it up to my face because it was so soft and really pretty. Plus it was the only article I ever owned that was red - mother would not allow me to ever buy anything red.
That year, I remember, mine had nothing but coal and switches.
No apples, no oranges and not even one peppermint. Some analyst would probably say this is the reason I obsess about the Christmas Stockings. Maybe.
(what did I do that was so bad?! to get coal and switches!) I'll never tell.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
A DECORATOR?!
Yes, a Decorator. Rose Watson to be exact. A fluff and puff expert in the field of the Decorating.
A woman who knows the art of arranging and how to display with the full effect of Boom and Display - without the Boom. I describe myself as simple, but there is nothing "simple" about Rose. She is the expert to do what I least like to do ...decorate.
The WOW factor has never been part of my nature, and I am not ashamed of it. I know it and I accept it and I will pay for my tragic shortcomings - this time. I will probably never have a Decorator again, so I plan to enjoy every single minute of it. I am ready Rose!
A woman who knows the art of arranging and how to display with the full effect of Boom and Display - without the Boom. I describe myself as simple, but there is nothing "simple" about Rose. She is the expert to do what I least like to do ...decorate.
The WOW factor has never been part of my nature, and I am not ashamed of it. I know it and I accept it and I will pay for my tragic shortcomings - this time. I will probably never have a Decorator again, so I plan to enjoy every single minute of it. I am ready Rose!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
28 days, 5 hours and 33 minutes until Christmas.
The turkey... gobbled up.
Tomorrow begins the official day to declare it is Coming on Christmas! Yes, I am very excited.
Our Decorator has been to inspect the house and rooms to fluff. She is ordering 5 fresh garlands and I can smell it now, and if I can't I'll spray some of that canned Christmas Tree Smell on them
like I always do. note. I need to buy some more.
But for now I am thankful for the family gathering with the Carrs. I am thankful for the generations of families melted into one that make us who we are and for their love and devotion.
I am thankful that everything about this day is as simple as lunch with family, happy and united.
The turkey... gobbled up.
Tomorrow begins the official day to declare it is Coming on Christmas! Yes, I am very excited.
Our Decorator has been to inspect the house and rooms to fluff. She is ordering 5 fresh garlands and I can smell it now, and if I can't I'll spray some of that canned Christmas Tree Smell on them
like I always do. note. I need to buy some more.
But for now I am thankful for the family gathering with the Carrs. I am thankful for the generations of families melted into one that make us who we are and for their love and devotion.
I am thankful that everything about this day is as simple as lunch with family, happy and united.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My Christmas Dance
don't forget to press play on the bottom left.
I have been practicing my dance steps in the backyard - it is really amazing how much snow we have had lately. I plan to be in the Yazoo Christmas Parade this year and show those little girls who do the hoochie to Silent Night that there are still some decent dance steps out there.
oh we need a little christmas...right this very minute...
I have been practicing my dance steps in the backyard - it is really amazing how much snow we have had lately. I plan to be in the Yazoo Christmas Parade this year and show those little girls who do the hoochie to Silent Night that there are still some decent dance steps out there.
oh we need a little christmas...right this very minute...
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Manger
Somewhere around 1980 when I worked for Fr. John Egan, he gave to our family a Christmas
Manger with painted figures, at least 15 including a camel, a cow, donkey , wisemen, shepherd boys and others that I do not know. Some of the sheep got lost but baby Jesus and the manger are intact - except for his halo. This manger scene has always been a big part of our Christmas tradition.
Tonight I went to my studio to put a little paint to the chipping figurines. Heat from being stored in an attic in the summer, humidity, and dust, even though each one is wrapped have not been good for these family treasures. I turned on my spotlight, squeezed out my acrylic paints and picked up Mary. The sweetest song came on my ipod and that's all it took. All the sweet memories of this manger and the kids, Father Egan, Jody's parents, Papa,my grandparents, every single image of Christmas' past rolled in elephant tears down my face until I could hardly see the figurines.
One by one, I painted and reintroduced myself to the members of the first Christmas. There
is a little gold paint on the hems of one wiseman, but quietly and subtly each one tells a story that has nothing to do with glitter. A very solemn moment for someone who just spent a day
with her eyes looking at the wrong kind of light. I will keep my eyes open still, for the glitter, but more importantly for the light that shines in unexpected places like a star over a stable.
