I love my Christmas tree

I love my Christmas tree and I think it is the best tree ever. I started collecting ornaments when I was 13. I was at a store and I saw this little elf ornament and bought it. And so it began. At that time I also started making ornaments for all my nieces and nephews. They were made out of sculpey clay. Every year I would make each kid an ornament. So, when they were older they would have them for their own trees. When I interviewed with Hallmark that is what they were most interested in. And, that is what I would have loved to go into. They were just starting with their ornament line. But, at the time, it was not worth moving to Kansas. Do I regret not moving? Not even for a second. My favorite ornaments are the ones with a story behind them. I have one of Puddles from the kids book "Toot and Puddles." The books are written and illustrated by Betsy Clark. It is Puddles ice skating. I put it on a hanger that rotates. So, it looks like he is really skating. I love it! I also have some that are from an estate sale I worked on. They are very old. When I got them they had old curtain hooks on them. I never changed them. I like that they used what they had available. I of course have the ones my kids made. Becca colored a heart one year on paper and then cut it out. I smile every time I put that on the tree. She was so pleased when she gave it to me. I also have a small watermelon slice that a dear college friend made me. When I place it on the tree I think of her. Some are ornaments that where on the tree when I was a kid. My mom always decorates the tree with blue lights. And, she always had a blue aluminum star on top. I put her tree up every year for her and when the star quit working she was going to throw it away. Now, it is an ornament on my tree. I also have things that aren't really ornaments. I have a red Christmas record that I shove in the branches. And, a kids red toy motorcycle guy. I have no rules as to whether it can or can't be on the tree. If I like it, it gets a spot on the tree. And, a lot of the ornaments I made. When the kids get trees of their own I will give them their ornaments. Nick has sporty ones and Hallmarks GI Joe ornaments. Becca has Barbie ornaments and ones that her godparents gave her each year. Ben has Scooby Do and Harry Potter ones. But, for now they are displayed on my tree. I have over 350 ornaments. I have them all written down as to where I got them and whose they are.  Two years ago I purchased a tree stand that rotates. Now, all the ornaments can be seen! I put the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. So, we have time to enjoy it. And, every year I do just that!!!

No, thank you.

Why is it that everyone expects me to do everything for them?  Daughter... Mom, can you get me an eye appointment? But, don't get it on a day that I work. Or, if I have school that day. And, not to early in the morning.  Son....Mom can you sign me up to volunteer at the Purdue game. But make sure I work at the same time as my friends. And, can you pick me up some new clothes, just the things I like.  Other son...Mom I need to earn some money. I need new clothes. Ones that fit. Will you get some good stuff when you go to the store? Husband....Can you get me an appointment with that one doctor? And, can you sign Nick up for pitching lessons with that one guy.  Make it sometime in January. On the weekend. Preferably Sunday. And, what are we getting the kids for Christmas? And, did you make vacation arrangements for Christmas break?  DO IT YOUR SELF!!!
Who do they think does all my stuff? I am not here to do your dirty work! Wash it yourself. Call them yourself. Pick it up yourself. Sign up yourself. Pick it out yourself. I don't like to do it any more than you do. And, I have enough to do already.

What to do

My son has a good friend that he has been hanging around with for about 6 years. His parents are divorced. He lives with his mother. Since I have known him he has lived in about ten different places. A little over a year ago his mother found out she had cancer. This weekend he told my son they gave her 4 months.  He is a good kid. To talk to him you would never know that his home life was not an ideal one.  I don't even know where to go with this. I feel helpless in every way. He stays with us a lot and knows he is always welcome. We have told my son he can live with us if he needs or wants to. But, other than that, I remain clueless as to what we can do to help him.

Snow

It snowed today. Not a lot. Just enough to cover the ground. The wind was very cold. I do not like cold. And, it gets dark so early now. I was trying to think if I would like it better if in the summer months it got dark early and stayed light later in the winter months. The answer was "No." I do not like cold and I do not like dark. But, I especially do not like cold and dark together. I think about living where it is warmer. I want to be able to work outside all year. Or, at least most of the year. Maybe I should hibernate. I wonder why the animals don't get all stiff and such when they sleep all winter. If I stayed in bed all day I probably wouldn't be able to walk. Well, on the brighter side...in four months it will start getting warmer. And, then spring will be here. I love spring!!!

