Saturday, December 26, 2009

TRADITIONS


No one has ever called me traditional. And at 1:00 a.m. on Christmas morning I decided the heck with the stockings and hung the presents on the mantel. Good enough. I even included the shoes and accessories.


I told myself that this year would be different. I would start shopping in August. Silly fool. I was scrambling away ordering items online at midnight because I ran out of daylight to get to all of the stores. I wanted to be the seasoned hostess, smiling and ready when my guests came, but I was carting home my ham 2 hours before they were scheduled to arrive. I wanted to bake, although I confess I don't like to. And bake I did. I also ate a lot of it and had to bake again. I wanted to spend a lot of time wrapping pretty packages with bows and ribbon. I had to face it, I'm not really good at wrapping at all and although I have lived almost half of my life, I can't tie a decent bow. And in an effort to have a color scheme going in a fashionable sense with my gifts, I chose shiny red and gold glittery wrapping paper. Glitter everywhere, my hair, my face and any place I touched. I gave up and went to the drugstore for the plain old paper stuff. No ribbons or bows. And I think gift bags are the greatest invention since microwave popcorn.


I've have spent the past 23 years having children pulling me out of bed to unwrap gifts on Christmas morning. This year my adult son (who does not live at home) said he would be over at 10:00 a.m. for the big event. I then had 2 adult children whining at 8:00 a.m. that tradition had been broken by this male lout, but they quickly forgot it and went back to bed. Having been up over an hour, sticking my hand in various cavities of a turkey, I now sat with my 3rd cup of coffee, drumming my fingers on the breakfast table and waited for the children. Tables turned.


I made out like a bandit in the gift receiving area. Somehow I feel it might be a celestial reward for all the things I attempt to do at Christmas to make it more magical, and then fail at. The Husband gave me a gorgeous pair of Coach boots with a matching scarf and gloves (the boots are too small but he did manage to hang on to the receipt for an exchange). Emily gave me a pair of flannel pajama's (which have been totally ditched since the M word took over my life) and warm snugly socks from Brookstone. She obviously thinks I am always cold... Abigail gave me a bottle of Chanel No. 5, and I'd like to have a little discussion with the saleslady who talked her into it. I apologize to any of you that like it...it smells like baby powder gone bad. And one of my sons gave me a new laptop (this is the same son who wouldn't give me $5.00 in the airport one time for a magazine). He might have taken pity on the fact that the laptop I share with The Husband gets stolen right out from under my nose because "I have it all day". And finally, there was one gift I didn't get, and that was having Kevin home for Christmas. He was shipped back down to Florida for the golf season, so it was our first year not together as a family. Worse for him, being alone while us together. But we talked to him today, and while we are in the middle of a blizzard, he was out on the course, hitting a few balls. I am sure that is a tradition he will grow to love.


I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

110 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

I love this!

We use large Christmas print cloth bags (size of large pillow cases) and fill them. I love doing it this way!

Stacey said...

Sounds imperfectly wonderful! Just so you know, I stashed all of the stockings somewhere and couldn't find them. Our stocking stuffers were presented in Wal Mart sacks. Found the stockings this morning in that important stash spot!

It all went well. Now I'm tired, feeling fat, and hitting the road to visit my mom. Sheesh!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Jane...
Happy New Year sweetie, as it will be here before we know it.

Now I have got to tell you, I love the hanging on the mantel and to heck with those damn stockings. Nothing good fits in them anyway. I just love it. And I couldn't agree with you more about the Christmas bags, they are the best thing since microwave popcorn. I even use them for birthdays, weddings and everything in between. I still love the curly ribbon, as I can tie it around anything and curl it right up. Isn't it grand?

The glitter I am laughing my head off. I tried glittering, and I was the only thing that got glittered, I found glitter on me in places, oh let's not go there. No glitter for me. One time and only time. A glitter bug I am not, I guess that is why I love the glittery graphics, as they do not attach to me.

Have a beautiful New Year sweetie. I have so enjoyed 2009 with you. I can't wait for 2010. Good things for this year.

Thanks for sharing. Country hugs and much love, Sherry

Jane said...

You are my kind of gal!! I can totally relate to so many things you wrote about.
I had to wake my 18 year old up on Christmas morning so we could open gifts...like you said, a far cry from when he was little banging on the door bright and early to open the presents!
In the end it all works out...blizzard and all.
Merry Christmas.
Jane

Julie Marie said...

