My grand children left today it was both sad and happy at the same time, loved seeing them but the two yr old runs non stop and has a high pitch squeal when he's happy that eventually gets on your nerves lol I love him to death but...glad the house is back just to the two of us. For the life of me I just couldn't get into it this year I don't know why, I had all these recipes that I wanted to do, I got one of them done and said I don't have the will power to do the others. Now we have a nice snow storm about to bury us in.

Nanamoms,

Our Christmas is always old fashion here. We made ornaments and I made 15 pr pj's Kids from 20- 8 love them. I made each kid their favorite cookies and one likes Sardines and one loves pickles so They were store bought Younger kids came from out of state to help decorate.

We had a traditional turkey dinner and the kids were great. We had a little friend 3 who's granpa was diagnosed with ternimal cancer. Not sure he will make it to next Christmas. So we will take care of her for her Mom when she needs us. I had uterin Cancer this year, Hubby almost died and now he has to have a Pitutary Tumor removed from his brain. We Love life even though our health is not great.

We filled my Dad's boat with fresh greens and decorated it with lights and Santa and candy canes. We are the biggest kids on the street. 64 and 70.

Try it next year It has always worked for us.

Misery loves company, they say. I was just telling my DH that I'm so glad it's over. in fact, we came home from son's a day early because I was so disappointed in his attitude I couldn't trust my self not to say something I would regret. I don't think I will ever get over his selfishness. Oh well. I raised him. But even I was shocked by him. I'm even thinking of cutting him out of my will, that's how much this affected me. Pity party over. Thanks for letting me vent.

AMEN! I would have been so happy to give all (of course, there's only 5 of us + 2 grandbabies) Gift Cards...A special gift to the youngin's and be done with it... Very stressful this year for some reason. I enjoy the decorations here at home, and making things but not all the stress!. Hope all has a nice start to the New Year.

I agree with Nanamoms...I too, cringed when I saw the first ads for Christmas. And I too, wish we could go back to simpler times....but aren't they much simpler if we realize WHY we celebrate? I made a vow to decrease the issues of gifting years ago...and surprisingly enough, I don't get faulted for my views. Maybe we need more of that and less of the crass comercialization we all despise?
I really believe in doing what you can for others all year round...

What kind of online sales? through ebay? etsy? the quilting board?

Oh Donna, so sorry to hear about losing your friend. That reflects on everything! I hope the visit with son and his family will be joyful. Just try and stay relaxed...not always easy, but helps with the stress!!

The season isn't over for my family as we celebrate Three Kings' Day on Jan. 6th. The Kings bring small gifts (ornaments). I do not get very much help preparing for the multiple celebrations at our house - every year I say never again but then I do it again because well I love it!

We don't take down any decorations until after 1/6. Even then we leave up any snowmen that don't have a Christmas theme until just before Easter!

I have to say that this year was a very hard Christmas for me. I had surgery for colon cancer on Nov. 1. Lucky me. Some time between recovery and a few days later (you know - when you are still groggy and everything is like a dream) I woke and saw a fog moving out of my vision. Then I saw footprints in sand and I felt God carrying me. I actually felt his arms around me. I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to sleep. Now some of you may be saying -- she's crazy -- but I promise you this happened. They removed about a foot of my colon and told me I was a very lucky woman because they got it all. My doctor recommended Chemo for precaution and I have had 2 rounds. The hard part is the first two days after I am very nauseated and don't feel like doing anything. So the 23rd. and 24th. were the pits. Bad part - My Christmas is on the 24th. Beginning with breakfast for about 25 kids, spouses, grands, and great grands. My children did all the cooking and all the cleaning. All that was left for me to do was enjoy. After breakfast I slept the rest of the day. I love Christmas and feel very fortunate to be able to say even with my ups and downs I am already looking forward to next year when I will be healthy. I am sad because for the first time since my Mom died 2 yrs ago I did not even go to her grave or place flowers there. Now that I am back to normal until the next treatment I plan on going tomorrow. I thank God for every day I have and for every child, and grandchild that I have. I have never felt so loved in my life. God is good!!!!! Haven't even had my sewing machine out for 6 months but hope to get started sewing again soon. Love reading all the comments and love looking at all the projects. Keep them coming it truly is a pleasure I enjoy.

To: VWQuilting

Reading your post I have a beautiful ornament that you might like to make (if you haven't already). It consist of a clear glass ball with white feathers in it. All you need is one of those feather bolero's. (It makes hundreds) Then add this poem. When my sister and I made these for our family, we personalized them by adding each individual's name - Dear_____. We then trimmed them and added a gold or silver trim around the edges of the card and tied it to the top of the ornament with matching gold or silver ribbon. If you have a problem trying to figure out what I've said let me know and I will try to take a picture of one and post it for you.

Dear ,
I’m an Angel feather
Sent from God with love.
To serve as a reminder
He watches from above.
I’m from your Guardian Angel
The Lord assigned to you
She dropped it in her struggles
As she protected you.
Each time you almost stumble
Each time you nearly fall,
Thank God and all his Angels
For answering your call.