One of the Best Christmases We have Ever Had

Well its come and gone. All the panic and the prep and it was all worth it. Everything got done, maybe not as fast as it should have but it got done. Thankfully the Wee Girl is still little enough to not notice her bad Aunty didn't get her gift finished until almost after Christmas and it never did get wrapped but she got it. Next year will be much different. I will have my act together.

Big changes this year, Busy and the Carpenter have moved so they are closer to the grandbabies but farther from me. Fortunately its all very good roads and the trip is not that long. It was odd to think that we will no longer go to the old place but times change, things evolve and move on and this is just another new chapter in our lives. Its not important where we are, its important that we are together.

So I hopped into the car and hit the road to the new place on Saturday morning. The weather was cold but the roads were clear. Had a little snow and blow but not enough to slow things down. made good time and got to the new house before dark which was my plan. The Carpenter came out, shoveled a path for me, then brought my stuff in from the car. I felt like princess.

A warm welcome and a hot cup of coffee and I was settled in in no time. The Pilot, The Teacher and The Wee Girl were the next to show up around supper time. It was so nice to get to see them. They are great at sharing pictures and videos so I can keep up with them but its nice to see them in person. The Wee Girl is a talker. This sweet soft sing song voice goes pretty much all the time she is awake. She speaks really well and is not that hard to understand. She has her moments when you have no idea what she is saying but mostly its pretty clear. When Grandma asked if she would like some chicken for supper she very clearly replied "No thank you, I have pickles." Too cute

The Farmer, Miss Mouse and Tater Tot came in from farm the next day. The kids had so much fun together. They hardly had any tears or disagreements considering they are 4 and 2 years old, that there is a tremendous amount of excitement at this time of year and the sugar intake is through the roof. They ran miles around the divider wall in the kitchen. I think Miss Mouse and I were the only adults that did not get in on the game of  "you can't catch me". Its not hard to be happy when the air is full of squeals and happy giggles. Little ones make Christmas so much more!!

The time passed in a blurr of fun.

 One big hit was there was tobogganing in the back yard. The yard is slopped enough to be just the perfect tobogganing hill for little ones. Gramma took them out and they had a grad time. Coming back in with rosy cheeks and noses. She had to get in on the fun too. Gramma is game to pile in on the fun.

We had our usual feast of appetizers for Christmas eve supper. One thing is for sure you get fed very well when you stay with Busy and the Carpenter. They both are good cooks and the kids are no slouches either.

New matching Christmas jammies were soon in order and cookies and milk were set out for the Jolly old elf.

Notes were written to Santa , and the adults made them pose for pictures then bedtime but not before some silliness happened.  Tater Tot was having some concerns because his name starts with a W and he could not find any presents under the tree at home with any W's. He could not figure out where as where all the "W's" went. He thought there should be some W's under the tree. He was also concerned that Santa would be able to bring a horse on his sleigh. A horse was all this little boy wanted for Christmas and he sure hoped Santa could hitch a horse on with the reindeer and bring him that way.

Tater Tot and his parents went home for the night and would be back in for Breakfast and presents in the morning. This is the reason why: That Santa, he does bring Ponies:

Buck and Shorty, two rescue ponies have come to fulfill a little boy's fondest Christmas wish and live a better life. One where they will be cared and looked after. Tater Tot saw them for the front door for the first time while still in his jammies.  "Get my clothes on" was the next thing to be heard at top volume. I think it was a good thing that it was so cold outside or we would never have gotten him into town for the rest of the day. Tater Tot is one happy happy boy.

The Wee Girl is less locked into the present thing. She likes to open and then play with what she has.  Tater is more lets open it all and see what we got and then play. So while Buck and Shorty were stealing the show on the farm, we were watching the Wee Girl open her stuff from Santa.

She, I was thrilled to see, got a broad variety of things from Santa. She was definately on the nice list. She got a large play dough set, her own power tool set and a doctor kit, which she used to give everyone a check up. A Frozen Princess dress with fancy shoes was in amongst her other gifts. It provided one of my favourite pictures of the day. She is not limited by gender stereotypes is our girl

Papa made special breakfasts for our special little people. Santa pancakes were a yummy hit

We devoured breakfast, opened our gifts and laughed at the antics of the little ones for the rest of the day. Prime rib supper that melted like butter in your mouth has replaced the more traditional turkey dinner. 

