Christmas Countdown - 2018

[HomemakinGirl]

Special Post of the countdown to the Christmas Season

As the days of the calendar fall away, we approach that most wonderful time of the year. Aisles once filled with Halloween candy, pumpkins and costumes have given way to Christmas Candy, trees and bows. Thoughts of carving pumpkins and trick or treating are now thoughts of carving a turkey and decorating a Christmas tree.

While some are excited for what is yet to come some cannot help but to remember of what used to be. New place at the table or a new ornament yet to be hung signals for a new memory yet to be made . While a recipe handed down or an old ornament with a special place on the tree remind us of loved ones on longer here while their memories fill our hearts.

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. Children are making their Christmas wish list in a letter Santa. Christmas Cards are being signed sealed and stamped with love and care. Lights abound from house to house, inside and out let the world know that the Christmas Cheer is here. Cookies in the oven, gifts under the tree, laughter and love that fill the air are some of the best presents the season can offer.

So as we go to sleep tonight and dream of Christmas another change will occur, the countdown to the season will be no more. When we awake let us welcome the season with open arms and a open heart like we are welcoming a long lost friend.

LOVE this Minta, thank you!
xx

 

[Holiday]

Good morning MMC! It's a dreary 'ol chilly morning! Currently sitting at 36º with our 1st chance of "accumulating" snow tonight...which now I guess 1" of snow qualifies for "accumulating snow" LOL!!! But I'll take it!!

I just wish it would snow during the day more often so I can see it!! (I know - careful what I wish for...)

Not much up for today. Kind of quiet around work since it's Veterans Day & there's no mail. Job #2 will probably be a different story this afternoon!

My niece (Goddaughter) laughed when I brought her books to her baby shower (we do books rather than cards) - they were both Christmas books! She said "Imagine that!" LOLOL!! ♥

(I LOVE both these books!!)

Looking forward to catching up around here this morning & reading the special posts I missed over the weekend!!

Everyone, have a GREAT day!!!

 

[Martine]

Good Monday morning! I have the day off and I have a few errands to run this morning. I have yet to find reindeer antlers at a Dollarama store, to wear at work from time to time to get people in the Holiday mood, so my search continues this morning. I'll use this afternoon to watch some Christmas-related shows I have on dvr. I'll have four more work days this week and then I'll be on vacation for 8 days. I'm itching to do my usual tour of all the stores to look at their Christmas displays and to decorate our appartment, all next week! Wishing everyone a great start to the week!

 

[Holiday]

No, you can't let her be sent back to the pound. Praying she finds the perfect home!! xx

Well, that will be a most interesting site to visit!

You bet! I hope you get to watch it snow later!!
Woke up to a dusting of snow on the trees and ground, and since then it has rained, snowed, rain-snowed (or is that snow-rained?), and now nothing. Tomorrow will be sun, so whatever might fall later won't be around long.
Have a merry weekend!!
xx

I too am praying she finds a happy home - before Thanksgiving!! She's so cute, but Gah... my girl Lucy I think likes being the only girl for now!! ♥ We'll see what happens. But as of now, Kassi still hasn't been adopted. I told my friend over the weekend - if we do end up getting her, we're changing her name to Ethel! (Lucy & Ethel)

Ravelry is so interesting, addicting & very informative! I love looking at all the projects!

Hope you had a great weekend friend!

 

[Holiday]

Good evening folks. It sure is just a plain outright, miserable night out tonight! It's really pouring down rain, its a cold rain and the wind is blowing hard out there, the lights are flickering, the cable just went out.

When I got home this evening, I made a fire in the fireplace and oh baby, does it ever feel oh so nice right now! The kitties are napping and I can hear the rain hitting the side of the house. Whoa, a power surge just came into the house and we lost a phase of the house power. I bet you some tree limb is hitting the power lines some where's up the road.

Its a shame this isn't snow, then it would be a really wild night out tonight!
It is going to feel so nice, not, to have to get up for anything tomorrow morning. I may play a Rip Van Winkle tomorrow morning till noon!

I would love to be home in front of a fire, watching snow & Hallmark right now!! Hope you had a great weekend!

 

[made582]

Good morning MMC! It's a dreary 'ol chilly morning! Currently sitting at 36º with our 1st chance of "accumulating" snow tonight...which now I guess 1" of snow qualifies for "accumulating snow" LOL!!! But I'll take it!!

I just wish it would snow during the day more often so I can see it!! (I know - careful what I wish for...)

Not much up for today. Kind of quiet around work since it's Veterans Day & there's no mail. Job #2 will probably be a different story this afternoon!

