Happy New Year!!!!

My prayer is that each and everyone of ya'll have a blessed New Year.  I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for all of us.  The prayers that will be answered.  The friendships that will grow stronger and new friendships to be made.  I'm not making any new years resolutions but I hope with God's grace to make some life changes.  More details of that in the coming days. 
Happy New Year my friends !!!!!!!!!

Last Random Dozen of 2009

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?  Not necessarily share a drink.  If one of the kids ask for a sip I might have let them have it but remind them not to backwash. 

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)  That some people just seem too stubborn to change.  While others that you never thought could change, did through the grace of God.

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations? We usually do it right after the New Year.  But what little I had out this year was taken down yesterday and all packed up ready to go in the attic until next year.


4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is: Just make it to the end of the year without going crazy will be wonderful.


5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?   I'm not crazy about winter to begin with.  Even though I'm hot-natured I like cooler weather not cold.  In which that is what we have most of the time, but this week is just plain out cold.  So where is the snow?

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales? No.  It's worse after Christmas than after Thanksgiving.  There's nothing I need that badly to fight the crazy people for.

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? Yes, we have church that night beginning at 9:00.

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?   Not sure its waiting on me.  But I do have two plans for the new year.  One, this weight is coming off, once and for all.  I have a daughter that's nine and a grandaughter less than a year old and they need me healthy.  The other is less stress, to try and stop worrying about things I can't change and leave them to God to change.

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.) Drama, there is always something crazy going on around here. 

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.   Way too much, between posting, commenting, and reading.  Probably when the kids are in school, and I'm alone some days almost 6 hours.

11. Who runs your household?   We both do.

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.  To see all of my family and friends, happy, healthy, and living for the Lord.

Thanks Linda for hosting this Meme this year.

Christmas 2009

Christmas has once again come and went.  I packed up all the decorations today and finally downloaded all the pictures.  Ours started the Saturday before Christmas when we traveled almost three hours to pick up Brianna and Kenneth my step-children, and then traveled another almost two hours to get to my father and step-mother-in-laws house.  After much eating it was time for the kids to open their gifts.

Makayla was so excited with her Project Runway Set.  It's a traditon there that when you turn 18 that's the last year you get a gift.  Therefore my step-mother-in-law makes a quilt for you.  This was Michael's year to get his.  He loves music, more specifically guitars.  Not many pictures, because everyone is opening their presents at one time.  It's one big whirlwind of paper and squeals.
This was Makayla Christmas morning opening her Wii.  She got so excited that when she hugged me so hard, I thought she was going to knock me down.   They were so excited that they almost forgot their stockings.

Then we were off to Megan, Denny's and Emily's.  Look who's already standing up for a few seconds on Christmas Day.  It won't be long now before she is taking her first steps, and then walking.

Caught Megan reading the manuel to her new camera.  Denny totaled surprised her with a new Nikon camera. 

This is my Mom.  We don't get many pictures of her because she hates for her picture to be taken.  Needless to say I had to sneak this one I'm sure she thought I was taking one, of one of the kids.  She would probably be devastated if she knew I put it on my blog.

Then Christmas afternoon we picked up Brianna and Kenneth and had Christmas all over again.

The following pictures were taken at my Mom's the day after Christmas.  I didn't get pictures of it because we were all so surprised.  But the journal jar that I gave her last year for Christmas.  As mentioned in an earlier blog, she has wrote her answers in books.  I have a second blog where I have been writing her answers because she gave me my book when she finished it.  But now each of my other four siblings also have one, her grandaughters have one, and even a sister-in-law that was once married to my oldest brother but has always remained a part of the family.  My book has been re-written because she said the more she has wrote the more she has remembered.  In which it has kept her memory sharp by doing this.  Also this year we did something we had never done at her house, we opened our gifts one at a time.  I think it was so much more fun that way.

Joy To The World

Merry Christmas to you and your families

The video of this one is absolutely awesome.  As ya'll know by now.  I love Christmas and Christmas songs. 

