2019. Day 2.

I did not take a nap today.  I did prepare and enjoy 3 nutritious meals today.  I did complete a handful or two of tasks from my list, while adding a few new tasks.

Do To List now stands at....... 24 items.

Yay me.

But, here's a resolution we can all support:

(Life is short, eat the donut.)

Weighty Matters

This has moved into the bedroom.

Carl is ready to up the ante.

When he's not giving due time to this taskmaster:

Maybe I'll get some leg work in. If our fuzzy overlords will let me.

Gifted

Being as today is January 7th, Christmas is (almost officially) over.

For me, it's not over-over until after tomorrow; in a rare occurrence, the USCCB Sunday-shift of the Feast of the Epiphany is occurring AFTER the date of the feast. Woo! Party on Casper! Party on Melchior! Party on Balthazar!

While the Three Kings didn't visit me (forgot to stock up on camel hay,) I'd like to share three of my favorite gifts from Christmas Day.

THIS WATCH!  My mom gave this to me. She's been having a grand ol' time ordering fine and costume jewelry from the Internet; I received quite a few whimsical Betsy Johnson pendants for Christmas, but this bargain-find watch is my favorite. I've been looking all season for a bright Christmas watch. And now, YES! I have worn it almost every day since Christmas. (Yes, did go "Squeeeee!!" when I opened the box.)

THIS CHARM!  My friend Tara knows I LOOOOVE The Velveteen Rabbit. This is only the latest in her "real little bunny" gifts to me. Oh, yes, much more squeeing! And the box looks like a book, too! So these are officially the smallest books in my collection.

THIS FAMILY!  I spent a very blessed day with Carl and the kids. We were also visited by his mom, Hazel, and his niece Zoe.  Later, we were joined by my own mom, Pat, and my brother, Bill, as well as the kids' dad, Scott. Yes, Christmas is about family, however God brings us together.

May the Circle

Yesterday I actually took down Christmas decorations.

Note: I typed "took down."  I merely moved them to a staging area.
Nothing has been put away yet.

So, what to my wondering eyes did appear in my mailbox yesterday?

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!


MY KOC RENEWAL PACKET!!!!!!!


SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!


So, there is #2 in the Mini-ornament series "A World Within" I began last year.  There's a mini hummingbird, (and I know people who adore hummingbirds.)  And the little house is too, too sweet!

Ooooo!!!! And another Mini series!!!! Penguins!!!!!!

For my renewal, I'm choosing the "Christmas Window 2016" because I have a little ballerina who will be tickled pink with the "Dance Shop!"

I'm also choosing "Inside Story;" it complements the KOC membership ornament I got last year.  They say that this one is the "1st of 3."  Two more this year?  One each the next two years?  We'll see!

The "For Keeps" issue previewed many other KOC "exclusive" ornaments.

Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

But I know I'm getting Christmas 2016 off to a charming start!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Sale, Ahoy!

The kids were back in school so I FINALLY hit some after-Christmas sales. Ten days beyond, they're more like after-after-Christmas sales.

I'd been itching all week to get shopping, but my wild-things can be quite the gimme-gimmies in a store, if they're not bugging each other to death.

I like shopping by myself.  I can look over things, pick them up and carry them around, think about them, and then put them back.

Shopping after the initial rush is good.  By this time, prices are as low as they will get before things are packed up for the secondary market.  I don't NEED anything, so I prefer having my non-necessities cost at a serious discount.  There's fewer leftovers to chose from, so even less for me spend. This is all a good thing, even though I've been antsy for a week.

I still found bunches of useful stuff!

Hallmark:  60% off-- "Anna" ornament and "Olaf in Summer" ornament for DLG, "A Little Jingle" ornament for me, "Northpole" Itty-Bittys for MLB (Jaz the Penguin & Snowby the Bear,) another ornament for me to be either a Mother's Day gift or 2016 Christmas gift, the "Caring Place" glass butterfly ornament to be a Mother's Day gift to my mom, a Mexican-style cross ornament to hang in MLB's room, and a little something for Carl's birthday.

Hobby Lobby:  90% off-- small Frozen-style ornaments to use as favors for one of DLG's birthdays, some bandanas also for favors, a throw pillow, several tree skirts for mini & table top trees (tree skirts make good doll skirts,) Christmas-ish jewelry findings that could be used any time, Christmas mini ornaments that can be used as jewelry, interest-specific ornaments to use as show cast gifts, hats for the kids and a sparkly infinity scarf for me.

