Sunday: What's Up

Hey, 

Going for coffee, be right back...speak on

Ladies,

We took the kids to the fabulous Lights of the Ozark and walked around the square at least three times so that the kids could see every single thing.  They visited Santa, they rode the camel, they rode the ponies, we rode one time around the square in the horse drawn carriages, and then we went for coffee....we were so tired, we came home, ordered cheese pizza, and we watched Christmas movies.  As much as I have walked in NZ and at the University, I still woke up with sore legs and I suspect it is from the cold...I didn't wear long johns because I thought it was warm enough for jeans and of course my coat but the wind up on this mountain picks up with no warning and it just blows around the square...so I froze. 

Today, I am still making Christmas wreaths for the tutors.  They are small with the hole in the center large enough to put a picture in and I am going to put them on their stockings. I have so many tutors that work for me now and I am also in charge of the honors folks and global engagement so I can no longer buy gifts for everyone but I still fill a little stocking with candy and this year I am making them their own personal ornament, the crocheted wreaths, and I am letting them pick the picture that will go in the center. Most are picking pictures of their families and my tech guy is making the pictures small enough for the wreath and I am printing on my color printer at work...but I can put a lot of pictures on one piece of printing paper.

I know that yesterday someone posted about how when they were children, they strung popcorn and cranberries to decorate their tree and it got me thinking about all the wonderful stories that we all have from our own childhoods, so what would you guys think of like the week before Christmas all of us posting a short story...you can start writing it now, don't worry about grammar, punctuation, or usage, but do think about that memory and don't leave anything out...I am going to write about going to get our tree...no, we didn't go to the christmas tree lot and buy it...we actually traipsed all over the mountain, measuring trees, looking for the perfect size....

Ladies, I hope you all have a super Sunday...start writing your stories. 

Good afternoon Jeannie and everyone.....

Jeannie....I am sure your tutors will love those wreathes. They are a very special gift from your heart!!

The evening with your grandchildren sounds wonderful!!!  They have a very loving and caring grandma...grandpa too!

How you manage to get so much done amazes me. I used to be that way about 4 years ago. Then I hit the so called wall. My whole life changed.

As for me.... Christmas is the hardest time. I don't think I can participate in the writing of our childhood Christmas. I am sorry but I can't. Too many painful things taking over my thinking. Still dealing with grief and depression.  I am working hard with my therapist.

I am wish you all a beautiful day!!   I love you all!!!

Prayers for our precious OFF Family and their families. Special prayers for those *****quested them.

Lots of LOVE and many HUGS to all...connie d

Good morning Jeannie and my sistas!

Jeannie, I love this idea!  In fact, I already have my written.  I began writing stories from my childhood in the 60's years ago, to go along with my genealogy research.  One day I will pull it all together and publi**** for my family.  Anyway, ho, ho, ho!  This will be fun!  I hope everyone will participate!

I'm up and draggin' my tail around this morning.  Slept in until 9:30 a.m.!  That sounds really good, until you factor in the number of hours I DIDN'T sleep last night.  Oy vey!  Between the dogs and Carrie sharing the bed with me, and my own aches and pains, I didn't get much rest.  

Carrie wants us to go to Michaels and the maternity wear stores today.  She wants to fix up some little something for each of the ladies in the chem dept office, so we're going to look for inspiration at Michael's.  And she says she needs a few more long sleeved tops.  That's fine with me. I like to shop with my girl.  She's good company.

I expect most of my day will go by without being able to sew or work on any of my projects.  I'll be busy with Carrie until she leaves, and then I'll probably collapse.  Tomorrow it's back to Waco for our last childbirth class.  I may stay an extra day, or I might not.  I would truly love to get back to my sewing this week!

I did go and buy Christmas fabric to make a new tree skirt.  I'm not really sure if I'll get that made before Christmas or not, since I plan on quilting it, but I can work on it for next year.  I also bought some little half yards to make more of my stuffed Christmas ornaments.  These are little "dolls" that I made years and years ago--little stuffed stars and gingerbread men and santas and angels, etc.  Somehow I managed to hang on to them all these years.  I call them "toddler-proof" ornaments because they aren't breakable!  LOL!  

Anyway, I usually put my tree in a corner, you know, so I only needed enough ornaments to do 3/4's of a tree.  But in this house, the tree is going in the open space between the formal dining area and the living room.  It will be in full view on all sides.  I need a few more ornaments to fill in the blank spots.

