Different Days

 Since my Young Mama Days, Hubby has managed to surprise me every year with the most wonderful gift.  


His Time. 


 He would save up his Use or Lose time off throughout the year then in the busiest of months, he would spend it all.  This would mean that the whole month or at least a majority of the month of December, He Was Mine.  To a young mama with four children and a very busy life, this meant daily support with gift making, treat baking, snow playing and shopping. wrapping and decorating.  It was the best gift ever.  And we loved our time together even though we were usually just grabbing smooches as we passed each other en route to another task.

 Then our house got empty.


Our little kiddos had homes of their own and Hubby and I found ourselves without the busy-ness that consumes young homes.  However, we are creatures of habit and Hubby habitually saved his use or lose for just widdo ol' me.  I haven't sent Christmas Cards in years.  We quit gift exchanges long ago.  This year, the big tree stayed in the basement and only the newest of decorations came out.  In short, there just wasn't much for either one of us to do.  Not being the type to sit still, this year, we sought out Different Days.  This year, our time off took us to different occupations, things that in the previous years of parenting would never been possible....or even considered.

 This year, the last big shopping weekend before Christmas, we went to an auction.  
While most were scurrying around in the mall, Hubby and I searched out the most rural of locations on a very temperate Saturday in December to a hidden home that housed most of the vintage sewing machines known to man.  I got a glimpse of my own estate auction in the future walking through this elderly woman's collection of all things sewing.  Materials, kitschy furniture and dishes from another time, out buildings full of all kinds of useful and decorative things spanning many decades.  The day was bright and agreeable to be out in, unlike most mid Decembers.  We passed on the lengthy wait for a very special vintage sewing machine, but felt a little lighter in spirit after leaving the beautiful, distant location.

We found an unusual stop for lunch in the nearest town.  A deli with an emphasis on cheese.  All things cheese.  No indoor seating, so we just took our very unique sandwiches and ate in the car.  Because it was Different Day.

We needed to leave the auction so that we could help Youngest Son prepare for his First Annual Christmas Dance.  A hoot if I ever saw one.  YS rented out a local dance studio and put on a most jolly of dances in lieu of gifts for his friends.
 We had a blast baking and decorating and of course, dancing to his well selected play list of musical favorites and obscure (to me) artists.  Hubby and I waited for the right song, danced hard, then departed, leaving the younguns to their Big Fun.

 A few days later, found me preparing to go to my Christmas Brunch with my Fleur de Lis Ladies.  Any time this fun group of women meet is a joy, but the Christmas Gathering is particularly inspirational.  Our hostess is our poet laureate of the bunch, a 91 year old jewel of a woman, that hosts us at her home, prepares the turkey, yeast rolls, dressing and dumplings.  Two other ninety year old members, brought covered dishes as well.  The encouragement I receive from the tiny time with these wonderful women, spurs me on like nothing else.  They are gifts.  This year, the hostess left this message on my answering machine:'Don't forget Fleur de lis Christmas Dinner Monday.  Bring a covered dish. (pause) And put something in it!'  See?  A positive hoot.


I tried to take her photo but she kept moving as I aimed the camera.  Lord, may I have her energy when I am her age.

 Of course, there has been plenty of time for crafting, embroidery, crocheting, while Hubby drives me around the countryside and while we watch an endless selection of Netflix streaming.

Then, our Biggest Different Days Diversions:


1.  Passport Application!!  Yes!  First time out of the country this coming year in celebration of our 40th Anniversary.  We headed to the Big City to accomplish this only to find out a bit into our journey that we had left our filled out applications in the buffet drawer.  In the dining room, ten miles back.  In days passed, with time of the essence, we would have railed at our stupidity and cursed at the waste of time.  This time, in the era of Different Days, we laughed and shook our heads and whooped at the craziness of leaving at home, the main purpose of the trip.  Too funny.  Other years, it could have been the reason for a rather large To Do......


2.  Hand Gun Purchase!  I KNOW! For years, I would not let Hubby even reveal his guns in my presence.  I had no idea where in the house they even where, that 's how good he was at hiding them.  But as in all things changing, I have come around to the thinking that a little personal protection might not be a bad thing.  I plan to take a firearms class, practice at a shooting range, and become a very legal hand gun owner with my very own gun.  Hubby and I were coming home from a rather superfluous errand the other night and after 'rocking the value menu' (E/A's Hubby saying) at our local fast foodery, we happened by a new gun shop in town.  They were closing as we passed but Hubby pursued on, asking the owners as they were leaving for the day, their hours etc.  The men leaving their store decided to reopen their shop, show us the best arm for my needs and we proceeded to fill out the proper paperwork and off we went, intending on shopping for tulip bulbs at Lowes and coming home with a very nice firearm.  See?  Different Days!  Who Knew??