Outdoor Christmas Decorations Amuck

When decorating the outside of your house, I beg you to remember, Less is More! Every year  I am reminded of the fact that not everyone can decorate with good taste. Just because you are crazy enough to have 50 plastic  figurines stored away all year so that you can put them in your front yard for one month , doesn't mean they will look good. And, it doesn't mean you win because you have the biggest display. What it means is you will have the biggest electric bill. And, you will have this big bill at a time when you will already be stretching your money to cover all the bad gifts you will probably buy your family so that you can "wow" people with the number of gifts you bought this year.
One manger scene is really sufficient. Four mangers in different sizes doesn't make the story of Christs birth come across any better. You will not convert any non believers because you have 4 sizes! And just because you think it looks good in the day does not mean it will look good in the dark of night. The lights dragging from one bush to another can be seen from the road! It is okay not to put up strands of lights just because you have them. Really...... So, I beg you,  put a few of those plastic dudes in the recycle bin. Let them  be reborn into something with a little more dignity!!!

Entitled???

So, my youngest, who is 15 told me he thinks I should park my car outside the garage and let Nick, my other son, park in. Because, he explained, they leave for school at 7 in the morning and I don't have to leave until 11.  I told him it didn't matter. Even if I never drove my car.  I earned my place in the garage. I paid my dues and worked long and hard to be in my position. As he walked away I followed him and continued my lecture. I tried to think back when I was living in my parents house to remember if I had felt that way. The answer was no. I never thought My mom should let me park in the garage. And, she never worked outside of our home. I wonder if it's just my kids who think they are entitled or if it is this whole generation? If I had a "parent rule book" I would look that question up!

Shoes!!!

So, after the bout with planters fascitis the foot doctor told me I would have to wear only shoes with good support. And, use inserts. The chiropractor said I would have to do stretching exercises three times a day. My head told me that something else had to be wrong. I started taking a multi vitamin and I got instant relief from the pain. And as for the shoes, yesterday I wore my cool purple boots and today I wore my lime green high tops! No inserts. And I am feeling no pain! I am back in the game......

Holidays

One down, one to go. That is holidays. Today is black Friday. A dismal name for a day driven by consumerism.
I have been known to partake in such ventures. But, I was not driven by the idea of "shop til you drop." I merely wanted the cheaper price. Go in get the one deal, then get out. Christmas was a magical time when the kids were young. I prepared all year, stashing  things  for that day. We were on a tight budget. Because, I chose to be a stay at home mom. But, now that they are older, I don't want them to think that they will receive anything they want just because it's Christmas. Sometimes we go on a vacation together or they get one or two things. After all, they are definitely not doing without much. It's funny, now the money is more easily attained but, the need is not as great. Maybe it is better that I didn't have the money when they were younger because, I had to be more resourceful and crafty about Christmas when the kids where small. And, that makes for better memories!

Are You Kidding???

I went to Etsy to make a treasury for the Recyclers Guild and I happened upon a post about the NASA contest.
Seems they screwed the contest up. Lost some of the contestants. Really!?! So they opened up the voting again. This time for the entries they left out. So, I went to check the new group out and there was my Astronaut. Idiots! You think they could have sent a message to my shop or something telling me that I was still in the running. Then some guy writes and says it's not fair they are giving the second group of contestants a couple more days then the first. What!?! They are giving extra days because it's Thanksgiving and people aren't thinking about voting on etsy they are thinking about shopping!  I had already told my etsy friends and facebook friends that I was cut from the contest. Hell, if I hadn't stumbled upon the article I wouldn't even have voted myself! And, yes, I did vote for mine. Unbelievable incompetence. All I wanted was more people viewing my shop!

Etsy

Okay, I was excepted into the Recyclers Guild on Etsy. It's a team of people who create art with recycled goods.  I have to make a treasury page once a month to promote them. Not hard. But, it will take time. So, I'm off to make my first Recyclers treasury!

Dear John

I read the book Dear John by Nicholas Sparks yesterday. I have read quite a few of his books.
True Believer
Three Weeks with my Brother
The Guardian
Nights in Rodanthe
 A Bend in the Road
The Rescue
A Walk to Remember
Message in a Bottle
The Notebook
My favorite was The Notebook. I loved that book. Hated the movie. Which is usually how it works for me. This new book has brought me to the realization that I don't like Nicholas Sparks stories anymore. I respect the fact that he has evolved as a writer. But, his stories are so predictable. That's that. I will not read on.

New storm windows!

I don't know many people who would get as excited as I am about storm windows. But, I have wanted them on the upstairs windows for a long time. Of course, I am the one who washes the windows. And, I hate that the window sills get so dirty and spider webby! Not to mention the amount of heating and cooling that, literally, goes right out the window! The new ones will have screens. So, I can still open them and enjoy the night sounds and fresh air. I will take the old screens to the Habitat recycling place.