Oh Jane, you are too cute... I know you are great at everything you do! You make me smile... picturing you carrying a ham home 2hours before your guests arrive...sounds like you got some nice gifts, if there is any reason you don't want the Coach boots, I can email you my address... tee hee hee...Happy New Year to you! Bisous... Julie Marie

KTW said...

Sounds like a perfectly imperfect Christmas to me! :) Well, except for your son not being there...hate that part. But glad the rest was happy!

Unknown said...

Jane, you are a hoot! Love your writes, so full of fun & frolic ... ham 2 hrs. before dinner, been there, done that.

Sorry you had a 'missing' golfer ... love travels well thru the phone lines in these cases.

Haven't seen these 'sacks', sounds good to me, tho.

Happy New Year,
TTFN ~Marydon

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Jane! I LOVE this post! I have decided to give everyone a LIST of what I want next year! That way, I get what I want! lol

I had to get my kids up this year at 9:00! They are 17 and 20 and quite obviously, the thrill is gone!

I wish they were little!

Lou Cinda

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How cute, Jane! It never quite turns out like we think it will and maybe it's better that way! Just once I'd like to have everything ready and ahed of schedule! lol I spent the night at the granadkid's house Christmas eve and couldn't sleep...so excited! The magic returns eventually! Have a wonderful weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Sonia said...

Jane,
I love your honesty and how you made me smile...as we strive for that June Cleaver Christmas. It's nice to know that we all get a taste of reality...hard to have that "perfect" Christmas day in heels and pearls while trying to cook Christmas dinner. No matter how much time I think I have...it's never enough..especially since we had a blizzard Christmas eve. I could have used a few more things from the grocery store and actually wanted to pick up a couple more gifts..but oh well..Christmas is about being with our loved ones and we all survived! I did manage to wear my fancy Christmas apron, but no heels or pearls. Hugs for the Holidays!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

So glad to know that others feel just like I do about those "magical" Christmas preparations falling short. Our family had to wait for me to finish wrapping presents (that means putting them in gift bags and stuffing some tissue paper on top) before they could open gifts. laurie

xinex said...

Your blog is so entertaining, Janie, I just love reading it! You are so funny! At least you had 3 of the children. I had no one cause they are all in FL.but it's just as well cause I did not want to pass my virus to them. We just all talked on the phone. I hope you continue to enjoy this Christmas season....Christine

Simple Home said...

What a wonderful post. I'd take the flannel jammies though. For some reason I am always cold, that part of the M word doesn't seem to have hit me. I had my twins at 40, so we're still getting dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn too, but the 20 and 21 yo, who were up until all hours, don't really want to be up that early. They enjoyed it for their little brothers though. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Marcia

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
You got me chuckling girl, what a cute post! I love the clothing hung instead of the stockings, it's perfect for older kids~ BUT THE BEST PART, IS THE NEW LAPTOP! WOOHOO! The coach boots sound pretty good too~ We didn't get as much snow as they predicted, so that is a good thing! I hurt my back moving furniture around for company, that is the bad thing. Otherwise, Christmas was good! Missin my son and dil in AZ. but they had fun visiting my brother in Flagstaff. Thanks for the lovely card too!
Hugs, Cindy

Paula@SweetPea said...

As hard as we try, there's never enough time to do what we think we want to do! I'm with you on the gift bags. They save a ton of time, they are pretty, and they are reusable.

I'm sorry your son couldn't be with you on Christmas, but glad that the rest of the family was together and that you had a good day.

I giggled when I saw those clothes hanging from your mantle!!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, and please..don't be so hard on yourself! Looks to me like you've done a wonderful job over the years with your family, whether you tie a pretty bow or not. I love gift bags too... they are what I use most! ...

About sizes.. my mother-in-law thinks I'm still the size I was when we were married... and it's very clear that I am not. Thankfully, there is always a gift receipt, and I do appreciate her efforts.

Lori said...

We always have the best of intentions ~ don't we! I did little baking this year, but a cookie exchange helped immensely with that portion of my prep! All in all it sounds like you had a wonderful normal Christmas.

Knitty said...