For all you most busy of young mama's:  Hang In There!  Your time is coming...!! 

Different Days is well worth the wait......

The Christmas House

 A mellow, snow-sprinkled, hearth centered Christmas Time....
Love to you all....
Deb...

What's Been Going On?

What a time.
What a gift.
And reflection.
Time spent well, without too much effort and much joy.
A lot of relaxing has taken place since December 25.
Let's look around at the high points. (Warning: Type A could have a problem with the following photos; A sincere lack of agendas or purpose involved in these highly unscheduled photographs. You've been warned.)

Now here is an exciting new Christmas Tradition coming to fruition: a forced (the most scheduled you'll see) narcissus, making it's blooming event Christmas week. A lovely addition to holiday festivities.

Nothing more satisfying to me than watching Hubby enjoying himself (when he's winning :D) playing games with the 'children'...Whether they be 8 or 28, he loves it and I love hearing them banter back and forth and whoop it up over a great play...
More soul food....

Clearly, this relaxed holiday celebration became contagious.
Here is Lovely Wife curled up, all cozy and comfy with a good book and her faithful companion puppy. We do get wild around here.

And what would Christmas be without a huge batch of cinnamon rolls? Throughout my reign as Chief Cinnamon Roll Baker, I have tried many a recipe. I proclaimed a recent recipe out of a Sunday paper, my all time favorite. Time consuming, but oh so worth it. I likes me a good good cinnamon roll....mmmmmmm

Then The Payoff.
After many, many years of hectic Christmas Mornings.
With lots of preparation and care to meet the needs (and wants!) of our lovely children, we find ourselves this year, on our own.
And it was very nice, thank you.
Getting up slowly, wishing each other a Merry Christmas, seeing to our own breakfast needs, preparing for the day by stoking a grand fire and getting the right book to perch near the fireplace with, the day of reflection and slower pace begins and it carries us through the days of sharing our home and hearts with all that we love and care about.....
Those that are away from us continue on into our thoughts and prayers and best wishes

So that was it..
Much to share, craft wise, now that the reveal has occured...
Counting down to the new decade with fresh thoughts, good outlooks and much anticipation...
Can't wait to share it all with you....

A Christmas Story

Thirty one years ago this Christmas season, my life looked pretty overwhelming.
Two months before the holiday season, I was told by my daughter's orthopedic surgeon, that there was a very good chance that my daughter would never walk.
Mistakes made to correct severe hip dysplasia, deemed her small, under one year old bones, to atrophy in the process of 'healing'.
Not any news a new mama wants to hear.

Christmas brought a season over hanging with an impending surgery in January and expectations, with no guarantees, of perhaps, an alteration in her grim prognosis.
Anger, disappointment in the medical community, frustration with her limitations and just general crappy attitude, kept me grim and not nice to be around. Friends avoided me and my family got tired of being my cheerleader. Poor Hubby had his own issues. A handicapped daughter AND a shrew (nice word) of a wife. (Had to take it out on someone, right?)

One night, rocking my little girl while she was weighed down in her oddly angled full body cast, reaching for the ornaments, that she could not move to get, that I literally sighed out loud, 'No one understands this! It's upsetting but there is soo much worse,that I feel guilty for feeling so badly about this! I want to get on but I am so stuck! No one gets it!!'

Since I was raised Catholic and knew it was my 'duty' to place my creche in a visible place in my quasi Catholic grown up home. Knew it would please our parents, but had no personal interest in the whole religious thing. Especially now.

Then, as my Eldest daughter drifted off to sleep, my eyes cast to the neglected nativity scene. As I stared at the tiny manger, a very clear thought came to me. I knew enough catechism from all those years in Catholic school, that God had a very intended purpose for sending Christ into this world. And He, omniscient and sovereign as He is, knew exactly the course His relatively short life would follow. And it was grim. The Stations of the Cross at Easter time told me of the travails that Christ suffered in the hands of sinful men. Me being chief among them.

