Christmas Countdown - 2016

[xmas365]

We are okay! We live about 1.5 hrs. south of PF & Gatlinburg. DH's BIL is a local firefighter & had to go up there around noon today to help out. The core of Gatlinburg seems to be okay, but everything around it is gutted. People here are devastated. I'm wondering if the hotel where we spent our honeymoon is gone...;

We got our first real rain last night since July. However, the high winds didn't help with the fires. The next town south of us is in the mountains & had another fire last night. We've been living with smoky smells inside our house for the past couple of weeks from all the wildfires that dummy's are setting on purpose. We live in the woods and if anyone drove by our house and threw out a cigarette butt, our whole property would go down in flames. It's supposed to rain again tonight so that should help. It will be a long time before anyone around here complains about rain!

On a brighter note, we got all our trees & decor up over the weekend. I did a lot of Christmas shopping before work this morning. Before that, only a few Santa gifts & two other gifts had been purchased. I was starting to panic, since I usually like to have all my shopping done & gifts wrapped before Thanksgiving. I hope to get more shopping done this weekend & try to get close to finished.

Glad to hear you are safe, I will keep the people in that area in my thoughts

 

[xmas365]

Thanks Holiday, we finished the dining room trees. I have to decorate one more tree, in my den. I hope to get to it tomorrow. Here's a picture of the pencil trees in my dining room ~

View attachment 34509

Beautiful!!!

 

[nmc42088]

Glad you're feeling a bit better nmc. Hope your day went well <3

Thank you! I'm still not 100% and I have a feeling Carolina is starting to get sick. She has been kind of hoarse for a few days and she just woke up crying for me but wasn't awake.

 

[nmc42088]

Goodnight everyone! I have to get my rest now as I'm not sure if Carolina will get a good night's rest. It's almost 11:30 and she just woke up crying and walking around calling for me. Her eyes were open but she wasn't awake. I held her for a bit and laid her back down. I am hoping she isn't catching my cold but I think she is. Just praying it's not her ears.

Praying for everyone, especially those impacted by the fires.

Natalie

 

[xmas365]

Good evening,

Inventory went well, busted my butt to get everything done as efficient as possible. I have to head back in to work in a mere 6 hours 20 minutes. it will be a long rest of the week.

24 more days until vacation, 24 more days, 24 more days...

Goodnight, everyone

 

[Coen]

Hello! How is everyone doing? I cannot believe that there is less than a month to go till Christmas! It feels like only yesterday when the summer vacation ended.

 

['Tis the season]

Morning all. First day off work and I'm about to get stuck into the cleaning. Tomorrow we decorate so I want everything ship shape. Have a good day people, who said December?

 

[Martine]

View attachment 34481
As of Sunday, Bruce is up, lit and ready for Christmas!

Love the tree! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Martine]

View attachment 34488
@Holiday this is my bracelet I was talking about. I am waiting for a few more pieces to complete my holiday look.
Because I am working today the kind key is reminding me to be kind to all our customers and it's putting me in a Christmassy mood.

Such a great idea for a bracelet. Especially when working with customers who are not always so kind.

 

[Martine]

Merry Tuesday...sorry I have been MIA for a couple of days. I was off yesterday and caught up on stuff around the house. Back to work today and 2 days of rain for us but oh well. We did get our tree up and decorated the living room. Leo already stole an ornament. If I am not paying attention to him or throwing his ball fast enough he grabs an ornament and runs!! LOL.. Hope you all have a blessed day!

So cute about Leo using ornaments as balls . But not so cute for the tree of course.

 

[Martine]

Good Tuesday, MMC!
Hope you're all doing well~ I keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers daily.
Things are still very busy at work-we may have one prospect. Fingers crossed.
We had a nice time with our families while we were away for the holiday. Ate way too much, but that's part of the fun, right?! Three Thanksgivings this year.
And we made it a point to hit the unveiling of my hometown's Rotary Lights. They were gorgeous, and get even more magical every year! Adrian, Mom, Dad, Jazzie, Harlowe, and I all went and had fun walking through the park. There was a live nativity, carriage rides, Santa, carolers, and an ice skating rink all set to open once it's cold enough.
'Tis the season for Christmassy fun!
Here are a few pics.

View attachment 34491 View attachment 34492
My SIL, Adi, BIL, niece, and nephew.

Hope you all have a merry week!
God bless!

Nice to see you snowflake22 . Hope the prospect will work out at your job so you get much-needed help. Nice to know you had such a great time at Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing those pictures of the rotary, awesome! Hope Harlowe will find some relief from coughing, sweet little thing. Enjoy your day coming up!

