In honor of the Christmas season, I present this Christmas "Meme"...and invite everyone to post their own Christmas "MeMe".
Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, although we do use a few gift bags. And for gift exchanges with friends, I almost always use gift bags (much easier to deal with the clean-up when exchanging gifts at a restaurant!)
Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes, a special one received as a bridal shower gift. I love it.
Do you like eggnog? Yes, but only in small doses.
Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas (no contest on this one!). LOVE that movie!
Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail.
Easiest person to buy for? My girls or my sisters.
Hardest person to buy for? DH or my in-laws.
Real tree or artificial? Sadly, an artificial tree. I'm allergic to real ones.
Angel or star on the tree top? Star
Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Not that I can recall.
Favorite Christmas song? "Mary, Did You Know?" or "Mary's Lullaby" or "Homeless"...so many.
Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home...DH's job doesn't allow us to travel for the holidays.
White lights or colored on the tree? Always clear lights.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything chocolate or mint!
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course!
When do you put up the tree? The Saturday after Thanksgiving, usually.
What is your favorite place to go at Christmas? Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and anywhere my family is.
Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Open one gift on Christmas Eve (usually from a sibling or cousin), and the rest of Christmas morning.
What do you love most about Christmas? All the sights, sounds, and smells...especially the music and smells!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Random Thoughts....
*Last night I went out to dinner with three of my dearest friends. The four of us are known, collectively, as "the Divas." (No, I really have no idea how we got that nickname...LOL!) As is always the case, we had a wonderful time catching up on what's going on in everyone's life, laughing, sympathizing and empathizing, and just spending time together. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- women need close friends. We need these relationships. We need to cherish and nurture these friendships. The Divas are such an awesome support system for me. We had a wonderful time last night and I'm already looking forward to our next get-together.
*I've said before that I love quotes. As I was browsing a catalog a few minutes ago, I came across two quotes that might end up being my new mantras:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
"It's never to late to live happily ever after."
*Our Christmas tree is up and decorated, but it just won't feel like Christmas to me until our nativity set is on display. Our nativity set was a gift I received at my bridal shower, which was held just a few days before Christmas. It was given to me by three or four sisters from church who were a group of very close friends who always had lots of fun together (forerunners of the Divas, perhaps?). While I have lost contact with those women, I still have the nativity set they gave me and we display it every Christmas. I hope DH gets the rest of the Christmas decorations down soon so we can put out the nativity set.
*I need to work on being more assertive in certain situations. I got my nails done yesterday and decided to step outside of my comfort zone and get my nails painted red for the Chistmas season. The person who did my nails insisted on picking out the color for me. I knew when he brought the nail polish over that I wasn't going to like it. Why didn't I say something??? I didn't want to hurt his feelings. He kept going on and on about how it was the perfect Christmas red with a little sparkle in it to represent snowflakes. I just didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't like it. I thought it might look better once it was applied. Ummm, no. Not at all. I didn't have time to repaint my nails yesterday so I went to church with nails that seemed to glow as brightly as Rudolph's nose! LOL I was so self-conscious of themat church. This afternoon A and B helped take the polish off (not an easy task) and A repainted my nails...more of a cranberry color, which is much more "me." I really do need to be a bit more assertive in situations like that!
*I've said before that I love quotes. As I was browsing a catalog a few minutes ago, I came across two quotes that might end up being my new mantras:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
"It's never to late to live happily ever after."
*Our Christmas tree is up and decorated, but it just won't feel like Christmas to me until our nativity set is on display. Our nativity set was a gift I received at my bridal shower, which was held just a few days before Christmas. It was given to me by three or four sisters from church who were a group of very close friends who always had lots of fun together (forerunners of the Divas, perhaps?). While I have lost contact with those women, I still have the nativity set they gave me and we display it every Christmas. I hope DH gets the rest of the Christmas decorations down soon so we can put out the nativity set.
*I need to work on being more assertive in certain situations. I got my nails done yesterday and decided to step outside of my comfort zone and get my nails painted red for the Chistmas season. The person who did my nails insisted on picking out the color for me. I knew when he brought the nail polish over that I wasn't going to like it. Why didn't I say something??? I didn't want to hurt his feelings. He kept going on and on about how it was the perfect Christmas red with a little sparkle in it to represent snowflakes. I just didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't like it. I thought it might look better once it was applied. Ummm, no. Not at all. I didn't have time to repaint my nails yesterday so I went to church with nails that seemed to glow as brightly as Rudolph's nose! LOL I was so self-conscious of themat church. This afternoon A and B helped take the polish off (not an easy task) and A repainted my nails...more of a cranberry color, which is much more "me." I really do need to be a bit more assertive in situations like that!