So God knew exactly what His Son would suffer. That there was a purpose for it all. And He loved ME enough to allow it all. God understood my 'little' pain. He knew ALL my dear, little 11 month old Rhiannon would go through with her cross. He knew what I would need to get through it all. And He promised to go through it all with me.

While my baby slept on me, I quietly wept tears of relief, joy, penitence and hope. I knew, for the first time in my life, that the birth, death and resurrection of my Savior was not just stories or good religion, but it was personal. It was for me. For you. Forever.

I embraced the love of Christ with all my heart and all that meant. Good and Bad. Because I now knew that I was not alone. That my Heavenly Father had designed just what I needed, no matter how I perceived it; His view of the tapestry of my life was much clearer than my muddled perspective.

How He sustained me through the days, months, years to follow, would fill volumes.
He allowed me in all my spiritual naivete, to view His amazing healing power. He showed me how all the irritations and pain in this life, prepares us for a greater work...

It is all good. With Him.

And this day we commemorate the incarnation, God becoming human, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin filled lives.....For the hope of an eternity spent with Him..
How wonderful is that?

My prayer is for all that are reading this, that you would consider your eternity. There is a grand plan authored by an amazing God that not only created us for this earth, but has planned for our eternal life as well....How loving is that...

Ask Him to explain this all to you. He will.
And may you be blessed.....

Merry, blessed Christmas to you all.....
Love,
Deb.....

Peeks

Tomorrow, Poppy, Unca Jordan and Yours Truly head off to Cincinnati in our red sleigh to deliver gifties to our Little Sweetie of a Granddaughter.
Not too much, just enough to keep her entertained till The Big Birthday on March 9th.
To be sure, care was given to what country and what type of paint was used in the products selected. We made sure that a renewable forestry was tapped for the wooden products chosen.
Other things were purchased from independently owned companies displayed on many of the crafting blogs I follow.
Lots of good, good sources out there. I am particularly fond of The Pajama Squid. And not just because they sent out squid like gummy bears with my purchases. Or that their packaging is recyclable or that their tissue paper is black and white striped. Okay. It did have something to do with all those things. But mostly was their delightful selection of toys and goodies for My Vivien.
(and it is sure to please the health, environment, safety obsessed (( in a good way!:D, mama, Eldest/Admin ))
Check out their site.....See for yourself....www.thepajamasquid.com

Hmmmmm...glimpses and peeks....Soon to be delivered....

And who is this??
Hmmmmmmm.....

How To Celebrate Thirty Seven Years

1. Thank God that the man that you have been sleeping next to for the past 36 years is still there when you awaken.
2. Take a brisk walk with Dixie, in temps very like the 8 degrees that were present on my wedding day.
3. Come home shivery and hungry and find The Hubby has prepared a ham and cheese omelet!
4. Prepare for the day so that certain undisclosed gift making can commence.
5. Wrap up sewing room detail with The Hubby's help so that we can take off for Anniversary Dinner.
6. Get to Outback early with all the other grey hairs so that we beat the family inundation. We do plan things like that you know.
7. Have post dinner time before Wednesday Night Bible Study so we scoot over to Cato's to check out deals.
8. Fortune of good fortune! Two new skirts!! Hubby finds deals! Yay!
9. Final installment of The Truth Project at church. Good, good stuff.
10. Take advantage of Discover Free Red Box Video Rental. (Julie and Julia for those that are interested). Hubby buys Hot Fudge Sundae for his bride while she wheels and deals with Red Box.
11. Early Bathies so J & J can be viewed in all it's proper comfy coziness.
12. Thank Heavenly Father before the eyes succumb to sleep, for the dear man next to me.

May you all be as blessed this Christmas season...

Let the Anniversary Celebration Begin!

Just like my month long birthday, My Hubby has taken a similar stance on our anniversary!
Each year, as a government employee, he accumulates his time off, squirrels it away like a piker, for the day when he can announce, 'I've saved up enough time to take most of December off!'
He knows that it tickles me to death to have his companionship, help and just good ol hangin out time with my best friend.
We start thinking of day trips, projects and gifts to make for Christmas.
In long ago years, we would design a project to make for all our friends and neighbors. Some years we would have hosts of angels on his workbench waiting for me to paint. One year the smell of a dozen gingerbread houses on our dining room table, nearly sent us into diabetic coma. After a particular moving Passover celebration, we designed a Mezuzah for our friends doorpost's.
This year, we have odds and ends to do, certainly the best being a Santa Visit to Miss Vivien....
First year of Grammying and Poppying....
Can you say Euphoria?

