NY Resolutions, anyone?

 Not me- I do have a couple of goals for the new year- continued from the previous year or two- Finish losing the last few pounds of the excess weight I need to get rid of- not really NEED to- but WANT to- I think I looked and felt my best at 145 lbs.- and I'm trying to lose the last bit to get back there now. So continuing on is one goal. 

The other is to get settled in a place that isn't making me and my girls sick. I love the Anderson House, but I cant let us get any more sick.... our only obstacle is nowhere wants to rent to us because of our 4 cats. And I'm not a person who adopts a pet and then rehomes it because it's inconvenient... Commitments....

The only goal for me in reality- is to be better than I was last year. 

Happy Birthday In Heaven...

Clayton, My Darling Baby Boy.......You are missed- never forgotten. Happy Birthday in Heaven, my precious son.

Love a million bazillion,

Mama xoxo

Post 3-Inspired by Evan

 Inspired by Witless Protection Program......https://evanescein08.blogspot.com/2025/12/im-christmas-minimalist.html

So Evan is correct in thinking I am one of those people who look forward and think about Christmas all year long. However- I would LOVE to be a Christmas Minimalist!!

When I was young I did many of the same things as Evan when he was a child at home. The EXPERIENCES and anticipation of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were EVERYTHING Magical- thanks to my parents who made the magic happen for us.

We weren't rich...straight and pure Middle class through and through.

The week before Christmas everything was decorated up- A Big tree (Cut down in our woods on our property) with simple electric candles in the windows and a wreath on the door were the extent of it.

 But with 5 kids there was always a pile of presents under the tree - one big thing and a couple of little ones  and of course, our stocking with a chocolate candy, a candy cane(a Large one) an apple, an orange, and some nuts and a small gift in it too. 

Christmas Eve we visited Grandmother and Grandaddy M- Christmas Day we visited Granny and Pa-pa C.

Grandmother  & Grandaddy always had a real cut Cedar tree with loads of those big bulb lights  that was popular at the time and the main cause of fires during the Christmas season- they had a few twinkles as they became more popular and less a fire hazard later on... And Grandmother always made us pjs and each one of us got at some point a special quilt and a Crotchet throw. Granddaddy was a quiet man who took care of things in the background.

Granny and Pa-pa  rarely gave out gifts(I have a LOTTTTT of cousins because Granny and Pa-pa had 18 kids) but THEY had a Holly Tree Christmas Tree for most years. No Lights, No Ornaments, maybe a few strings of silver tinsel thrown on a few of the branches, but mostly Just the bare Minimum. And those trees were naturally beautiful! I loved visiting each set of Grandparents equally as much- but for totally different reasons.

I have soooo many Christmas stories to tell, but that will be for another time..... 

The point is- that's how Evan and I both grew up.

Then we got into adulthood and we had to create that magic for our own littles- and for myself- now for my Grands(14 now and possibly one more on the way) and great-grands(5 now and one on the way).

I've never had much money to spend on the kids gifts and still don't ,but we had the 3 gift rule(-Baby Jesus only got 3 gifts himself)....., But when it comes to Christmas Spirit/Magic- we got plenty of it.

My son, Clay, left us in an MVA in 2007...my last conversation with him he told me that I had to stop using a "Christmas Stick"6' Slim Tree) instead of a full sized real tree..... he said" Mama-You've always made Christmas so special for us- the lights, the smells, the music we played and the songs we sang together when we went to McAdenville to go Light peeping!!! The little treats like a milkshake with extra drizzle on it and Sprinkles, the queso at Chili's we all shared. The cookies we baked together, ....Now Me and Kathy are having a baby, I want him/her to have all that while he's growing up, too." I promised him I wouldn't use the Christmas stick again- and I haven't- but I haven't got a live cut tree either yet- someday I will tho. But for now, it's artificial trees and some natural branches added to the garland the week before Christmas so it smells like he remembered. Yes its messy, and it's a bit more work to find the branches and fit them in the garland, but in the end- it makes Christmas so much more special............ Two days later, Clay was gone.  

I think my reasoning for the EXTRA at Christmas is- you don't notice how little gifts you get if you're so wrapped up in the sparkle and glitter of making the real Christmas Magic... and what better place to make it than home? Its not what or how much you get- it's who you are spending time and making memories with for me. Nothing in this world is more precious to me. 

