Merry Christmas! I say that to most people out there, but our Christmas really won't occur until Jan. 10th, 2009! I plan it that way for a reason--you see with 7 kids and kid-in-laws and all the assorted relatives and celebrations and programs on all sides of the spectrum, I decided years ago that it was much easier just to wait patiently for "it" all to be over and then, selfishly, I guess, we get them all to ourselves (rested and ready for another party). It seems to work wonderfully, for the most part. However, on the actual Christmas day (today), I sometimes feel a little lonely and often don't know quite how to spend it except watching reruns or sports on tv--ick!!. It is great getting calls from all the kids--especially the little ones who are so excited about Santa coming last night! We did open a couple of gifts, but even my husband and I save our gifts til the big Day!. Ella got a new toy and has been having a great time playing with it. She knows it's Christmas! Thanks Aunt Betsey and Uncle Tom and Sassy! It's cold and windy and snowy and dreary, but the Christmas tree is beautiful, still with tons of gifts under it. And the worse part about tomorrow will be that all the Beautiful Christmas music will have stopped on the radio----but---WE haven't had Christmas yet and I really think they should play it awhile longer just for us--so we can stay in the mood! Merry Christmas World. Happy 2009!

Welcome December!!!

Well, Thanksgiving is over and all celebrated. Black Friday, my FAVORITE Shopping Day is over for another year and the Christmas Tree is up! Onward to Christmas!. We don't actually celebrate until January--it gives all of our kids time to celebrate with their families and other assorted relatives and then in the calm of January, we get our day with all of them. They aren't in a hurry to leave and get somewhere else on a busy schedule. It works so well we do other holidays the same way--Thanksgiving was held on Sunday, for instance. So much less stress (not to mention if I played it right, I can get the "after Christmas" bargains.). So now it's time for the Grandkids concerts that are very festive and other Christmassy events. Just going to kick back and Enjoy--and I hope you all do, too. And in the middle of it all, I hope to get some scrapbooking done and take a lot more pictures to SB in January! It's a wonderful time of the Year!!!