I can relate to all of this too! With space at a premium, we haven't used bows on packages for years. Gifts need to be stacked and bows get crushed. I knit Christmas stockings for the four of us many years ago and stopped putting them out when the boys became adults and I complained that they could throw in a few stocking stuffers too. I am ready to put them out again next year though as I admit I miss them too.

Our younger son spent the night here, our older son and his fiance came around 9:30. Bill took them at their word and had breakfast going long before their arrival. He is a good guy, but men are slower learners than mom's. ;-)

Adult kids to make the holiday different. Next Christmas there will be a grandbaby in my family so it all changes again!

jmac said...

Hi Janie.....I'm a janey, with an ey~! Just found your blog from Daisy Cottage. Can't wait to read thru it....you sound just like me!!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday!

GwendolynKay said...

Ha! I think we can all relate to some of your Christmas story. How funny that you hung the presents on the mantle instead of stockings. The Christmas movies I will still be watching are being rented and the music is cds. Blessings always!
Gwen

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

You are not alone...I bought my ham for a family dinner party just a few hours before the party too...TIME just seems to slip away! Happy New Year!

Blessings,
Linda

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

You are such a Cute Hoot!!!

Love the whole post!!!

Brilliant idea, to hang the gifts on the mantle!

Yes, gift bags rock!!! Especially for we who are fancy-wrapping-ability-deprived. -giggles-

Hope you can de-stress, during this week between holidays. Sounds like a lovely idea, to me. :-)

Gentle hugs...

Dana and Daisy said...

Hi Jane, I can so relate to all this! You seem to still have your sense of humor though! ha ha!

Merry Christmas. Maybe next year you should plan to meet your son on the golf course and have a mai tai or something!

and I love that the gifts were hanging on the mantle, oh so cute! Did the girls fight over which was for them?

Gypsy Heart said...

I think it all sounds like creative fun! :-) I planned to decorate profusely, have parties, cook & bake incredible dishes and wrap everything beautifully. I made a lot of gifts so that was a plus for me ~ I decorated minimally, had 1 party, and I did bake and cook quite a bit. Things were not wrapped as I intended but you know what? it didn't matter. We had a great time and I stopped the negative self-talk.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and abundant New Year!

Helen said...

It was such a joy to read the 'story of your Christmas.' Thanks for sharing. It brought back all of those memories of me waiting until little children were snuggled in their beds and hauling out the goodies in the middle of the night. I wouldn't trade those days for anything in the world! PS ... I also ate way too much of what I baked way too early in the middle of a huge snowstorm. Happy New Year!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

HI, Jane, sounds like a good time with the family. I loved your stories, esp. the laptop part & not giving you $5 for a magazine previously. Kids! :)

Thank you for being a friend this year, I so appreciate all of you who faithfully come by & see me. Happy New Year!

SmilingSally said...

Ooo, you had me at "Coach boots."

Lori E said...

How it changes. My at home son got up at 10:00 only to find out his brother wouldn't get here until noon.
We were all spoiled this year but I am starting to worry about my reputation because my family members and guests all gave me booze with my gifts.
Lets just say it is 5 o'clock somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Hehe...same with me-every year I'm going to be more on the ball, and it never happens! Next year...there is always next year. Every year, it seems. :)
You should see the places I'm finding glitter, and probably will continue to do so for a long time!
I'm glad your day turned out well minus having Kevin around!
Have a wonderful week ahead...
Jen

susan said...

Jane-Our Santa never wrapped when the children were younger and left gifts spread out all over the place--usually with the price tag still on :)On Christmas morning when our youngest was looking a little forlorn, I remembered that one of his major gifts was hidden under laundry in a basket--:) These are the memories that are special! I have been wrapping presents since I was 12 and consider myself a pro--NOBODY gives a hoot!!! They would prefer it in a bag for easier access :) I am sorry your Kevin was not there, but all the rest sounds absolutely wonderful. Just remember, perfect has no personality :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

Well, it's a roll of the old dice, isnt it? Just like me trying to hot glue some stuff today, and failing miserably. I'm one of those get everywhere early and get everything done early. But I didn't worry at all this year. I was here with the pets, snug and warm. Nothing I had to do. Eating easy taco soup and left over brownies. My motto: don't plan to cook or play hostess. Just let it evolve and relax. To me it isn't a holiday if I have to stress about it. And I just plain don't like to cook and bake and entertain and gather with groups. I've accepted that and just do what I do.
Brenda

Charlene said...