Manger with painted figures, at least 15 including a camel, a cow, donkey , wisemen, shepherd boys and others that I do not know. Some of the sheep got lost but baby Jesus and the manger are intact - except for his halo. This manger scene has always been a big part of our Christmas tradition.
Tonight I went to my studio to put a little paint to the chipping figurines. Heat from being stored in an attic in the summer, humidity, and dust, even though each one is wrapped have not been good for these family treasures. I turned on my spotlight, squeezed out my acrylic paints and picked up Mary. The sweetest song came on my ipod and that's all it took. All the sweet memories of this manger and the kids, Father Egan, Jody's parents, Papa,my grandparents, every single image of Christmas' past rolled in elephant tears down my face until I could hardly see the figurines.
One by one, I painted and reintroduced myself to the members of the first Christmas. There
is a little gold paint on the hems of one wiseman, but quietly and subtly each one tells a story that has nothing to do with glitter. A very solemn moment for someone who just spent a day
with her eyes looking at the wrong kind of light. I will keep my eyes open still, for the glitter, but more importantly for the light that shines in unexpected places like a star over a stable.
31 days, 3 hours and 26 minutes before Christmas.
I went to Jackson today and my "decorator" said to me "Go to Calaways and look at the decorations and tell me what you like." I did. I do that every single year. I go in, I look, I turn
around and I walk out. I have never, ever, bought one thing there because it is so much to see.
I take it back, I bought some flicker lights and bubble lights one year.
There is a theme for every single kind of Christmas Tree (almost) that anyone could try to put into and onto one tree. The first one in the door was nature, with berries and popcorn tree berries, birds, pine cones, etc. and then there were at least 20 other trees - including the upside down tree. Trees stuffed full of all kinds of stuff, anything you might think in your mind is a possible ornament for a tree. But since my "decorator" said to tell her what I liked I put on my sensible eyes and looked at everything as if it was a possibility for decorations in our house (which I have said more than once has never been officially "decorated").
It took me two whole passes through the store to decide which tree I liked best, no it was not the Charlie Brown tree. It was a wreath that caught my attention. "THIS IS IT!" That's all it took-
one wreath with a ribbon and some stuff that I liked all over it. After all these years, mine eyes
have seen the glitter.
( no. I did not buy the wreath. And after looking at the prices I understand why I never bought anything - until now).
I went to Jackson today and my "decorator" said to me "Go to Calaways and look at the decorations and tell me what you like." I did. I do that every single year. I go in, I look, I turn
around and I walk out. I have never, ever, bought one thing there because it is so much to see.
I take it back, I bought some flicker lights and bubble lights one year.
There is a theme for every single kind of Christmas Tree (almost) that anyone could try to put into and onto one tree. The first one in the door was nature, with berries and popcorn tree berries, birds, pine cones, etc. and then there were at least 20 other trees - including the upside down tree. Trees stuffed full of all kinds of stuff, anything you might think in your mind is a possible ornament for a tree. But since my "decorator" said to tell her what I liked I put on my sensible eyes and looked at everything as if it was a possibility for decorations in our house (which I have said more than once has never been officially "decorated").
It took me two whole passes through the store to decide which tree I liked best, no it was not the Charlie Brown tree. It was a wreath that caught my attention. "THIS IS IT!" That's all it took-
one wreath with a ribbon and some stuff that I liked all over it. After all these years, mine eyes
have seen the glitter.
( no. I did not buy the wreath. And after looking at the prices I understand why I never bought anything - until now).
Friday, November 20, 2009
Christmas Smell
34 days, 1 hour and 24 minutes before Christmas.
From the time I was a little girl and that was a long time ago, Christmas season began with something as simple as a smell. The day was not a day marked on a calendar, it was a day that my mother decided to start Christmas Season. Everyone would know it because we could smell it.
And so tomorrow I will begin Christmas, even if it is early and before Thanksgiving. This is the
recipe for Christmas Smell:
Use a 2 quart pan (preferably one that is non stick )
Into the sauce pan add:
1 orange with peel cut into quarters
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. ground or whole cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Fill with water
Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer.
Close your eyes and smell Christmas.
Add more or less spices according to your nose
(Keep adding water or it will burn ...turn it off at night and turn it back on again the next morning.)
when it is too disgusting to look at throw it away and start all over again.
