Great Giveaway

Pam has a great blog and a giveaway. Check out her blog, enter the contest for a chance to win this necklace, and tell her Linda @ lindaloveschocolate sent you! Good luck!http//over50feeling40.blogspot.com/

Thanks

Thanks to those of you who posted comments or emailed me regarding my last rant! Comments are the life blood of bloggers, we need to know if anyone is reading and if we've touched anyone. I welcome all comments whether they agree or not.

I really did not get excited about Christmas this year, I used to love it. It's the one holiday when I love to have the kids over here and make a big to do....but b/c they have 3 little boys and it's hard to get out of the house on Christmas morning we went to step-son's this year. It was nice.

I was surprised that hubby bought me anything (we just got a new washer [I hate it] & dryer). He gave me a Kuerig coffee maker and microwave. We needed the microwave....the coffee maker I was kinda 'ooohhhh???' (E you were right). I do like it ......I can have a variety of coffee here for guests. It also makes hot chocolate, hot cider, and tea. You can just get hot water in a jiffy too. And I have already googled and figured out how to reuse the filters so I can make the loose tea that I already have. What I don't care for is that it is expensive to use and wasteful....but "never look a gift horse (or hubby) in the mouth" or you may not ever get any other gifts.

From my soapbox

Am I becoming a scrooge? or do I make any sense?

We just celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior......does anyone who doesn't believe know what this holiday is that they are celebrating? Do they think someone just picked a day in the middle of winter to be one of the 2 biggest holidays???

And then there are all the excesses: food (I succumb to that), decorations (I like to look, but not compete), the competitions- the most Christmas cards (OK, I participate in that), the best parties (ho hum), and my most hated competition-gifts.

Oh, I love to shop and give things to people (just ask the mothers of my grandchildren), but I get excited about finding something nice & needed at the thrift store, garage sale, or even from Freecycle. What REALLY irritates me is the extreme over abundance of gifts to kids! Case in point: parents complain that kids have too many toys, when asked what they need mom says "I don't know", kids receive many gifts from mom & dad, Santa, grandparents on both sides, aunts, uncles, and then more Santa gifts from grandma & grandpa. The kids just tear through all the gift and their parents don't even see what they receive. The kids get cash and are allowed to spend it......maybe I am just too controlling, but.....what in the world can the young (under 8) kids need to buy???? What is wrong with a savings account? You can bet the farm that in a month mom & dad will be complaining that things are broken, parts missing, and not put away. Isn't the excessive gift giving teaching them to be greedy and not appreciate things?

Parents struggle to make ends meet and the grandparents have a tuff time with payments too.... what is wrong with this picture??? Am I weird in thinking that life's basic needs should come first (home, utilities, clothing, food)? Is it wrong to live within your means and cut back on what you can? Eat hamburger instead of steak; shop for kids clothes at clearance sales (buy sizes ahead) and thrift stores: it's not the amount of the gifts, it's the thoughtfulness; find free things to do with your family; if your child's current winter boots fit and zipper works - don't replace it; use what you have if works!!! Do kids really need the latest technology???

Am I nuts or just using common sense? Did I make some enemies? Well, think about it.....do you need all this stuff??? Do you have money to throw away??? Do you have funds set aside for an emergency and your future? Do you believe what the major retailers want us to believe? that Christmas is all about who gets the most gifts??? I don't!!!

Thanks for letting me rant & rave. I was awake 1/2 the night just stewing over this....hopefully I will be able to get on with my day now....a mammogram and physical therapy. oh joy! NOT

Christmas in Heaven

We celebrated Christmas with extended family and one of my friends (who lost her husband this year) read this poem and I think it brought a tear to every one's eye. I hope you appreciate it too.

Christmas in Heaven
by Unknown

'Tis Christmas in Heaven
What a beautiful sight!
It's my first one here;
Everything is all right.

The crib is adorned
With the brilliance of stars,
Wisemen have come
From Venus and Mars.

I've met all our dear ones
Who preceded us here;
The reunion was lovely,
An event full of cheer.

And tonight we'll all gather,
In reverence we'll kneel,
For the Babe in the cradle
Up in Heaven is Real.

I think of my family
that I left behind
And I pray that your Christmas
Is as blessed as mine

Please shed no more tears,
For my soul is at rest,
Just love one another;
Live life to its best.

Yes, It's Christmas In Heaven,
So I've heard them say,
Yet, Christmas In Heaven
Happens every day.

Does traction really work?

My back has been really bothering me for several months and the chiropractor hasn't helped so I mentioned it to my DR at my annual visit and she sent me to physical therapy where they determined that my tailbone and pelvis are turned. Yesterday I really hurt so the therapist decided just to do traction. Have you ever had it? The last time I was in traction was in '83 or '84 when I broke my femur......totally different. I laid on a table (just doing that was painful) that comes apart and she put 2 wide 'belts' on me...and the bottom half of the table moved away....all the while I am clutching (tightly) the kill switch. It lasted only for 5 minutes. My comment while this was happening was 'interesting' and it was. My back does feel better..........we'll see how long this lasts. It still hurts if I twist my body and I have my exercises and more physical therapy to complete.