Loved your new tradition of hanging the goods on the mantel! But, somehow having all boys... I don't think camo looks good on the mantel what do you think? :) So glad you had a wonderful Christmas. I loved your comment about being up so long waiting on the kids... tables turned. CUTE!!! And I so feel your pain. Have a great week! Charlene

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

This is a cute idea....wish I could tie all your bows for you.....it would be my pleasure...

So glad to be back to reading my favorite blogs....and off a ladder decorating trees...
I am so glad that I joined the blog world....and have made so many sweet friends....Blessings in 2010

Lynn said...

I am making cloth bags for next year.
I've said this before, but this time I really MEAN it!!
But then again It never occurred to me to hang stuff up!
Even Better!!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I like your idea of hanging the gifts!:-)

I don't wrap...I bag.

All the best in 2010, Jane!

Jenny said...

Funny! And clever! I still wrap. Because I'm an idiot. And because I have approximately 73,000 rolls of bought on sale wrapping paper still stored in my garage. Cute blog.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I just picked myself off the floor from laughing...
Soooo like me...except it's every year it happens and you would think by now I would have learned something!
I LOVE your blog, Blondie...you are so darned special!!! (and your family is so typical!) I enjoyed every moment of reading this!
Hugs!!!
Mona

My Grama's Soul said...

Hey friend, Sounds like you had one great holiday.
I love the fact that you hung gifts on the mantle.

Blessings in this upcoming year.

Jo

Barb said...

Hi Jane,

You are a woman after my own heart!
I can relate to sooo much.
Christmas was a little on the quiet side with Jeff, Dorothy and the "ladies" in Ca. I'm so glad they were able to be together. I know next year may be very different.

Big hugs,
Barb

Melissa Miller said...

What a beautiful Christmas day Jane! It sounds perfect since you were all together. Well except for the one son hitting the golf balls. He!

LOVE the way you hung the FABULOUS clothes on the mantel.
Lucky ladies!

Happy New Year! ~Melissa :)

Barb said...

Hi Jane! Well, I totally love it...you are so creative and original. So glad you had a wonderful Christmas.

As for me, sweet girl, I am just looking at the mess.....I'm not doing a thing about it for several days. Ha. I love Christmas.

Thanks for being my sweet friend through this year. Happy New Year and many blessings to you and your family.

Hugs, Barb ♥

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Sweet Sweet friend! How are you! I have been reading and getting caught up! Forgive me! Sounds like a good Christmas. I had to laugh at her descriptiveness of it, for example your head int eh cavity of a turkey. I laugh because I relate. Which is why I think we are friends. We have alot in common. Glad Santa was good to you! You are deserving!
HUGS!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I always enjoy reading your posts, and this one is no different. I actually like the clothes hanging from the mantle. I think it's clever! Like you, I am so tired from having tried to be the perfect hostess. I managed to wear myself totally out. LOL! I am taking a break just so I can catch up on my cleaning and sleep.

Had I known your son was in Florida and alone, I would have invited him to drive up to spend time with us. I had friends over twice for meals. If that ever happens again, please let me know. It's so hard to be away from the people you love at Christmas. All of my family is away (my sister and her children and their families), so our friends have become our family.

Glad you surivived the holiday. It seemed that everything I tried to do this year was delayed. I don't know why, but I'm on it for next year... or so I hope! ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Jane
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas, although sorry to hear you could not have all your kids together. Now receiving a laptop!!! you lucky girl!1 I hope you New Year is wonderful too!! xx Julie

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Blondie, Great post...made me laugh. That's how things really turn out, isn't it! Linda

Decor To Adore said...

Yesterday I slept until almost 11am. I never do that! But I have spent the last 2 months driving myself hard.

Sent the husband and son snow tubing today so I can have a bit of peace and finally restore the house before the next wave of guests arrive tomorrow.

Where can I get a wife and mother for myself? :)

Unknown said...

Jane,

Your stories are always filled with fun. I did wrap some of my gifts, but half way through I pulled out the lovely Santa gift bags. I love the idea about hanging the gifts on the mantle!!!

Have a Happy New Year.

Karen

Unknown said...

