Cookie Cutter Tree

Toots and I decorated this tree together. We placed 133 cookie cutters on it and added one more as a Christmas present. There are many antique metal cutters on it as well as cheap plastic ones in color. I actually have more cutters to make it all metal, but have never done it that way. The witch and bats for Halloween are in the back. The metal nativity pieces are at the bottom where Toots decided to place them. Now that Christmas is over, we need to put them all away until another year. But not yet. I enjoy the display so much.

Children Obey Your Parents

The other day when Toots was smarting off to her dad and misbehaving, I decided to try another way of correction. I asked her to bring to me my Bible and together we looked up the verses that say, "Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother--which is the first commandment with a promise--so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Eph. 6:1-3 Well, it made an impression. She apologized and was better behaved. Later when we had to refer to it again, she brought her little testament to me so she could highlight it in yellow. It wasn't long before she could quote most of it. Yesterday I heard her quoting it to her Papa and finishing by saying, "So you may live happily ever after."

Christmas Is Over

Christmas is over. I so enjoyed the season with the decorations, the music, lights, friends, gifts, and especially the reason--Christ's birth. I don't want to take down the trees and put away the lights. Suppose I could leave them up a while longer. I still enjoy them so.

"Twas a Techno Christmas

What a great Christmas! We enjoyed being with family most of all. And the gifts were great, too. So many techno gifts. Our 5 year-old granddaughter got a DS (whatever that is) and knows how to play/use it. Marty got an underwater camera so he can spy on the fish and frogs this next summer. Doug got so many gadgets for his camera that he will need a suitcase--wait, that's not techno enough--to carry it all. Heidi got a gps with a big screen. I got a digital photo billfold whatever. Instead of carrying photos in my wallet, I now can share all my pictures digitally. Ally got an Ipod that holds more gigs than our computer. Jason, however, did not go techno. He asked for and received a 35 pound kettle bell for weight training. Guess you can't actually lift weights digitally. And we all received cds of the latest stars. Wonder why Heidi got Glee 1 and I got Glee 2? And Ally got the Beatles? Marty had a plan for his download. The girls had plans for their uploads. I'm still trying to figure out how to play my cd on the "old-fashioned" cd/radio player.

Christmas Rat/Mouse Race

Life can be such a rat/mouse race. We hurry about buying gifts for people when we are not sure what to get nor if it will fit or be the right color. Then we frantically find time to wrap the gifts sufficiently if not beautifully in paper that costs too much. Then we search our "list" to see if we bought everything we should have bought, wanted to buy, were expected to get. Then we panic when we can't find the list so we can wrap the gifts. And we forgot to write down some of the purchases so now we don't know what it is we should have wrapped. Merry Christmas

Family Christmas Party

We had our whole family Christmas party last night. Not all of the family were there. Some new additions in boyfriend and girlfriend. The teens spent their time texting and playing handheld games while the adults spent their time divided and talking to just certain ones. It felt weird. It was like we were all a bunch of strangers to one another. Guess we won't have to get together again until summer.

Slanketly Warm, Thank You

I received a Christmas gift from my grandsons last night when we had our gift exchange with them. They were very pleased about what they received from us. They weren't too pleased last year to get clothes (that's what we were told to get them). Their gift to me is a slanket, the original blanket with sleeves before snuggie ripped them off. Anyway, I'm sitting under it right now, toasty warm. It measures 63 X 90 inches and has sleeves. I'm sure I will enjoy this gift for a long, long time. Thanks, boys.

Disappointed

Yesterday was my birthday. At school only two people remembered. I'm disappointed because I always remember the birthdays of everyone else. I know that because of the Christmas frenzy, people forget. Several will be upset that they forgot. But it would have been very awkward to go up to someone and say, hey, it's my birthday. On the other hand, I had several students from last year's class remember. In fact, I received two gifts from them along with several cards. That was better than any adult acknowledgement.

Unwrapped Gifts Patiently Waiting

I forgot to wrap the gifts I bought for my students. Glad I remembered it late last night so I can do it before I go to school. Now if only I could remember where I put the plastic gift bags. I know I had enough between two purchases of bags. Now I'll have to wait until hubby gets up to help me find them. Hope I am not late for school.

We Bought Games, Balls, Socks, Clothes...

The small group that we attend (people from our church) is sponsoring a child all year long. It was decided that we would also buy gifts for his siblings and other children living in his household. So the ladies of our group power shopped while the men cooked our dinner. After eating we mass wrapped the gifts to give to the children. It was so much fun. I never saw so many scissors, tape, and rolls of wrapping paper flying into action. The end result was awesome to see. Wish we could see the children open their gifts. Thank you, Corinna, for the idea to do this. You are such a great mission worker!

Box Making

Toots spent the evening and the night with us last night. I shared with her how to make a box out of a square piece of paper. She joined in enthusiastically. After helping me a few times, she was able to make her own. Granted it isn't perfect, but it is recognizable as a box. She was so proud of herself. She wanted to continue making boxes. Think we could go into business.

Christmas Shopping

Well, hubby and I are trekking out to shop the day away. Hopefully we will accomplish all we need to do, but I doubt that will happen. At least we can spend the day together.

Christmas Break

Can't wait till Christmas break. I have so many things I want to do, mostly cleaning out the clutter. Hopefully, I won't have much to do in school work. I need a break from that also. Seems like others get tired of the humdrum of their lives. Too bad we can't just switch places for a short while. Would we want to switch back? lol

Mold Defeater

I read about a new mold control product that is environmentally safe and actually works. It contains no bleach or ammonia. Its called Concrobium Mold Control. Can't wait to try it. It suppose to work on fabric and wood by encapsulating the mold and suffocating it.

Homemade Snuggie

I'm sitting at the computer, in a cold room, trying to keep warm. So I am trying my daughter's bathrobe on backwards. My front is nice and toasty. This works well, except my back is freezing. In the commercials you usually see the person lounging on a sofa, but I can't lug that thing in here. Guess I really need another robe/snuggie on my backside. Or I could just go back to bed!

Highest Priority

I know what I want most for my Christmas gift. I want a thick, soft, warm snuggie! And I want it early. I am up early every day, and I am freezing as I sit around waiting for the heat to kick on. Where is my snuggie? Please?

All I Want for Christmas...

It's that most wonderful time of the year when I have to create a list of things I want for Christmas. If I have to think and think and think about what I want, then I must not really need the items. I haven't started to think yet, but maybe something will pop in my head. I know I don't want pickled chicken feet.