Thursday, January 17, 2008

A perfectly good excuse...

I can remember- just faintly, mind you- of the days when things would get complicated and I would just soldier on. Apparently, my soldiering days are behind me! No more biting the bullet. Or forging ahead. Nope. I know when I've been outflanked and outgunned. Nina just waves the white flag and says, maybe tomorrow. And really, I can't get myself all worked up and feeling like a failure, either. Used to do that, too. And why? So that I could meet some arbitrary deadline that didn't suit me at all? Well, that just seems silly now that I am a bit older. And maybe wiser. Certainly, more realistic.

All that to say... this picture of the stuffed stockings, I took just last night. Yep, I did it again. Put off Christmas like a regular Grinch. I didn't intend to, but things kept popping up- like life, and I just wasn't ready and my sweet William wasn't ready... and I do believe I have been blessed with the most patient of children. They were... gently waiting. So, today it is. They dug into their stockings, this morning. (I guess that is a "sewy" project. A friend, a retired art teacher, gave me a bunch of upholstery samples. They weren't too big, but they made some adorable stockings. I just drew them out with a permanat marker and serged them up- cuts while you sew. too cool. I had all 10 made in about 2 hours. I miss that serger.) It's snowing. See? If everybody else had waited, they could have had a white Christmas, too! It's perhaps not ideal. The three oldest men of the house had to work, but they plan on making a short day of it. Apparently, we thrive on anticipation! And they'll be bringing Grandma by, if she feels up to it. "Mexican Goulash" instead of turkey or ham. It's just a big pot of thick chili, topped with cornbread. They like it with cornchips. And a Candybar cake. Keeping it simple, but everyone's favorite. I thought about taking the tree down, tomorrow, but I don't know... "New Years" could be just around the corner for me.



I thought I'd show you guys my new backsplash- don't I have the cutest handyman? My dad put this up for me while he was here, last week. It looks like pressed tin, but is really some kind of tough vinyl. I'm lovin' it and wishing he were still here!

13 comments:

McIrish Annie said...

wow,I love your approach to Christmas on your terms!! I would love to do that now if I can only get my hubby to be patient like your children.

Love your stockings. Don't have too much bubbly when you celebrate New Years' Eve!

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

I R-E-A-L-L-Y like your handyman! XOXOXO

atet said...

The stockings are great -- and ya know, I could have used a few extra days to prep for Christmas. I wonder if my family will buy it next year?

Darcie said...

I think that you're family is in the right frame of mind...and everyone else in this world has fallen into the calendaric (a word?...doubt it!) meaning of Christmas. It should be felt from the heart! So...you're right on target!

And New Years? It takes about a month until one remembers that it's a new year anyway, right?!

You can bring your handymany up here any day!!! I'd LOVE a backsplash like that!!! I've been trying to convince Todd that a steel sheet metal one would be oh-so cool. Guess I may just have to steal some steel from their race car stash...and maybe they'd take me seriously?! (Doubt it!)

Lots of Christmas hugs to you, my Nines!

Darcie said...

Oops. Not enough caffeine yet, obviously. That should read YOUR family...but you knew that, right?!

;-)

Julia said...

Well, as long as everyone in your family is ok with it, why not. Being since Christmas is Jesus' birthday and he wasn't really born in December, then I guess not following tradition is A.O.K!!!

I love your back splash. Aren't handy-daddy's just the best!!!!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Well Merry Christmas!

Cher said...

with all those December feasts..Christmas fits better in January at your house! love the knitted hats and the great stockings.
All the best to you and yours for 2008

Sue said...

Your dad could play George Bush in the movie!

Librarian Lee said...

At my house, we used to do 12 nights...stockings went up Christmas night, if I stuffed them cool, if not well...I kept everyone distracted and we actually opened them on 12th night. My family really enjoyed this time, aftr all the other hoopla was done and I never had to feel guilty about not "getting it all done."

julieQ said...

Fun! My son and I agree, Christmas is just a day, and can be celebrated any time with perfect glee! Looks like fun to me.

Julie

sewprimitive karen said...

Love the backsplash tiles (where did you get them?) and that IS a cute handyman lol.

Malagueta said...

I can't believe those are vinyl tiles. That is so cool!!