Michael's:  75%-90% off-- enameled frame ornaments shaped like yarn balls (for gift use if I ever get back with my knitting group,) some sidewalk chalk for MLB's birthday, another little goody for Carl's birthday, Christmas earrings, some little things for friend's birthday and a cute little springy ornament.

Wal-Mart:  75% off-- chocolate goodies, cake icing, ornaments for the kids next Christmas, a few trinkets for them for Christmas, a pair of clip-on poinsettia flowers to wear in the play, little storage boxes for the ornaments they make and the loose ones I buy.

Target:  90%-- little plastic toy ornaments for DLG's birthday favors, ribbon on charming wooden spools, a few little ornaments that would appeal to MLB or Carl.

Yeah.  I went N.U.T.Z.  Good thing everything was picked over.  I shudder to imaging how much more I could have bought at a mere 50% off.

Yeah.  Good thing.  I might be an incurable.

How To Train a Reader

First, sit the small child in your lap.

Next, open a book.

Lastly, read aloud.

Repeat.


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I started reading to MLB as early as I could, and he was enchanted.  He tried to eat or shred several books.  And only threw up on one.  They were all salvageable.

He quickly "decoded" & was self-taught reading by age three. When people asked for tips to help their kids, I'd shrug-- I just read to him, that's all.

I honestly didn't read to DLG as much as an infant.  She was very active or very snuggly; within moments of sitting down with a book, she'd be ready to bail.  With MLB in kindergarten with his shiny new diagnosis of ADHD & Autism, I just let things roll with her.

At Christmas, though, one book caught her attention: "Who Is Coming to Our House?"  It's the arrival of Mary & Joseph and the birth of Jesus, as told by a little barn mouse who is readying the other animals.  Maybe it was the sweet and soft realism of the animal illustrations.  Maybe it was soft and discrete voices I used.  Maybe it was just her time to settle down, now that she had this walking thing going so she could keep up with big brother.  Whichever it was, she wanted her gift from her Godfather Rick read to her everyday.  I have a lovely picture of my dad finally getting her to snuggle up for a story.  After that, she was always bringing her Paw-Paw a book.  (I bought, post season, a Hallmark ornament of a big polar bear reading to a little polar bear.  Aww....)

She self-taught at age four, and became proficient at age five when she got glasses for her near-sightedness.

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I grew up having books read to me.  I self-taught by kindergarten.  My house was filled with shelves and shelves of my parent's books.  I eagerly looked forward to ordering from my Scholastics flyer and reading my new books.  I was a library mouse.

With books being even more affordable nowadays, especially used books, I thoroughly indulge in buying books.  Mostly for the kids, but sometimes for me, the schools and as gifts.

My daughter received a boxed set of "Ivy + Bean" books for Christmas from my Mom.  She's read most of them by now.  My son received Book #12 in the "How to Train Your Dragon" series.  He's previously read 1-7; we only own two used copies, and the rest have been checked out from the library.  But I know how he loves to reread his favorite books....

UPS brought the HtTYD boxed set for him today.  It's like a FOURTH Christmas for someone.  Thank you, Amazon Prime!

There is a very happy Hairy-Hooligan deep in book 8.

Pin It

I accumulate Christmas pins.  And earrings.  I would say collect, but I don't hunt them down on the internet or shop in stores.  I mostly find them in the thrift stores.  I've fallen in love with their charms.

My first pin was a gift from my mom when I was in 4th grade.  A Hallmark pin of the happy little snowman holding a wreath and his little redbird friend.  I was impressed that my mom trusted me a piece of jewelry I was allowed to wear to school.  (My mom is a worry-wort.)  In high school, I got a few more as gifts-- teddy bears, enamel bells, and some Christmas earrings.  In college, my own Babchu bequeathed me her vintage Christmas tree pins, many she bought second-hand, too.

I finally realized that I needed a storage system.  The red box worked for many years holding everything; it swings open with four trays (that once held treats.)  Those boxes from the Santa Shoppe?  They have allowed me to easily see all of my earrings and tree pins.

My kids have taught me that life is too fun to wear boring socks.  I have a tin of Christmas socks.  Next year I plan to tote the purse my mom passed on to me.