My niece (Goddaughter) laughed when I brought her books to her baby shower (we do books rather than cards) - they were both Christmas books! She said "Imagine that!" LOLOL!! ♥

(I LOVE both these books!!)

Looking forward to catching up around here this morning & reading the special posts I missed over the weekend!!

Everyone, have a GREAT day!!!

Hey!! Don’t you go wishing for big amounts of snow!!! Remember, it usually has to come through me first!! Lol!!!

 

[Holiday]

We just got back from watching The Grinch... it was Great! My 8 year old daughter LOVED this movie. She laughed throughout all of it, she followed the plot perfectly (she sometimes struggles with movie plots for some reason), and she really identified with Cindy Lou Who and her storyline. I thought the movie was really great, too. My wife thought it was maybe way too sweet, and my oldest son (almost 16yo) liked it but not as much as the Carrey version. My middle son and I can't decide, because the two films are SO different in style and purpose. I think it will come down to what I'm more in the mood for - sarcastic and funny, or sweet and funny.

One thing we do agree: Max the Dog is one of the best animated characters ever.
Danny Elfman's soundtrack is amazing. It was just such a good movie, and we had a great time out tonight!

Thanks for the review. I would like to see this movie. Not sure if I'll see it in the theater or on dvd eventually, but it looks cute. I love the I-hop Grinch commercials! Pltthhh! LOL

 

[Holiday]

Special Post - Day 3

People are always asking me, “Why do you love Christmas so much?” or saying, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone love Christmas as much as you!” Well, there are several reasons why I’ve become to love this special holiday and I’m going to explain why.

When I was younger, Christmas was so exciting, as it is I think for every child. We would always decorate Black Friday and my parents went all out - they still do today. I enjoyed helping them and decorating the tree. We had several traditions, such as going to see the lights, watching Christmas specials together, and going to Christmas Eve mass. Many of the traditions I had as a child, I still do with my kids today, but have added to them. I decorate a lot earlier now, mainly because I want to enjoy Christmas that much longer.

Being Catholic, Christmas and the birth of Jesus were always very important in my home. We celebrated Advent and the Epiphany. This time of the year has become very special to my now family as well and we even leave our decorations up until the Epiphany, which is seen as the end of Christmas in the Church.

When I was a small child, my grandfather (dad’s dad) passed away December 27th of cancer. He was only 50. My father always seemed to have a hard time with the holiday, because of so, but would continue to try and make it jolly for us kids. My grandmother (Dad’s mom), would attend Christmas Eve Mass with us every year and then spend the night at the house. I’m remember when I was 14, I was looking forward to that mass, because I had a duet that was going to sing, which was “Silent Night”, my favorite Christmas song, and I couldn’t wait to sing it, in front of my grandmother. That Christmas Eve morning, she passed away. That holiday was beyond tragic for us and was for several years for my father. She had already obviously bought us our gifts - one of the gifts she got me that year, was the start to my natvity set, that I still use today and cherish so very much. As the years have went on and now my dad has 5 grand babies of his own, I think our family has become to really treasure the holidays and know that the time we spend together, no matter what it is, is always precious.

I ask you, my friends, to make time for your family, no matter if it’s just an hour or the whole day long. The holidays are a time for loved ones to be together and make memories, which is what my parents did with me and now I do with my children. I’ll never forget these times and know that my kids won’t as well. I’m thankful for the time spent with my family and urge you all do the same!

Merry Christmas to you all, God Bless you and your families!

Beautiful post!! What a great way to celebrate/remember those who we have lost at such a special time of the year. This hits home as I'm not sure mom will be with us at Christmas - or even Thanksgiving! But if something does happen, I don't want to let it spoil my love of the holidays!! She has lived a good long life & her life isn't easy anymore. We need to continue the traditions!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning ~
Happy Saturday!
I was in and out all day yesterday shopping with my girls. I finally found a mother of the bride dress! I’m going back to the boutique after Thanksgiving for alterations, I just have to get a pair of shoes first. I’m so relieved I found a dress!
Today will just be a typical day of errands and chores. I have to make a big food shopping trip this morning. I also have to run to the pet store at some point to pick up a couple of things. Other than that I will be working on the laundry. I think we’re just going to grab a pizza for dinner later tonight and watch the hockey game. That’s about it for me.
I hope everyone is well and has a wonderful day!!!
xx

YAY! Congrats to finding a dress! I'm sure it's beautiful!!!

 

[Holiday]

Sidney pup is home!!!View attachment 51732 View attachment 51733

She's beautiful!!! ♥

 

[Holiday]

Hey!! Don’t you go wishing for big amounts of snow!!! Remember, it usually has to come through me first!! Lol!!!

Ha ha ha!! You might have to "suck it up buttercup!!"

