Nearly Christmas

Time to get nostalgic!

The house isn't as Christmassy as it could be, but that's okay. All the little things are out: the girls' angels (Gabe broke two wings this year!), Caleb's nutcrackers, Liam's Santas, and Gabe's snowmen. The tree has been purchased and decorated. A few little wall things are up. I had intended to drive to Greenfield for Sara Jean's sale, but it just didn't happen. I just didn't have a babysitter.

This has been a really emotional year for me. Maybe I am always emotional. I just keep thinking eventually, I will master all these feelings and be detached and move on with life. But maybe I won't. When I do meet someone so in control, I usually distrust them. I like honesty, I like sharing my experiences, even when I am in the midst of the feeling the emotions. I will come back later and analyze with greater perspective, but for the time, I like the alive feeling.
But I feel bad about that, for some reason.

But this is the wrong blog for such self-analysis. That's for Just Jill.;o)

This is about Christmas!

I have a couple things to buy that I have been procrastinating on. But the crowds don't bother me so much, anymore. And the places I have gone haven't been bad. I am starting to wonder about the big kids, however. Trying to remember what they got. Was it enough? Was it fair and even? Not sure. I need to keep a list.

I think I will post some old Christmas photos, and maybe later take pictures of some pictures in albums to share. Because I know you care;o).


Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

For the record, this outfit was NOT my style. I thought it was mortifying. I did like the fake emerald necklace, though.

This weekend

It is looking like it will be a beautiful day, if the view out the front window is any indicator.

I am SO happy I am not doing Lassies now! Besides the awkward, not knowing how to help, and not clicking well with the sponsor, there would have been two parades this weekend, and  yet I am home! I would have only made $1000 for the whole year, which is less than 100 a month (less than 10 an hour of pay)(they do it year round). So while I am sad about the idea of not helping out, in reality, it has saved me stress and awkward moments trying to make small talk with someone where it just wasn't working. And I am home! God really does know best! Oh, I have decided to be religious, for a variety of reasons, which make me smile.

Now, we MUST get a tree. 

I had wanted to go to Sara Jean's Open House in Greenfield, however, I am not sure that will happen. I just don't want to bring the boys, and Karl works. Today is the last day. We will see if one of the teens wakes up and can babysit, but otherwise, it's a no. I wonder if all the good stuff if gone, anyway?

I think I will make snowflakes with the boys and maybe find another handmade ornament or two to make. They would like that. I am not really good with crafts, especially I don't like the planning and organizing part. But really, a little effort would go a long way. 

Or course we can make paper chains, but I just saw pipe cleaner chain garlands, and that might be fun and easy. 

This Web site Feels Like Home has some great ideas.

Also, we ought to visit the drive-thru nativity at Gabe's preschool at Glendale Christian Church. The boys really enjoyed it last year. 

And finally, I would really like to challenge myself to do the cardio video at least once this weekend, and definitely, I will walk the dog twice. The dog walk is only about 1. 3 miles, but it's better than not. I could do it twice, but that would be dull.

Happy weekend. Enjoy all your holiday preparations! What are you doing this weekend?

Busy Days

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We went to my dad's family's get together, which always feels like having a good meal with polite strangers. Granted, the only way to get to know them is to spend more time with them, but Karl is always ready to go and it is so far from home. If we stay too late, then we'd be driving home super-tired, which isn't very responsible. And so.

The younger males in the extended family like to play a little football after dinner.

We had Taryn, my sweet 16-year-old take some of our annual Thanksgiving shots to use on Christmas cards. I was rather disappointed to see the reality of my body in a sweater dress, but the close-ups of our face were nice, although Karl was making weird eye expressions.
                                     

Last night, Tierney and Jake came over. We went to K-mart to buy a game and visit Taryn, but unfortunately, she was working register and the line was just outrageous. So we waved and went on to Walgreens, where they bought Farkle and we took it home to play. Liam is old enough to understand it, so he played, too.

Today it is my turn to make a turkey lunch for Karl's parents. Which would be okay, except I still need to get groceries (assuming we don't want canned yams and Stove Top stuffing with our turkey (which sounds fine to me, but...)

It's raining. It is nice and Novembery, except I have to stand out to get the dog to do his business.

                                     
I am thankful for many things. Technically, aside from not being a homeschooling mom, I have everything I ever wanted. Interesting how your mind works to find more things to want, though.

:o).