Christmas Countdown - 2018

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Well, unfortunately it's trash day today, and since my tree has been pretty dry and prickly for about a week already, I think it's best to toss it now. Normally I wait until the second trash day of the month to finally take it out. But it's in pretty bad shape at this point. Not terrible shape, but bad enough that I don't think I should leave it another week, because by then it will be in really bad shape. It's just a little four footer in the corner of my room so it doesn't take up much space. And every year I'm not totally deadset on leaving it up that long, I'm just never in any rush to take it down. I'd like to have it up at least through this weekend, but I don't think that's going to happen. In a few minutes I just have to force myself to start taking off the ornaments and lights one by one. I still have a lot of my other Christmassy and wintery stuff out so it's not getting all packed away just yet. Still going to enjoy that through the weekend. It's just the tree that unfortunately has to go at this point.

One year I kept mine up for a very long time. I couldn't do it with a real tree, but I left my artificial Algonquin Pine up until Easter and kept changing the look of it. The Christmas decorations were taken down after the 7th and replaced with various TY and Disney stuffies and just the clear lights. Donald Duck was my tree topper.

I switched those out and added some tiny wooden and homemade cinnamon hearts for Valentine's Day. I added Shamrock garlands for St. Patrick's Day and then turned it into an Easter Tree.

Well, I took it down shortly after that because I got to thinking that it might not yield the same excitement when Christmas rolled around by having it up so long. I didn't want Christmas to feel like just another day. I wanted it to feel special. I usually turn off Christmas tunes in April & May and August & September and start listening again after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

I keep some special ornaments, snowmen and scented candles out all year along with my Merry Music Boxes and a few books and some assorted Christmas CD's for the car or housework.

Keep a merry thought in your head

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Tonight we decided after two evenings in a row home and snow shoveling today, that we go out to outback and get a steak. The food was good but wow, the temps outside tonight. The wind chill is -10 and the wind on your face make your skin start to feel it’s burning. My poor honey was freezing. That’s ok, as soon as we jumped into the truck, I turned on the seat heaters and before you know, your buns start to become nice and toasty!

Of course I had to ahemmmm fish tale the truck a few times in the snow and frozen roads... boy that was fun!!!!

Our temps. on Friday ran into -45 with the windchill; to give you an idea minus 40 is the same temp in degrees in Celcius as it is in Fahrenheit.
That's COLD.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

A dear friend and mentor has suddenly passed away. Florence was an amazing lady who always had a hug for everyone.
Her love for Jesus her Lord poured out in all she did to help others.
She will be missed by so many in this community.


http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.co...-kehl-founder-of-house-of-blessing-dead-at-76

It's hard to lose a friend and community leader/founder; thinking of you, with love.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Greetings Merry Friend-makers,

The celebration of life and memories for my mom held Friday night was awesome.
My dad was hoping for at least 40 close friends and family and the club was packed with standing room only; guessing abou 75-80 in total. I was the door greeter so I got smothered with hugs and words of sympathy, relationships to my mom and a few stories (not shared with the entire room).
The stories we shared yielded the laughter my mom was hoping for and although two people choked up a bit in their sharing, the majority of the night was maintained in good spirits and tributes.

The entertainers from Toronto were fantastic and "wowed the unsuspecting crowd".

We invited a few very close relatives to join us at my dad's after the celebration wrapped up. Two cousins and I remained with one brother to help him take his speakers and drum set apart and load up his car. My younger cousin mentioned that my brother was loaded and he was asking who wanted to jump in with him as there was only room for 1 passenger. I said, "I'll get in if you give me the keys." He graciously handed them over and said, "That's a fantastic idea." He used to teach young driver's so he commented halfway to my dad's that it was the first time he was a passenger and I was driving. He told me that there were so many times throughout the night and this whole ordeal that he wanted to hug me so tightly, but was holding back because he didn't want to start crying. I told him that tears were okay and expected. So, I offered to pull over, but he declined; worried his car wouldn't start up again at -45.

