Happy Thanksgiving…Christmasgiving…Festivus!

I am thankful for…

our health

our smart and sweet boys

our family and friends who love us

the jobs we have

what Jesus has done and does for all of us all the time

 

A Christmasgiving Tree for your viewing pleasure

 

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!

Eat lots of turkey…take a nap…

Then…

get some coffee so you can go to…

Target at midnight…

and Old Navy at 3am…

and JCPenney’s at 4am…

I am thinking retailers would just prefer us

to not even bother going to bed…

we must spend more money in a delirious state…

 

Where, pray tell, are the “facilities” ?

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday!

Ornament Wreaths

I remember this wreath in a magazine from several years ago. 

In fact, I am pretty sure I ripped the page out and stuck it in the “Three-ring Binder of Ideas That Will Never Happen.” 

This year, the mini-me version is all over Blogland.

 

Eddie Ross  is a great place for instructions.  Look at the wreath he made with a wire hanger sans Joan Crawford.

Just A Girl made a great one based off of his instructions as well.

 

And instead of being content with the smaller version…I had to go and make big brother.  Which meant, two wire hangars and Value-Sized packs of ornaments.  Seriously, one of the packs came from Sam’s.

 

 

But in the end, I really like it.  I can’t say it will look like this next year after it has been stored.  I may dismantle it and just restring it next year.  And while not difficult, it was tedious.  And I did not use hot glue.  But next year I will.

 

I am linking up to Red Writing again for her Twelve Weeks of Christmas.  This week…wreaths!

Baby Got A New Pair Of Shoes!

Well, you knew it was only a matter of time.  If I rearrange the furniture and pillows in the house every other day, of course the blog is fair game.

The coolest part about the facelift, it was free.  Because I did it all by myself.

Well, it was only because of Sneaky Momma Blog Designs that I was able to do it.  She has the greatest site for a novice DIY when it comes to blogs and HTML.  The sites she links up to also have free content.  And if I could do this, I’m telling you, so can you. 

My hope with the new format is that I can upload bigger pictures and that all the pink in the background won’t be there to interfere.

Let’s try a picture.

So far so good!

A Pre-Midlife Crisis

Have you guys ever used Toodledo?  It is pretty cool.  You set up a to-do list and specify things like due dates and importance ratings.  Then each day they email your to-do list to you.

They have a section entitled goals.  I realized, I have no goals.  Well, just all the unspoken ones.  Like, raise kids who will be good members of society.  It is a goal of mine but just one that is my everyday job. 

But what has happened to the days of “where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years”.  Is it because I have learned to take it one day at a time or is it because I have become a slouchy un-driven person?

I see myself in 5 years working and raising two kids.  In 10 years I see myself really tired and working and raising one kid.  In 15 years I see myself needing a lot of ibuprofen, working and wondering when the kids will call.  In 20 years I see myself like those people on the Cialis commercials all smiles and sitting in a bathtub on a pier.

Why are they are they doing this?  How did the tubs get out here? 

But seriously, I am going to take the time this week to make my Bucket List.  I figure it is a good idea to get on it before I actually know I am about to kick the bucket.

So what about you?  Do you have set goals these days or are you just living life one day at a time and going where the wind blows?

Bah-Hum-Bug

I will admit, that the Christmas joy was nowhere to be found in this house last week.  And for me that is unusual.  Can’t really say why I felt this way.  And it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving.  The most boring holiday of all.

So I went to Hobby Lobby on Wednesday.  I bought some stuff half-off hoping I would be inspired.  Eh.

I worked Thursday and Friday.

Saturday, M&M came over with her family and said we should go to Hobby Lobby to get another “shot” of Christmas inspiration.  It still didn’t really take with me.

Then on Sunday, I was staring at the Christmas boxes my husband dragged down, wondering if I should even take the lids off, when all of a sudden…

He put on Elvis’ “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”

And it was on.

The tree is on its way up, the wreath is hung, we’ve already watched Polar Express once and I actually got excited because the kids got excited.

Life is good again.

Merry Christmasgiving guys!

(And I need to mention that my husband won’t let me open the blinds and thinks it is ridiculous that we put up the Christmas tree while we ate Halloween candy)

You’ve Got Mail

I received the best email the other day.  It made me remember how all of you guys inspired me with your blogs to get one of my own.

Hi Girly stuff!
My name is Melinda, and I just wanted to let you know I have been checking out your blog since about June....and I just love it!  I have never followed blogs before and came across yours accidentally, I just typed in Girly Stuff on Yahoo search, and there you were...I have also visited many of the blogs you follow (it is very addicting!)  Any way, you and your friends have inspired me to buy my first can of spray paint!  and I have turned quite a few things espresso brown in my house!  and I have also made a ginormous chalk board.  I have always wanted to do stuff like this, but I never seem to execute, but when I saw how you and all your friends get stuff done I was MOTIVATED!!!  I have attached a before and after picture of the chalkboard...I bought it at the thrift store (and boy was it ugly!, and oh yeah, I have become addicted to thrifting!)  I majorly messed up the frame when I was doing it...and then when I put it over the chalkboard...i loved it! 
So I just wanted to thank you for the inspirations and motivation!  I am sure my next step will have to be a blog....because I soooo want to talk to all these talented people!!!  ( i am not good at the computer stuff, so I'm sure it will take a while)
Thanks again,
Melinda in CA, mother of 2 girls
p.s....as we have no hobby lobby in CA  I am workin on the hubby for a trip to Texas...(and perhaps Canton)  :)  I'm sure it wont be for a while...but a girl can dream!

Come join us Melinda!  It is fun to have a blog!  And we love the chalkboard and want to know what all has been turned Espresso Brown!

And you can meet us in Canton or at Hobby Lobby anytime!

Homemade Gifts

I think it is safe to come out and play with Red Writing again.  I mean, Halloween is over, you shouldn’t want to stab my eyes out with an icicle at this point.  Christmas season is here!!!

So this week is about homemade gifts.  Ones I have received or given.

The polar fleece blankets are a favorite.  I just posted the instructions here.

Tassels are fun.  Especially if they are seasonal.

Something that I think is neat but not completely homemade is a grouping of gifts centered around a theme.  Cottage Chick had organized a gift for me at the office one year that was a relaxation basket.  Everyone donated one item concerning the theme.  I had a pair of pajamas, a furry blanket, slippers, a yummy smelling candle, a DVD, and lotion.  Very cool gift.  I almost cried because I was so tired that year and needed this basket in the worst way.  I was pregnant and running the office and had a 3 year old.  I fully expected my youngest to come out with a to-do list in his hand and a cell phone attached to his ear.

This one was on Homebody

Cottage Chick also made us all a set of stamped coasters one year.  I found some instructions here and here.

In fact, she always has cool homemade gifts to give.  I will let her tell you about some more!

So what have been some fun homemade gifts you have given or received?