Hi Tammy, Thank you for your comment. I was unable to respond to you personally because you have your Blogger settings set to "do not reply". So I'm responding here.
For the rest of you, Tammy wondered what I gave up this year that I really didn't miss that much.
The first thing I gave up was baking. Other than making peanut clusters and Dan making fudge for Thanksgiving, we didn't do any baking this year. Since I wasn't baking, my daughter and daughter-in-law filled in the gap for me. I'm sure I will bake again. But I learned that it's OK to let someone else have the joy of baking for the family.
The other thing I had to give up that didn't matter in the long run was putting up all of my Christmas decor. I just wasn't able to put everything up because several of the rooms in our house are basically just storage rooms still. I must admit though, that I held out til the last minute to decide that I was not going to get everything up. I should have realized it sooner and I would have had more fun with what was up, instead of stepping around the tubs filled with what wasn't up!
Another element of Christmas that took a hit was my annual Christmas letter. Each time I sat down to write it, it was just so boring to me. Then I remembered that I had done a Christmas in July post about letters. I chose to do a "by the numbers" newsletter. I only included three events from our year, but I added lots of photos to make it look full. I received so many compliments on it. I've already out-lined next year's "by the numbers" letter!
So, Tammy, that's the story on the three items I gave up this Christmas. It really worked out for the best, because now I can think about next year with a fresh view.
Right now, I'm focused on getting our home in shape in 2014.
Happy New Year!
12.27.2013
12.26.2013
Surviving Christmas
Normally I don't think of Christmas as something that is to be survived. If you've been reading my blog for any time you know that I love Christmas 365 days a year. It is never far from my mind and I'm continually planning and plotting to make the Christmas season special for my family.
This year, with our move to a new house in October, was different. I did the bare minimum to make our home festive. Instead I was focused on having all of my kids together for the first time in over a year. Focused on having all of my kids together for Christmas for the first time since four years ago.
We held our family Christmas last Sunday, and I have to admit that when we put JD/Janel on the plane to go home to Kansas, my first thought was "Christmas is over". But, it really wasn't and I quelled the urge to to home and un-decorate the house right that moment.
Instead I left everything up and Dan & I enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve together opening our gifts.
However, yesterday was back to reality with Dan working on appraisal reports so I did start dismantling some of the trees.
I will finish up today and then I can concentrate on getting this house into shape through a major list of home improvement projects.
So, I survived Christmas. I let go of the unimportant to keep time for the important. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with my four kids, their spouses, and the grandkids.
And now I'm looking forward to next year, when things will probably be back to "normal". Although "normal" may get a tweak since I saw what I could do without this year!
This year, with our move to a new house in October, was different. I did the bare minimum to make our home festive. Instead I was focused on having all of my kids together for the first time in over a year. Focused on having all of my kids together for Christmas for the first time since four years ago.
We held our family Christmas last Sunday, and I have to admit that when we put JD/Janel on the plane to go home to Kansas, my first thought was "Christmas is over". But, it really wasn't and I quelled the urge to to home and un-decorate the house right that moment.
Instead I left everything up and Dan & I enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve together opening our gifts.
However, yesterday was back to reality with Dan working on appraisal reports so I did start dismantling some of the trees.
I will finish up today and then I can concentrate on getting this house into shape through a major list of home improvement projects.
So, I survived Christmas. I let go of the unimportant to keep time for the important. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with my four kids, their spouses, and the grandkids.
And now I'm looking forward to next year, when things will probably be back to "normal". Although "normal" may get a tweak since I saw what I could do without this year!
I hadn't been able to put my village up since 2009 - it was fun to see again!
Family room tree
Living room tree
The stockings were hung...
Dan's office tree
New nativity for this year
Our bedroom tree
Half bath - as you can see we haven't painted yet!
The white nativity is new this year
I don't know why I didn't move the lock from the photo!
Sunny's art work
Craft room tree
Entry way
11.07.2013
Where Am I?
Normally this time of year would find me posting every few days about how I'm preparing for the holidays. This year I have a major distraction. We bought a new home and moved! We got the keys on 10/25 and have been focused since then on getting out of our rental and into the house. Plus working on appraisals seven days a week.
The house was built in 1998 and while that wasn't THAT long ago, it has been neglected. Big time neglected. We are pulling up over 1000 sq ft of carpet and laying wood floor. Every single room needs to be painted. Many of the lights are out. Big deal, you say. Well it is a big deal when you're dealing with 10 ft tall ceilings. The stove had to be replaced. (done) The pool fence needs to be put up. The plumbing in the laundry room was jacked up, causing a major flood in the laundry room and the garage. Thank goodness my youngest son is a plumber!!
Anyway, I'm not complaining. I'm explaining why I'm not writing pithy Christmas posts.
My goal is to be able to start posting regularly by 11/23. I hope.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying reading your Christmas posts!
See you in a couple of weeks...
The house was built in 1998 and while that wasn't THAT long ago, it has been neglected. Big time neglected. We are pulling up over 1000 sq ft of carpet and laying wood floor. Every single room needs to be painted. Many of the lights are out. Big deal, you say. Well it is a big deal when you're dealing with 10 ft tall ceilings. The stove had to be replaced. (done) The pool fence needs to be put up. The plumbing in the laundry room was jacked up, causing a major flood in the laundry room and the garage. Thank goodness my youngest son is a plumber!!
Anyway, I'm not complaining. I'm explaining why I'm not writing pithy Christmas posts.
My goal is to be able to start posting regularly by 11/23. I hope.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying reading your Christmas posts!