Jane,such a lovley post. we had the same hoiday...the best laid plans. My heart aches for yours as the holidays change traditions...my time is coming- soon. Thanks for your thoughts and kind words...you are an ispiration.
DeAnna

Kathleen Grace said...

I'm glad you made out like a bandit, I think all mothers deserve that for all the effort they put into making everyone elses CHristmas magical! I'm at the stage where whatever works for me...works for everyone;>)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Jane!
It sounds like you had a wonderfully imperfect Christmas! Just like the rest of us!
Wishing you a fabulous New Year full of many wonderful blessings!
Kathleen

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Okay, at least you did get COACH boots! Who cares if they are too small! lol

I think I just have to admit this is an area that Steve does not excel at! He is home right now cleaning up the yard and making it all pretty cos' I hate it when it has sticks and stuff in the yard and we would HATE to miss an opportunity to piss of Winnie you know!! I told Steve to put EVERYTHING at the end of OUR driveway! He won't though...he's nicer than me...

I will keep him... but from now on....I am shopping for MYSELF!!

And yes, the BIG 5-0 will be here soon....I do not know HOW that happened!!!

xoxo

Lou Cinda :)

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

We have a deal in our family. I buy and Don wraps. I am a horrible wrapper. I got tired of all of the comments about it so this works out sooo much better. But I do like your idea too. Maybe next year I will try it:)
~Debra
Capers of the vintage vixens

Faye said...

Hello from golf country!!! Thanks for the nice comments on my blog..I loved reading your commments about the "grown" children. I too have the same situation! With 18 and 25 yr old sons (25 ys lives on his own..) they dont come jump in the bed with us at 6 am anymore Christmas morning....sad face... so, I like you, sit and have another cup of coffee to wait for the furry of Christmas morning to start!! Love your blog...please stay in touch!!! Oh, ask the son in the golf business if he ever gets up here to Pinehurst NC... we are all about golf here!!lol, Faye
carolinastitcher.blogspot.com

Glennis said...

Jane, sounds like a great Christmas! how wonderful.

I like your blog and i'll keep visiting with the New Year!

Thanks for visiting mine!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Sounds like a perfect Christmas to me, except for the missing family member!

June Cleaver never had that much fun, y'know. too busy doing housework in heels and a tight shirtwaist dress!

Lets you and I hang onto Christmas as long as is decent, OK? We hung onto summer, after all, long past when everyone else was lining up pumpkins and scarecrows!

And if you want to send that Chanel to me, I'll take it! :-) My Mom used it, and it's always signaled "going out" to me!

Talk about last minute -- the one think Annie really wanted, a large format scanner, I finally ordered from Amazon on 12/23, not expecting it to arrive... but it did, on the 24th, with free shipping. A christmas miracle. I am SO last minute, it's plain silly.

Happy New Year! Return those Coach boots, and then take pictures!
Cass

Debra@CommonGround said...

Jane, it's so wonderful to know the "REAL" you! I think we must have been separated at birth. The only thing I made from scratch this year (a cake) was a flop. I don't like to wrap presents and they always look like a 5 year old did it. I'm not an early bird so we unwrap presents on Christmas Eve. (an old tradition)the list could go on and on. Thanks for sharing your life, love hearing it!
Debra
p.s. the mantle is a perfect place to hang clothes!!

Rettabug said...

Oh Blondie, I like your style & besides, perfection is highly overrated, anyway! You could claim you were *going green* by saving on the wrapping paper by hanging the outfits on the mantel instead.
I ♥ gift bags & recycle them far beyond their decent life span.

We lived in FL for almost 10 years & I really missed my family during the holidays. One of the many reasons we moved back home to OH. I hope next year, your son will be with you for Christmas!

♫ Happy New Year ♫

fondly,
Rett

Susie's country cottage said...

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who tries to get organised for Christmas only to be running around like an idiot a few hours before the Day! We stopped having stockings years ago in our family...when we were children, much to our disappointment! I still go to my mothers though to open all my pressies which are usually piled up around the tree and then we sort them all out on Christmas morning!
Wishing you a very happy 2010!
Susie X

Anne Marie said...

a late Merry Christmas to you Jane!

so sorry it took me awhile to come and visit you....your laptop sounds exiting, and the pj's sound cozy - but you cracked me up over the Chanel comment - because I totally agree with you!

funny gal you are!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

How cute!! What a good time saver, too.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning dear Jane!!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comments. I look forward to reading more of this blog and plan on following.. please if you enjoy my blog click the follow button too!