Stay posted for More Anniversary News and Updates as they happen...

And don't forget to have a memorable Christmas time.....

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor...

Just in case you're a little rushed this season.
Just in case you're a little overwhelmed by what needs to get done (Does it really?)
Just in case you think the holidays are the worse time of year for all the stress it produces....

Just stop.

Rethink why you do what you do.
And retool.

Does that thing really need to be done, or do you do it out of habit or expectations (others perceived?)

I have found in my wizened years, that the more I cut out of Christmas, the more enjoyable it became...
I could focus on the giving that I want to do, not what was expected of me....
I found out that Christmas cards were a burden that distracted me from the season and stressed me out and most people threw them away a few days after Christmas. Most cards merely have a signature with a manufactured message.
I stopped doing that years ago.
HUGE relief of self imposed stress....

Then came the big year that our family quit buying gifts for each other...
HUGE.
Simplistic and stress free.
My husband and I started buying things for our children throughout the year, special things that they needed/wanted/mentioned that they loved, and indulged them right then, without waiting for Christmas.
Grand.

No wrapping. No shopping. Just enjoyment of the season and each other. Peaceful.
Lovely.

Please Enjoy the Christmas season however that looks for this year.
Do one thing that will bring you closer to the peace that the season stands for.
Spend time and conversations and meals together with those you love.

That's what they really want.....

Christmas Activities...

In the bible, Deborah is a judge.
So today, I took on my biblical moniker and became a judge.
Of sorts.
I was asked to be a part of the Christmas Fantasia, a fundraiser for our local county's food pantry.
The trees, wreaths and table decors are judged then all of them are auctioned off to benefit the very important non profit.
The pantry supplies sustenance for so many, not just at Christmas time, but year round. Many people rely on the leg up that the pantry signifies for them.
So, it was a pleasure to take a small part of this important work.
Turns it is was an easy gig too.
The other two 'wreath judges' and I were in nearly complete accord and our time at the Christmas Fantasia took a minimum of time.
Fun time. Lot's of work goes into this and I so appreciate all that took part in it, on both sides; those that made items to auction, the organizers and those that bid on the beautiful items.
And bless the recipients of all the good that will come of it...

And here's our local library director pinning the second place ribbon on this lovely offering.

And our first place winner...
It was really quite beautiful. My inadequate camera hardly does it justice. I now regret not staying and bidding on it.....

And more from the sewing room....
Library bags for two well read little boys.....(my young friend, Emily, gave me this idea from ones that she made years ago...You should check out her blog and see her amazing Halloween costumes from this year...apronwings.typepad.com)
Fun stuff....

Christmas Treasures...

One good, good thing about become 'elderly'...
'Gifts' at Christmas take on a whole new meaning..
Seldom do they come in a box...
Seldom with wrapping.
They are common items wrapped in the heart of a friend.
They are kind words spoken at the right time.
They are a renewed relationship after a bumpy patch.
They are memories of past times and lives intertwining.
They are inexpensive, meaningful and always from God.
HE knows what I need, want and will find joyful.
Today's journey brought my heart to a point of tears several times.
Good tears.
Knowing that this day was from the Father that has given me the Ultimate Gift, made it all the sweeter.
Enjoy my memories and may you be blessed in your journey as well....

In my journey around my Christmas gratitudes, I took this photo from my tree.
Simple, right? Nice little ornaments?
No.
The front little felt miniature stocking was made for one of my children from one of their childhood friends that was quite good at the crafts. Each year, as I place this little stocking on my tree, I smile, remembering the little girl that 'lived' at my house for many years, her relationship with my oldest daughter, beginning when they were three years old. Today, she left a lovely comment that brought me to tears.
Thank you Brandy....
Also, in this photo, is another ornament given to my husband and I long, long ago, by a appreciative Awana Cubbie mommy. She did not know that it was our anniversary on the day that she gave it to us.
But He did. The 'love' message on it reminds me again, each tree decorating day, that I am loved by my Father.
Also, in the photo, a tag from Baby Girls wedding last year, a glass red heart bought on another anniversary and a beautiful shell angel given to me from my sister years and years ago....
*sigh*


Having a mantel with an abundant fireplace is another treasure that my husband and I waited for many years.
Ten years ago, the move to our present location, with all it's upheaval and surprise, our Father gave us the 'bonus' of something our hearts had longed for in a house. He knew that we would need a little affirmation that only the three of us would be aware of...
We thank Him everytime we use it....
(and in the mantel photo is a little resin angel, given to me from a little friend that I met at Good News Club years ago.
She came to the Awana club that we were involved with, in all her shy, quiet self.
Last year, she had a friend of hers give me this little gift that she purchased at the school bazaar.
Can I tell you how valuable this little angel is to me?