Oh yes we got a tutu as well, which we slept in that night. There was even a good natured wrestling match which as short, sweet and ended in giggles not tears. Wrestling is a family thing, we all did it at one time or another in our childhoods.

Boxing day we took the little ones skating. The Wee Girl has never been before. She did well for a first time but much preferred Uncle to be pushing her around on a chair. Tater Tot just needs to get his balance and he will fly around that rink like the wind.

Back to the farm for a delicious ham supper then home to bed as the fun was over and it was time for the travelers to hit the road and head back to our own homes.

It was a lovely time. Everyone was happy, in a good mood, we had good food and drink. Lots of laughs and good times. The kids added their special sparkle to the events and there is the happy thought that there is another one coming. We even know what flavour this one will be this time round. A new baby is the best thing ever!! I can get busy and make another loot bag for next year.

It was sad to leave everyone and head back to real life. I was well looked after there. Busy takes good care of me and so I am spoiled. (Came home and had to make my own meals and make my own coffee, how rude) We drew names this year but we still seemed to have plenty to open. Loot bags overflowed and everyone did well. Apparently we were all on Santa's nice list. 

The weather was cold coming home but the roads were great. I made it home, safe and sound, and am snuggled in until the new year. I was sick for Christmas, I hope my family forgives me for passing around my germs but I so wanted to see everyone. I spent most of Thursday sleeping, taking drugs and drinking a hot lemon drink I found on Pinterest that is supposed to help with soar throats. Today I got groceries and picked up breakfast. I will not go out again until supper tonight with the No Cook girls. Today I can swallow without wanting to cry, I can breath and the coughing is not as intense. I have had this for more that two weeks so I am happy for it to be heading out.

I have my new Kerig coffee maker, my new power drill and a lot of other assorted goodies. I have lots of new pictures to scrap book and some crafty things that need to be done for the new year. Its all good. So even if its tatertot casserole and not prime rib at my house and I have to make my own coffee and get it myself, its all good. This year goes down as one of the better Christmases in my history. I love to spend time with my family and I am so very very grateful that they include me.

Toodles
Linda

Pre Christmas Panic Still in Residence

Oh my goodness I have to get my act together better next year. I have never been this far behind at Christmas in my life!! I am usually far more organized . Well I think I can safely say that I will be making some changes next year. Every time I think I am gaining ground a million little things pop into my head that still need to be done and I am back behind the eight ball.

But lets not focus on what is not done, lets concentrate on what is done. The house is decorated, minimally but its decorated. I am 97% finished my Christmas shopping and if all goes well that will be done tomorrow. I have finished the two dish cloth orders of 10 cloths each.

one order

order two need the ends woven in (that is now done!!)

 I have sewn up the pajama pants that Princess Diva ordered up and I did a bit of sewing for my own Christmas gifts.

The donation money has been delivered to the Safe and Warm Shelter.I finished the puppet orders and the jeans have been mended for the Hostess's brother.

Speaking of the Hostess, she was in town and we had our annual Sushi lunch. We had a lovely meal and a lovely chat. I always enjoy out sushi lunches. KitKat and I went out for supper on the same day. I had  been shopping first thing in the morning but I pooped out on that. I never pass up a chance to go out with friends. They are among the most important treasures in my life

I also managed to make my secret santa gift. Something I was sure I would make right after Christmas last year but oh no I did it the day before it was needed

Same as I did with the cookie exchange cookies, Did them the night before they were needed as well. 12 dozen  I was still doing them at 11:30 at night!!

Lordy I need to get my act together. I like it better when things are relaxed and easy not frantic and last minute. I am trying to learn my lesson so I don't repeat this performance next year.

On Sunday while I was frantically knitting, Desi and I watched The Bishop's Wife. I love those old movies but Desi fell asleep. I was multitasking!! Go me.

Well I should get myself to bed. Its late and I have a seriously busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be another night of fret and sweat. Sunday nights I seem to love to fret about a million things, which kick starts my hot flashes and means I just don't sleep.

I will leave you with a picture of the cute little gnomes I got from my secret Santa. I got other stuff too but these little guys are the cutest.

I hope your Christmas Prep is under much better control than mine is!!