Y'all, when I "deck," I "deck."

(Well, not all-out.  I'm rather picky with my sweaters......)

Merry Christmas!

We are waiting to "have Christmas" when the kids are back with us.

My Carl is a love, and gave me my special gift today.....

Hmmmm....
small artisan box....
Le Real......
le animale....

artisan bag....
is that a cat.....

No!!!
Not a cat!
A rabbit!
Not just ANY bunny......

My very own
REAL
Velveteen Rabbit!

Do you see
how he dances
for joy!

When the fairy
kissed him for
the last time,
he became real.








He loves me.  My husband "gets" me and he so truly loves me.  We are real.

Date Night

STAR WARS:  THE FORCE AWAKENS!

BEST.  MOVIE.  IN.  YEARS!!!!!

(I loved it, can you tell?)

JJ knows his stuff and his audience.  Great Xmas gift to those of us who were all of an impressionable nine when we saw "Star Wars" for the first time.

But since this has little to do with our actual winter holiday, here's your moment:

The Little Touches

I want to wait to decorate the tree until the kids have undistracted time.

But I can add a few touches here and there.

Some special ornaments: the 12 Days of Christmas (1-4), mini ornaments,
an ornament for Carl, an ornament for me, my favorite joy

Our annual BSA wreath and a mini

Little Frosty and Friends!

This year's "new" ornaments.
I began this last year, so I could enjoy them!

Joy! And a sweet pair.

The Bearringers of Victoria Circle, and of course, Santa and company

Hi-Ho, the Lizzie-O! A Thrifting We Will Go!

I spend way too much time at thrift stores.

I can't say "too much money," because everything is priced to sell, and my money goes to support community causes like animal rescue, addiction recovery, economically disadvantaged and unsheltered.

I'm shopping local.  That's good.

I'm "recycling."  That's good.

But boy! I have to watch myself, or I'll run late to pick up the kids or get to the grocery store before dinner.

Then there's the use and storage of my "treasures."

That's why-- use & storage issues-- I tend to buy certain types of items:

Books
Kid clothes
Kitchen tools
Crafting
Christmas Decor


Man, really cool Christmas stuff shows up. Even before Christmas.

There's the holiday glassware...

and books.....

but also ornaments!  I get some that are unique.  Like Miss Bianca, here.

Some that are old.  Antique Shiny Brite!  Retro Lucite!  Vintage Mirro!

And new....  I'm starting to find some Hallmark ornaments!

 Or how about this:

I've named her "Liv."  Really.  You doubt me???


"Oh, Liv, the udder reindeer."

Let's Call this Day 1

Hello, Bloggersville!!!


Yesterday was Sunday, November 22, 2015, and the last Sunday in Liturgical Cycle B 2015. Designated "The Feast of Christ the King," we wrap up the Church year.  For most Americans, who rarely attend daily Mass, the next time they come to church, it'll be a new year (Cycle C, 2016) and the First Sunday of Advent.  The "countdown" to Christmas will begin.

I'll have to admit, I'm becoming one of those people who "really like" Christmas.

I got excited way back in April when I got my Hallmark Dreambook for this year's ornaments.

I don't know when I started becoming one of those people.  Don't know how far it will go.  I'm certain that Carlos will put a stop to me when I reach his limits.  (We still de-decorate sometime between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday.)  But as I go there, I know I'll have plenty of good company.  (His mom feels the same way about Christmas.)

Maybe I've always been this way.  Maybe, as a middle-aged mom, I'm comfortable being me.  Or maybe I'm appreciating the wonder & joy of the season like I did when I was a kid.

Whenever, whatever, wherever, whyever and how,
I LIKE IT!


(Oooo, DLG just brought in the mail.  More stuff from Hallmark!  "Festive Snowflake Candy Dish"-- gotta' get it!  And the December Event circular with my bonuses!!!  "A Little Jingle" ornament!  Must get this one, too!!)



(I'm hopeless.)

Be the Change

Pretty big topic, right??

I'm kind of stumped/stymied/blocked/constipated when it comes to blogging material right now.

I know. An Irish-American woman at a loss for words.

uh-huh

Not a loss for words, but a loss for concise, cohesive thoughts.

Stream-of-consciousness I can do until you're comatose.