(Sometimes I don't think I'll ever get to use my blown glass ornaments again! No way am I hanging those on a tree on a hard surface floor with BUDDER in the house!)

It's warm and sunny here this week.  Mornings are a *****illy, but highs around 70F every afternoon.  Typical Texas Christmas weather.  I love it!

Well, time to shower and get dressed for the day.  Love you all! 

Vic,

You and I are so much alike. Years ago, every year, I made homemade ornaments so that the kids could help. I, too, made stuff ornaments of little santas, candy canes, bears, dolls, rain deer..well you know.  I sewed them up and let my kids stuff them...sometimes they stuffed them too much and sometimes not enough and after they would go to bed, I would amend their work.  We also painted ceramic ornaments that they each painted and after they were blown or cooked, we had those forever.  I did crocheted stuff, plastic canvas...when they got older, they were able to do the plastic canvas projects...now they have those ornaments hanging on their own trees.  My daughter has yearly projects for her kids to do and this year they are doing pinecone art.  My granddaughter said her mom said that she isn't as crafty as Nana but she can paint a pine cone....

You are so busy; I will be happy to see you slow down just a little and I know you will...once the little girl is born, you will get a better routine going and hopefully you will slow down.  

Hi Ladies - Just a quick stop....Maura and Taylor are due any minute.

The fellow who was supposed to come today couldn't make it - he ended up in the hospital this week, but Maura is still coming over to help me out.  She's going to finish hanging the blinds (3) and putting up all the rods (8), and hopefully getting the florescent bulb put in over the sink. Maybe between the two of us we can slide the hutch down the hall....  I'll be a happy lady if I finally get the blinds and curtains up.  I got a new floodlight for the light by my front door.  The fixture needs to be replaced, but it does still work.  I feel like I'm making progress.  A long way to go, but moving forward.

I didn't go to church today, because I expected Maura a bit earlier - but I'll go next week.  And on Monday I'll call the local food bank about volunteering - they give out food, and also fix supper either weekly or bi-weekly.  Maybe I can help in the kitchen.

Maura just called from her cell phone - she'll be here in five minutes, so I'll run.

Prayers and good wishes to all.

Mary

Hi,

Vinnie and I are just chillin. Her Mama went to a salon meeting and daddy went to pick up a bunk bed at his mothers house.

We r going to a Hanukkah celebration at my sisters this afternoon.

Then all week is Hanukkah stuff going in. Busy week.

Its beautiful here but cold!! About 43. I'm tolerating it!!!

well see ya all later diaper duty is calling!!!

Carla

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost my post!!!!!!!!!!

OK short version here.......went shopping for mom...found the Rock em Sock em Robots she wanted for one of the kids...found it first store I went to...woohoo!!!!!!!! Short shopping trip today!!!!

Talked to my sister told her we were coming home for Christmas...she is HAPPY!!!!!!! Everyone knows except my younger brother...unless mom told him.

Made RSVP at motel...all set to go!!!!!!!!

Found out a few tenants bought another tenant some boots and socks...this is the tenant that gambles all his money away!!!!!! I am UPSET!!!!!! This guy will take what he can from anyone and then if its food...because he boohoohoos he doesn't have any...gives it away!!!!!!!! I could punch his lights out!!!!!!! OK...enough.

Thoughts and Prayers for ALL that need them!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSS

PS Jeannie...great idea about posting about Christmas past...now to get my mind to remember them...LOL

Hi All,

I am having a quiet Sunday alone. It is heaven. I'm decorating the house. Only one tree this year...I promised myself to simplify. I have enough stuff for three families. Every year I cut it down but some of the things are too precious to let go. This year I'm doing the tree in white lights with flame lights. Flame lights have a flickering inside piece that looks like fire. I have collected many old time ornaments, the type from the forties and fifties so the tree has those plus gold and crystal. It isn't done yet but I'll try to post a picture when I finish. 

I am also in the middle of planting fairy gardens in a Christmas theme. They will be center pieces for our TOPS Christmas party on Tuesday night. I need five. I also need to start some cornbread stuffing for the party. Someone will make traditional stuffing and I will make cornbread stuffing for this that grew up loving that. I bought four turkey legs to use. 

I love the idea of Christmas memories Jeannie. That will be a fun way to get to know each other better in addition to enjoying Christmas together. I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas but if I overlook the valleys that inevitably come, it is my favorite time. 

I need to get back to my work...I do hope that you are all making the day as good as it can be for you.

julia