I so love your idea as to the hanging gifts without the fuss what a grand idea!

Oh, by the by, nice gift hubs gave ya there.. what a guy he is!!

with love,
~Olivia

Faded Charm said...

I love your idea of just hanging the gifts on the mantel. Sounds like you had a great Christmas and wishing you all the best in the New Year.

Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog. They are much appreciated.

Kathleen

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Girl I don't know what I would have not without gift bages this year...I tell you I was tossing stuff into them at the last minute as people were walking into my house and just when I thought I had everything out of the hiding places I found more stuff for Len Yesterday...hey it works for me his Birthday is in Jan ha ha!! and Jane I got the this lamp that Len bought me that is the most terrible looking thing I have ever seen...I kid you not girl I told him he should just of bought me a leg lamp ha ha!! and I can't even take it back as he got it from an antique shop and its almost as tall as me and its a table lamp...what was he thinking??? And of course I don't want to hurt his feelings but good lord girl...I'm think I'm going to do a post about it and see if anyone in blogland can match it ha ha!! I hope you have a GREAT New Years my friend...are you going to Par-ty...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Bonnie said...

Hi Jane, when I was a kid we were always up at the crack of dawn on Christmas day. What fond memories I have of it and Chanel No. 5 along with L'air du Temps were my first grown up perfumes! Glad to know you had a fab fun holiday with your family!

Happy New Year, Bonnie

vintage girl at heart said...

What a fun post!!! You are so funny and boy can I relate to you on so many levels.. the M word and those grown younguns!! Glad that you had a Merry Christmas and thanks for all of your wonderful comments this past year!!

Kathy said...

hehe your posts always have me giggling Jane, gotta love those gift bags. I wanted everything ready for when my son arrived, he even helped by being stranded in Europe and arriving a day late, was I ready, of course not. I did his washing on xmas day (yes, he brought it all the way from England for me). gotta love them kids too. Wishing you the happiest of New Years, hugs, Kathy.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

That is so cute to just hang the presents on the mantle. Why not? Also, I love your header. I'm glad you visited my blog, so I was lead to yours. :)

Sewn With Grace said...

Just love your post, you had me laughing all the way through. I admire honesty, it is what it is and we all have a wonderful Christmas that way. None of our holidays have to look alike, being unique is much more interesting and fun!

Kathleen said...

It sounds like most of it went well..And you know a tiger doesn't change its stripes..Reminds me of that book title by Maeve Binchy
THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!
I always plan to be done early and sit and enjoy, never do!
So this week I will enjoy my tree, and mantel, and not even THINK about taking Christmas down till the Epiphany..and then I will THINK about it..and it will take days to move on it!
Happy 2010..good health, and good times!

Valarie said...

I love your story of Christmas. I was so happy to have you stop by my blog, because now I have a new beautiful blog to visit. The presents on the mantle was amazing!! I can't wait to go back and read your older posts. Come visit me anytime. Have a wonderful New Year.
Valarie

Unknown said...

WOW!!! You got some awesome Christmas gifts Jane! Love it :) And I love how you hung the gifts on the mantel, great idea!!
Hugs,
Amy

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and you received quite a few thoughtful gifts! Happy you have a new laptop. The one I use was snatched from me each evening too after everyone came home but not anymore. Everybody finally has their own and the investment is so worth it. Glad your Christmas was Merry and wishing you a Happy New Year!

Janean said...

jane, you're an adult so you CAN do what YOU want...you untraditional gal, you! lol.

popping in to wish you Happy New Year to Come!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Sounds like you had a fun filled Christmas. I'm sorry Keven wasn't there to join you... Thank you for swinging by to leave your well wishes. Because of Mr. P's illness he didn't remember the day..bitter sweet... hugs to you my dear friend..~lynne~

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Re: In my blog comments...

Please never say; "Sorry for a long comment" to me. Who has to be the *Queen of Long Comments*! >,-)

Teresa said...

