christmas observations

...Christmas cards are very expensive! $25.00 for 10???
.The Blind Side is a tear-jerker but very good
......working between Christmas and New Years stinks
..watching Pineapple Express and drinking mimosas makes working on Christmas Eve a little easier
....I will always wish for a white Christmas, but will probably never get it in this state
..while opening presents is not what Christmas is all about, if you don't do it, it doesn't feel like Christmas. There will be some tweeks to our new Christmas plan for next year.
.....standing rib roast is GOOD
...spending time with my family is the best

immanuel

Merry Christmas!
from
Teresa-Bug and Mason

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

empathy

found: here

On Tuesday I went for my regular eye exam. My family has what I call old peoples eyes in that when we hit 40 our eyesight tends to take a turn for the worse. Well, since I hit 40 this year, I figured I should go in. Keep in mind that I HATE having things put in my eyes. I am horrible with eye drops and really think God was watching out for me when he gave me good vision. I would never be able to handle contacts.
So in I went. They numbed my eyes, did the eye chart thing, dilated my pupils, looked behind my eyes, etc, etc, etc. It wasn't fun...but all checked out. I still have 20/20 vision. Not bad for an old lady, huh?
However, as I was leaving I had to pay. I had the hardest time finding my debit card, signing the piece of paper and then seeing when I went outside. I quickly walked in people with poor vision's shoes and I didn't enjoy it. It made me even more grateful for my good vision. I realize I will get the old people's eyes soon enough...but until then I will appreciate my perfect vision.

the process

I have sent Christmas cards out since I was in junior high. My parents owned a gift shop so I got them for free for many, many years. Obviously, the list of recipients has grown over the years, as has the process. I no longer get my cards for free and I have added a letter to the mix. A few years ago I decided I would make my own Christmas cards. So here is how this whole thing goes down...usually over the course of several months.

The first thing I have to do is decide what I want my cards to look like. I often begin thinking about it in January. This past year, I decided what I wanted to do and even cut out a part of it in January before I started working. I am not very creative {I can copy ideas well, though} so this is the hardest part for me.

So hear is the creative work in action. Note all of the Martha Stewart craft stuff from Michaels. Love this stuff!!! While this doesn't look like much, I had to make the cards from card stock, stamp the inside and sign them, glue the leaves on {that I cut out in January} and then do the glitter berries. I also had to address the envelopes and stamp them with my cute new return address stamp. Love it!

I also include a letter. I really am not one of those people who brag about their accomplishments all year {or at least I don't think of it as that}. But when I moved to Charlotte there were a lot of people that lived in other parts of the country and I wanted them to know what my new life was like. 16 years later, I still write the thing. In years past my friends have done things just to make Teresa's Christmas Letter and I often get emails after I sent it out saying 'I made it!'. While it has turned into sort of a joke, I have a feeling that if I just quit doing it my friends/family would think something was wrong. Of course, Mason is always mentioned! Last night I dug up the letters from the past 12 years and it was interesting to see my life in print.

Everything is ready to be assembled.

And ready to go the Post Office. It is quite a process and it took me too long to get it done this year. I am debating going to an After Christmas sale and just buying my cards for next year. That will make life a little easier. I love to receive Christmas cards and really do enjoy this process, I just wish I didn't wait until the last minute to get them mailed out. I am hoping they still have Christmas stamps at the PO.

longer days

found: here

December 21st is my favorite day of the year and it is also the shortest day of the year. That means that each day from now until June 21st get longer, a minute longer. That makes me happy.

decision made

I posted a few weeks ago about my need for a new planner. I had the hardest time making a decision this year. I wanted something cute, functional, simple, small, spiral bound, etc, etc. I also didn't really want to pay an arm and leg. After too much research I found the perfect choice! I ordered the Sarah Pinto horseshoe planner. It says 'this is my lucky year' and who doesn't need to have a lucky year? The inside is simple and useful and it is the perfect size! I am very pleased with my purchase!

everywhere you go

I almost didn't decorate for Christmas this year...almost. But my mom talked me into it and I am glad she did. I didn't really go all out, but a few touches here and there. I thought I would share some of my favorite decorations that go up every year.

one-I always put out candles in the windows. They are the first to go out and the last to be taken down. I just love the look of candles in the windows from both the inside and outside. It is so peaceful.
two-This is my advent calendar. My mom made this for our family and for both of my grandparents when I was little. My brother and I had to switch off putting an ornament on the tree and I always figured out who got to put the star on. I wanted to put the star on every year. This particular one belonged to Nana H. so she has a stocking with my grandpa's dog's name on it. She was a poodle and to this day I love poodles (and anything with poodle in it!). They remind me of my Papa.
three-My friend Amy made this angel tree topper for me many years ago. It will always go on top of my tree. I just love her ({Amy and the angel}.
four-Christmas cards on my hall table. I love to read these every year. Many of the pictures end up on my fridge for the year. I love to see how the families have grown.
five-Old ornaments. I have several bowls of these ornaments sitting around. They belonged to both of my grandmas. I think they are so pretty.

