Tree Is Down

Yesterday I took the Christmas tree down as it was completely dead. My hubby forgot to slice the bottom off before placing in the stand. Anyway packed away everything Christmas and got everything back where it belonged.
Does'nt take near as long to put the stuff away as when I had small kids at home and people to entertain. I did however go out the day after Christmas and pick up a fake tree for next year and there after along with some other Christmas stuff. Not quite the sales I would have thought out there so did'nt get much.
Now I sit and begin planning for snowmobile weather and family for the New Year is coming. I really need to start walking and walk off all the sweets I've tucked away the last few weeks. It amazes me now how I don't gain pounds but spread out like the dough boy. Guess that's what happens with age.
I look forward to spending some time with my granddaughter this week before she goes back up north to school. She will also be coloring my hair as I am not able to handle this much grey yet. Oh well, to each their own, right?
Happy New Year everyone!

Gifts For Giving

All of us chicks gathered today at MaryGail's house, which was so beautifully decorated in Christmas, for the wrapping of the gifts for our chosen family. There was a lay out of various cookies and treats for everyone to nibble while we visited and met another new member, Andrea, who joined us today. After a brief meeting and small talk, we all got down to business at hand. There were so many gifts to get wrapped with everyone stepping up to the plate and doing a wonderful job in making this a special day for the family.

We got everything boxed and ready to go to the Salvation Army tomorrow morning so it can be delivered to the family. I am so proud of everyone of us for doing an outstanding job. We really hope to be able to do this again next year.

Now we can step back, breathe, and enjoy our homes with family and friends and just take the time to relax and unwind from our last month of planning and doing.

Wishing everyone a very warm and Merry Christmas.

Sneaky But Sweet

After the delivery of the tree I went and picked up my daughter, Faith, and told her I was taking her to lunch for her birthday at Antonios, an Italian restaurant she loves. We get there and I begin taking presents and a cake from the trunk. Yes by now she is embarrassed and surprised. We go inside and there sits Cheryl and within moments all of the other girls show up. I totally surprised her which is not easy for me to do.

We had a wonderful lunch of spagetti and meatballs, salad and bread and topped it off with a delicious chocolate cake. She opened gifts and we all sang Happy Birthday.

I say your never too old to have a good surprise birthday party with family and good friends.

It just helps remind me I'm getting old. Love to my baby girl. You'll always be my angel.

Christmas Joy To Giving

It was so nice to see how excited the people who work at the Salvation Arm got when we delivered our tree and ornaments to our chosen family. It makes me want to do so much more and I feel so blessed to have found other women who have just as big of hearts with small pockets as so many of us do. It is truly amazing what can be done when you have others who can help. We will wrap our purchased gifts for the family on Sunday and deliver them along with the Christmas dinner on Monday to the Salvation Army.

Once we have completed our task we will take a break to enjoy our own families and celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Then we hope to pick a day all of us gals can get together for foot manicures, hand wax and massage and plenty of chick flicks and chit chat. Until then wishing you all a Merry Christmas and bless each day we have with friends and family.

Decorated Christmas tree

While waiting on my new stove I decided I really needed to clean house so amist all of the cleaning and moving stuff around and packing stuff away, I decided I might as well unload the containers of Xmas things I've had sitting on the kitchen floor for three days. It always takes me several hours to do the tree and other decor but love when its finished. Each year I put up less as there is no one but myself and my husband who ever see it. I use to have the most elaborate of Christmas's with every room in the house decorated and so many lights and animated characters around, it would take a week to put it up and to take it all down. So I really should'nt complain about a few hours of my time to enjoy the lights and decorations of Christmas today. I guess I just miss sharing it all with family and friends.