Lots to do here yet: getting ready to celebrate Christmas at my daughter's.....so I have to buy a couple more things, wrap everything, bake 2 pumpkin rolls, cut up veggies. My tree still isn't up, cards are not mailed, and on and on................

Today IS free shipping day, just go to www.freeshipping.com and check out the merchants who will ship (for free) your items to you by the 24th. Good Luck!!!

Christmas cards

Here are some of the Christmas cards I made this year;

this one is made with the top note Big Shot die and other Stampin' Up dies. The background is embossed and then brayered with ink....layering, one of my favorite techniques.

this one is called a 'bib' card. It is not rectangular, the circle on top is the top. When you open it you will still see the cute button, it lifts up from the bottom.

The tree is made by folding 1/2 of a 2-1/2" circle of patterned paper.

Beautiful

It sure is beautiful from the inside of my warm house.

THE blizzard of 2010

One week ago we had green (tho dead) grass and bare roads....today we have 1-1/2' of snow. We received 3" mid week and about 13" from Saturday night until Sunday morning. It was snowing and blowing A LOT. According to hubby (who spent over 5 hours shovelling/snow blowing) it was wet and heavy sh**. He couldn't even get our back door open to get out, grandson J suggested the patio door and that is what he used and J had to use when his other grandpa picked him up. The windows were full of snow so we could not see outside. We live on a corner, so he has 2 sidewalks to clear plus the neighbor's (2 houses away). She is in an assisted living facility now and he checks on the house and parks his truck in her garage. We have 3 vehicles and can only (barely) fit 2 in our garage. Many people were w/o power for several hours, we were out for a little over an hour after I was in bed. I have the neatest alarm clock that resets itself when the power comes back on. :-) The area schools are closed, some have a 2 hour delay. The interstate roads are ice covered and slippery so it doesn't look like I am driving to watch my grandkids Christmas program.

We got a new washer on Saturday and the jury is still out. It's a Maytag so it must be good.

What I like: a real energy saver, a 2nd rinse is optional.

What is different: it doesn't agitate....I like watching my clothes wash (weird???) I know. I have to use a Downy ball for softener......I had to ask J's other grandpa how to use it b/c I couldn't figure out how to. This machine weighs the clothes, you don't set the load size/water level. The lid locks down so if you want to add more clothes you have to unlock it and then start it again.

Since my DR said I have to watch what I eat I have decided to get away from my bff's habit of eating cookies for breakfast (I am a copycat). Now I have Nutella on whole wheat toast, not sure if that is any better. Have you tried it? like it? I am the only one I know who likes it.

We have decided to limp our furnace through the winter b/c we can't afford it now. This has been a bad year (financially) for us b/c hubby was laid off 1/2 the time. Buying a new washer & dryer wasn't in our budget either, but we had to have one. At $1.50 per wash load I can't afford the laundromat. And now my microwave has decided it's too 'tired' to rotate. I will just deal with that.

Hmmmm....I have physical therapy at 10.....I suppose they will be open then. It's only about 5 miles away but I am not looking forward to getting out. I stayed inside all day yesterday.

Free shipping day

According to AARP Dec 17th is a free shipping day, with packages to arrive by the 24th. It's probably worth your time to check out if you have online shopping to do yet..........I do.

Is there a Santa Claus?

I heard this read on one of my talk radio programs and loved it so much that I want to share this interesting story about a mom and her explanation to her son Frankie when asked, "Do you believe in Santa Claus?"

It was one of THE questions parents face. In the category of questions like, "Why do people die?" and "Where do babies come from?" "Mommy, do you believe in Santa Claus?"

The mom prayed for the right words. "What do you think?"

Frankie shrugged. "Some kids at school said Santa wasn't real. They said parents put the gifts under the tree." "Are you asking me if there is a Santa, or if parents put the gifts under the tree?" Frankie hesitated. "I guess I'm asking both."

The mom wrapped her arms around Frankie and gave him a big hug. "I am so proud of you!" "For what?" Frankie looked puzzled.

"You're old enough now! You see Frankie, while there isn't a man in a red suit, there is something called the Christmas Spirit. But when children are very little, it's hard for them to understand the Christmas Spirit so we say that someone named Santa is responsible for Christmas. Parent's know when a child asks whether Santa is real that they're old enough to understand the Christmas Spirit."

Frankie looked surprised. "What's the Christmas Spirit?"

"The Christmas Spirit is love -- pure and simple. Every year, right around December, there's a special feeling in the air. People are kinder, they give to those who have little and spend time with friends and family. Have you noticed a change recently?"

Frankie thought for a moment. "Everything seems prettier. People seem happier."
"That's the Christmas Spirit at work. The Christmas Spirit is a gift we all receive every year. And those who are most blessed, carry it with them all year."