See you in a couple of weeks...
10.14.2013
Christmas Crafts
Jessica was off today for Columbus Day, so she came down to make crafts with (for) me.
The first craft was actually for my mom. She had a shoe box of angel figures that she wanted made into a wreath. Jess is really good at that stuff, so she made the wreath for mom.
I wanted a swag for Christmas decor and a few months ago Current, Inc. had one for $8.99. It's lighted with LED lights. Dan painted a set of mini Santas years ago and I thought they'd be perfect on the swag. Jessica made it happen!
I pinned the last craft from Pinterest last year. I found a shadowbox on clearance at Michael's and used ornaments from my collection. I bought the words for $2.00 at Walmart. I love the way this turned out! It was so easy to make and when I get tired of it, I can switch up the colors and make a totally new one.
Remember... Christmas time is comin'!
The first craft was actually for my mom. She had a shoe box of angel figures that she wanted made into a wreath. Jess is really good at that stuff, so she made the wreath for mom.
I wanted a swag for Christmas decor and a few months ago Current, Inc. had one for $8.99. It's lighted with LED lights. Dan painted a set of mini Santas years ago and I thought they'd be perfect on the swag. Jessica made it happen!
I pinned the last craft from Pinterest last year. I found a shadowbox on clearance at Michael's and used ornaments from my collection. I bought the words for $2.00 at Walmart. I love the way this turned out! It was so easy to make and when I get tired of it, I can switch up the colors and make a totally new one.
Remember... Christmas time is comin'!
8.07.2013
More Crafts
I cannot paint. I have tried throughout my life and I just can't paint. It's not that I want to paint masterpieces, it's just I'd like to be able to paint crafts. My lack of ability has kept me from certain hobbies. But, at my advanced age, I've finally gotten over the "it has to be perfect" curse. I painted something. Actually I painted two somethings and I'm going to paint a third.
I purchased some vinyl wall clings at Hobby Lobby. My daughter Jessica came up with the idea to paint canvases and apply the clings to them as Christmas art. I fretted at first, then I decided to just do it. Since I'm not a good painter anyway I determined to make that lack work for me. My canvases are not perfect. I didn't even try to be perfect. They are hmmm, what's the word I'm looking for? They're folk art. They're abstract. They're done and I'm proud of myself for doing them!
The second craft is not Christmasy, but I wanted to share them. I took baby food jars, washi tape, ribbon, and voila! candle holders are the result!
I purchased some vinyl wall clings at Hobby Lobby. My daughter Jessica came up with the idea to paint canvases and apply the clings to them as Christmas art. I fretted at first, then I decided to just do it. Since I'm not a good painter anyway I determined to make that lack work for me. My canvases are not perfect. I didn't even try to be perfect. They are hmmm, what's the word I'm looking for? They're folk art. They're abstract. They're done and I'm proud of myself for doing them!
The second craft is not Christmasy, but I wanted to share them. I took baby food jars, washi tape, ribbon, and voila! candle holders are the result!
7.31.2013
Christmas in July: Christ is Born
I saved the best post for last in this Christmas in July series. The post that honors the reason we even have Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. That seems to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. It seems to be something to be embarrassed about in some circles. Is it the truth. Christ was born, and although He probably wasn't born exactly on December 25th, that is the day that we observe as His birthday.
Anybody that has seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is familiar with the scene where Linus explains the meaning of Christmas. It touches me every time I see it, even though it's been decades since I first saw the special on TV when I was a kid. In third grad I memorized Luke 2 in Sunday School. It has always stayed with me (King James Version). I can repeat it today almost as good as I could back then.
So for my final Christmas in July post, I want to leave you with those words from Luke 2. I am using the NET version for this post. Thank you for sharing Christmas in July with me. I'm amazed that I managed to post each of the 31 days in July. It was fun, and I hope you enjoyed it too. Now as we move through the final 147 days until Christmas, I hope you will find time to reflect on Christ's birth, the reason we celebrate.
Luke 2 (NET)
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the tine came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people; Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Anybody that has seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is familiar with the scene where Linus explains the meaning of Christmas. It touches me every time I see it, even though it's been decades since I first saw the special on TV when I was a kid. In third grad I memorized Luke 2 in Sunday School. It has always stayed with me (King James Version). I can repeat it today almost as good as I could back then.
So for my final Christmas in July post, I want to leave you with those words from Luke 2. I am using the NET version for this post. Thank you for sharing Christmas in July with me. I'm amazed that I managed to post each of the 31 days in July. It was fun, and I hope you enjoyed it too. Now as we move through the final 147 days until Christmas, I hope you will find time to reflect on Christ's birth, the reason we celebrate.
Luke 2 (NET)
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the tine came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people; Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us." So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!"
7.30.2013
Christmas in July: Vintage
I love vintage images. I have several boards on my Pinterest account for vintage images, each one more beautiful than the next (in my opinion). I'm not picky about them being authentic vintage. I just like the look even if they're brand new! I couldn't let Christmas in July end without sharing some of my favorite Vintage Christmas images with you:
7.29.2013
Christmas in July: Pinterest Party
Yesterday I hosted a Christmas in July Pinterest Party. It was such fun. Both of my daughters and my nephew's girlfriend attended, plus we included Janel over Skype. Everyone worked on a craft they had seen on Pinterest. We had so much fun we already scheduled the next one for November 2nd!
My craft
(but really Jessica made it for me!)
Katie's craft
Katie's craft
Jessica's craft
Shelby's craft
Shelby graciously let Sunny "help" her!
Shelby, me, Katie, Jessica
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