Out of something bad, comes something good; the black sheep is back in the fold.

I head back to work tomorrow after two weeks off, hoping to settle in quickly.

Stay jolly, stay warm; thanks for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers.

 

[Edge612]

Good Morning, Everybody.

First Sunday of the new year.
The day that completes the first week of 2018.

And we advance another day into our counts:
Days to the Season: 310
Days to Christmas Day: 352

And you will note that as of tomorrow, we will be down to SINGLE DIGITS to our first Milestone marker of the 2018 countdown, the three-hundred-day Season Window.
(Moving right along, Folks.)


Still no break from the very chilly temperatures and we did not reach the 30 degree mark all day yesterday.
Today will be more of the same before warmer weather arrives for Monday.
Right now, we have commenced the second half of the weekend at 9 degrees, the coldest reading yet. At least it's sunny and calm.


Have a Super Sunday.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Panthers can survive the Saints and advance in the NFL playoffs!

Thanks Crown! Let's see if the road teams can win today like they did Saturday!

 

[Minta]

Good Morning ... I think this weekend will be the first weekend in a very long time where none of us left the house all weekend. A much need break from all the running around we have been doing. My daughter wants to cook dinner today and is trying a new recipe .. Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu. While she will be doing to bulk of the work I will be there to help her if she needs it. Well got laundry to finish then I think I will settle in on the couch for some football and TV. Have a great day!

 

[Jason]

Good Morning, Everybody.

First Sunday of the new year.
The day that completes the first week of 2018.

And we advance another day into our counts:
Days to the Season: 310
Days to Christmas Day: 352

And you will note that as of tomorrow, we will be down to SINGLE DIGITS to our first Milestone marker of the 2018 countdown, the three-hundred-day Season Window.
(Moving right along, Folks.)


Still no break from the very chilly temperatures and we did not reach the 30 degree mark all day yesterday.
Today will be more of the same before warmer weather arrives for Monday.
Right now, we have commenced the second half of the weekend at 9 degrees, the coldest reading yet. At least it's sunny and calm.


Have a Super Sunday.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Panthers can survive the Saints and advance in the NFL playoffs!

I think it will feel good to hit that 200's count soon. I always feel a big difference every time We drop down to the 2's, 1's and then double digits.

 

[Edge612]

I think it will feel good to hit that 200's count soon. I always feel a big difference every time We drop down to the 2's, 1's and then double digits.

Definitely the 3s always feels like monumental, 2s seems far but not crazy far, 1s starts to hit you whoa it's coming sooner than we think and double digits you're pretty much in the home stretch.

 

[Jeff Westover]

We got some much needed snow finally. They said it would be freezing rain but it came down snow and piled up pretty fast. Nice to see it. It's only about 29 degrees out there so it was pretty quick to shovel and get out of the way.

We still don't have the car so this weekend we've been fairly homebound.

I make it a ritual to shop the post-Christmas sales for any kind of Christmas stuff and on Amazon I caught a lightning deal of one of those laser projectors for about $10.

I haven't been a fan of most I've seen. But when this thing came the other day I opened it up and just projected it right on our living room ceiling.

I think I'll keep it there. I never considered "decorating" the ceiling before but it is actually quite spectacular when added to the lights of the tree and others we have in the room.

Funny thing is that everyone who wanders into the living now to visit sits with their necks held back and their eyes at the "heavens" the whole time....

 

[MerryCarey]

One year I kept mine up for a very long time. I couldn't do it with a real tree, but I left my artificial Algonquin Pine up until Easter and kept changing the look of it. The Christmas decorations were taken down after the 7th and replaced with various TY and Disney stuffies and just the clear lights. Donald Duck was my tree topper.

I switched those out and added some tiny wooden and homemade cinnamon hearts for Valentine's Day. I added Shamrock garlands for St. Patrick's Day and then turned it into an Easter Tree.

