Christmas Countdown - 2009

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

) All I have left to do is wrap the last of the presents I picked up yesterday and then I can relax until Christmas Eve.

I'm onto my second roll of Scotch Tape now. Funny thing happened while I was wrapping up the package to send off to the grandkids (we won't see them until the New Year) ... I was using the invisible satin ribbon style of tape and I couldn't see where I had taped and after a couple of spin arounds I said to myself, "nobody is ever goiing to get through the amount of tape on that package". I recall the days growing up when my brothers and I would over-tape gifts just for fun.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Yesterday, when I was finishing up my shopping, I was surprised again that it only took half an hour to make decisions about my mother's gifts and two hours before I could make up my mind about my dad. He rarely gives any hints so it makes it hard to know what to get for him.

My invisible playmate from childhood (Pretend Heather) shows up now and then to buy a special gift for me (something I want, but doubt anyone will give me) she has come through again with a 10-pack collection of Christmas DVD's - all animated if remember correctly.) This year, she picked up something for my dad, mom and my husband too. HaHa.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Did our seasonal food shopping yesterday. We stocked the fridge and freezer with enough food to last two weeks.

I have to work this week, but I'm off between Christmas and New Year's.

The weather is supposed to be perfect for lighting the annual luminaries.

The Olympic Torch is coming our way on the 30th, I've had a second countdown of my own going on about that. The last time the Torch passed this way, it was for the summer Olympics and I was just a kid and I barely remember it, just that there was a parade without any floats.

:hello: I'll be swinging by this way on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, not sure if I'll be here at midnight, it depends on when Santa is flying overhead which I'll find out by checking in with the Track Santa Updates.

I have to be in bed with the covers over my head when Santa comes. :

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Wake Up Crown!


I've been awake for three hours already. I was so tired after finishing my shopping yesterday that I thought I might wind up sleeping through Christmas. I don't know why I worry about it, I don't actually sleep much on Christmas Eve, I get too excited at the possibility of spotting a sleigh in the sky.

Up and at 'em y'all!

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

I cannot tell you how refreshing and energizing it was. Music is such a powerful force of the Christmas spirit. It amazes me what one man with a piano can do by leading a couple of thousand people in a creative, spontaneous rendition of Silent Night.
So cool.

I attended an unusual Christmas Recital last Thursday. A group of two year olds were dancing to Cotton Eyed Joe. Not your typical Christmas flair, but it was absolutely adorable.

I love watching children of any age perform. My husband and I were talking about going to my local productions this year. So far, watching my dad perform again has to top my list of music miracles.

cheesy I got chills on my arms and the back of my neck when I heard the choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

 

[Crown 84]

CHRISTMAS SEASON DAY # 38

Good Morning, Friends of Everything Christmas!

We are rapidly approaching zero hour.
Days to Christmas Day: 5
Getting so close, I can taste the eggnog.

365 down to 5! Hard to believe, isn't it?


Cold again. We stand at just under 34 here in Raleigh at this hour.
But at last the clouds and rain have disappeared and we are under sunny skies with no wind.
(Believe me, it feels warmer at 34 on a calm day with sun that it does at 50 with a stiff wind under a heavy cloud deck!)

Well, I'm down to my last Christmas movie!
It's called "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" and stars Mickey Rooney.
This is the last remaining Christmas movie I had wanted to have but could not find. Finally located it earlier this year on e-bay and saved it to watch this Season. Have not seen it in about 20 years!

Have a Super Sunday, Friends!
Get all rested up to begin moving through our short week to Christmas!!

 

[JOHNOR]

it's snowing here, it's so perfect!

we went to do our christmas food shop at 4pm this afternoon and all the stores were closed! i thought they would stay open late night in the run up to christmas. we will have to go tomorrow now instead.

i'm getting that feeling again... a slightly sad feeling that hits me hard on 26th december... i must work at keeping that feeling at bay. anyway, the years go by so fast that it will be the run up to christmas 2010 before we know it!

 

[Christmasstar]

The family party was a great success and loads of fun! 25 people stuffed in my little house, food and goodies everywhere.
Little ones under foot squealing with delight. (carrying my musical Christmas trees around with them)
Gifts opened and wadded up wrapping paper balls all over the place...they stuffed it everywhere in the living room, pulled a bagful out of the tree, wooden shoes, off the shelves and I am sure will find more in the days to come! ( the guys toss it at each other across the room after the gifts are open, something that started a few years ago)
The grab or open a gift game was great again. I ended up with a new set of glasses (they actually match!)
Now to get this place cleaned up again....tomorrow.

 

[MerryBells]

Our preparations have sort of stalled while we dig out from all this snow. Cookie baking is going very well, though.

 

[Binger]

Light dusting of snow here.. first time before Christmas any trace since 1967 I think..

YABBA

 

[Binger]

Auntie.. wake up Crown..LOL.. OMG I am about to collapse from laughter.. OMG.. lol...

YABBA

 

[Binger]

fewer houses around me decroated this year- that a trend with your neighborhoods?

YABBA

 

[Binger]

I did some but not as much as I had planned. Though the Alum Tree shines on with its color wheel...

YABBA

 

[Crown 84]

fewer houses around me decroated this year- that a trend with your neighborhoods?.....

About the same here as last year, Bingster.
No noticeable change.

 

[trackrebel]

I am sitting here with popcorn by my side...only problem is...I am eating it...even tho I am s´posed to make a Popcorn Chain outta it...lol

 

[Christmasstar]

fewer houses around me decroated this year- that a trend with your neighborhoods?

YABBA

We are the opposite here, more house's than I have ever seen are decorated this year. I will post a picture later. cheesy

 

[Christmasstar]

I am sitting here with popcorn by my side...only problem is...I am eating it...even tho I am s´posed to make a Popcorn Chain outta it...lol

I love making popcorn strings, but have not done it since the kids where small. We always ate as much as we put up too! cheesy

 

[Christmasstar]

it's snowing here, it's so perfect!

It is snowing here too :

 

[made582]

Okay the weekend has flown by. We ended up taking my mom out for dinner last night for her birthday. Her birthday isn't until tuesday but that was the only free time we were going to have between now and christmas eve. I still have baking to finish but I have lost some of my energy. I was just laying around watching football this morning until the carolers came thorugh. They belong to the church that one of my neighors go to and they always around the sunday before christmas. They sounded great and got me back in the mood. I think I have decided not to make any cookies to pass out. I am only going to do candy this year. I am going to make peanut brittle tonight and popcorn balls. If I have enough time I will also make mashed potato candy. I hope everyone has a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[made582]

fewer houses around me decroated this year- that a trend with your neighborhoods?

YABBA

More apartments here are decorated than ever before. I think it is because we are starting to get younger people moving in. It used to be alot of older people who would go to florida for the winter.