Friday, November 30, 2007
On Trees....
I've been thinking about trees over the last few days. I like trees of all types, and especially those that flower. Dogwoods are a particular favorite (pink especially...too bad we killed the pink dogwoods DH bought for me). I love trees in the spring, when they start to bud and come back to life after winter.I really loved spring in Anchorage (all three days of it, LOL!). One day, the trees were nothing but bare branches, appearing for all intents and purposes to be dead. And then suddenly, the next morning as I drove to work, I noticed the faintest hint of green among the trees...and then the next day, the green was darker and I knew that winter truly was almost over. Buds and leaves literally popped out and grew overnight. It was amazing.
The other day I saw a tree that had lost most of its leaves. But there were still a few left, and they were the most gorgeous shade of red. It was as if the tree was making a statement to the seasons -- yes, you make take my leaves, but not without a fight. Not without one last, glorious show of life and passion and color...and hope.
The other day I saw a tree that had lost most of its leaves. But there were still a few left, and they were the most gorgeous shade of red. It was as if the tree was making a statement to the seasons -- yes, you make take my leaves, but not without a fight. Not without one last, glorious show of life and passion and color...and hope.
I think that's what trees symbolize for me...the promise that spring always follows winter. The promise of rebirth...of new growth, new life...the promise of hope.
Hope and faith are have been sadly lacking in my life over the last year. It is so easy to hope, to believe, and to have faith when things are going well, when life is easy. I can honestly say that most of my life has been that way. But the last year has been really hard for me, for various reasons.
I feel like a tree...a year ago was my summer...in full bloom, alive with color, thriving. And then fall set in...slowly the weather cooled and the leaves, the beautiful and colorful leaves, began to fall off the tree. And like the trees in your yard, suddenly one day you look at the tree and see nothing but the stark brown trunk and bare branches, sticking out at odd angles, with leaves scattered about on the ground.
Hope and faith are have been sadly lacking in my life over the last year. It is so easy to hope, to believe, and to have faith when things are going well, when life is easy. I can honestly say that most of my life has been that way. But the last year has been really hard for me, for various reasons.
I feel like a tree...a year ago was my summer...in full bloom, alive with color, thriving. And then fall set in...slowly the weather cooled and the leaves, the beautiful and colorful leaves, began to fall off the tree. And like the trees in your yard, suddenly one day you look at the tree and see nothing but the stark brown trunk and bare branches, sticking out at odd angles, with leaves scattered about on the ground.
I have been through fall and am now in winter. My leaves have fallen and as they have fallen I have felt my faith and hope faltering. I feel bare and stark and like my branches are sticking out at odd angles while I stand alone in the middle of the yard, unsheltered. I have struggled and cried and whined and complained. All to no avail. I wanted my leaves back, to continue the tree metaphor. I wanted things just the way they were in summer, before things were hard to deal with, when life was going the way I wanted it to go.
But I have realized in the last few days, that even though winter may be long...cold and dark and lonely and, oh, so long...there is always the promise of spring. Always. It is a natural law -- spring will and must always following winter. Sometimes spring comes earlier than expected, and sometimes later. But it always comes. And with spring comes rebirth, growth, new life...that faintest shimmer of green among the bare, brown branches.
Trees manage to survive through winter, and come out more beautiful in the spring when they grow and bloom. The same leaves don't grow back, but new leaves grow. The tree will never look exactly the same from one spring to the next -- the leaves may be bigger or smaller or more plentiful. But they always grow back. I think trees actually need winter in order to thrive. I need to do the same thing. I need to survive winter and come out stronger in the spring.
I know what I need to do in order to make it through this winter period. I just need to do it. It's worth doing. I know it is. Even when things seem so dark and cold and hopeless, deep down I know that it's worth it.
Spring will come.
But I have realized in the last few days, that even though winter may be long...cold and dark and lonely and, oh, so long...there is always the promise of spring. Always. It is a natural law -- spring will and must always following winter. Sometimes spring comes earlier than expected, and sometimes later. But it always comes. And with spring comes rebirth, growth, new life...that faintest shimmer of green among the bare, brown branches.
Trees manage to survive through winter, and come out more beautiful in the spring when they grow and bloom. The same leaves don't grow back, but new leaves grow. The tree will never look exactly the same from one spring to the next -- the leaves may be bigger or smaller or more plentiful. But they always grow back. I think trees actually need winter in order to thrive. I need to do the same thing. I need to survive winter and come out stronger in the spring.