Well, I took it down shortly after that because I got to thinking that it might not yield the same excitement when Christmas rolled around by having it up so long. I didn't want Christmas to feel like just another day. I wanted it to feel special. I usually turn off Christmas tunes in April & May and August & September and start listening again after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

I keep some special ornaments, snowmen and scented candles out all year along with my Merry Music Boxes and a few books and some assorted Christmas CD's for the car or housework.

Keep a merry thought in your head

Good ideas!
I have some Christmas-year-round things (mostly mugs) that stay out all year, and some Christmas music that I feel free to tap into anytime I "need a little Christmas/right this very minute," but I reserve other decorations and music for the season to give it that special once-a-year, it's-here-again feeling.

 

[MerryCarey]

We got some much needed snow finally. They said it would be freezing rain but it came down snow and piled up pretty fast. Nice to see it. It's only about 29 degrees out there so it was pretty quick to shovel and get out of the way.

We still don't have the car so this weekend we've been fairly homebound.

I make it a ritual to shop the post-Christmas sales for any kind of Christmas stuff and on Amazon I caught a lightning deal of one of those laser projectors for about $10.

I haven't been a fan of most I've seen. But when this thing came the other day I opened it up and just projected it right on our living room ceiling.

I think I'll keep it there. I never considered "decorating" the ceiling before but it is actually quite spectacular when added to the lights of the tree and others we have in the room.

Funny thing is that everyone who wanders into the living now to visit sits with their necks held back and their eyes at the "heavens" the whole time....

What a great idea! Wish I could see it!

 

[Iteachpercussion]

Happy Sunday everyone.
Today is the day... the trees are coming down. Not my favorite time, but I know it has to be done. My wife does most of the tree decor work. She puts ornaments back in the boxes and wraps them so they do not break. I take care of my village and the wall decor and moving boxes around.
We have the real tree down now. Poor thing was quite dry. We did however find a tiny friend... a baby praying mantis. Henry asked to keep it, so it is now in a container.

Beyond that, I am grading World Religion papers today while watching the playoffs.

The weather is calling for all kinds of icyness tonight, so there may be no school again tomorrow. Just after midnight we are suppose to get snow, sleet and freezing rain. They are saying the morning will be a complete mess with anywhere from a tenth to quarter inch of ice and perhaps an inch of snow. We will see what happens.

Everyone have a great day!

 

[MerryCarey]

I took down the front-room tree and decorations today ... it's time to put them away to "recharge" their magic for next year. Mr. suggested leaving the smaller tree in the TV room up for a while longer. I agreed with that, since on that tree we have ornaments of book covers, movie-related ornaments, and a photo ornament of a dear friend who's no longer with us. (Also, I'm pooped after having "converted" the front room!)

 

[MerryCarey]

Happy Sunday everyone.
Today is the day... the trees are coming down. Not my favorite time, but I know it has to be done. My wife does most of the tree decor work. She puts ornaments back in the boxes and wraps them so they do not break. I take care of my village and the wall decor and moving boxes around.
We have the real tree down now. Poor thing was quite dry. We did however find a tiny friend... a baby praying mantis. Henry asked to keep it, so it is now in a container.

Beyond that, I am grading World Religion papers today while watching the playoffs.

The weather is calling for all kinds of icyness tonight, so there may be no school again tomorrow. Just after midnight we are suppose to get snow, sleet and freezing rain. They are saying the morning will be a complete mess with anywhere from a tenth to quarter inch of ice and perhaps an inch of snow. We will see what happens.

Everyone have a great day!

Ick, the worst kind of forecast. Stay safe if you have to go out in that mess.

 

[noodlenoggin]

One year I kept mine up for a very long time. I couldn't do it with a real tree, but I left my artificial Algonquin Pine up until Easter and kept changing the look of it. The Christmas decorations were taken down after the 7th and replaced with various TY and Disney stuffies and just the clear lights. Donald Duck was my tree topper.