(don't even think about eating it)
From the time I was a little girl and that was a long time ago, Christmas season began with something as simple as a smell. The day was not a day marked on a calendar, it was a day that my mother decided to start Christmas Season. Everyone would know it because we could smell it.
And so tomorrow I will begin Christmas, even if it is early and before Thanksgiving. This is the
recipe for Christmas Smell:
Use a 2 quart pan (preferably one that is non stick )
Into the sauce pan add:
1 orange with peel cut into quarters
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. ground or whole cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Fill with water
Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer.
Close your eyes and smell Christmas.
Add more or less spices according to your nose
(Keep adding water or it will burn ...turn it off at night and turn it back on again the next morning.)
when it is too disgusting to look at throw it away and start all over again.
(don't even think about eating it)
Angel Lamps
I went back to Dirt Cheap to rescue the cowboy dolls but the whole pile of dolls and stuff had been replaced with some different dirty cheap stuff. Today I was prepared to shop in Dirt Cheap.I had on my disposable rubber gloves so I could actually pick up stuff or move stuff around to
find other dirty cheap stuff. Walking through the aisle I saw them way up close to the ceiling
like a celestial band of angels dressed in red grouped together just perfectly. Angel lamps !
One whole display of them up high and looking so RED. I had an urge to buy one just to see it
lit up and to see what my "decorator" whose name is to revealed soon, might say about it. Would she approve? I might need some input here...to buy or not to buy? And it is cheap...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My two men
Here is the latest addition to Christmas 2009. He plays music and lights up
when I come into the room. What more could a girl want.
That is Jody standing next to him. He knew even before I got home today that I had spent $190.00 at Rite Aide. I call him God because he knows everything.
But he is being real sweet about it while biting his lip. I know for a fact that the
very next day after Christmas he is going to tell me that we are going to have to
stop spending money, that Christmas is over, and we spent way to much this year. But for now, I still have in my possession, his American Express Card.
ho, ho, ho.
It's Here!
37 days, 1 hour and 26 minutes before ChristmasIt's here! The long awaited package weighing in at 55 pounds, it is as heavy as
Savannah, the dog,
and stands 5 ft. tall.
The UPS guy guessed it was a christmas tree. No. We always put up a fresh tree.
One year the first tree died and we took it down and put up another one. Another year the tree was so tall that it fell over twice before we realized the base was not big enough to hold it, so it got tied to the wall. Another year Catherine (first daughter) brought home a crazy cat and it ran up the tree and had diarrhea.
But we always put up a fresh tree. It smells really good at first and then I have to get out the canned tree smell to spray around...everyone who comes in thinks its
the tree, but really, its the canned tree smell.
So I can't wait to get into the package...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
5 (five) naked cowboys
I need to start shopping. I said that to myself all day long and finally I took a break from the paintings I'm working on to go out and boost the Yazoo economy. This is the year to "shop Yazoo"
as much as possible. I have bought my 20 silver cowbells from Gilberts and a few items at Essco
but I have only started shopping...so I thought to myself, I'll go to Dirt Cheap and see if there are
any little "cheap" things that I can pick up "cheap."
Dirt Cheap is the dregs from Hudson's Salvage Center and there is no system just piled up stuff on tables to rummage through, but I thought I might get lucky, especially near Thanksgiving and
Christmas. I walked around and spotted a table full of dolls, looking like a very interesting place to discover something wonderful. There. Right before my very eyes were 5 naked cowboys (dolls) and no one seemed to think it was strange at all that there should be naked dolls heaped up on the table. No sight of their clothes anywhere around, except the hat made onto its head ...not even marked with a price tag to cover up... I was tempted to pick one up and carry it to the checkout to buy it but then they would think that "I" was strange. So I did what any Southern Lady would do, I buried them under the pile. I just hope they behave themselves down there.
I'm going back to check on them tomorrow.
as much as possible. I have bought my 20 silver cowbells from Gilberts and a few items at Essco
but I have only started shopping...so I thought to myself, I'll go to Dirt Cheap and see if there are
any little "cheap" things that I can pick up "cheap."