I really do wish I could do a Minimal Christmas tho...A  Nearly Naked Tree- lights only. No Baubles & No Ribbon! a Vignette with a handful of special ornaments on the top of the coffee table- or better yet- IN a display top coffee table with the top free of anything else.  A Wreath for the front door that sets the tone for the tree- Natural with only a small string of lights and a big red bow on the bottom ...... a single electric or battery powered candle in each window (I'm going to research and see if they make solar powered ones- that would be the best thing ever!!!)  A Mantle with a Nearly Naked Garland.  Maybe a Nearly Naked Garland across my headboard in my bedroom... Perfection.

That's It...... That sounds like a decor even Evan would approve of!!! 

Hmmm....You know- I haven't done my bedroom and I think I'll do it exactly in the Minimalist style.

It's my private space- no kids allowed. Why Not.

A Little Adventure-Part 2

 So, this weekend we got it all done and decorated in the main living areas. 

Only snag was I still haven't located my Dept 56 Christmas Village in the basement Chaos from the move. Pretty sure I know where it might be(of course in the far corner under about 25 other bins and boxes) but I just don't have the heart to move all that stuff on the chance it's not there and it was all for nothing. As it is- right now-I have one of the churches I transformed into a Gingerbread house in the kitchen- it's proper placement in my eyes. Then I have the other two churches, a teahouse, a teashop and a nature scene with a waterfall, a moose, and a canoe on a pond - all surrounded by various styles of snow topped trees and bushes. Also- best of all- I have the animated flying Santa and reindeer flying over the small set-up I have done. Oh, how I wish I could put the photos on here to show you but alas- work computer and not allowed.

Anyway, the tree is up, the garland is placed, and the side tables have a small vignette set up on them. The coffee table has a basket full of shiny baubles and greenery too. 

Christmas Spirit still not arrived for us yet- it's been a tough year and we are struggling still, so I'm debating putting up the small bedroom trees. I think it might help, but then again it might just depress us even more.. IDK....... 

We'll be doing Christmas Breakfast for supper after I get home from work ..... easy and fast. I have to work the following day as well so it will be an early night for me. 

Christmas Supper Menu:

Biscuits/Brown n serve or crescent rolls 

Ham

Bacon

Hash brown casserole

Orange Danish

Cinnamon Rolls

Eggs(cooked upon request)

Soda-Coffee- Hot Cocoa!!!!

It's the same thing I used to make when the kids were little. No one wanted a formal dinner- that was a LOT of work and the grown ups just wanted to relax after a hard night of- "watching for Santa" -and the kids only wanted to play with the gifts they got.

Thanksgiving was the big huge family at the same time gathering. Christmas was the casual laid back -drop in as you can- gathering....

Anyway- We'll see how it goes.

Happy December y'all!!!!

A Little Adventure....Part 1

 So yesterday after work I drove home and picked up my Daughter and Grand-daughter. I was on a mission to bring a bit of Christmas magic back into our lives.

None of us can really get into the spirit this year and we arent really sure exactly why we arent feeling it.

Since we moved into the house, Julie, my daughter, has been constantly ill. She has COPD and  some other health issues. She will be sick for two or three weeks, then feel better for a few days(usually 3 or 4, then she's back feeling ill again. I'm convinced it's something(probably the black mold from the basement issues.  Alyssa(Grand D) and I have been ill a bit more than usual too, but she is out of the house at school most of the day , and I am at work about the same amount of time as she is in school. Julie is in the house all day and all night unless we nip out for a food shop or she has a doctors appointment or gets a chance to go see her grands for an hour or so. Maybe once a month for either of those- if at all. And when she is feeling poorly she  doesn't feel like doing those things either.

Anyway, We went to our old place and got the Christmas ornaments she had stored in a trunk we haven't had a way to pick up yet. Then we went by my Bezzie's to pick up my phone charger I forgot there. (Me and Bezzie-friends for 60 years and we have a girls night every Wednesday.)Then we rode around for a bit looking at the Christmas decorations on the houses in the town before coming home(a 50+ mile trip) , and we grabbed an order of Lil Caesar's Cheesy Bread for a treat. 

We all got a bit of our Christmas Spirit back. Not a LOT- but enough for now.

