Here are pictures from Christmas at the Creek House…

Ian bought his Christmas gifts before he came home.  And, he decided to go to Baby’s R Us to get something for Suzanne.  He obviously had fun looking around, and he told me it was surprising all the things that they made for babies now.  We all got a big laugh when Suzanne opened her gift from him!  He wants Little Levi to wear this often!

He loves sweet little John Thomas, and the feeling is certainly mutual.  Hopefully he is learning some good skills to use when Levi gets here.

John Thomas was such a joy to have around on Christmas.  We all had fun with him and he was so good.  His very smart Mom and Dad have wisely made music a part of his  life every day…and he loves it!  Actually, when he hears music, he begins moving his hands up and down like he’s leading music.  No, he doesn’t even know about that, but that’s what it looks like to us!  Almost as an afterthought, I got him this little snowman.  He sings and sways as he sings Deck the Halls.  Great idea, Tonja!  Let me just say that if you hear Deck the Halls 1329 times in one day, it begins to get a little weary…but he loved it every.single.time.

Ian has been the official turkey carver for the past several years.  But, this year, he said it was time for Alex to learn.  So, here those 2 clowns are…in MY aprons…carving our Christmas Turkey!

Here’s Joy and John Thomas

Finn wanted to join in on the fun…

And, let me show you my favorite gift from the day.  It is from Alex.  This is one of my personal mottos…and he has observed it through the years.  Thanks, Alex…I love it

The Owens’ Family…..

The McKibben Family…..

The Cousins……….

Wish I knew how to make those last 3 larger.  Sorry.

On Christmas Eve, it is our tradition to have a meal of boiled shrimp and cheese biscuits.  This year, Don also got lobster claws and crab claws.  Suzanne is not a big seafood fan, and it really is not my favorite.  So, I made she and I some potato soup.  Here are the boys chowing down.  I don’t know why it required so much mess on the island!

Tonja…Pop…Joy

Tina and Patty came  over on Christmas Eve and helped me with a few things…..I love these 2 girls!

Ian woke me up on Sunday morning to say “see you later”…

Don has a few words of wisdom for him to mull over on his trip home….

He pulls out of the driveway, looks back to wave once more, and sets his sights toward Birmingham.  Don and I head inside…..he to read the paper,  me back to bed.  And, this ends the Christmas doings for 2010.

But, it’s not really over , is it?  Not until every Santa,  elf, wreath, ornament, garland, tree, candle, holly, wrapping paper, bow, ribbon, and beautiful angel is put away to wait for next year. 

 Oh, and those little ornament hooks, you know the small ones?  They have a way of hooking themselves on to the bottom of couches and rugs and pillows and…….

I do not mind staying in the bed, IF I am sleepy…or IFI have a book…or the computer.  I can not just lay there and be still and quiet.  Too many thoughts running through the brain with nowhere to go.  If I have a great idea…it gets lost and I can’t find it again.  I’ll remember that I had a great idea…but not what it is.  Isn’t that ridiculous?  And, frustrating…very frustrating.

So, when I wake up at 4:47 or 5:22 or 3:23…I get up.  First to the kitchen to get a little something to eat.  If I use the microwave…I have to push the door to verrrrry carefully.  Then watch the numbers and pop the end button before the 5 dings that signal the food is warm.  Those dings sound all through the house.  Don hears them and is not happy in the least.  Finn hears them and thinks a bandit is breaking in and announcing his arrival with dings.  Alex never hears anything.

I take my food into the studio, usually…and watch the news.  Fox News is always on, with perky people looking fresh as a daisy telling the world what happened while we slept.  J*y Beh*r reruns are also on early too…but she just makes me ill.  She is so negative about everything, and really refuses to see another side of a situation, other than her own.  To be truthful, she is better on her own show that she is on The View.  I really want to ring her neck when I see her on The View.  Not that I condone violence.  I’m just saying…  BUT  if I time it just right, I can watch a whole Joyce Meyer message.  I really like to hear her speak, as she hits you right where you need it.    And, she is a much better person for me to listen to.  She has lived a hard life and come through the other side.  I would love to hear her in person one day.

Today, however, I went into the  living room and sat next to the Christmas Tree.  It stands there. in the corner…shining its heart out.  The sweet angel, that belonged to my Mom, continues to stand guard over the house.  At the moment, it is in the highest position in the house, looking down on all that is happening in the lives below.