I switched those out and added some tiny wooden and homemade cinnamon hearts for Valentine's Day. I added Shamrock garlands for St. Patrick's Day and then turned it into an Easter Tree.

Well, I took it down shortly after that because I got to thinking that it might not yield the same excitement when Christmas rolled around by having it up so long. I didn't want Christmas to feel like just another day. I wanted it to feel special. I usually turn off Christmas tunes in April & May and August & September and start listening again after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

I keep some special ornaments, snowmen and scented candles out all year along with my Merry Music Boxes and a few books and some assorted Christmas CD's for the car or housework.

Keep a merry thought in your head

I have a few smaller table sized fake trees with lights on them. They make for a nice wintery setting with all my Christmas stuff. But I usually go for a real tree when it comes to the big decorated one. I just hate always being in the situation of either buying it too soon in the season and then having to throw it out right after Christmas, or buying it a little later in the season so that it will last longer into January but then not having one up earlier on, which just seems wrong to not have one up every day you possibly can.

This year I bought mine earlier than I ever have I think. But I learned that I might end up buying two trees in upcoming years. Buy one early and decorate it with colored lights and Christmassy stuff, and that will be the Christmas one. Then, about two weeks from Christmas, buy another one and decorate it with white lights and wintery stuff, and that one can be left up until well into January (while also being up soon enough to enjoy it for Christmastime as well). That way after Christmas I can just throw out the one that's dry and keep the fresher one up for a while. Keep in mind I'm only talking like 3-4 footers here that can fit in the room I primarily decorate.

And I agree that it's best to put it away at some point in order for it to feel special when it comes out again. But I think that's a period that can last pretty long and still maintain that special feeling in subsequent years. I don't really stop fully thinking about Christmas until about February. And then come June/July I'm not exactly thinking about it, but what I am thinking is that once we get past those months we are into August, which I do spend most of thinking about the fact that come September 1st the entire season starts up again. Because I absolutely consider Fall and Halloween to be part of the season. And from then on it's here until the end of January again. That's a solid 5 months that I pretty much embrace as being the whole of "the season". With Oct/Nov/Dec being the core of it, and Sept and Jan being the months to kind of bookend it. Might seem crazy to others, but for me, I live for it!

 

[xmas365]

We got some much needed snow finally. They said it would be freezing rain but it came down snow and piled up pretty fast. Nice to see it. It's only about 29 degrees out there so it was pretty quick to shovel and get out of the way.

We still don't have the car so this weekend we've been fairly homebound.

I make it a ritual to shop the post-Christmas sales for any kind of Christmas stuff and on Amazon I caught a lightning deal of one of those laser projectors for about $10.

I haven't been a fan of most I've seen. But when this thing came the other day I opened it up and just projected it right on our living room ceiling.

I think I'll keep it there. I never considered "decorating" the ceiling before but it is actually quite spectacular when added to the lights of the tree and others we have in the room.

Funny thing is that everyone who wanders into the living now to visit sits with their necks held back and their eyes at the "heavens" the whole time....

I found one of those laser projectors last summer brand new for $5, I am not much of a fan of them but I thought for that price why not, thinking it would add something to my display. The time came to set up, I left it in the basement. So it is still unopened, I did see someone local set it up projecting on the trees behind their house. That did look amazing.

 

[xmas365]

Good afternoon,

Just a relaxing do-nothing type of day here, I think I feel a nap in the forecast, the first 4am day yesterday threw me off.
I hope you all are enjoying the day

 

[Martine]

Please keep my brother in your prayers; he is in ICU with a temporary pacemaker. He is being kept over the weekend so the cardiologist can figure out what is happening. Thank you!

Greetings Merry Friend-makers,

The celebration of life and memories for my mom held Friday night was awesome.
My dad was hoping for at least 40 close friends and family and the club was packed with standing room only; guessing abou 75-80 in total. I was the door greeter so I got smothered with hugs and words of sympathy, relationships to my mom and a few stories (not shared with the entire room).
The stories we shared yielded the laughter my mom was hoping for and although two people choked up a bit in their sharing, the majority of the night was maintained in good spirits and tributes.