I'm going to lean on The Daily Post's "Daily Prompts." I've never heard of this site before-- I just Googled "daily blog writing prompts," and this site was a top hit. It's by the editors/creators/managers of WordPress, so it's got its gravitas.

I want to create more, to spend more time with creative people. I'll start by writing more (again.) I hope that once I start getting my thoughts back in order, I can get my personal spaces for crafting & reading in order.

I'll be the change here that I want to see everywhere.

Pretty small step, right?

Friday Favorites: MY Space

No, not that one.  I'm pretty much settled in to FaceBook, and use Google for everything else except social-networking.

And Netflix.  Learned the hard way that Google + Silverlight + Netflix = Really Pissed Off MacBook

I'm crowing about a space in my house that is all my own.  It's only about 21 square feet, but it's all I actively need.  I'm rather efficient and effective at storing my "raw materials."

Ta-Da!!

I can thank Hazel for my little area to craft & sew & blog & scrapbook & correspond.

Until early December, the area off the kitchen (aka "breakfast nook") was used as our dining space.  Hazel had her dining room suite in here.  The hutch held all of her wonderful stuff, but we would only eat every now and then at the table.  Sometimes one of us would use it as work space (craft, computer, homework,) but it wasn't ideal for that.

Fun, but not ideal.

The room that most would consider a "formal dining room" we used as a "library."  Lots of lovely bookshelves filled with books.  Since there was no other furniture in the room, I'd set up a table to do some sewing & crafting. Again, useful, but not ideal.  We couldn't enjoy the view of the books and nicknacks.  My work table in the middle gave me room, but no access to electrical outlets for things like my sewing machine or glue guns;  using extension cords or moving the table to the only accessible wall outlet created a walking hazard.  That room also got blinding morning sunlight; in the evening, the overhead lights were too dim.  (Sorry, no photo.)

The more Hazel thought about our spaces, especially with the kids over here and playing all over the floors, as well as a place for the Christmas tree..... Well, Carl had mentioned that the previous homeowners had used the tiled "breakfast nook" as a play area for their toddler.

One of Hazel's passions is rearranging furniture and updating accessories.

Thus, one morning, she, Zoe (in the mold of her grandmother,) Carl and I moved it all around.  Moving things isn't half hard when you have sturdy backs and uncarpeted floors.  We got all but the reloading of nicknacks done before I had to leave to get the kids after school.

I got home late and was very surprised to see the work table up and in position.  (Didn't I fold it up and store it in the garage???)  Carl told me it was his mom's idea to create a work space for me.

I LOVE IT!  I can store stuff.  I can work on stuff.  I can have a kid (or two) beside me as I work.  Or at least do "my thing" in the same room as they are doing "their things."  It's wonderful.  Although I have had "my stuff" with me wherever I've moved, it's been years and years since I've have a space to call "MINE."

Thanks, Mama Hazel.

Happy Harrises!

Sandra says that they are moving through the legal processes.
Here's the picture she posted on FaceBook and her blog.

Cannot wait to see these folks for a very blessed holiday season!!

Acting, Kindly and Almost Randomly

I decided what I would do in memory, in honor, of Martha McClain Lewallen.

And did it.

I brought a donation to the WZYP Annual "Bikes or Bust" Drive they do in conjunction with Toys-For-Tots.

I drove past the Ashley Furniture Store every day this weekend.  I saw the growing lines of new bicycles.  I saw the proud Marines standing tall in their most joyful of duties.  I saw a poor cold DJ stuck at the top of a lift in some of the most bitterly cold, wet & windy weather we've had yet this season.

I wondered, as I always did each year, can there really be that many kids here in Huntsville, or the whole of North Alabama, who need a bike? Sadly, yes there are.  Some might live in circumstances where having even your beloved bike stolen is not uncommon.  Some might live in circumstances where they had to leave a bike behind.  But for many, this might be a first.

I wasn't moved to give this year because I felt sorry for Mojo (DJs are notoriously half-a-bubble off.)  I've given books to Toys-For-Tots before and have proudly thought of my uncle who served as a Marine, but this year I was inspired by something more.

I thought of the joy a kid has when he/she gets that first bike, especially if that bike arrives in the magic of Christmas.  Whether Santa brings it or a Marine, that bike means being offered a chance to learn a skill, being granted freedom, being bestowed a responsibility.  That bike says you and your hopes mean something to the great, big world.  I will remember my first bike forever.

