Would any of you...

Ever like to meet up as a group?

I'm generally pretty anti-social. Not on purpose or anything, it just seems to work out that way. I guess I'd just about rather hole up in my house than be anywhere else. You know, at parties, I hug the wall. But for you fine people, I'd actually put pants on and pack a suitcase.

Anyway, maybe I'm just dreaming here, we do come from all over the map. (Yikes, Berries!) But maybe we could pick some far off date (so that we could all save up) and some central location. (Nebraska? LOL)

I'm addressing this to "all" of us. Followers, authors, and friends that don't get to hang here much anymore.

I've never been really interested in going to one of the blogging conferences but something like that with all or some of you could be super fun!

Just somethin to chew on. Happy New Years, friends!

The fainting tree

Trees DO faint- if they are bumped really hard.

This is how it went:

7yo: "Mom, I just learned what happens when you do a 360 off the coffee table & land in the Christmas tree! It hurts!"
Me: "Whoa!! Are you OK? Don't do that again!! You could have knocked the tree over!!!!"

7yo went back to her dancing, I went back to my paperwork (or whatever it was I was trying to do at the time...)

One minute later:

THE TREE FELL OVER.

I did NOT get a picture of the tree, only this one of the pile of ornaments that ended up on the floor (ignore the scissors & stuffed moose- they were not on the tree)

My daughter thought the tree looked like it fainted! (I'm just glad I didn't.)

But, I didn't panic, I just raced over to set the tree back up. Then, I noticed the dirty tree water was dumping onto the battenburg lace tree skirt and the carpet AND the tree would just not stay up, no matter what I tried-- THEN I started to sweat a little. Add to that, the oldest yelling at the youngest something about not dancing next to trees. And, the middle being the man-- tying the tree (with some thick UGLY strap he found in the workshop) to the picnic table through the open window (on the 17degree windy porch) making me VERY cold (which btw could be another post: I literally had 4 shirts on [&2 hoods] yesterday and a scarf in my kitchen. I have never felt so cold in my life! and that is with the heat on!)

So, after lots of work- the tree was up again BUT no one wanted to decorate it! The pile of ornaments stayed right there on the floor for 24 hrs. until I finally did it myself.

I have to say, I'm actually kind of glad it happened, though. :) I had not decorated the tree at all the first time b/c the kids were so happy to do it themselves- I stayed busy with other decorating (or bills or whatever) SO,,, when I sat by the pile of ornaments (alone) with my Christmas music playing- I actually cried as I thought about my grandmother who passed away in February. She gave me an ornament every Christmas... She made Christmas day SUPER special for us when we were kids & I'm gonna miss her being there this year. It hadn't really hit me until that moment.

I will insist we tie the tree next year. Believe it or not, this is NOT the first time our Christmas tree has fallen over. I know. that is just kinda stupid. ;)

I don't know what's gotten into me lately...

But I've been very close to UNLEASHING a couple of times lately. Snarky is not my nature. Happy and with a strong desire to make sure everyone feels loved and important... THAT is my nature... So what is up with me lately? I'd give more details, but I like you guys and I don't want you to think I'm horrid for feeling the way I have been lately.

Dude!

Watch this, totally - beware, though, it's Youtube crack, you won't be able to stop once you start.

Totally kid safe, except for a randy sheep named Frederick (he's not in this episode, I think it's episode 5). You'll have to decide for yourself if it's a conversation you're prepared to have with your five year old. I told mine Frederick was in love. That's all I'll say.

Enjoy! Then go kiss your washing machine. And hug your refrigerator. Amen.

Blue, blue Christmas...

I think this must be what Elvis meant when he sang about those blue snowflakes. I prefer a Christmas of white... :)