Earlier this month Eric and I were at the Family Christian Bookstore. We have a "membership card" so every time we buy something we have the opportunity to buy another item for $5 from a group of preselected items. I often take advantage of those items. This day one of the items was the new Christmas album by Casting Crowns. Eric wanted to buy it. I did not.
Now, Casting Crowns became my favorite group this year; they have some songs that really ministered to me during tough days, but I was NOT interested in their Christmas album. Some people can do Christmas music and some people just cannot. For instance, I love Randy Travis but I made the BIG mistake of buying his Christmas album a few years ago. Country singers and Christmas songs just do not mix. I'm not sure about Casting Crowns, but sometimes they sound rather "country". So I said "no".
Eric persisted. He loves Casting Crowns too, and he loves to buy a new Christmas album every year. So, fine, we bought the album. I was prepared for it to stink.
A few days later Eric turned on the new music as I headed for the shower. I was so sure I would hate it that I wanted to escape. The music began before I could get to the stairs. Rather than being repulsed, I was immediately drawn in. I fell in love with the first song. It is my new favorite Christmas song. It is really a new rendition of an old hymn, one which I have quoted on this blog in the past.
Take a listen. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Fun Continues
School has been cancelled for what was left of the week. This morning the snow was STILL being cleared from our neighborhood. The vacant lot in front of our house was a beehive of activity. Little dump trucks and big dump trucks were dumping loads of snow. At one point I went out to take a picture of the activity and found this:
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The large dump truck had gotten stuck in the snow!! The little bobcat was ramming its scoop into the truck, trying to propel it forward I guess. But the wheels of the dump truck just kept spinning and the bobcat wasn't heavy enough to push the dump truck. Next they tried scooping SNOW under the tires. (I was really laughing at that!) They must have thought they'd get some traction from the snow. When that didn't work they brought in another little bobcat-type thing. They hooked a chain from the first bobcat to the dump truck and tried to pull the truck out. Eventually they coordinated their movements so the first bobcat pulled while the second bobcat rammed the dump truck. That worked and they got out. It was pretty entertaining.
After the trucks and bobcats left I let the kids go out to play on the mountain. Thankfully I snapped these pictures:
I'm guessing some neighbor didn't like the kids playing on the mountain, because as I type they've come off the mountain and there is a new piece of machinery out there which seems to be tearing down the mountain.
Spoil sports.
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The large dump truck had gotten stuck in the snow!! The little bobcat was ramming its scoop into the truck, trying to propel it forward I guess. But the wheels of the dump truck just kept spinning and the bobcat wasn't heavy enough to push the dump truck. Next they tried scooping SNOW under the tires. (I was really laughing at that!) They must have thought they'd get some traction from the snow. When that didn't work they brought in another little bobcat-type thing. They hooked a chain from the first bobcat to the dump truck and tried to pull the truck out. Eventually they coordinated their movements so the first bobcat pulled while the second bobcat rammed the dump truck. That worked and they got out. It was pretty entertaining.
After the trucks and bobcats left I let the kids go out to play on the mountain. Thankfully I snapped these pictures:
I'm guessing some neighbor didn't like the kids playing on the mountain, because as I type they've come off the mountain and there is a new piece of machinery out there which seems to be tearing down the mountain.
Spoil sports.
Monday, December 21, 2009
It has already been announced that there is no school tomorrow. This does not make me happy. The kids are fighting. I want some peace. I still have things I need to do to get ready for Christmas - - things that require their absence. It's hopeless. IF they go to school on Tuesday, they both have parties which I am supposed to help at. Wednesday is supposed to be a half day AND Eric returns that day. Can we skip Christmas this year? Push it back a few days maybe?
SNOW DAY... Part II
Excuse me, but I'm a little grumpy today. Eric called this morning. He had been to a beach and gone swimming in the ocean. I'm so jealous I could... (Fill in the blank.) Not exactly beachy here in Virginia. Here's a sampling from yesterday and today.
This photo is for my Mom and Dad. Does it remind you of Walden?