Top 20 of all time

Merry Christmas Troops

Thank you for your selfishness of giving so we can be safe with our families this Christmas.

Christmas Shoes

One more sad one today and then I will end it with a more joyful one.

Sometimes Christmas Makes Me Cry

I think I could listen to this one over and over and never get tired of it.  It brings back all the happy memories of  Christmas pasts. 

Finding my favorite Christmas songs this week, made me realize one thing I don't like about Christmas.  Only hearing the Christmas music from Thanksgiving to New Years.  Then it's all put away until the next year.  Such wonderful music to only be enjoyed for such a short time each year.  Kinda sad isn't it?

Merry Christmas with a Capital "C"

I haven't heard this one this year, but heard it plenty last year.  Most people seems to have gotten the message apparently.  I notice while shopping more people are saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays. 

Another one of my favorites this year..........Merry Christmas

I really enjoyed this video with this song.  This is another song that I have first heard this year and have just loved it.
This is truly what Christmas is all about.  Not the hustle and bustle, and going here and there.  But giving from your heart.   As a friend told me when anything becomes a burden then it's just not fun.  Christmas should be fun.  The look in the eyes of those recieving the gift should be priceless. 
Our gifts to Him may not be re-gifted, but are we giving Him our all.  He gave His all for us, and we should do the same for Him.

One of my New Favorites .......Merry Christmas

I have such a busy week.  I've decided to put a video each day of new Christmas songs that I have heard this year, and absolutely love.  Also I hope to post a couple of my candy recipes. 

I hope ya'll are all enjoying this Christmas season, and remembering the true reason we celebrate Christmas.  For God giving us the greatest gift ever.  Because without Jesus we have nothing. 

I can't believe it's been 15 years.

I've debated all day what to write about this.  But I can't get it out of my mind.  Fifteen years ago today we lost a very loving, caring, hard-working christian man.  This song "If You Could See Me Now.  We heard it on the way to his funeral, and I had never heard it before then, and haven't heard it since.  Other than when I looked it up on youtube.  It's a perfect song for my Dad.  Because he had Lou Gherigs Disease.  In which if your not familiar with it.  It's a disease that attacks the muscles.  His legs were the first to be affected, he went from a walker to a wheelchair.  Then it was his arms to finally the last week he was with us it affected his swallowing, and to the point of the last night he couldn't talk to us but in a whisper.
I can remember not long after I bought my first car.  He had fallen at work and broke his wrist.  In which we didn't know it at the time but most likely he already had the disease but we didn't know it.  Because that was the first of several falls. 
He was outside changing the spark plugs on my car and for some reason he went in the house.  When he came back out I had pulled all the covers off the plugs.  I thought I was helping him.  All he said was go see if your Mom needs you in the house.  He never scolded me for doing it and I didn't learn until years later that by doing it I wasn't helping him at all.
I know in my heart he's in a better place.  But I still miss him.  There's days I wish I could ask him for advice.  Because he was a very smart man.  He was quiet, and soft-spoken.  He wasn't one to express his emotions.  He never said I love you, but we knew that he did.  He never said anything bad about anyone.  I can't remember him ever raising his voice to any of us six kids.  And I'm sure we gave him plenty of reasons that he could have if he had wanted to.  I never heard him or my Mom argue.  I'm sure there were disagreements but they never discussed them in front of us. 
He rarely missed a day of work.  If he did then he was so sick he couldn't get out of bed. 
He was always there for us.  We didn't have the toys and electronics that the kids today have.  But we had what we needed.  
He served his church for many years and helped anyone that he could.
I miss him and love him , but I wouldn't want him to come back .  I would rather one day for us all to meet him in heaven.

Random Dozen Merry Christmas

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.  I've had it once and I really like it.  I keep saying every year I'm going to make a gingerbread house with the kids.  Maybe we will start small and make gingerbread cookies.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?
  I have always lived within an hour of most of my family.  Especially my parents.   And now that my oldest daughter has married, we moved closer to her.  In which were only fifteen minutes from her and her family.  And about 45 minutes from my Mom.