Dirt Cheap is the dregs from Hudson's Salvage Center and there is no system just piled up stuff on tables to rummage through, but I thought I might get lucky, especially near Thanksgiving and
Christmas. I walked around and spotted a table full of dolls, looking like a very interesting place to discover something wonderful. There. Right before my very eyes were 5 naked cowboys (dolls) and no one seemed to think it was strange at all that there should be naked dolls heaped up on the table. No sight of their clothes anywhere around, except the hat made onto its head ...not even marked with a price tag to cover up... I was tempted to pick one up and carry it to the checkout to buy it but then they would think that "I" was strange. So I did what any Southern Lady would do, I buried them under the pile. I just hope they behave themselves down there.
I'm going back to check on them tomorrow.
20 silver cowbells! That's how many I bought from Gilberts in downtown Yazoo. The sweet clank and clunk of them all hanging around together just makes me one happy girl. I'm going to string
them from ribbon, just like they did a Gilberts, in groups of three.
Just the thought of it makes me smile and feel like a country girl.
Silver cowbells...I feel a song coming on:
Silver cowbells, silver cowbells, it's Christmastime in Yazoo City
(la, la, la) hear them ring (clank, clank, clunk) ding a ling - in 37 hours, 1 minute and 26 seconds it will be Christmas Day.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
39days, 0 hours and 34 minutes before Christmas.
I'm sending a care package to Faith and Chris and she requested my hot chocolate mix. It is time to make it again and when I do I make large (LARGE) quantities. Cindy Foose shared this recipe with me in 1980 - I know because I wrote it on the back of an invoice when I was working at
St. Mary's and it is dated 10/ 17/ 80.
This is Cindy Foose's Hot Chocolate Mix
1 box (8 qrt) Carnation powdered milk
1 lb jar Coffeemate
1 lb box Nestle's Quick ( I use more - like 1/2 box more chocolate)
1 lb box powdered sugar
mix it all together and store in airtight jars or ziplock bags
To make hot chocolate mix 1/4 cup mix (or more) per cup of hot water (you can use milk too)
top with marshmallows or whipped cream or both.
optional - I have been known to add Bailey's Irish Cream to mine or Kaluha to really take the
cold out of the bones. I think I'll do that tonight.
I'm sending a care package to Faith and Chris and she requested my hot chocolate mix. It is time to make it again and when I do I make large (LARGE) quantities. Cindy Foose shared this recipe with me in 1980 - I know because I wrote it on the back of an invoice when I was working at
St. Mary's and it is dated 10/ 17/ 80.
This is Cindy Foose's Hot Chocolate Mix
1 box (8 qrt) Carnation powdered milk
1 lb jar Coffeemate
1 lb box Nestle's Quick ( I use more - like 1/2 box more chocolate)
1 lb box powdered sugar
mix it all together and store in airtight jars or ziplock bags
To make hot chocolate mix 1/4 cup mix (or more) per cup of hot water (you can use milk too)
top with marshmallows or whipped cream or both.
optional - I have been known to add Bailey's Irish Cream to mine or Kaluha to really take the
cold out of the bones. I think I'll do that tonight.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
39 days, 5 hours and 16 minutes until Christmas
And I only have one gift purchased... and 38 family gifts to go, plus stocking stuffers, friends, neighbors, the mail lady, ...
I am making a Christmas disc for friends and downloaded so many Christmas songs on my computer that it actually shut down. It did not know what to do with that amount of songs at one time, so it did what I would like to do when I feel overloaded, it just stopped and said "enough".
We are leaving for Birmingham to visit the babies (the grown babies too) and Jody says that we are going to start shopping. The good thing that will come from a long drive is lists. I will get to
make a list for every event:
Lists
1. Gifts
2. Stocking stuffers
3. menus
a. Christmas Dinner
b. Christmas Eve
c. Griswald Christmas Party
d. other meals for family
4. Things I need to do before family arrives
5. Groceries
6. other stuff
And I only have one gift purchased... and 38 family gifts to go, plus stocking stuffers, friends, neighbors, the mail lady, ...
I am making a Christmas disc for friends and downloaded so many Christmas songs on my computer that it actually shut down. It did not know what to do with that amount of songs at one time, so it did what I would like to do when I feel overloaded, it just stopped and said "enough".
