Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry and joyful Christmas. I am incredibly grateful to the friendships this little blog has allowed me with people that I would not otherwise have met. In times of great sadness, heartache and disillusionment, I shared my true thoughts and feelings and was always met with encouragement, hugs and support. I know most of my readers found me because of my stitching but to those that stuck through the personal posts and rallied, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement kept me plugging along, allowed me to regain my footing, put myself out there, fight for and find myself again. I couldn't have done it without you.
And even though I don't have a man in my life to ring in the New Year, I am amazingly content in the knowledge that I am the Valerie I want to be (+10 pounds and a couple of other things but whatever) and am looking forward to the adventures and friendships I will make and encounter in the coming year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. May it be everything you wish it to be.
After being Ms. Scroogette for the past couple of years, I decided early on, even before Thanksgiving, that I was getting a real Christmas tree this year. This was my year and gosh darnit, I'm having a tree! No little 5 foot fiber optic this year either. So I planned ahead and tried to pair my schedule with a friend of mine who I knew wouldn't balk at the request of carrying a 6'+ tree up 50 stairs and decorating it with me. You know...those types of friends are rare! Since our schedules are opposite, I took the day off during the week and we made a big day of it.
So, on a Thursday, after a yummy breakfast at an old-style pancake house, we headed to Home Depot. It's the most cost-efficient place to get a tree around here and I'm trying to do holidays on a budget. The bad thing about this plan is that Home Depot kind of piles up the trees and it's hard to take a gander without pulling trees out of the pile. Lacking upper body strength, especially after not being diligent about the gym, I about toppled over a few times. Wow, some of those trees were really heavy! I found a tree that we both approved of, as did some shoppers near us. After that, I was kind of scared to let go of the tree! No lady, you can't have this tree...it's mine! They did their fresh cut and wrap it in plastic bit and we somehow managed to get it to fit inside the CR-V and away we went.
My friend managed to get the tree up the stairs, without my help or being out of breath! I have no idea how he does it! In my excitement to have a real tree...I forgot what a biyatch it can be to get the tree to stay up straight in the tree stand! It took about three tries and a lot of cursing. Thank goodness for the Christmas carols on the radio because it's hard to stay mad when you're also trying to sing along to carols! The problem was that the trunk was cut too short so it wouldn't hit the sharp edge on the bottom to help hold the tree steady and the trunk was so soft because the tree was definitely fresh...and sappy. And I didn't want to cut the branches on the bottom since they created a lot of the fullness to the tree. It took some doing and we made it work. I thought it was a success when it stayed up the first night since it almost toppled over while we were decorating it. Ack!
Lights, ornies and star! Ta-da! I am in love with my tree. I am oftentimes tempted to leave it on overnight but then I remember I live in an old building with old wiring and don't want to tempt the fates. So I enjoy it as much as possible when I'm home. I also uncovered some treasures when going through my Christmas boxes. Here are a few things I hold dear.
Fat Santa. Dear Fat Santa, I've been a very good girl. Can you please send me the winning lottery numbers? NO!? Well, it's a good thing you're cute. Some ornies that have been gifted to me... Mirabilia's Christmas Elf Fairy Some knick knacks Santa Snoopy and Reindeer! The stocking my first boyfriend made me by slipping away from me at Albertson's to buy it and glitter gel to add my name many, many moons ago and a little reminder that this is my christmas and I'll make it merry in my own little ways. And a splotchy pointsetta to adorn my very cluttered kitchen table. Don't look too closely! There you have it. My pretty tree and modest decor. All these little things make me happy and smile. I'm very happy I decorated...even if the tree almost killed me! But I think we have a truce and she is certainly adorned and loved.
I've tried to stop by and wish everyone a personalized Merry Christmas on their blogs but I know I missed many and am behind on emails. So please accept my sincere wish that you and yours have a wonderful Holiday. May your day be merry and bright!
When I was visiting my sister and family in Dallas, we went to go see the ICE show at the Gaylord Texan. I didn't really know what to expect other than the theme this year was A Charlie Brown Christmas and it would be cold. Ice, you know. Seemed appropo to go since I've been immersed in all things Peanuts at the moment.
The Gaylord Texan is a huge resort-like hotel. There was lots of walking to get to the area where the show was. The whole time we were walking, I was wondering how I was going to stay warm in an ice show. The Gaylord provides you with a garmongous unattractive parka. I was still a popsicle when I left the show. Wow, it was cold. But they do tell you they have to keep the temperature between 9-18 degrees. They also say that they fly in a team of ice carvers from China and they sculpt the ice into the displays in the show. It's very impressive!
And we finally got inside the show.
And the ice display begins...these photos are just some...there was lots more but some areas were so crowded, it was hard to take decent photos.