The entertainers from Toronto were fantastic and "wowed the unexpecting crowd".

We invited a few very close relatives to join us at my dad's after the celebration wrapped up. Two cousins and I remained with one brother to help him take his speakers and drum set apart and load up his car. My younger cousin mentioned that my brother was loaded and he was asking who wanted to jump in with him as there was only room for 1 passenger. I said, "I'll get in if you give me the keys." He graciously handed them over and said, "That's a fantastic idea." He used to teach young driver's so he commented halfway to my dad's that it was the first time he was a passenger and I was driving. He told me that there were so many times throughout the night and this whole ordeal that he wanted to hug me so tightly, but was holding back because he didn't want to start crying. I told him that tears were okay and expected. So, I offered to pull over, but he declined; worried his car wouldn't start up again at -45.

Out of something bad, comes something good; the black sheep is back in the fold.

I head back to work tomorrow after two weeks off, hoping to settle in quickly.

Stay jolly, stay warm; thanks for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers.

Beautiful story of how you celebrated your mother's life on Friday ((hugs)). Thank you for sharing.

 

[Martine]

Good Sunday afternoon! I'm thrilled that this insane cold weather is about to break for a while. It's already less intense this afternoon. We had our yearly inventory this morning, I'm so relieved it went well. One less thing to stress over. I woke up at 1am last night thinking about it and didn't fall back asleep until maybe 3:30am. Running on adrenaline right now but I'm glad to have the day off tomorrow to try and recuperate. Hope everyone is enjoying a great day!

 

[NcGunny]

I have a few smaller table sized fake trees with lights on them. They make for a nice wintery setting with all my Christmas stuff. But I usually go for a real tree when it comes to the big decorated one. I just hate always being in the situation of either buying it too soon in the season and then having to throw it out right after Christmas, or buying it a little later in the season so that it will last longer into January but then not having one up earlier on, which just seems wrong to not have one up every day you possibly can.

This year I bought mine earlier than I ever have I think. But I learned that I might end up buying two trees in upcoming years. Buy one early and decorate it with colored lights and Christmassy stuff, and that will be the Christmas one. Then, about two weeks from Christmas, buy another one and decorate it with white lights and wintery stuff, and that one can be left up until well into January (while also being up soon enough to enjoy it for Christmastime as well). That way after Christmas I can just throw out the one that's dry and keep the fresher one up for a while. Keep in mind I'm only talking like 3-4 footers here that can fit in the room I primarily decorate.

And I agree that it's best to put it away at some point in order for it to feel special when it comes out again. But I think that's a period that can last pretty long and still maintain that special feeling in subsequent years. I don't really stop fully thinking about Christmas until about February. And then come June/July I'm not exactly thinking about it, but what I am thinking is that once we get past those months we are into August, which I do spend most of thinking about the fact that come September 1st the entire season starts up again. Because I absolutely consider Fall and Halloween to be part of the season. And from then on it's here until the end of January again. That's a solid 5 months that I pretty much embrace as being the whole of "the season". With Oct/Nov/Dec being the core of it, and Sept and Jan being the months to kind of bookend it. Might seem crazy to others, but for me, I live for it!

I notice alot of people seem to put out the phrase "It wouldn't seem so special"... I believe they think of people like myself wanting to celebrate Christmas every day of the year in its truest form. This is far from the case, and I could see how you might burn out from it that way. When Christmas is over, well its over...I then hit my 2nd mode and Christmas to me is about the lights, colors, and ornaments of Christmas. Almost like a decorating style of life. I guess nobody really complains if your house is filled all year with football merchandise, Nascar, chickens,cows or pigs etc. And most people know that if you dont like my chosen decorating style..."Well there's the door ya just come in!" Life is to short to not enjoy what you like.