We are leaving for Birmingham to visit the babies (the grown babies too) and Jody says that we are going to start shopping. The good thing that will come from a long drive is lists. I will get to
make a list for every event:
Lists
1. Gifts
2. Stocking stuffers
3. menus
a. Christmas Dinner
b. Christmas Eve
c. Griswald Christmas Party
d. other meals for family
4. Things I need to do before family arrives
5. Groceries
6. other stuff
Friday, November 13, 2009
I could not sleep last night and instead of counting sheep, I tried to remember all the names of
Santa's reindeers, but I could not remember how many there were so I was up all night.
There are 8, in case you do not know and to keep you from wondering and staying awake all night,
like me, I will tell you their names.
The reason we can't remember them all is that the first and second reindeer have similar names and I could never recall the first _ whose name is :
Dasher
Dancer
Prancer
Vixen
Comet
Cupid
Donder (also called Donner)
Blitzen
I personally believe that the gender of the reindeer is in question and going through the names
I just can't imagine that they are all male or all female...it has to be a mixed group here.
Oh, and I just remembered Rudolph!
Santa's reindeers, but I could not remember how many there were so I was up all night.
There are 8, in case you do not know and to keep you from wondering and staying awake all night,
like me, I will tell you their names.
The reason we can't remember them all is that the first and second reindeer have similar names and I could never recall the first _ whose name is :
Dasher
Dancer
Prancer
Vixen
Comet
Cupid
Donder (also called Donner)
Blitzen
I personally believe that the gender of the reindeer is in question and going through the names
I just can't imagine that they are all male or all female...it has to be a mixed group here.
Oh, and I just remembered Rudolph!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
42 days, 21 hours and 17 minutes before Christmas.
I think I need a jump start, or an energizer battery plugged into me. I can not find the second
thing to get for anyone (I already have one gift). I went to a Christmas store to buy ornaments and could not find ONE that I wanted. No stocking stuffers, no candy, no nothing. It's looking slim
except for the two topiaries, the angel, wreath, and 5 spools of ribbon.
I think I need a jump start, or an energizer battery plugged into me. I can not find the second
thing to get for anyone (I already have one gift). I went to a Christmas store to buy ornaments and could not find ONE that I wanted. No stocking stuffers, no candy, no nothing. It's looking slim
except for the two topiaries, the angel, wreath, and 5 spools of ribbon.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
So, I'm wondering to myself, where did Christmas decorations originate? I need to google it.
I have never been one to buy glittery stuff, and I even hate to mess up a perfectly beautiful pine cone with gold spray paint, but I'm finding myself getting "caught up" in "decorating for Christmas." I did, for 15 minutes, climb into the attic to inspect any boxes with "Christmas" written on them. I found some real antiques. The carolers made from styrofoam (one has no head) made me almost cry, remembering them on mother's mantel. I still have them, out of love,
or possibly guilt...I would feel awfully guilty if I threw them away. Santa might frown on me and give me ashes and switches - and that is another story.
I have never been one to buy glittery stuff, and I even hate to mess up a perfectly beautiful pine cone with gold spray paint, but I'm finding myself getting "caught up" in "decorating for Christmas." I did, for 15 minutes, climb into the attic to inspect any boxes with "Christmas" written on them. I found some real antiques. The carolers made from styrofoam (one has no head) made me almost cry, remembering them on mother's mantel. I still have them, out of love,
or possibly guilt...I would feel awfully guilty if I threw them away. Santa might frown on me and give me ashes and switches - and that is another story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
45 days, 7 hours and 1 minute until Christmas.
There are 5 boxes of gingerbread mix in the pantry - I bought 2 extra because I will burn at least
two batches IF I decide to do what that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me to do... make a gingerbread house. For years, the children were young I would make, from scratch, the "Martha Stewart" Gingerbread House, except that ours was not gilded with gold. I learned the hard way that it is a daytime sport. Gingerbread houses should not be worked on after 5:00p.m. for several reasons.
1. Building Gingerbread Houses while drinking wine is dangerous
2. Piping tubes full of sugary frosting explodes when the piper is under the influence of alcohol
3. Children can explode under the influence of sugar after 5:00 p.m.
4. The Gingerbread House is likely to cave in from the lack of good engineering due to the
over stimulation of sugar or debilitated drunk.
5. Parents and children will not like each other when this happens.
This is a fact.
There are 5 boxes of gingerbread mix in the pantry - I bought 2 extra because I will burn at least
two batches IF I decide to do what that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me to do... make a gingerbread house. For years, the children were young I would make, from scratch, the "Martha Stewart" Gingerbread House, except that ours was not gilded with gold. I learned the hard way that it is a daytime sport. Gingerbread houses should not be worked on after 5:00p.m. for several reasons.