My large jar of ornaments contain Christmas decorations from my in law's trees of the past.
A reminder of the wonderful people that my beloved husband of 37 years came from.
A new tradition as well; planting narcissus right before Thanksgiving for Christmas blooms.
Last year, they bloomed ON THE DAY of my daughter's wedding!
Coincidence?
I think not!
Thank you Father.

And then today.
I traditionally visit a local church's Christmas Bazaar.
I was introduced to it by my neighbor ten years ago.
The neighbor that I had prayed for when our world got a little rocked by our move.
I met this warm, loving woman the day we moved in, in our front yard, as she said to me: 'I'm so glad to meet you! I have been praying for you!!'
We shared property lines for several years, but still consider each other neighbors.
Today, while visiting the bazaar, there she was! Still helping her mom out with the details of a very involved Christmas event.
We were able to share a good church lunch, sharing our latest news, updating our lives....
So I had to buy another ornament from this craft show to remind, me again, of the special neighbor that God prepared for me before I even knew I would be moving! I smile each time I place the craft show ornaments on my yearly tree..
Thank you Lisa....
And today is another neighbor's birthday as well. Sweet Sharon will be moving away next spring and my heart is thrilled for her. But, selfishly, I am sad that the neighbor that introduced us to our first church here, will not be in visual distance from me...

Much emotion, many tears...
Joys of the Season...
Thank you Lord.....

Comfort Night

Faithful Friend and I meet once a month.
Generally, at our favorite restaurant.
We usually stay there till they throw us out.
We linger longer than most of their customers, but they don't seem to mind. Too much.
Wednesday was our night to meet.
But it was cold and very rainy.
And FF had been at work all day.
Would be nice if we could just stay in near the fire.
Could I swing it on short notice?

Yes!

Crazy Dee had supplied me with enough leftovers from a previous feast that I could easily make FF and I a cozy meal near the fireplace.
Gather the wood! Turn on the Christmas music! Light the candles!
Make a Shepherds Pie from CD's gleanings, toss a salad and include CD's Youngest Daughter's most wonderful Squash/Sweet Potatoe/Chipotle Soup, brew a pot of hot tea and wait for FF to appear!

It was a lovely, cozy supper near the fire....
Thank you Lord, for Dear Friends....

Time to Backtrack

The day before Thanksgiving, before setting the table, making the last minute grocery run and before the last of the progeny came home, it was time for a little Thanksgiving craft at the elementary school.
Once a week, I volunteer at one of the many first grades.
I love helping out the very proficient first grade teacher, making copies, cutting out, tearing out, stapling or whatever else I can do to help her concentrate at the task of stretching these wonderful little kiddo's minds.
I love observing, listening and chuckling quietly to myself over some comment made by the usually uninhibited seven year olds.
Even on a day that was a bit willy nilly, I made sure that I took the time to be there to help Crazy Dee make necklaces for the pretend Native Americans in Mitchell's elementary.
A hoot as usual.
Worth every minute of it....
I am thankful for little minds that soak up knowledge and share their thoughts and emotions freely. I am thankful that some of them have school as a refuge to their harried lives. I am thankful for skilled teachers that truly love their students and spend an inordinated amount of time preparing for teaching them.
Having homeschooled all of my kids for a great deal of their schooling years, it is refreshing and comforting to know that bastions of learning exist like this particular teacher's class.
Next to Lovely Wife, she is one of my favorite teachers....



And since I have your attention, can I just share more Vivien stories/photos?
My little girl is very discerning.
Her eyes and hands latched on to this painting, done by her doting mother several years ago.
The bright colors and thick texture appealed to her good design sense..
Interesting, isn't it, that she was so drawn to only one of my paintings of the many in my home, and it was one done by her mama?

And here she spent some time watching the outside, while contemplating a good stand up...
Her little face melts me like nothing else....

Onward to Christmas, sewing for gifts for my faithful customers, decorating and otherwise enjoying this festive season....