3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?  I guess Santa, because then I could make maybe somehow make sure every child has a memorable Christmas.


4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?  I couldn't think of one until I read some other answers.  Christmas with the Cranks.  Save all the money that is spent on gifts that we don't really need and take off for a few days.


5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?  I love Silent Night.  Not many that I can think of that I don't like.  Maybe any that has to do with Christmas and rednecks.


6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?  Nothing in particular.  As per an angel tree or salvation army.  More specifically if I know of someone in need I try to help.  Especially the children.  Adults understand but children doesn't understand why Santa forgot about them.


7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"
I wouldn't say upset.  More mad, aggravated, hurt.  The same as when you hear someone take God's name in vain.   Certain people have a bad habit of saying   OMG.  To the point of when they say it I ask them are they praying? 

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?  We have a Cantata at church this Sunday morning.  But that's about it.


9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?
I would love to have a white Christmas.  I know I'm a rarity.  But it usually is very warm here on Christmas.  My youngest daughter is nine and has never seen snow.  So just once a white Christmas would be nice.  Not much just enough to cover the ground.  I'm not choosy.  Chances that it will happen.  Only God knows.  It's in the 40s here one day and a couple of days later in the 70s so anything can happen.


10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.
The first one that comes to my mind is an easy-bake-oven.  Maybe that's where I got my love of baking from.  I later passed it on to a niece of mine.


11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?
none, zelch.  I don't work and the place where my husband works doesn't have them.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?
I make sure the kids know the true meaning of Christmas.  That it's not about the gifts, or Santa Claus.  But it's about Jesus that was born in a manger, died on a cross, and rose again so that we can live forever with him.  I had never heard it but our Pastor asked us Sunday if we knew why he was born in a born.  Because where else should a lamb be born.

Winners, winners, and more winners

First, I want to say thank you to all who have entered my giveaways.  I hope everyone has had as much fun as I have.  They say you live and learn.  Well I have learned that entering giveaways is fun, and hosting giveaways are fun.  But I wouldn't want to do giveaways everyday.  I don't believe that is the purpose of my blog.  Because as some has said if it's not fun and becomes a burden then it's not worth it.

Next, thank you to all the Etsy stores that contributed.  I couldn't have done the giveaways without them.  I'm leaving all their links on my right sidebar until Christmas.  I hope ya'll will visit them often.

Okay now the winners.

The winner of the 2010 desktop calendar is LV.  If you would send me your mailing address and I will get it to Jill so she can get your calendar sent out to you.

Next, is the winner of the yarn Christmas coasters is Debby @Just Breathe.   Please send me your mailing address and I will get it to Lily so she can get these sent out to you.

Last is the winner of the Key Fob, in which is Debbie @ Heart Choices.  I will be sending her your email address and she should be in touch with you soon.

Congratulations to all these winners.

Then as I promised for those that  blogged about my giveaways and/or put my button on their blog.  Thank you all so much for helping me to promote these giveaways.  The winner of that giveaway is    The imPerfectHousewife .  Please send me your mailing address and I will get that out to you.  A few of my favorite things.  In which of course will include some chocolate somewhere in the mix.

Winners of Gift Certificate and Vinyl Lettering

Sorry it has took me so long to post the winners.  My Mom showed up  unexpectedly this afternoon and we just got back from shopping, and dinner.

The winner of the $20.00 gift certificate is Becki.  I will be sending Liz your email address and she should be in touch with you soon.

The winner of the Vinyl Lettering is Michele P.  Please email the address you would like it sent to.

Congratulations to both Becki, and Michele. 

Thank you to all who have entered my giveaways.

Personalized Key Fob Giveaway (winner's choice)

Last giveaway for the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.  This one is for winner's choice of a key fob.

What better way to say “MY KEYS” than with a fun and preppy key chain.

