PagesPat's Ponderings

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Eve Hostess Gift


We go to my sister's house every Christmas Eve for a small intimate dinner, just my family, her and my mom, sometimes my gram, too. Not a lot of people, not a lot of food, just family and comfort.
Each year I bring her a small hostess gift, and each year she tells me not to do so because she never brings me a hostess gift when she comes over for Christmas Day dinner. But she has been wanting a handmade kleenex house to display in her house for years now, and I've finally put mine together!
I bought the kit from my lss, and used papers from Daisy d's "Snowflakes and Holly" collection. I colored the sides of the windows and door with my Copics, and used white flower soft for the bit of snow on the roof. Some bling to decorate the cardstock diecut tree in front and create a doorknob and it's finished, and what a nice surprise for my sister!
So this Christmas I made gift tags, Christmas cards, 22 birthday cards to put in a pretty package for my Gram, and one mini album for a friend. I also regifted a couple items, decorating the packaging before handing them out. I love short work weeks!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

HOMECOMING




At last, my son is on holiday leave, home from Basic Training. His girlfriend and daughter picked him up from the airport and came stright to the house. Wow, I sent my son to the Army and got back a soldier. He's trim, courteous, picks up after himself, and is STARVED. First thing, I made him one of his faves, homemade pizza. He'd been up since the day before so he took a little nap. It was so cute to watch his daughter clinging to him, dancing around in glee, stopping every other minute to give him a kiss. It was all I could do not to do the same thing!!! LOL
So I know our Chirstmas will be the merriest, with him at home and the family gathering together at my house in a week. Oh Happy Day!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Season of joy


Just one more day, and my son will be home for the holidays. He's in the middle of Basic Training and M.P. School for Army Reserves, and the whole family is excited to see him again. We won't get to see him after the holidays until his graduation in April. So I'm sticking the fridge with his fave foods, getting his area cleaned up, and his girlfriend and daughter are meeting him at the airport and bring him home.
Meanwhile, I'm finally getting organized for the holidays. Presents are bought and made, some even wrapped. Cards have been out for a few weeks already, and thank you cards from people who gifted me at work are postal. Turkey's in the freezer, ham's been ordered, trees are up, lights on, house decorated and music downloaded. Classes are over for the semester, meetings and parties finished, and there's enough snow to make it look pretty. Sigh! It's going to be a great Christmas!!
Joy to you and your family!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Time to Think


It's almost the end of the grand, glorious year that was 2010. Many of us made resolutions for the year.
Also, Many of us have had changes in our lives.
Some were decided by each of us, some were forced upon us.
Whether those changes were for the good or for the worse, 2010 is coming to a close. Before we make our list of resolutions for 2011, let's think about our lives this past year.
It's time to be thankful for what we have. Basic things like a home, a job, family, a car, heat, food.
Other things like scrapping supplies, internet, cell phones and going out for dinner.
And then there are the priceless gifts of good friends like those found here.
It's time to take out the trash, as well. Is there something in your life that is weighing you down? Causing added stress to your days? Hurting you?
2011 is a fresh start, a new year, full of changes, I'm sure. I would like a little more control over those changes.
If I can, I will make them happen.
If I can't, I will rise above the challenges and forge ahead.
I will look back on 2010 as a tutorial for things to come in 2011.
I will make my list of resolutions with an eye on the previous year, learning from my mistakes and courageously going where I haven't gone before.