Toodles.
Linda

Christmas Prep

I can safely say that things are moving along a little better than last week. Things went into the basement and things came out of the basement. The window down there was finally closed up and the furnace filter got a long needed cleaning. KitKat stopped in and at her urging and kind offer of help I went down into the basement and she handed me stuff. So much quicker and easier with two of us. As I sit here and type it occurs to me the air conditioner is still uncovered. Crap!! Why do I only remember it when its dark outside???

The crafts sale booth props are away, autumn decor is put away and Christmas is starting to show up around here. My veranda is just the way I like it

Garland, bows, poinsettias and wreath all in place. Giant red Christmas balls and icicle lights, as well as the first year, this jaunty little snowman made an appearance.

Having this little guy in front of my house makes me ridiculously happy. I got him last year and I was so proud I remembered to get him out of the shed before the door froze shut for the season.

I got some Christmas shopping done. I actually went to a couple of stores and got some things on my own. I wasn't out for hours and hours but I was out long enough that my legs were letting me know I needed to get home. It felt good to be out and about, doing my own stuff rather than bugging my friends to get things for me. I even went out today to get butter and  bread. I hate leaving the house on Sunday unless its to do something with a friend

Groceries were purchased, (I love Superstore Click and Collect.) I finished two puppet orders and I have half the  dishcloth order of 10 done. I have the blue jeans mended for the Hostess's brother. I have another secret project just about half finished. I don't have my cookie exchange cookies made but I still have tomorrow night. I feel like a got a good deal done for once.

I washed the laundry room floor!!! I put tote boxes back into cupboards that have been out for months. I have been getting the Christmas decorations out because we are having a cubicle decorating contest at work and that is right up my alley. So I may have put many tote boxes away but I have pulled out more. My house is awash with them.

I have been taking things to work a bit every day and I still have stuff to bring. I figure that be finished by Wednesday this week. By the time I haul the last of the decorations and the donation stuff to work, It will be Wednesday at least. I really need to get doing stuff to build up stamina. I am a complete wimp.

So I have some sewing projects to deal with this week. I need to finish up the Christmas shopping, Just a few stocking stuffers left to get. I need to get presents wrapped and some Christmas cards made. Do my baking to take with me to Busy and the Carpenter's. Somehow or other it all gets done.

I am not doing the all out decorating that I usually do. I will restrain myself because I don't need to haul it all out every year. Happy accident. I have a school desk that I was trying to get rid of. It didn't sell and I never got it into the shed before the frozen door thing happened so its in the dining room like a sore thumb. Turns out its the perfect place to put a small Christmas tree. I love it when things work out. I can pretend I meant it to be that way.

Lets hope that this week is a very productive one.

Toodles.
Linda

Moving at a Snail's Pace

Slow and steady wins the race, that is what they say don't they?? I need to keep that thought in mind. I had a huge "to do" list this weekend, all of which seemed very possible as I sat at my desk at work. The thing is my mind has not quite accepted the fact that I don't get around like I used to and my legs are the ones that make the rules these days. I cannot stand or walk for a great deal of time before I need to sit. Puts a kink in what one does.

So no stuff transported to the basement, no decorations on the veranda, no cover on the air conditioner, no organizing done in the basement, the dishes are not finished and no sewing has been started. Just so you don't feel that I am having a bit of a pity party. Three loads of laundry was done, the autumn decorations were boxed and bagged and one of each (box and bag) made it upstairs, much, much knitting was done, The dishwasher was unloaded then loaded and unloaded again. The recycling was gathered and will make its way out of the house this week as well as the weekly bag of trash. Cat food was purchased, a puppet order completed and 99% of the scrapbooking supplies have been removed from the entryway and been put back where they belong. So all was not lost but I get frustrated because there is so much more I used to do.

I was going to get out some Christmas decorations this weekend because we are having a cubicle decorating contest at work and I want to join in but that will be for another day. For this week I have made a nightly plan of what I should do each night and |I am going to try to keep on it. I have much to do before Christmas and if I hope to get it done, I need plan, a list and a way of coming to grips with my limitations.

Teddy Bear and I went to the show last night. We saw Breathe and it was excellent. We went for coffee afterwards as usual and that was my only outing all day. It was good to get up and not run out the door on errands, I wanted to stay home and get started on the ever present list of things to do.

So another week is done, and a new one lies ahead full of possibilities. Wonder what interesting things it will bring??

Toodles.
Linda