I know what I need to do in order to make it through this winter period. I just need to do it. It's worth doing. I know it is. Even when things seem so dark and cold and hopeless, deep down I know that it's worth it.
Spring will come.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Please Read This....
Melody Ross (yes, the founder of Chatterbox) has this beautiful post on her blog today...please take a moment to read it: http://melodyross.typepad.com/
And please keep it in mind as you go throughout this holiday season...may we all be observant and watchful, aware of opportunities to show love, kindness, compassion, gratitude, service, and charity. After all, 'tis the season!
And please keep it in mind as you go throughout this holiday season...may we all be observant and watchful, aware of opportunities to show love, kindness, compassion, gratitude, service, and charity. After all, 'tis the season!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Random Thoughts
*Last night was our Young Women in Excellence program at church. It went really well. We were worried that we wouldn't be able to fill the time, but we did. The girls sang beautifully (although not loudly enough) and A did a good job on her part. So now our last big event for the year is over and we can start planning next year's big events. Always so much to do!
*I got the new Becky Higgins sketches book from Creating Keepsakes. LOVE it! Her first book is one of my favorites (as are both of Cathy Zielske's books). I flipped through the new book quickly last night and got really excited about trying some of the layouts. I have all of the supplies for our vacation album...maybe over the holidays I'll actually have some time to clean and reorganize my scrapbooking room and work on the vacation album! I really feel like I need that creative outlet. I have missed it.
*B left her notebook at school yesterday...so since I only saw her for a few minutes last night I decided to drive her to school this morning and make sure it was in her desk and sign the papers she needed to have signed. She loved sleeping in for an extra 30 minutes this morning and I enjoyed spending some time with her this morning. She is such a sweet girl!
*DH's basketball team won their first game last night so the season is off to a good start.
*A's softball awards banquet is tomorrow night. She's looking forward to it. She has an academic team competition today, as well as drama rehearsal. She's so busy!!!
*I got the new Becky Higgins sketches book from Creating Keepsakes. LOVE it! Her first book is one of my favorites (as are both of Cathy Zielske's books). I flipped through the new book quickly last night and got really excited about trying some of the layouts. I have all of the supplies for our vacation album...maybe over the holidays I'll actually have some time to clean and reorganize my scrapbooking room and work on the vacation album! I really feel like I need that creative outlet. I have missed it.
*B left her notebook at school yesterday...so since I only saw her for a few minutes last night I decided to drive her to school this morning and make sure it was in her desk and sign the papers she needed to have signed. She loved sleeping in for an extra 30 minutes this morning and I enjoyed spending some time with her this morning. She is such a sweet girl!
*DH's basketball team won their first game last night so the season is off to a good start.
*A's softball awards banquet is tomorrow night. She's looking forward to it. She has an academic team competition today, as well as drama rehearsal. She's so busy!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Weekend in Review...
First of all, how about a round of applause and some cheers for "My Boys" (a/k/a BYU Cougars Football Team)! After a very close game (probably a good thing I was at work so I couldn't watch it...I would have been a wreck!), they beat Utah. Two years in a row...gotta love My Boys.
I went out shopping on Friday -- my traditional Black Friday shopping trip, which I never miss (even did it on crutches a couple of years ago) and got some great deals. Bought myself a Christmas gift that I can't wait to use...and bought an anniversary gift for DH and me. Not an exciting gift, but one that I've wanted for a while. DH even went shopping with me for a little while, although I know there are a gazillion things he would have preferred to do, LOL! I made a pretty good dent in my Christmas list, although there is more to do. I am hoping to finish all of the gifts that have to be mailed this week and get them in the mail this weekend. We'll see how that goes. I even got started on our Christmas cards!
A gave a talk in church yesterday and did a great job! She wasn't very happy that we wouldn't write the talk for her, but we gave her a few scripture references and told her how to use the church website to find talks and information. She found all of the information herself and wrote a great talk. She does very well with public speaking. I'm so proud of her!
Our Christmas tree went up this weekend and the girls did a beautiful job decorating it. We moved it to a different part of the living room and I must admit (grudgingly) that DH was right -- it fits better than it did where we put it for the last several years. Although now our piano is blocking the entrance to the playroom...LOL! We decided that we definitely need a bigger (and prelit) tree, so that's on my wish list for next year. I thought 7.5 feet would be good but DH thinks 9 feet would be better. We'll see if we can find one at a price I'm willing to pay. Of course, a bigger tree means getting more decorations....*smile*. We got the fireplace decorations up and the garland on the front door but there is much more decorating to do. We pulled out some of our favorite Christmas CDs and enjoyed those. A and B got along really well this weekend (for the most part) and had so much fun decorating the Christmas tree and choreographing dances to go with some of the Christmas songs we were listening to. I was laughing so hard I was crying at one point!