"Parents want their children to remember the gift of Christmas every year, so they put presents under the tree and say a man named Santa is responsible until each child asks the question you asked me tonight. Then they get to share the wonderful secret of the Christmas Spirit."

"A secret?" Frankie's voice was hushed with awe.

"Yes, now that you asked about Santa, I know that you're old enough to understand the Christmas Spirit. But until other children ask their parents, you shouldn't tell them there's no Santa because they may not be old enough to understand yet."

Frankie nodded and winked. "I won't tell, I promise."

"When people ask if I believe in Santa, I say yes. I absolutely believe that there is a Christmas Spirit that visits each house at Christmas. Does it matter whether that Spirit is wearing a red suit? Or what we call it?"

Frankie shook his head. "Nope!"

"So congratulations! You are officially old enough to start learning about the Christmas Spirit." Frankie crinkled his nose. "Start learning?" "Yes. It takes the rest of your life to figure out how to keep the Christmas Spirit in your heart all year long."

"worst couple of days ever"

When my grandson gets mad at something here he'll tell me it's the 'worst day ever'.

The past week has been like that for me:
We need a new furnace.
Monday my washer (purchased in '96) decided to make a funny noise and quit doing anything but filling with water and draining. I had to wring a load of towels out by hand. hmmmm.....
I got stopped for speeding and given a written warning. If no cars are in front of me I seem to try to catch up to the 'pack'. I knew what I was doing but didn't slow down in time. :-(
My annual check up was Monday too......I have to lose weight or will be diabetic, Dr wants me on cholesterol medication, and is sending me to physical therapy for my latest back problems. Guess that is good, sometimes I just get spasms and I wake up every night in such pain (must be how I sleep).

Now I'll change the subject:
I had some time to kill last night before our Red Hat Christmas party so stopped at the library to find some books on soap making. I hope to make soap with J for Christmas (for his parents and big brother)....anyway our library loans ereader for a week. If you live in a larger city you might want to see if your library does that. It would be a good chance to try one out.

Looks like I will be able to make it to all of my grandkids Christmas programs this year :-)

I haven't been able to check anything off my to do list yet; I worked Tuesday & Wednesday and am gone both nights too.

Remember the real reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour!!!

Found!

WooHoo! I found the 2 ornaments for the boys..........I know I will find the baby's too:-)

Christmas ramblings...........

Yesterday I had 2 of my grandsons and bff over to decorate Christmas cut outs. I baked (note that I did NOT roll & cut out) and frosted them. This year the boys (5 & 6) did pretty good, they both used too much sugar but my floor remained sugar free:-) It was a good time!

Since St Nick came last night I was getting together the kids ornaments..........I found perfect ones for them.........but now I can't find them! :-( I looked all over..........and am so mad! Looks like I will be buying some (for the ones I don't have ornaments for) and hoping I find the ones for the boys before Christmas is over. I HAVE TO, HAVE TO get organized and clean up here.

Besides having the holidays to prepare for I have my annual DR appt and mammogram this week. I will have to get those rescheduled for Jan. next year.

to do list:
bake
wrap gifts
shop (I do have most of the grandkids done)
clean
attend Christmas programs :-) 2 require almost 2 hours of driving and I will go
(weather permitting - it all depends on our winter weather)
write Christmas letter
stamp & mail cards
put up tree
decorate - we are doing our nativity scene display (J and I)

*^@#&>+#!^_>%$$%*( Now I am depressed.....on second thought I will take it one day, one task at a time.

a Splurge

OK, I did it. I bought myself a NOOKcolor. I have only downloaded a few free books so far and am working on a crossword puzzle.... how did they know I like crosswords???? I don't plan to purchase a lot of books, will instead look for inexpensive ones or borrow from the library.....isn't it cool that you can borrow ebooks? I am looking forward to having many books at my fingertips when I travel or have to wait (I can read a book or my email). Do you have one? love it? dislike it? any tips???

Ups & downs

Christmas is coming way too fast........it's way too commercial. I do not like buying things for my grandkids just so they have gifts. To be honest I am a practical person. Most of the moms give me good suggestions...but not all. I have quite a bit of shopping left to do and I know I'll be done about the 23rd or 24th.

I don't have any decorating done and no one helps, hubby doesn't really care about holidays. At least we have young grandchildren that enjoy it. I actually do love to have my house all decked out for the holidays.....but it sooooooooo much work. I will save that for the year that it's my turn to host Christmas eve.

And I do love to bake cookies....but where is the time? MAYBE I will find it. This Sunday afternoon 2 of my grandkids are coming over to decorate cut out cookies. When I was a kid we always went to grandmas to do it and I am trying to keep that tradition alive.

I have a nasty cold.... the first hour of the day I spend wiping my eyes until I am free of mascara :-( The rest of the day I am sneezing and blowing my nose. Now, aren't you glad I told you that????