This was one of my favorite scenes
The platform that Charlie Brown is sitting on are 4 ice slides that you can slide down. Cristina went down the slide and had fun although it was a little hard to actually slide, she said. I passed...didn't want to get frostbite on the buns! Yay! Linus and his little piano! Kind of hard to see but this is a nativity scene sculpted and made entirely of ice.
Even the wreath is made of ice.
It was a fun time! I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow! I'll be back with at least one more post.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Part 2 will be postponed til tomorrow. Too many vodka sodas/martinis last night. Oy! I'm getting to old for anything beyond a glass of wine these days.
Tonight, I'm heading to see The Shop Around the Corner at the lovely classics theater nearby. Natasha agreed to join me so should be fun! A little Jimmy Stewart to set the tone over the next few days. So picture fixing will have to wait til tomorrow...
When I was a little kid...a long, long time ago...each Christmas I would dig out my parents' Bing Crosby White Christmas record. This gigantic LP...that I played on my tiny Fisher Price record player. And I would play it over and over and over again. I think because it was the only Christmas album we had in English. I think my favorite song on this album was a White Christmas. Living in San Francisco, there is no snow. And if on the rare occasion there is snow, it doesn't stick. So as a kid, having a White Christmas sounds exciting and I wished for one each year. I mean, there was snow in just about every Christmas movie I watched...couldn't there just be snow here?! But there has yet to be a White Christmas. One day, I will treat myself to a White Christmas in New York (hopefully), when I can invest in some snow appropriate attire and not risk freezing my buns off!
I've been enjoying the snowy picturesque scenes that everyone has been posting on their blogs recently. They are lovely. I know that with the lovely-ness comes the possibility of being snowed in, the power going out, shoveling and treacherous driving conditions. But all I see is lovely expanses of snowy wonder.
For being such a Snoopy/Peanuts fan, I've never really watched any of the specials or movies. I am a fan based solely on the comic strips. I loved reading the comics as a kid. I actually liked reading the paper. And on Sunday, forget it! I was in comic strip heaven!
The other day, I flipped the channel and they were showing A Charlie Brown Christmas so I watched it...well, most of it...
And it starts like this...
Narrator: It was finally Christmastime, the best time of the year. The houses were strung with tiny colored lights, their windows shining with warm yellow glow only Christmas could bring. The scents of pine needles and hot cocoa mingled together, wafting through the air, and the sweet sounds of Christmas carols could be heard in the distance. Fluffy white snowflakes tumbled from the sky onto a group of joyful children as they sang and laughed, skating on the frozen pond in town. Everyone was happy and full of holiday cheer. That is, everyone except for Charlie Brown.
Charlie: (to Linus) I think there must be something wrong with me. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I might be getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.
Linus: Charlie Brown, you are the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy is right. Of all of the Charlie Browns in the world, you are the Charlie Brownest.
Hmmmm, does this mean I am like Charlie Brown? Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas.
It puts things into perspective some don't you think?
Very little stitching in my corner of the world. The kitten search has been slightly traumatic and I'm going to take a couple of days off from that at the very least. My search only bore the lesson that I am better off dealing with the shelter. The people there are pleasant and nice and don't pressure you to change your views or talk you into kittens or cats you don't want or aren't sure you do want or tell you a bunch of horror stories. My experiences with rescue organizations has been pretty crappy so far. Enough to have my anxiety shooting through the roof. And even though I was on track for an adoption, I couldn't deal with the hard sell tactics. It was like I was buying a used car instead of adopting a kitten and providing it a good home and a loving environment. I know the right kitten is out there for me. I'm not going to be pressured into the wrong situation. And I feel like I will know when it's right. Just like I felt it was right with that cute orange tabby that got away. For the moment, all the excitement has been sucked away by the hard sell.
That's ok though because I have stitching to do and fabric to fondle and threads to choose.
Tomorrow comes part 2 of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Once I untangle myself from the giftwrap, tape and ribbons...stay tuned.
It's dark and gloomy and rainy in my little corner of the world. It would be very conducive to stitching if I wasn't on an organizing bender. So no stitching photos. I've barely made any progress on Mary but I suppose that some stitches are better than none. I did realize that I need to tone down the stashing! I've gotten most in it's proper place and my 5 drawer stash cart is fit to burst! I may need to buy an add-on drawer soon. I do realize I need to purchase some darker fabric for ornies...I need to find some that will be good for ornament stitching and will be good to showcase snowy scenes/snowmen. If you have any color suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
So I have nothing to show and all I've done is organize...which is a big yawner to talk about. I'm going to share another carol.
