CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

This is how I feel!  Well, no, not all the time, but a good part of the time.  First of all, Mother Nature played a bad trick on us and we hit 6 degrees at it's warmest today.  The busiest time of the year.  Maybe, just maybe, people like The Husband will learn to shop earlier in the month, because you just never know.  I know we are all busy and no one has the time to read one of my long rambling posts, so I'll try to keep it short. Things are moving along fine in Blondieville.  Yes, we have our problems here, but not anything in comparison to the problems in our world.  And that's why we wish everyone Peace at this time of year more than any other...this is a time of goodwill. Random acts of kindness.  Less stress and more joy.  But there are always those little aggravations...

We have flies.  Why?  And we have squirrels in the garage (as you already know), that now sit quite confidently on The Husband's sleek 2 seater sports car.  I think that they are laughing at me when I catch them, they pause, take another bite out of whatever they're eating from MY GARBAGE CANS, and then scurry out.  And with The Husband using my car in the winter as he always does since his car is not made for driving in snow, sleet and rain...I depend on my children to get me from point A to Z.   They call it, "Driving Miss Daisy".  And I broke my glasses as well as a $50.00 platter that was a gift.  I lost my internet for a few days and it turned out to be the router coming unplugged in the office.  Just stupid s***, (now that you know I use that word a lot).

Okay, I painted these letters from Michael's and they are above my kitchen cabinets.  I have little lights in front of them and they look wonderful at night.  Maybe I will glitter or distress them one day, but for now I just like them red and cheery.  'Cuz I need that.

Friday afternoon...3 dozen cookies.  The best I took to a family party Saturday night.  It was hit or miss with some of those sprinkles!

Just a few more little arrangements of Christmas happiness on every available surface I could find :) I have these ducks (I have decided to call them ducks even though they may be geese) that I love.  This coming from a girl who has lived on a lake for 22 years.  And more greenery.  My Katie, who does my hair, told me she has an artificial tree because she is a germophobic.  "Just think of all those spiders and bugs you bring in your house with those live trees." She said.  Gulp.  Maybe that's where I've gotten the flies.

I have a little collection of snowmen and I have them on the kitchen window sill this year.  Not many, I'm not big on collections.  My house is too small.  I started a collection of Old World Santa's awhile ago and then decided they looked too somber. Then I started on snowmen and I'm beginning to think they all look the same...I mean how many ways can you decorate three white balls?  I'm so fickle.

And now, just an end table, albeit large so I fiddled forever. Everything seems to be floating.  Not sure...maybe I'll come up with a better idea next year.  Note:  I was just proofreading this and I decided to stick a small, red, dessert size plate under that little tree and it looks terrific.  Sometimes seeing things in pictures really helps!

The first party of the year was Saturday night with one side of the family.  I won't bore you.  Maybe I will.  L to R:  Abigail (daughter), Karen (SIL), Emily (daughter), Megan (SIL and hostess), and Gwen (SIL)

Deirdre, (son Jeff's girlfriend...so Irish and beautiful dimples!), Megan and Abby.  Wonderful creamy rum for little shots here and there. :)

Son Kevin and wife Mary Clare (we call her MC).

MC and her sister Nora.  Could they not be twins?

Abigail and her boyfriend of 4 years, Tom.  He is also studying education and hopes to coach football.  I KNOW they will get married one day.  We just love him.

And these are the ladies (I am on the right, 2nd from the front). The guys have the living room and the kids have the family room. We have a ball at holidays and get togethers.  We're like sisters.  I love my own sisters and it's an added plus to have more.  Lots of food, gift exchanges and laughter.  How good can it get?

I'm signing off now.  I know all of you have so many things to do, or maybe you are just sitting in front of your Christmas tree, enjoying the beauty of the lights and pretty ornaments.  I hope it's been a peaceful season for you so that you've been able to concentrate on "The reason for the season".

Merry Christmas to all of you, my friends! :)

XO,

Jane