Speaking of Christmas CDs, I have a couple of recommendations. If you like a capella music, there is a group that we love -- "Voice Mail" -- and we have two of their Christmas CDs -- "Jingles" and "Jingles 2". They are fabulous. I actually like the first CD better, but both are really good. And I am currently listening to the new Josh Groban Christmas CD, which I really like. And it's hard to beat "Mary, Did You Know?" by Clay Aiken. I love that one. And the way he sings "O Holy Night"...wow! Another favorite is Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols" -- none of them are traditional carols and you really need to read the story that goes along with them. But it really helps to remind me of the true meaning of Christmas. I love those.
Basketball season is now in full swing with the first game this week.
The first big decision of the Christmas season is the design of our Christmas card....I labor over that decision for hours. That has been decided (although not without some second guessing on my part)...and then it's on to the second big decision of the Christmas season: what to wear for our family Christmas picture. It's always so hard to decide! I think the decision has finally been made and I'm just hoping the pictures turn out well. We're doing outdoor pictures again this year so the weather needs to cooperate this weekend!
I went out shopping on Friday -- my traditional Black Friday shopping trip, which I never miss (even did it on crutches a couple of years ago) and got some great deals. Bought myself a Christmas gift that I can't wait to use...and bought an anniversary gift for DH and me. Not an exciting gift, but one that I've wanted for a while. DH even went shopping with me for a little while, although I know there are a gazillion things he would have preferred to do, LOL! I made a pretty good dent in my Christmas list, although there is more to do. I am hoping to finish all of the gifts that have to be mailed this week and get them in the mail this weekend. We'll see how that goes. I even got started on our Christmas cards!
A gave a talk in church yesterday and did a great job! She wasn't very happy that we wouldn't write the talk for her, but we gave her a few scripture references and told her how to use the church website to find talks and information. She found all of the information herself and wrote a great talk. She does very well with public speaking. I'm so proud of her!
Our Christmas tree went up this weekend and the girls did a beautiful job decorating it. We moved it to a different part of the living room and I must admit (grudgingly) that DH was right -- it fits better than it did where we put it for the last several years. Although now our piano is blocking the entrance to the playroom...LOL! We decided that we definitely need a bigger (and prelit) tree, so that's on my wish list for next year. I thought 7.5 feet would be good but DH thinks 9 feet would be better. We'll see if we can find one at a price I'm willing to pay. Of course, a bigger tree means getting more decorations....*smile*. We got the fireplace decorations up and the garland on the front door but there is much more decorating to do. We pulled out some of our favorite Christmas CDs and enjoyed those. A and B got along really well this weekend (for the most part) and had so much fun decorating the Christmas tree and choreographing dances to go with some of the Christmas songs we were listening to. I was laughing so hard I was crying at one point!
Speaking of Christmas CDs, I have a couple of recommendations. If you like a capella music, there is a group that we love -- "Voice Mail" -- and we have two of their Christmas CDs -- "Jingles" and "Jingles 2". They are fabulous. I actually like the first CD better, but both are really good. And I am currently listening to the new Josh Groban Christmas CD, which I really like. And it's hard to beat "Mary, Did You Know?" by Clay Aiken. I love that one. And the way he sings "O Holy Night"...wow! Another favorite is Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols" -- none of them are traditional carols and you really need to read the story that goes along with them. But it really helps to remind me of the true meaning of Christmas. I love those.
Basketball season is now in full swing with the first game this week.
The first big decision of the Christmas season is the design of our Christmas card....I labor over that decision for hours. That has been decided (although not without some second guessing on my part)...and then it's on to the second big decision of the Christmas season: what to wear for our family Christmas picture. It's always so hard to decide! I think the decision has finally been made and I'm just hoping the pictures turn out well. We're doing outdoor pictures again this year so the weather needs to cooperate this weekend!
Loved this!!
I read the following article online this morning and it made me smile...http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695230280,00.html -- "Life's Best Lessons are from Mom". It contains much of my own philosophy of life...regarding hairstyles, shoes, jewelry, chocolate, etc....and it made me smile, which I needed this morning!
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