If you haven't seen it, you should check out Nicole's finish of Shepherd's Bush Holly and Ivy. She did a terrific job with it! When SB first came out with this, I had to hold myself back. Considering my insurmountable stash, I'm glad I did but every time I see this design, I start to hum.
Holly and the Ivy was one of my choir songs in high school...every...year. I always thought that this was a strange carol to be singing cuz you know, it isn't jingle bells. As a First Soprano (back then, def. not now) it was a more difficult song to sing since it hits some pretty high notes in the choral range. Here's a more contemporary version showcasing Bambi. Don't watch it if Bambi imagery makes you sad. The tone of this version was nicer than the choral or amateur videos out there.
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.
Refrain:
Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet saviour
Refrain
The holly bears a berry as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.
Refrain
The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.
Refrain
The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.
Back in a time...long, long ago, I sang in choir. And we would sing traditional Christmas Carols and some not so traditional ones. I keep seeing "Christmas is Coming" written all over blogland...and I start humming to myself. Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat, if you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do, if you haven't got a ha' penny, then God bless you...
I came across this video on YouTube and laughed my head off! I figured if it made Ms. Scrooge laugh, then it might bring a smile to your face too. I'll type out the true lyrics below.
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat Please put a penny in the old man's hat If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!
When I'm feeling blue, when I'm feeling low I start to think about the happiest man I know. Now he doesn't mind the snow, he doesn't mind the rain, But all December you will hear him at your window pane, Singing again and again and again and again and again;
Christmas is coming and the bells begin to ring, The holly's in the window and the birds begin to sing. I don't need to worry, and I don't need to fret, And the more you give at Christmastime the more you get.
God bless you, gentlemen, God Bless you! The more you give at Christmastime the more you get.
Christmas is coming, the egg is in the nog. Please give a friendly man a friendly dog. If you haven't got a friendly dog, a friendly cat will do, If you haven't got a friendly cat may God bless you!
God bless you, gentleman, God bless you! If you haven't got a friendly cat may God bless you!
Christmas is coming, the lights are on the tree. How about a turkey leg for dear old me? If you haven't got a turkey leg, a turkey wing will do. If you haven't got a turkey wing may God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you! If you haven't got a turkey wing may God bless you!
Christmas is coming, the cider's in the keg. If I had a mug of cider I wouldn't have to beg. If you haven't got a mug of cider, half a mug will do. If you haven't got half a mug, may God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you! If you haven't got half a mug, may God bless you! If you haven't got a thing for me, may God bless you!
There are a lot of true sentiments in this carol. Maybe I'll snap out of it by Christmas. Don't be surprised if you see more carols pop up. What's your favorite?
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree You fill my heart with music Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree You fill my heart with music Reminding me on Christmas day To think of you and then be gay Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music
*The boy* took a much better picture of the tree with his fancy schmancy super camera so I am flaunting the "pretty tree" again since I have no stitchy pictures to share. I will soon. I received treats from Monique for being the lucky winner on her bloggiversary drawing! Woo!! I actually won something! But for the time being, delight in my tree and if you look very carefully, you can see my framed Christmas Elf Fairy on display on the lower left of the photo. She made her seasonal appearance too!
Last Wednesday, I had an entire evening to myself. It was magical. No *boy*, no class, no computer, no nothing. It was me, the tv and my stitching. I had a goal in mind and I would not go to sleep until I finished my stitching. I stitched and I stitched and I stitched until I was done with the task at hand and I felt relieved...and tired! It was 1230am!! On a weeknight! As I scrambled to put away my supplies, turn off the lights and scurry towards my warm bed, I took in the glow of my pretty Christmas tree. As usual, an overflashed photo but I love sitting in the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights at night. And Fat Santa made his annual appearance. Everytime I look at him, he makes me smile. He is the perfect decoration for my living room. Red, Christmas-y and whimsical. Hi Fat Santa! And the fact that I am now blogging on Monday about last Wednesday is a sad fact indeed. A true indication of how behind I am in everything! But the good news is that as of today, I am done with my Christmas shopping and card writing! Yay! The cards are in the mail and I will soon immerse myself with gift wrap, ribbons and gift tags. And I am sure that my QFRR friends will be happy to hear that I finally pulled out one of the round robins to stitch on! Yay! But I did not stitch enough to be photo worthy. Perhaps later on in the week? Hope, hope.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry and joyful Christmas. I am incredibly grateful to the friendships this little blog has allowed me with people that I would not otherwise have met. In times of great sadness, heartache and disillusionment, I shared my true thoughts and feelings and was always met with encouragement, hugs and support. I know most of my readers found me because of my stitching but to those that stuck through the personal posts and rallied, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement kept me plugging along, allowed me to regain my footing, put myself out there, fight for and find myself again. I couldn't have done it without you.
