After working with the same company for 7 years, I quit my job yesterday.  There have been alot of things going on that I didn’t agree with and to be blunt, I just had enough.  I’m happier now and I look forward to a fresh start in the new year.  I have my name on a list to substitute teach and I will be visiting as many schools as I can to get my name out there.  I’m also applying to go back to university in september.  I’m really excited to start a new chapter in my life.  So here’s to the new year and a fresh start!  Cheers!!

After 12 years, our minister is preaching his last service today.  He and his family are moving to Nova Scotia tomorrow.  I don’t think it’s hit me yet that they will no longer be around.  They have been good friends and good spiritual leaders to us all and they will truly be missed.  I know there will be lots of tears shed today.

“Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you
Until we meet again!”

The gifts are opened and under the tree and we are all enjoying some santa pancakes!  Merry Christmas everyone!  The kids didn’t get up until 7:45am…yeah!!  Gabby woke up with a nasty cold…poor girl.   I’m enjoying a vanilla biscotti flavored cup of java and hubby is cleaning the kitchen.  Life is good!  We’ll be heading over to my parents for a turkey dinner and opening more gifts.  Stay tuned…pictures to come later.  Feliz Navidad!

Later….

What a great day. We had an awesome turkey dinner at mom and dad’s.  Came home and had a nap.  Had chinese food for supper and now I am relaxing with a glass of wine.

: )

santa pancakes…yummm!

gabby wiping her new baby’s nose

waiting to open presents and watching gabby

wiping her nose

braeden got a measuring tape in his christmas cracker…

he was not impressed…haha

The storm knocked out our internet, cable and phone service yesterday. I guess that’s the price you pay when you purchase a bundled pkg.   Anyhoo, with a storm raging outside, I figured it would be the perfect time to get a little baking done.  I finished my chocolate millionaires and made more peppermint bark.

chocolate millionaires before the chocolate.

after the chocolate

peppermint bark

Then we started the gingerbread christmas tree. I messed up the frosting.  added red instead of yellow and blue food coloring.   In the end, I was able to get a somewhat green color for the frosting.  I made some extra stars to give away as gifts and for the kids to eat.  My house was covered in green frosting yesterday.

adding the sprinkles.

our first gingerbread tree.  doesn’t look exactely like the one on the box, but grace loved making it.  I’m thinking I should have doubled up on the stars.

Is everyone ready for Christmas? Me neither!  I only have a few things left.  A book for my parents, some wine for my sitter, a few more stocking stuffers and a little more baking.  I’m really looking forward to our Christmas eve service.  It’s the only thing that relaxes me and puts everything in perspective.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Today is my dear hubby’s birthday.  Normally, we don’t make too big of a fuss.  But this last month he has been my rock.  I’ve had a rough month to say the least and he has been there for me every step of the way.  Through lots of words of encouragement and hugs, he’s helped pull me through.  So today, I’m going to try and spoil him as much as I can because he truly deserves it!  Love you hon!

Any one else have the christmas blahs?  I’ve been trying to get in the “holiday spirit” and nothing seems to be working.  I feel awful for the kids.  They are getting so excited and I wish I could share in some of their excitement.  But for some reason, every year when christmas rolls around, I AM a big grump!  Perhaps I need to start playing some festive music or watch a few more christmas specials.  Something to get me in the mood.   Here’s hoping I catch the festive bug soon!

It’s that time of year again…let the bribing begin!  Every year I make a promise to myself that i will get a family pic done to give out with our christmas cards.  And every year, i get caught up in the hustle and bustle and it never happens.  So at the last minute, i stick the kids in front of the tree and bribe them to smile for a few seconds if possible.  It only took me 5 minutes, but i think i have a winner!  Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Anyone who has worked retail can understand what a nightmare it can be during the christmas holidays.  Yesterday I was told off twice within 20 minutes.  Not a great way to start the day.  Anyway, today a customer actually did something that shocked the heck out of me.  He was in the other day and yelled at one of my associates.  Today when he can in, he asked to speak to her and he apologized and told her he knew it “wasn’t her fault” the equipment wasn’t working.  Wow!  Just when you lose faith in people, someone turns around and does something nice.  I think if people just stopped to think before letting their emotions get the better of them, christmas would be a much nicer time of year for everyone.

“I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous effort Christmas has become… but there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress.”  ~May Sarton

I truly believe everyone should have one thing just for themselves.  Mine thing is crafting.  Tonight I went alone to a craft night.  I didn’t know who was going to be there and I didn’t care.  I just wanted to craft.  I’ve always loved artsy stuff such as drawing, painting etc.  I find I’m so relaxed and it makes me very happy.  I really should do more in my spare time.  But spare time can be hard to come by this time of year.  Anyhoo, I had an awesome night.  My cousin’s wife was beside me and I helped her with her craft.

So here is the final product.  So cute and so easy!

i love this one!