::creeping slowly by::

This week has been slowly creeping by -- which is a very good thing.

There has been much happiness occuring this week.

First of all, I got to see those lovely ladies [my cousins] + Oma and Opa + Aunt Sue + my other cousin, John Ruben.

Second of all, I got my white watch.  I haven't ever had a "nice" watch and I used some Christmas money to get one.  Bliss.

Thirdly, Lawry's for dinner on Tuesday night with the fam.  No pics to prove it, either.

Fourthly, let's all say it together -- organization galore.

This girl has been supa-busy organizing.  I finally put away all, all, all of my teaching stuff, housewares and kitchen items that have been accumulated, and books, books, books.  Everything is stored nicely in bins and put in storage.

[dusts off hands with a satisfied look]

Also...I found this pin....while decluttering....

I was so very, very proud of that pin when I was a little girl.  My brothers were wrestlers and I loved going to their meets on Saturdays.

Now, the pin has found a safe and happy home on the pin board in my room.  Hopefully, I never misplace it again.



And lastly, I get to babysit Friday night.  I haven't seen the kiddos for a week now.  I can't wait to see all their Christmas presents.

2012, bring it.  I'm ready.  This is going to be a fantastic year.  I just know it and have been praying towards that end.

 

::basically...::

...I'm a hack on my Mom's Mac.  Yes, my Mom is the new owner of a MacBook Pro.  She said I could use it whenever.  I said....Uh, thanks.  But, no thanks.  I do not want to become addicted to the wonderful Mac world.

However, I have not blogged this week.  Sad, sad news.  So I resorted to using the fun, fun Photobooth feature.

Not that there isn't anything to blog about.  The past week and a half has included but not been limited to:
--Christmas school play
--Christmas baking + distributing
--Christmas concert
--Christmas banquet
--Christmas shopping
--Christmas wrapping
--Christmas eating + eating + eating

But I thought I'd simply entertain you with the above picture.

Yes, I'm still a blogger.

Yes, there will be a Friend Friday post tomorrow.

Yes, I'm on Christmas break.  [well, sort of...I have to work tomorrow morning.]

Yes, I'm going to my grandparents' house.

Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?

Ask away, darlings.....

::Christmas decorations::

Today, I'm linking up with Gussy and the Inspiration Workshop!


The past several years, our family has gotten a fraser fir.  I la-la-love those trees.  No prickly needles for me!  Apparently....we dumped all of our lights last year.  So Dad had to run to the store and get some new ones.  Among our new lights are small, round bulbs.  I love them!!  I was so excited to see a different strand of lights on the tree....a nice change.

My grandparents got my parents a new nativity set a few years ago.  The old, familiar one is tucked away in storage for either my brother or I to take one day.  It has too many memories attached to just give it away or discard it.

 I love this centerpiece from our local florist in town, Shady Lawn.  [I also happen to work a bit there each week....just a bit biased.]

A family that we minister to through our local church gave this sweet little figurine to my parents last week.  I know it will always hold special memories for us.

These big thangs came from my grandparents house down in Mobile.  Ah...I miss that place. And I don't think such perfect, large pinecones can be found up North.

On my way out the door to take a few outside pics....looking a little crummy.  :)

A wreath on our porch door.  We're a little wreath-happy around here.  This is one of many....also purchased at Shady Lawn.

We have a [small] barn.  It makes me feel like I live in the country.  The wreaths on the doors seal the deal.

What's your favorite Christmas decoration?

For me, I love the decorations that we pull out year after year.  I can't wait to have my own place, though, and pull out the things I have accumulated.  :)

::zoo lights::

Friday night, a group of us went to Lincoln Park Zoo to see the lights. I've heard that the zoo puts on a beautiful showing of lights but I've never seen it.  That changed on Friday night.  :)

It was great fun and the lights were spectacular.

We got there a bit later than we planned so I think we were just a bit rushed.  However, we did walk the entire zoo and saw a few animals in the process.

This big guy got lots of attention.  A few minutes before I snapped this picture, he had his head on his paw.  It was.....cute.

I got some practice snapping lights at night photos. 

We ate at Five Guys -- a first for most of us.

There were altogether toooooo  many laughs.

It's a blessing to be with other fun, godly young people!

How was your weekend?

::Christmas lovely::

 

This Christmas, I was so determined to get a mini [real] Christmas tree for my bedroom.  It sounded completely plausible to me.  However, when the Christmas-tree-getting day finally rolled around, I wimped out.  I didn't want to deal with the mess and the extra expense and I really don't want an artificial tree.

So this is the next best thing!  My Mom gathered up the extra boughs from the Christmas tree when my parents cut it down last Friday.  Today, I found some cute berry stems at Michael's for 50% off!!  

As I travel, I've been collecting ornaments from different places.  I only have three here as the others are packed away in storage.  

This little arrangement is my festive, lovely Christmas decoration for my bedroom.  Something lovely becomes ugly when we spend money we don't have to impress others. Someday, I will have my own place and my own Christmas tree.  Until then, I will wait and rejoice in simplicity.  :)

::inspiration::soldiers::

The Christmas season is coming. The Christmas season is coming!

I am uber-excited for the holiday season [in general] this year.

Looking through magazines, reading crafting blogs, and participating in a Handmade Holidays Gift Guide has done a lot to get me excited for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and every day in between.

I haven't sent a package to a soldier through Any Soldier .com in a while and it got me thinking....

I'd love to send a few Christmas cards full of Christmas cheer to some soldiers.

How about you?  

But if we want to do it, we'd better get hoppin' because it takes time for those cards to travel through the mail.

Soooooooooooo, I thought I'd start my first ever linky party.  First of all, you have to get a soldier's address.  Check out Any Soldier .com.  There, you can pick a soldier numerous different ways.  I always send cards to Marines.  :)  It's important to note that you can only receive two addresses per day and a limit of 10 per month.  I've already gotten two addresses and will send my cards by Friday.

If you'd like to join, get [at least] two addresses for two different soldiers, make a card, buy a card, seal it up, send it, write a little blog post to encourage others to spread Christmas cheer to soldiers, then join in the fun here!

The linky party will be open until Saturday, November 19th.

Also, if you don't have a blog but would like to participate, leave a comment in the comment section that you joined in on the fun.  :)