Jane!
I am adoring how you adorned your mantel with such lovelies!
Genius idea!
XXOOXX
Delighted you popped over to Bainbridge!
You are always welcome in my world!
XXOOXX
Happy you had a nice Christmas!
Happppppeeee New Year to YOU!

savvycityfarmer said...

you are so darn cute

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

This post literally made me LOL!! I can't believe you hung the gifts from the mantel...it's genius, really! :-)

And, "...it smells like baby powder gone bad." HA! True, really. With apologies to Coco.

Thanks for the warm chuckles on a cold and blustery day. :-)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Jane
It sounds like you had a joyful Christmas! Perfectionism is over rated...I believe in doing whatever makes you and your family happy. This post brought a big smile to my face! I love your honesty!

Believe it or not my husband likes to wrap gifts so he gets that job. He always claimed I used "too much paper." I told him that when he retires he can get a job as a gift wrapper in Macy's..lol he also likes to stack the dishwasher as he can fit more in. I am more than happy to give up that job.

I'm going to make a point to read your blog more often...so glad to have found you along the way!

Hope you and yours have a very Happy New Year!

Shellbelle said...

Hi Janie, thanks for stopping by The Hut and leaving such a nice comment on Christmas with our troops. Sorry for the lump in your throat, but I'm the same way, along with the tears, every time I look at it. I am so proud, but miss him so much.

I love your blog! I love your writing style and your wit, I think I'm going to make myself at home here. I also read about you meeting Cindy on her blog and it was wonderful to read yours as well. Blogging is such fun, isn't it? You meet the nicest people.

If ya'll ever make it to Florida (again, I saw the pic from last year) you must check out the B & B in Dunedin (in Tampa Bay). I did a post over the summer and it is fantastic. It is called the Meranova Guest Inn.

I look forward to getting to know you better in 2010!

Blue Creek Home said...

Lovin' your honesty and humor!
It's probably pretty close to what happens to all of us.
And I am thrilled to meet someone else who isn't embarrassed to admit that she doesn't like to bake!! I don't either!

Happy New Year!
Rhonda

Wanda Lee said...

Sounds alot like every bloggers Christmas, yet told with pithy witt, hilarity and ironically "familiar fun" poked at the absurdity of the notion of a "perfect Christmas"!

~(Although I doubt for that matter, that any of us really believes in that elusive myth)!~I do enjoy Christmas, however in all of it's glorious imperfections; as I suspect, so do you!

(Ironically, our thoughts and attitudes towards Christmas are much like our New Years resolutions gone horribly or comically awry; depending on how you look at it I suppose)!..,

Good for you however!!~ Not surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed every "morsel" of prose, every sentence , every suggestion of ways to bring common sence, laced with grace and inventiveness to the occasion!

Judging by the amount of wonderful and well deserved comments that you have recieved my dear lady, I would do well to fully realize that it is highly unlikely that you will have time to pop over for a visit; yet invite you I shall!

If you desire a wee respite my dear, do pop over to my little corner of the blogging world for tea!~ Wishing you and yours a "tea or coffee-licious", safe, happy and prosperous New Year in 2010!..,

Cheers from Silken Purse @ The Plumed Pen

FranE said...

What fun, and did I so relate to your comment about hanging the gifts on the mantel.
This year I took it easy and let the kids do all the work. Which was great since I got home the day before Christmas.
How sweet of your family to love on you so.
I want to wish you all the blessings you stand in need of for the coming new year. Thanks for being a blogging friend.
Frances

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Sounds just like Christmas at our house. Not always as planned, but great fun anyway. Love the post. What a pleasure to have met you this year and thanks for always leaving such kind and gracious comments. I hope you have a very Blessed and Happy New Year. Hugs, Marty

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Wishing you and yours, a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia

Bunny, The Paris House Designs said...

Blondie, this is a great idea as nothing fits in my childrens stockings!! Then they fall off the mantel anyway.
Looks like a lovely Holiday.

Laura said...

We must have been separated at birth.

I have had all of the experiences you described!

I hope you have a wonderful Happy New Year.

You are such a supportive blog friend, and I appreciate your visits and sincere comments on my blog so much.

Laura

Heartfelt living said...

Hi Jane,
I just love your post and the fireplace is great!
I have to work New Years morning so things will be quiet here but I hope you get to bring in the New Year in a big way!
Happy 2010
Hugs,
Karen

Lady Katherine said...