 

[Crown 84]

Closing in on 12 hours until the Season begins!

 

[Holiday]

Thank you Martine! I ended up getting a black strapless satin and lace trumpet gown, it’s really pretty! The time is flying by, we’re very excited!
xx

I hope you will share pictures! Sounds beautiful!

 

[Holiday]

We are watching the Hallmark channel tonight and it seems like the movie is a little jumpy on the TV. Has anyone else by chance happen to notice this also? If not, then I have to figure it out on my end. Thanks

YES!

 

[Holiday]

Mike just informed me on the way home from his first mandatory ot shift of the weekend that he may have to work all of next weekend too. He won't know for sure until later in the week. They were told to expect to makeup Thanksgiving and that if there were too many call outs this weekend that would have to be made up as well. This is the first year that overtime has been really bad for his warehouse.

Hope you all get some time for relaxing & enjoying the holiday season!!!

 

[Holiday]

Special Post #4

One of my Christmas memories from the late 80’s was when I borrowed money from my Mom to buy her Christmas present. She talked about wanting this “North Pole Collection.” Not knowing what it was, I asked to borrow money and I went to buy it. At the time, I was still in elementary and all was right with the world.

As the years passed and time, unbeknownst to us, was flying by, we added a house or two a year. For as long as I can remember, that was my Christmas gift to Mom. Each house has memories associated with it. I could look at those houses and tell you the years we bought them and what happened during that Christmas season. I always adored those houses. The time I spent in front of those houses as a kid and stared in awe was probably mind-boggling. As an adult, I still look at those houses for hours and smile.

Last Friday (Nov. 2nd), I put them up….except it wasn’t in my parents house, it was at mine. You see…my Mom gave them to me, as she sold the house we grew up in a few months ago…just a few short weeks after Dad passed in late January.

Putting up those houses was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

The houses are all decorated, our tree is up, and some presents lay underneath. We have the stockings up, Christmas music is playing….holiday magic is beginning to show up everywhere…..and all the while I’m trying to figure out how to have Christmas….and how to feel about Christmas….without my Dad being here.

My Dad, like all of our Dad’s, was as large as life to me. I can see him sitting at the head of the table and I can hear him giving the blessing. I see him smiling at me while I opened a gift as a kid and, even more special, I can still see how happy he was to see his granddaughters open their gifts at Christmas.

Now, that chair is empty. The big laugh that filled up the entire room is gone…and we are all trying to figure out how to have Thanksgiving and Christmas without such an integral part of our family here with us.

Picking up those pieces hasn’t been easy. It isn’t supposed to be. Also, I know this situation isn’t unique. We all go through it. However, this situation is unique for me.

Here is my promise to my family, my Dad, and myself…on one side of this post are all of the times in my life up until now, where Dad has always been present at Christmas. I will fondly remember those times and honor those memories. On the other side of this post, this Christmas season and all of those in the future, will be full of new traditions, love, anticipation, and the amazing memories that I made with my father and those I get to make as a father. I will live, I will enjoy, and I will celebrate the Christmas season like I never have…with all the joy I can muster. Celebrating with joy and love in our heart is what we all want. There is no better way to carry on his legacy.

This Christmas season, take the time to jot down a note, send a card, shoot someone a text….and tell them how much you love them. Make sharing your appreciation for others and your passion for our season a gift you give. It isn’t a responsibility, but our spirit that we all have by being here year round and constantly celebrating is something that can lift others….when they need it the most.

For those of us who find ourself in a tough spot during this holiday season, be brave enough to acknowledge it. There is nothing wrong with being sad. If you believe like I do, our loved ones are celebrating in a place that is far better than where we are, they are smiling on us, and they can’t wait to be with us, again. While we might have tough times here….smile for them….because there are no bad days in Heaven…and everyday is Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Dad...

and Merry Christmas to you, friends.

Coach

And so it comes to this...two days until the season.....

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Beautiful! (((Hugs)))

 

[Holiday]

Closing in on 12 hours until the Season begins!

 

[Holiday]

I’m glad she’s doing well Sugar. Nittany and Sidney are going to be the best of friends, I love it. I hope you were able to get some sleep. I’m the biggest pushover, I never crate trained but I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. My dogs were not/are not the best behaved!

Ha ha ha - you & me both HMG!! ♥

 

[Holiday]

Off to job #2! Have a great day everyone!!! I'm hoping to join you all tonight for the countdown to the season!!!

 

[Classic Christmas]

4 inches of snow over the weekend, and the potential for another 10-14 inches over the next 48 hours

Not only do we have a White Christmas in the bag, it's going to be a White Thanksgiving, too!