Hope this gift makes Ronda's mom smile-- a smile as big as a kid's on Christmas morning.

Friday Favorites: Brownies!!!!

PMS time                            NEED chocolate                            Made brownies

BEST Brownies EVER!
(Monster box available at Costco)

Why are they YUM??!?
Because they use stuff I have in my pantry!

From bowl to pan
Luscious
Of course
I licked the bowl

Shame I have to share

BIG E, little e.... What Begins with Ee?

Sandra & Kevin's daughters just as sweet as they can be!!!

This week my dear friends (on a diplomatic assignment in Timor Leste) finally traveled to China to embrace forever their newest daughter.

Little sister Elizabeth Xin joins her Big sister Eileen Ping!
And there was much rejoicing through out the world.

As soon as they have pictures up (or to me,) I'll share.

Or even better, pics of their kids with mine--
they'll be here by Thanksgiving!

Thanks be to God!!!

Shopaday: New Thrift Store Edition

Every now and then, I need retail therapy.  I'm not your average shopping-babe.  To be honest, in college I bought way too much uselessness and rounds of drinks on my credit card and scared myself pretty good-- for much less than the national average.  It was enough to make me think long & hard about shopping for myself; I anything I buy now has to be on a mental shopping list, has to have a planned day to go buy it, has to be on sale/couponed/discounted, and, more comfortably, to be actually useable or giftable.  That being said, I'm not that mental about shopping-- I keep all that wacky stuff in my head.

Soooooo......

After a planned trip to Hallmark, then retrieving my repaired sewing machine, I stopped at a new thrift store on my route home.  The Saving Way.  I've passed it time & time again, but never stopped.  They now have additional stores in town and I've seen some churches advertise that they are donation-drop-off locations.  I've heard buzz from other thrifters, so I decided to stop in.  This location on Winchester Road is their "flagship".

I was impressed:  spacious, well lit, friendly people, assortment of merchandise/clothes that were clean & easily accessed, prices in keeping with other thrift stores and easy to read, daily specials.  I am also impressed that it supports a local, worthwhile project-- His Way-- so my money goes to good use and stays in town. "His Way is a residential, Christ-Centered recovery program for men with drug & alcohol addictions. The facility is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and since it began in 2007 has served men & families from all over the United States."  (The program is just around the corner from the store.)

I had nothing specific on my to-buy list; when I'm thrifting, I'm usually shopping for kid clothes, props/costumes or a specific clothing/kitchen item.  Today, I just opened up my "just in case I see 'XYZ' for sale" file.

Yep. They were for sale, along with AEIO&U.

Here's what I bought for just 13 pennies shy of a Jackson:

I'm addicted to books.  Always have been, always will be. I love children's books the best, cause it's easy to see what the quality stuff is.  Little Golden Books-- real good stuff.  The McDuff book is modern imagining of a children's book from the 1940s-- I think it succeeds. And a "chapter" book for my 9yo, in case the others are too young for him.  (Yeah, right.)

Children's books aren't just for children.
I adore folktales, lusciously & regionally illustrated.
And, there's The Muppets.  Cha-ching!

I'm more likely to buy household items than clothes.  We have here: a small Fire King bowl that is a match for the green one I already have (because I
love Fire King-- it's cute, retro & great in the microwave); a collection of mis-matched & capless aluminum knitting needles (because I felt sorry for them); a Cherished Teddies figurine (because I decided to stop accumulating them, but she also looked lonely, is named Madison and is at the beach which my daughter eagerly anticipates visiting in person); an aluminum loaf pan (because after 40 years of being allowed to use the oven, I have concluded aluminum bakeware is unbeatable); and a pair of Arby's Hollyberry tumblers from 1984 (because I am trying to collect a set of all pieces issued and I didn't know these existed.)



Speaking of Christmas, here's Snowy & Little Bird, as an enameled stick pin.  Y'all, these are my favorite little guys.  My mom got me these guys as a plastic Hallmark Christmas pin when I was in fourth grade.  I felt a bit grown up having a holiday pin.  I've treasured it each Christmastime since. How could I NOT bring this tiny treasure home???

And now for something completely different.

Not that I'm in mid-life or anything.