dang ...my internet is acting up....on and off..on and off..sure hope it will hold till tomorrow evening...shesshhhhhh

but who's counting?

ugh......we are!!!!! Lol

One very busy day for me today.

The Annual Christmas Tree Hunt, decorating said tree, visiting Nicole who is slowly selling off her stash, hopefully a nap, then a Christmas Party.

Who do I send the empty bottles to after the party? It sounds like several of you have bottles trees planned for the new year.

Work tomorrow, then finally I can open my package.

Last week was tough, dh is having some health problems, but we do not yet know what is the cause. Coming home from Doctor's appointments or the Emergency Room, the package on the hearth gives me a warm feeling.

I hope everyone has a lovely day as they wait one more day to open their package.

For those who have not yet received their package, I can understand your disappointment. I waited extra long for my Ornament exchange, but it did arrive at last, just a bit later than I expected. And it was worth the wait.

'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch

The pond was froze over & so was the branch.
The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.
The kids were all home on vacation from school,
And happier young folks you never did see-
Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.
Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,
There came a surprise that gave them a shock!
The power went off, the TV went dead!
When Grandpa came in from out in the shed
With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.
"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.
"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.
Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."
"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,
And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."
The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.
Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,
Uncased his old fiddle & started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.
Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew
Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"
Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.
They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,
And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.
They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,
The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.
Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;
And when the kids wakened, the power was on.
"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"
Said Grandpa - & no one suspected his trick.
Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,
He had pulled the main switch - the old man, who thought of everyone!
-anonymous
Wishing you many hot cocoa mornings and firesky nights throughout
the new year!

I am currently working a craft show booth, and in the quiet moments I just keep picturing my SS box on my dining room table...taunting me from afar :P I've been pretty patient and busy, but this last day might kill me!

Yayyyyyy. I just keep looking at that box and touching it and once it had to be moved so I could vacuum.. AHEM, I heard something rattle...!!