We're putting up the tree tonight and then finishing the garlands and other tabletop decor on Saturday. 

Right now our house is topsy-turvy with all the boxes and bins but it's okay. Come Jan 2nd we are going to have a huge purge and have a yard sale and  put a few other things on Marketplace for the deposit for the new apartment which I have to finish up paperwork on by first of the year. 

I have big plans for the new year- all of 2026!!!!!!!

This and That and maybe a Bit of TMI

THIS- So Here it is the first week in December and Lil' Miss Christmas here hasn't got much done at all in the decorating department inside the house...and only half the things done outside the house. 

The Inside decor Christmas Bins are brought up from the basement- but still awaiting being displayed so far. Outside the swags are made and in the windows but the trio of Tomato cage trees are still awaiting the greenery and lights to be added. Also- our neighbor, Beau, generously gave us a large round of wood from HELENE's Chaos because I said I wanted a natural side table for my Adirondack chair on my front porch. I got it rolled about 12 feet away from the woodpile- and was exhausted. So... me being the eternal optimist, Decided to go get my car that has a big wide hatchback so I could just back up, toss the thing in the back and drive it over to the front porch and place it. 

Ummmm hmmmmmm...yeah. So I drove the car over and backed up to it- and when I tried to "toss it in" I realized it weighed more than I do...prob twice as much as me at this point. So....Im going to have to wait on that project til a couple of my boys (adults all) can give me a helping hand. Meanwhile, I hope to get the rest of the inside decor and the tree up this weekend while my daughter and myself are there alone. 

THAT- I think Christmas is going to suck this year- but there is always NEXT year to look forward to, Right?

A BIT OF TMI- 

Bathroom Etiquette!!! If that topic icks you out-move on- that being said; there is nothing graphic in what I'm about to write. Up to you.

So something that really annoys me is at work there are seven stalls in the ladies restroom. Large handicapped ones on each end and five regular sized ones between them. Now I can usually head by there after the morning rush, and I always choose the center one because I like my personal space- so to speak- and that leaves allllllll the others in case anyone comes in- and they inevitably DO that very thing. 

And for the love of all that is stupid and annoying- no matter which one I'm in- that someone chooses to "go" into the one directly beside ME!!!

If I go in and someone is in one of the stalls- I would NEVER choose the stall directly beside them unless it was the only one free and there was no time to spare.

I just don't understand peoples brain processes sometimes. Or maybe their lack of brain processes..... I don't think I'm being bitchy wanting to not be up on someone else (or them being up on me)when personal business is being conducted.... 

And another thing- for God's sake why are women constantly having a phone conversation while in the stall doing their business?  Surely it's not always something of great importance that cant wait!!!!!! 

I cant tell you the number of times I've gotten calls from my boss (or from anyone to be honest)like that and declined to answer the call.  Then I pull up my pants and wash my hands and THEN call him(or whoever) back after I step outside the restroom. 

SMDH....

and that's all for today, y'all.....  Rant Over. :)

 

December? Already???

 I swear, It was May and I was moving into my new place, soon to be followed by my Daughter and Granddaughter when school session ended.....

I blinked twice- TWICE and now it's December again??? How? What happened in those other months?

I usually start my Christmas shopping in May- and am completely done by the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I've written about it before- I laugh at people who wait until the last minute and think the holidays are awful because they are so stressed out because they have procrastinated.

Well, Madam Karma has certainly bit me on the butt this year!!!  I literally have two gifts bought. I'm sooooo behind.

And literally have a handful of Christmas decor up. Mostly various sizes of  Santa/Kris Kringle/St. Nicholas portraits hung on the wall, although there are a couple of Red Truck prints up as well. HUGE fan of both.

What I would love to have(and will probably end up painting myself) is the scene of St. Nick kneeling over the Baby Jesus in the manger. 

Anyway- we finally got a few things up from the basement for Christmas decorating. I don't want to do a full blown Christmas house as we hope to be moving again in a couple months. My daughter has COPD and has been sick ever since she moved into this place- and I wont stay here because our landlord's suggestion to the flooded basement issues continue to be-"Get some pallets to put your stuff on"....and that isn't helping with the water and mold issues that are exacerbating our health issues.

UN-effing-believable!!!!!

Anyway- a pack of gum and an apple makes for a pretty awesome gift- don't you think?????  :D