And,her gown!  Oh, her gown!  It is made up of every color in the spectrum!  In the form of beautiful mercury glass ornaments.  They are wired to the tree to keep them safe.  And, there is not an empty space on the 10 foot tree.  Originally, when I started to collect mercury glass ornaments…they were hard to find.  And, as such, my collection grew slowly.  I was always on the look out for some and found them in the strangest of places.  Then, I suppose, the world heard about me collecting them and decided to copy me and collect them, too.  So, they began to be manufactured by several companies.  Some are as light and fragile as an empty egg shell.  Other ones, which I prefer, are very substantial.  You really feel the weight when you hold them.  Then, you know you have the more authentic ornaments.  I started with only the silver…which is still my preference, but as the tree is so tall…I had to get it filled up.  And so, I started grabbing colored ones, too.

  The first Christmas that we were in the Creek House,  Alex gave me 3 of the most beautiful large red ornaments. 

 There is such depth and mystery to them…almost as if there is something magical hidden deep inside.   Who knows?  Maybe they are just filled with the ‘magic of Christmas’.

Here are some of the different sizes and textures, as well as colors.  But, many more colors than shown.

 Standing so regal, there in the corner, she wore the most beautiful presents as her shoes. And, oh what a beautiful throw in shades of red and blue and yellow, lay there to keep her tootsies warm when the cold breezes blew. “Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue…” and all the other colors, too!  But, now on this day, December 28, she stands in bare feet.  The hard, green legs of the tree stand, the only bit of color there. 

 And, as soon as I get some new boxes, the lights will go out and the ornaments will come off .  Then someone taller and stronger than I, will separate it into 2 parts and put it in its bright red bag.    The lights stay on.  That is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

A Christmas tree is meant to be a festive accent in our rooms as the presents we will share wait underneath.  But, when the presents are gone…its job is done for the year.  It looks a little forlorn standing at attention, when its work is over.  So, I shall work quickly to get it to its resting place.  Then it can hibernate until it’s called into duty again 11 months from now.

1.  Christmas Eve was a fun gathering.

2.  Christmas Day was a wonderful.   Even with me cooking!  All family was here!

3.  Rested all day yesterday and most of today.

4.  Will catch up soon.  I just need to take a couple days.

5.  Happy 2011 !!!!!

6.  I’m trying to think of another name to call our town.  Cause Dothan is NOT supposed to be this COLD!!!

“If you aren’t on the nice list by now, it’s probably too late. Sorry.”

CHRISTMAS EVE’S EVE LAMENT

“The gift shopping’s finished,

The wrapping?  Just some.

The menu is planned,

Grocery shopping?  Not done…

The house is all ready…..

but I’m in projects knee deep;

Oh, please, may I…please, can I,

add some days to this week?”

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTMAS 
Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, What’s your name?”
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name,
 He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows
 how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry”
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa’s little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.                        copied

And one more to smile on…..

There once was a little boy who loved to sit and listen to his grandmother tell him stories from the Bible.  He paid very close attention, and drank in all she taught.  One  day he came up to her as she was washing the dishes and said, “Grandmother, can I ask you a question?”  Drying her hands, she looked at him and said, “Of course you can.  What would you like to know?”  “It’s about the Christmas story, ” he said.  “I was just wondering which of those virgins is the mother of Baby Jesus?”  She thought surely he must have misunderstood something she said, and was about to explain it again when he said, “Is it the Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?”

I had big plans for today.  So much to do…and time is not going to stop for me.  However, my body would not cooperate with me today, so, I’ve spent it on the couch instead.  To pass the time, I’ve taken a little trip through the Internet.  Somewhere along the way,  I ran across these old ads.  I thought they were a hoot!  Couldn’t get away with running some of these today!  Enjoy!

Remember the days when you would gather your extended family and go look at typewriters?  🙂

Already wrapped in a beautiful gift box for your convenience!  Now, will someone please unwrap Santa?

I sincerely hope Mom and Dad don’t expect all 5 boys to share just one bike!

Have you ever tried to iron while sitting?  Could be why the Rid-Jid company went out of business so soon!

I would have been happy with one of these.  Wait a minute!  I HAD one of these!  Really!

We had a big white Plymouth Fury…but I don’t remember ever getting this excited about it!

So glad these went out of style before I was old enough to wear them…I’m afraid my OCD tendencies would have run wild trying to keep the seams straight!   But, cute shoes!

Two front teeth?  That’s all?  Sure?

I can assure you this would NOT be a beautiful way to say ‘Merry Christmas” at my house.

And remember…”Always use Christmas Seals.”