"CHRISTMAS" Thread - 1500

[CandyKane]

I feel better today than I have in quite a while. Even though we still haven't been paid for hubbies last big job, I woke up this morning feeling like things are going to be better than ever. Maybe that's because we've gotten more calls for work in the last three days than we have in the last three months.

It's just the nature of the business that sometimes we have to wait for payments. Sometimes we have a lot more money than other times and that's the main reason that I shop for Christmas year round.

[CandyKane]

I appreciate all the congrats on my contest prize. I never win anything so it was a wonderful surprise. I love baking bread but don't do it too often because it's just so time consuming. So my new mixer is really a blessing. And it will come in so handy for all my Christmas baking.

[Noel+]

We're on page 3 of our 2010 Christmas countdown! Yay!

Mom is needing 24/7 care so I'm not able to be at CAY as often. I miss all my CAY friens and rejoice when I can enjoy the spirit!

Enjoy your prize CandyKane!

[CandyKane]

I went shopping today and picked up some great after Christmas bargains. I found some really nice decorations at 90% off! I also bought some new storage boxes to organize my Christmas stuff.

[Noel+]

My Christmas decorations remain up - dusty as they may be - as Mom is 1st priority right now. Still, the glowing lights [yes I turn them on!] are a comfort and joy!

[kiwidogy_max]

I say leave them up as long as you want...comfort is a great thing at times like these when we need it wherever we can get it. God Bless

[Noel+]

They're predicting rain tomorrow for our holiday off and Im just thrilled. That kind of weather feels like Christmas in the desert.......so we'll enjoy the decorations while outside our window it is Christmasy in the southwest!!

[CandyKane]

Noel--I really hope that you are getting some rain. Rainy days put me in a Christmas mood too.

[CandyKane]

We finished taking down our outside decorations Saturday. It was kinda sad to pack them away. But I know that this year is flying by already so Christmas will be back before we know it.

[CandyKane]

Yesterday after Church we made a shopping trip to Wal-Mart. I bought something I've needed for awhile. A box of 101 cookie cutters. They are made by Wilton and they have all the letters and numbers and cutters for every holiday. And the best part is the whole box is only $10. I consider it a late Christmas gift to myself. I can't wait to make sugar cookies for all the kids at church.

[Mrs.Claus]

Can't wait for January to be over and then my life "should" slow down a bit. I've been at school every day so far with the exception of one Wednesday. Next week is when I start to pull back my hours as the new teacher-librarian is more than capable of handling the system. She is quite an amazing person!

This weekend, I think will be the weekend we take down the Christmas decorations inside - I leave outside up till Spring. We have a few outdoor candy cane lights which we turn to face each other to make hearts and have lights up for Valentine's.

[CandyKane]

Mrs. Claus--When we took down our outside Christmas decorations Saturday, we took down 4 huge lighted Candy Canes that stake into the ground. I never thought about facing them toward each other for Valentine hearts. What a great idea!

[kiwidogy_max]

That candy cane/valentine heart decoration is very clever!! All of our Christmas decorations are down now, but I did leave a small tree top angel from my grandmother out. I remember Christmases as a child at her house and miss her every day. Every night I hold that angel while I say my prayers. It is a peaceful end to every day. I am also excited because I will be going to a Christmas store that is opened year round this weekend. They have wonderful decorations!!

[CandyKane]

Kiwi--I think it's wonderful that you're keeping your Christmas angel out as a way to stay close to your grandmother.

[CandyKane]

We used to have a year round Christmas store here but it closed several year ago. It was always fun to go and look around especially in the summertime when there wasn't one sign of Christmas anywhere else.

[nettescraps]

Hi Everyone.
It has been raining since Saturday. I love the rain because It looks so Christmasy. I stayed inside watching the Christmas movies I DVR'd this holiday season while grading exams. With the last of the holiday cookies gone my family was craving more. Especially my husband since he now is in the habit of eating cookies with milk every evening. So we made our favorite chocolate chip cookies.
The only downer was having to drive in the rain to work today. Rain is expected everyday until Sunday. Nice, we need the rain.

I wish I knew of an all year Christmas store. I went to one a few years back in Texas. It was at the beginning of the summer and we were all melting and miserable but walking into the store made us happy.

[kiwidogy_max]

If you are ever around Burlington Vermont, stop in to The Christmas Loft. Always a great time.

[Mrs.Claus]

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is the only all year Christmas store I've ever been too and I loved it! It's a few hours drive from here so we stayed over night and did the whole outlet shopping too.

[Noel+]

Well, they predicted rain for us 3 days in a row........and we got? Yeah, right, no Christmasy rain! Oye!

The Christmas decorations are alomost all boxed up. I need to finish tomorrow. It's always so sad to take them down.

Time for sweet memories...........

[nettescraps]

It has not stopped raining. This morning was difficult to drive to work because of the high winds and rain. Now that I am inside at work I look out my window and imagine the pouring rain is snow. I am also listening to my holiday music. Love it.
I think today is a perfect day to make my chicken cheese soup.