This is perfect for a teen, a Mom, even a teacher. 
Anna has agreed to making this the winner's choice.  You can choose from the many ribbons she offers and she will personalize it also.
Since this giveaway is winner's choice.   For your mandatory comment you must go to Anna's store and tell which one you would choose if you won.

This giveaway will end Sunday December 13th at 3:00 EST

2010 Desktop Calendar Giveaway

Have you bought your calendar for 2010 yet?   It will be here soon, less than 3 weeks.  This giveaway is for  this stand-ing  desktop calendar. 

**Each month is printed on separate sheets of 100# Cardstock paper


**Calendar is approximately 4.25x5.5 inches

**The case transforms into an easel display, keeping your months organized and on display.



PERFECT CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFERS
 
Jill also has her own blog so check it out.  Leave her a comment if you have time.  Because as all bloggers know we love comments.
 

Now for your entry to this giveaway.  Mandatory that you must visit Jill's store and leave a comment of something else she sells.
 
This giveaway will end on Sunday December 13th at 1:00 EST

Set of 3 Christmas Coasters Giveaway

Can ya'll believe this is already the 12th day of giveaways?  I have had alot of fun doing them.  Meet new bloggers, and non-bloggers that have entered these giveaways. 
This giveaway is for a set of 3 Christmas Coasters.  If your like me you decorate all around but never think about something as simple as coasters.

These coasters are crocheted using plarn. Plarn is yarn made with plastic shopping bags. This is Lily's way of "going green" She used some christmas themed yarn to make them a bit more sturdy!! Great for decorating your house during Christmas or as a gift!



One mandatory entry, you must vist Lily's store and tell one other thing that she sells other than the coasters.

Two More Winners ...............

I had this scheduled to post at 6:00.  Just checked it and it didn't post for some reason.
The first one is Hope.  She's the winner of the wonderful Christmas Basket.  Congratulations Hope, I'm sure you will enjoy it. 

Next, the winner of the Sugar Plum Cupcake Suncatcher is Anna Petry.

Congratulations to both of these winners. 

Vinyl Lettering Giveaway

twiceasnicelettering  is offering one lucky winner this  "Welcome" door vinyl lettering.   I like it but I have a storm door at my front door so you wouldn't be able to see it.    I would love to one day put a phrase one on my living room wall.  If and when I ever get it painted.  I want brown or dark green, but my husband would be happy if every room was painted white.  Boring!!   LOL  

So once again one mandatory entry, you must go to twiceasnicelettering and leave a comment telling of one other thing she sells that I haven't mentioned.

This giveaway will end Saturday December 12th at 5:00 PM EST

$20.00 Jewelry Gift Certificate Giveaway

Can you believe this giveaway?  There's going to be several pictures because she has such beautiful jewelry.

Liz is offering one lucky winner a $20.00 gift certificate to be spent in her etsy store iluvpearls ,.  This doesn't include shipping so please take that into consideration when choosing.

But most of her jewelry is $15.00 or under so the hard part will be choosing from her beautiful jewelry. 

So for your mandatory entry you must go to Liz's store and leave a comment that if you won this gift certificate what you would spend it on.

This giveaway will end Saturday December 12th at 12 noon EST.

Two more winners

The winner of the Embroidered T-shirt is Jamee.  Congratulations Jamee!!!!!   I will be emailing Tina and she will be in touch with you shortly to find out what size you need and where to send it.












Also the winner of the beautiful wooden ornament is The Church Lady.  I will be emailing Dawn and she should be in touch with you soon.

Congratulations to both of these winners.  Thank you to all that have entered my giveaways.  Two tomorrow, and three for Saturday.  So keep watching.  You don't want to miss any of them.

Sugar Plum Cupcake Suncatcher

This cupcake is Barbra's  version of a "sugarplum." It is a chocolate cupcake created in glass--just what dessert lovers everywhere have been dreaming of because there are no calories!! Of course, you can't eat this version, either, but it would be a beautiful holiday decoration or a great addition to a cupcake collection.