I loved your Christmas Story! Sounds like my Home, but sometimes it is all the family gatherings. lol This Christmas was the Best in a long time. No fussing, not whining, just fun, but they were only here a few hours. lol You made my day, I got a great laugh.

Anonymous said...

What a treat, reading your post! Oh, how I understand about all your good intentions colliding with reality. My ideas and heart are always far larger than my doing ability. But, I confess, I do love Chanel #5. I'm a swing era girl at heart.

I'm also gonna whisper: please break your post into paragraphs. My eyes have a hard time, and I want to read all you write.
Hugs,
CurtissAnn

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

This was the first Christmas that we didn't give gifts. No one seemed to mind, we were just glad to all together. I must say, I had a pretty stress free Christmas. I've passed the stress torch on to my eldest daughter, who has three little boys that still believe in Santa.

Unknown said...

Jane! This post just cracked me up! I was giggling out loud. Couldn't help it.
Show us the boots when you get the right size. I bet they are gorgeous.

I Just wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy New Year!

~Liz

Libby Buttons said...

Happy New Year! I lost several gifts cards this year and so had to give money in a Christmas card to several folks. When I find where I stashed them I'll have lots of prepaid meals to local restaurants and about 50 free iPod songs to download!
smiLes
LiBBy BuTTons

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Happy New Year, Janie! Sending you lots and lots of love across the miles and many warm hugs for a fabulous 2010!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Elaine said...

You are too funny. That was such an accurate description of Christmas preparations. I also try to do too much at Christmas. We can never do it all.

I have a wise friend who said to me just recently as I was stressing over a Christmas party I was holding in my home,"only you know what you were planning to do.
If something doesn't get done no one will know but you." That really helped me relax.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Denise said...

just visiting for the first time, wanted to say hello and happy new year :-)

2 Dogs said...

Happy New Year Blondie! Hope it's a good year for both of us. I have not had my blackeyed peas and cabbage today. Not too crazy about peas! Hugs

Lorrie said...

Oh Jane this post just had me chuckling--how many homes across the country had scenes just like you describe going on as Christmas grew closer.

I actually like the idea of cloth bags as Christmas wrap quite a lot. My daughter made some this year and they turned out great and looked so festive under the tree.

You did make out quite well--enjoy all your loot!

Happy New Year to you!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
xinex said...

Just stopped by to send Happy New Year's greetings, Janie! Hope you had a wonderful holiday celebration and hope 2010 brings you a lot of health, peace and prosperity...Christine

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Wanted to pop over and wish you a Happy New Year darling. You have been such a blessing this past year.. hugs ~lynne~

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Wooaa Jane,
102 comments, you are a popular gal! Just stopping over to say hi, missin you and hoping all is well! Say hi to Alan and stay warm in this nasty cold weather were having! Hugs, Cindy

Rubyred said...

There's never enough time to do all you planned is there! It happens to me every year! In fact, I'm still knitting a poncho that was meant to be a Christmas gift for my toddler niece!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Rachel x

Anonymous said...

I smiled and laughed the whole time reading this post Blondie. It was so true to life and not unlike my own...waking up my 31 year old son to open presents while great grandmother sat and waited..ha! Now that my boys are grown the Christmas gifts for moi are great! :)

Gena @ thinking aloud said...

Hi there! the amound of snow is totalyl mind boggling .. must say it looks soooo pretty though!!! Keep Warm! thanks for popping by my blog!!
Gena

xinex said...

Hi Janie! I hope you are keeping warm indoors. We are in FL and it is cold too. And yes, I did everything in the party, created the centerpieces and cooked everything too. Thanks for coming by...Christine

Debbiedoos said...

I just found your blog and love it! I have started one as well, and certainly have a long way to go to get to where I feel OK this is good! It is fun though. Hey I just saw on Myth busters that an icicle could actually kill you if it was to hit you just the right way from up above....could not believe it, and those you have look deadly! Stay warm, and I hope you can come visit me as well. http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com

Susie Q said...

Coach boots!!! OH my goodness. Now I am in envy land...whoo hoo!!
And it all sounds perfectly imperfect in every way! Like all holidays should be!
Love,
Sue

abdullah-blogs said...

This is such a nice addition thanks!!!
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