 

[Edge612]

Good evening,

Inventory went well, busted my butt to get everything done as efficient as possible. I have to head back in to work in a mere 6 hours 20 minutes. it will be a long rest of the week.

24 more days until vacation, 24 more days, 24 more days...

Goodnight, everyone

It'll be here before you know it (also Christmas).

 

[Edge612]

Good Wednesday Morning MMC! Last Wednesday was the best but today is still a good day. November is ending. I'm sorry but wasn't it just September starting up? The last day of the 3rd bers month and then well that month of December which just may be Christmas 24/7 for everyone. Another day at work during my busy week although it's not been overwhelming or anything. Another rainy day today but we need it so let it rain now and be nice on the weekend.
Have a great day!

 

[Christmasstar]

GOOD MORNING MMC !!

busy busy busy, but after this weekend things will slow down and I can finish the Christmas cards and other Christmas things I want to do.
Sourdough baked and cooling on the counter.
Gingerbread houses get finished this afternoon and dropped off at competition site tonight.
I have 2 birthday cakes to make for Saturday morning pickup.
Family Christmas party starts Saturday afternoon, it is potluck so I have to prepare some food for that.
Good thing I have today off work.

Hoping you all have a fantastic day !!

 

[Martine]

We are okay! We live about 1.5 hrs. south of PF & Gatlinburg. DH's BIL is a local firefighter & had to go up there around noon today to help out. The core of Gatlinburg seems to be okay, but everything around it is gutted. People here are devastated. I'm wondering if the hotel where we spent our honeymoon is gone...;

We got our first real rain last night since July. However, the high winds didn't help with the fires. The next town south of us is in the mountains & had another fire last night. We've been living with smoky smells inside our house for the past couple of weeks from all the wildfires that dummy's are setting on purpose. We live in the woods and if anyone drove by our house and threw out a cigarette butt, our whole property would go down in flames. It's supposed to rain again tonight so that should help. It will be a long time before anyone around here complains about rain!

On a brighter note, we got all our trees & decor up over the weekend. I did a lot of Christmas shopping before work this morning. Before that, only a few Santa gifts & two other gifts had been purchased. I was starting to panic, since I usually like to have all my shopping done & gifts wrapped before Thanksgiving. I hope to get more shopping done this weekend & try to get close to finished.

Hope everyone in your area is safe and that the wildfires are under control. So sad to hear about the devastation.

 

[Martine]

Thanks Holiday, we finished the dining room trees. I have to decorate one more tree, in my den. I hope to get to it tomorrow. Here's a picture of the pencil trees in my dining room ~

View attachment 34509

Another beautiful section of your house HMG!

 

[Martine]

My husband brought home a new wreath and Bella jumped right in. She's so silly ~

View attachment 34510

I hope everyone had a nice day. Goodnight!

Too cute! Looks like it was made for Bella, perfect fit.

 

[Martine]

Goodnight everyone! I have to get my rest now as I'm not sure if Carolina will get a good night's rest. It's almost 11:30 and she just woke up crying and walking around calling for me. Her eyes were open but she wasn't awake. I held her for a bit and laid her back down. I am hoping she isn't catching my cold but I think she is. Just praying it's not her ears.

Praying for everyone, especially those impacted by the fires.

Natalie

Hope Carolina was able to go back to sleep and is feeling ok this morning. Everyone seems to be getting sick lately.

 

[Martine]

Good evening,

Inventory went well, busted my butt to get everything done as efficient as possible. I have to head back in to work in a mere 6 hours 20 minutes. it will be a long rest of the week.

24 more days until vacation, 24 more days, 24 more days...

Goodnight, everyone

Glad inventory went well. So you have two countdowns going: vacation and Christmas, very nice. Hope this work day goes well for you.

 

[Martine]

GOOD MORNING MMC !!

busy busy busy, but after this weekend things will slow down and I can finish the Christmas cards and other Christmas things I want to do.
Sourdough baked and cooling on the counter.
Gingerbread houses get finished this afternoon and dropped off at competition site tonight.
I have 2 birthday cakes to make for Saturday morning pickup.
Family Christmas party starts Saturday afternoon, it is potluck so I have to prepare some food for that.
Good thing I have today off work.

Hoping you all have a fantastic day !!

Wow I don't know how you find the time to do all of that on top of working?! Hope you can share some pictures of your gingerbread creations. Have a great (busy) day off!