Barbra's  sugarplum is 4-1/2 inches high by 3-3/4 inches wide, and has an attached hanging loop on top of the bright red cherry. The "cake" is a stripey German chocolate color with creamy pink and ivory vanilla stripes of "icing" that drips over one side. Looks good enough to eat, but you can enjoy it for a lifetime!

Barbra is offering one lucky winner this suncatcher. 
One mandatory entry you must visit Barbra's store and tell something else that she sells in her store.

This giveaway will end on Friday December 11, 2009 at 6:00 PM EST

Christmas Basket of Goodies

This is another giveaway I am so excited to be participating in .  Because it's another one anyone can use.Young or old, man or woman.  It's a basket with the following items included.

2 Christmas note pads w/covers and

4 Santa clothespins from The Christmas Shoppe


2 Dip Mixes from Country Girl Spices

A packet of Christmas tags from Ribbonsetc

Not only does Patricia have aChristmas Etsy Shop, she also has a shop for gifts, and a shop for ribbons and accesories.  Her daughter has  two shops, and one of her grandaughters also.  They all do beautiful work. 
Patricia also blogs and just recently returned from a cruise.  I'm so envious.

So trust me you could get lost in looking at all her goodies in her shops.  But don't take my word.  Because for your entry you must go to one of her shops  either the ChristmasShoppe   ribbonsetc or  the Dutchess Collection and tell one other item that she sells.

 One and only entry, from now on.  Everyone is so busy and it gets so confusing.  As they say you live and learn.

Giveaway will end at 12 noon on Friday December 11th  EST.

Personalized Wooden Christmas Ornament (Winner's Choice)

I am so excited about this giveaway.  Dawn has the cutest wood ornaments.  And she has one for  anyone. 

This one is for a child's teacher.  I haven't asked her but you could probably put your child's name on the back of it so the teacher would always remember who gave it to them.

Then of course I had to put the snowman one on here.  Because I love snowmen.

I am so amazed at the talent that some people have.  Makes me want to get busy after the first of the year learning to do some of these things I have seen in these Etsy stores.

One for a Baby's 1st Christmas and it also comes in blue of course.  Or there's Baby's 1st Christmas with a gingerbread boy.

Even one for your pets.

Or if you, or someone you know has gotten married this year.  Perfect ornament for the newly married couple.

Dawn has agreed to give one lucky winner their choice of a beautiful wooden ornament.

To enter you must visit Dawn's store and leave a comment saying if you won, which ornament you would choose. 

Giveaway will end Thursday December 10th at 6:00 EST

We have two winners........ Winner's Choice Photo Card Design and Origami Christmas Ornament

First congratulations to Kat, she's the winner of the Photo Card Design.    I will send Lindsay your email address and she should be in touch with you soon.










2nd Winner  is Jennifer.  She's the winner of the Origami Christms Ornament.  I will send Melanie your email address and she should be touch with you shortly.


Again, congratulations to both of these winners.  Thank you to all who entered.  I know it's a very busy time for everyone.  You should see the laundry I have stacked up waiting to be folded.

Next giveaway is for another ornament.  This one is made out of wood.  So stay tuned.

Embroidered T-Shirt Giveaway

Do you have a girl that would love to have this shirt?  Tina is giving one lucky winner this t-shirt.  It comes with the snowman on it in the winner's choice of size and personalization.  All of my Christmas decorations is snowmen, and I have even gotten Megan started with snowmen.  Their so non-traditional.  This t-shirt could even go through January.  So it wouldn't be a shirt that would be worn just Christmas and then put away.

My comments have dramatically declined for my giveaways and I don't know if they are too much of a hassle, or everyone is burned-out on giveaways.  I don't know how anyone could get tired of a giveaway.

Therefore I am changing the format and I hope it doesn't hurt these giveaways even more. 

From here on out only one mandatory comment.
 You must visit Tina's store   and tell one other item that she sells.

Simple right so this giveaway will end Thursday December 10th at 12 noon EST.