A couple of things that didn't get photographed are: My Christmas dishes. I have the holly dishes from Longaberger. These usually come out with the lights in the window because I love them. They are casual, yet can be dressed up too. My nutcrackers that Nana gave me. She used to collect them and several of them were gifts from Papa. I put them on my mantel and just love them. I also have a collection of Santas from her.

joy to the world

Last night my Bible Study friends and I went to the Billy Graham Library here in Charlotte. We had the best time! Billy Graham is an evangelist who grew up in Charlotte on a farm. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in high school and went on to preach the gospel on 7 continents to millions of people. He has advised many political leaders and prominent people. He is now 91 years old and lives in Montreat, NC in the mountains.

The library was built a few years ago in honor of Billy Graham, his wife Ruth Bell Graham and his 5 children {all of whom are in the a ministry of some sort...the most known one is Franklin Graham who founded Samaritan's Purse}. It is a beautiful place!! There is a barn which houses the bookstore, restaurant and tour of his life. The tour is SO well done and I learned so much about Dr. Graham and his family. The presence of God is felt throughout and I was very moved the entire the evening. There are screens playing Dr. Graham preaching at his crusades and man, was he a speaker!!! He has led so many people to Christ and you can see why when you hear his powerful words. His boyhood home is also on the property and you are able to tour the first floor that is decorated much like it was when he was young. Ruth Bell Graham is buried in the gardens, as well.

The library is opened during the Christmas season at night. They have a live nativity scene (with a real camel!), carriage rides, Christmas trees, some of the Graham family Christmas cards on display and lots of lights. It was cold, but so pretty!!! If you live in the area, I would highly recommend that you go. It will get you in the spirit of the season for sure!
We had the best time and I will go back for sure. We didn't walk through the gardens and I would like to do that during a warmer day. Fortunately for all of us, there is not cost to go. For more information on the library, Billy Graham and his ministries go here.

And the angle said unto them, Fear not: 'Behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy which will be to all people, unto you is born this day a
saviour which is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:11

Pictures: here

confession

found here

I have read on many, many, many blogs about the love of J Crew. There are entire blogs devoted to this store and many have nicknamed it J Crack. Martha had a fashion show with just the clothes from this store and even Michelle Obama wears these clothes. One would think I would jump on this bandwagon. I go to the store, look at the catalog and yesterday I went to the Clearance Store in Arden, NC. {There is a distribution center there and they have a small store selling clothing at a cheapER price.} But I always walk out there with nothing.
I have a confession to make.....I don't like J. Crew.
There I said it. It is way, way, way overpriced, the sweaters and tee-shirts are thin and the clothes don't fit me.
Moving on.

the things I do

I have mentioned before how much I love my cat, Mason. He is old, crotchity, picky, cuddly, cute, needy, loving and has been mine for 17.5 years. I have shared that we have been through illnesses, medications and many, many phases. Mason has been my million dollar kitty, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
On Saturday we went to the vet for his biannual exam. I really think that the doctor is surprised every time we make an appointment as he probably assumes every appointment will be his last. While Dr. Weaver is very good to Mason and I, Mason hates him. I have seen Dr. Weaver leave the room with my cat and come back with a growling animal and a stressed face. I don't ask what happened back there. It says all over his chart 'Special Care' and that is not referring to how he needs to be spoiled.
But spoiled he is, at home. I give Mason pricey medication twice a day. He sleeps on a sheep skin rug directly imported from New Zealand that has a heating pad underneath it. He gets fresh water twice a day and his kitty litter is cleaned out twice a day. He gets brushed frequently and will often have the computer pushed aside so he can rest comfortably on my lap. Yes, I did it, but he is spoiled.
So at the vet, Dr. Weaver said all was good. At this point Mason weighs 6 pounds less than he did at his peak and that has always baffled us. We have run blood tests and urine tests to see if there is something wrong, and their just isn't. We could do surgery on his intestines and bowels, but that would surely do him in. While we can assume that he has some sort of problem in that area, we don't know for sure. So Dr. Weaver suggested I purchase this:

This is venison and split pea hypoallergenic food to help digestive track. The above amount will probably last a month and cost $50.00. Yes, the cat eats better than I do.
This is what I do for my pet. I will always have one animal, because I can't afford to spoil more than that. It doesn't matter though, because Mason is going to live forever. Why would he want to leave this life?