1. Building Gingerbread Houses while drinking wine is dangerous
2. Piping tubes full of sugary frosting explodes when the piper is under the influence of alcohol
3. Children can explode under the influence of sugar after 5:00 p.m.
4. The Gingerbread House is likely to cave in from the lack of good engineering due to the
over stimulation of sugar or debilitated drunk.
5. Parents and children will not like each other when this happens.
This is a fact.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
48 Days, 10 hours and 10 minutes until Christmas.
Jody has just come into the Kitchen and I can tell just by his body english that there is something bothering him. It doesn't take long to find out. "Hope, what is Paul Michael's? and what on earth did you buy there?" Jody follows his internet banking like some men follow football or baseball.
Well, lets see. I bought 2 topiaries, a large wooden angel (who already sits on the armoire in the den) Elizabeth's Christmas gift - a lamp, a glittery reindeer, a large wreath and 6 rolls of ribbon
in assorted colors. "Is that all?" he says. "yes". "Are you finished?" "no."
Jody has just come into the Kitchen and I can tell just by his body english that there is something bothering him. It doesn't take long to find out. "Hope, what is Paul Michael's? and what on earth did you buy there?" Jody follows his internet banking like some men follow football or baseball.
Well, lets see. I bought 2 topiaries, a large wooden angel (who already sits on the armoire in the den) Elizabeth's Christmas gift - a lamp, a glittery reindeer, a large wreath and 6 rolls of ribbon
in assorted colors. "Is that all?" he says. "yes". "Are you finished?" "no."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
49 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes until Christmas.The eggnog cup for the Griswald Christmas Party.
We only bought 16, but it is 16 more than we had
last week. I can just see it now filled up with
eggnog and bourbon, or just bourbon. I have still only bought one Christmas gift, but the party is
definitely underway.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Elizabeth (number 2 daughter) and Egan 15 months old were here for a visit. We took the day and went to Greenville to Christmas shop at Paul Michael's in Lake Village, Ark. It is the Christmas Store of the South and more. It is HUGE. Full of
Christmas everything. Glitter was everywhere. Yes! I just knew this was it. All
my shopping over in one hour (all the time we had since Jody was babysitting Egan)
One extra large shopping cart and my American Express Card. It took a couple of circles around the store before I spied the Angel and the topiaries that fit into the basket with little room left, 5 spools of Christmas ribbon, 1 wreath, and some stuff
of Elizabeth's - oh and a lamp. Ho, Ho, Ho.
Christmas everything. Glitter was everywhere. Yes! I just knew this was it. All
my shopping over in one hour (all the time we had since Jody was babysitting Egan)
One extra large shopping cart and my American Express Card. It took a couple of circles around the store before I spied the Angel and the topiaries that fit into the basket with little room left, 5 spools of Christmas ribbon, 1 wreath, and some stuff
of Elizabeth's - oh and a lamp. Ho, Ho, Ho.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Jody and I both had lots of tradition growing up, especially when it came to Christmas. I remember as a young girl going to my father's home on Christmas Day and gathering with all of the Estes family. I was always there to help decorate the tree (afterall, I was the favorite grandchild). I still have my grandmothers tree light reflectors cut from tin and made like stars.
When my grandfather died I tore the house up trying to find those holiday lights. We still use colored lights on our trees. It's the "always" that is beginning to change and now we are going to break tradition as we get older and let the children begin their own traditions. Even though I know some of ours will become some of their traditions. Maybe one day 5 generations from now, I will look from heaven and see a little mother in the years to come with the light reflectors, wondering where they came from.
When my grandfather died I tore the house up trying to find those holiday lights. We still use colored lights on our trees. It's the "always" that is beginning to change and now we are going to break tradition as we get older and let the children begin their own traditions. Even though I know some of ours will become some of their traditions. Maybe one day 5 generations from now, I will look from heaven and see a little mother in the years to come with the light reflectors, wondering where they came from.
Monday, November 2, 2009
52 days, 3 hours 9 minutes and 1 second until Christmas.
I have not forgotten that it is the Birthday of Jesus that we are celebrating. I kind of wish that
the Magi had just gone for a visit and brought dinner instead of bearing gifts. They would never have imagined what we would turn gift-giving into. This brings me to the next subject weighing
on my mind. Gifts.
When will I begin to shop? And what will I buy? There are 4 children, 3 spouses, 1 significant other, 5 grandchildren, 1 mother, several good friends, 6 neighbors, 5 neighbors children, the mail lady and my hairdresser (who I want to keep very happy). I'm sure I have left someone out.
Oh yes, and stocking stuffers! The most important and the most scrutinized gift of all - thanks to St. Nick. Stockings are to be stuffed with little treasures that should take into account each person and their personality. The stocking is a valued prize. One year I put pickles into all stockings and the following year I had two pregnant daughters. That was a lesson.
I think I'll google on over to search for stocking stuffers.
later.
I have not forgotten that it is the Birthday of Jesus that we are celebrating. I kind of wish that
the Magi had just gone for a visit and brought dinner instead of bearing gifts. They would never have imagined what we would turn gift-giving into. This brings me to the next subject weighing
on my mind. Gifts.
When will I begin to shop? And what will I buy? There are 4 children, 3 spouses, 1 significant other, 5 grandchildren, 1 mother, several good friends, 6 neighbors, 5 neighbors children, the mail lady and my hairdresser (who I want to keep very happy). I'm sure I have left someone out.
Oh yes, and stocking stuffers! The most important and the most scrutinized gift of all - thanks to St. Nick. Stockings are to be stuffed with little treasures that should take into account each person and their personality. The stocking is a valued prize. One year I put pickles into all stockings and the following year I had two pregnant daughters. That was a lesson.
I think I'll google on over to search for stocking stuffers.
later.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
53 days 12 hours and 22 minutes before Christmas Day.
Jody has just returned from Freds. He has 3 sacks of Christmas lights. Each sack
contains at least 13 boxes of outdoor white lights. He says he is going to start on the trees in the backyard first. He has decided that he is going to actually throw away all the strings that have gone out instead of going through each bulb to see if it is blown out - this is huge - totally against his personality - something is changed.
He is back in after spending all of 3 hours on a tall ladder and his poor arms are covered with scratches from the bushes and sticky cedars. He is out of lights and has to go back to Freds.
Have I called the decorator yet? oh yes, I have. This is also a first. My idea of Christmas decorating is cutting a few limbs of cedar and some berries - A Christmas tree and colored lights and a wreath at the front door. That's it. The decorator says to me..."How long will it take for you to get your decorations down from storage?" "About 5 minutes?" They are called ornaments. I have no Christmas decorations. There is silence on the other end of the telephone. "So, we will just have to purchase some this year." she says.
We have already begun our purchasing. 16 moose ear eggnog cups are already on order, oh and 4 black dickies for the men to wear under their skin tight v-neck sweaters. This is for the Griswald Christmas party we plan to host in honor of Clark and Cusin Eddie. It is going to be the Carr family Christmas E-vent. I am on the lookout for a really tacky Christmas sweater. Think I'll just google on over to the internet. later.
Jody has just returned from Freds. He has 3 sacks of Christmas lights. Each sack
contains at least 13 boxes of outdoor white lights. He says he is going to start on the trees in the backyard first. He has decided that he is going to actually throw away all the strings that have gone out instead of going through each bulb to see if it is blown out - this is huge - totally against his personality - something is changed.
He is back in after spending all of 3 hours on a tall ladder and his poor arms are covered with scratches from the bushes and sticky cedars. He is out of lights and has to go back to Freds.
Have I called the decorator yet? oh yes, I have. This is also a first. My idea of Christmas decorating is cutting a few limbs of cedar and some berries - A Christmas tree and colored lights and a wreath at the front door. That's it. The decorator says to me..."How long will it take for you to get your decorations down from storage?" "About 5 minutes?" They are called ornaments. I have no Christmas decorations. There is silence on the other end of the telephone. "So, we will just have to purchase some this year." she says.
We have already begun our purchasing. 16 moose ear eggnog cups are already on order, oh and 4 black dickies for the men to wear under their skin tight v-neck sweaters. This is for the Griswald Christmas party we plan to host in honor of Clark and Cusin Eddie. It is going to be the Carr family Christmas E-vent. I am on the lookout for a really tacky Christmas sweater. Think I'll just google on over to the internet. later.
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