Something about these lights looked familiar to me. I wasn't sure what.
Last night the kids and I finally watched A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was a PERFECT night for it. The snow was still coming down outside so it looked a little like the outdoor scenes in the movie. When I saw Snoopy's prize-winning decorations I realized that was why our sad droopy lights looked familiar - they are hung just like Snoopy's lights!
Is this a cute boy or what? I just love the "Elmer Fudd" hat! He found an icicle outside and was licking it like a popsicle.
By this morning it had finally stopped snowing. Here is the scene about 7 a.m. The big mountain of snow in the center of the picture is actually my car.
When I opened the door to take some pictures of the snow I found that even my Christmas swag had snow on it. Rather pretty, I thought.
After talking to Eric and hearing about his wonderful trip to the beach (grrrr) it was time to get to work. I began clearing off the car.
I had to shovel a TON of snow from behind the car. The plow had been around so the snow was about 3 feet high in back of the car. This picture was actually taken to show the snow hanging off the roof of our house. While I was shoveling the sidewalk a neighbor cautioned me to "look out" in case that snow came sliding off. I suppose it will slide off sometime after dark tonight, when I will have forgotten all about it. I will undoubtedly think someone is trying to break into our house.
While the neighbors and I shoveled, the kids went sliding on a small hill. I realize that most people call that sledding. I refuse. If you ask me, you slide down a hill on a sled, therefore the verb is slide, which translates to sliding. Sled is a noun (or maybe an object of the preposition) so sledding makes no sense. But that's just me. I also refuse to allow anyone in my family to call me "Ant Laura". I have drilled into the heads of my nieces, nephews, and children that an ant is something that eats your food at a picnic. An AUNT is someone who loves you. As proof I offer the word automobile. My kids and my nieces and nephews oblige me. (Although a certain niece taunts me... "Hey ANT Laura" she loves to say.) But I guess I've gotten off subject. Sorry.
So here, in the distance, are the kids. They are SLIDING.
One final picture. The kids standing on top of a pile of snow next to a street sign. They will want this to remember in the future that the snow really WAS this deep.
It is a beautiful day. Clear blue sky and snow sparkling like diamonds. As I recall, the sun on the ocean also sparkles like diamonds. But I wouldn't know about that. You'd have to ask my husband. Grrrr...
This photo is for my Mom and Dad. Does it remind you of Walden?
Something about these lights looked familiar to me. I wasn't sure what.
Last night the kids and I finally watched A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was a PERFECT night for it. The snow was still coming down outside so it looked a little like the outdoor scenes in the movie. When I saw Snoopy's prize-winning decorations I realized that was why our sad droopy lights looked familiar - they are hung just like Snoopy's lights!
Is this a cute boy or what? I just love the "Elmer Fudd" hat! He found an icicle outside and was licking it like a popsicle.
By this morning it had finally stopped snowing. Here is the scene about 7 a.m. The big mountain of snow in the center of the picture is actually my car.
When I opened the door to take some pictures of the snow I found that even my Christmas swag had snow on it. Rather pretty, I thought.
After talking to Eric and hearing about his wonderful trip to the beach (grrrr) it was time to get to work. I began clearing off the car.
I had to shovel a TON of snow from behind the car. The plow had been around so the snow was about 3 feet high in back of the car. This picture was actually taken to show the snow hanging off the roof of our house. While I was shoveling the sidewalk a neighbor cautioned me to "look out" in case that snow came sliding off. I suppose it will slide off sometime after dark tonight, when I will have forgotten all about it. I will undoubtedly think someone is trying to break into our house.
While the neighbors and I shoveled, the kids went sliding on a small hill. I realize that most people call that sledding. I refuse. If you ask me, you slide down a hill on a sled, therefore the verb is slide, which translates to sliding. Sled is a noun (or maybe an object of the preposition) so sledding makes no sense. But that's just me. I also refuse to allow anyone in my family to call me "Ant Laura". I have drilled into the heads of my nieces, nephews, and children that an ant is something that eats your food at a picnic. An AUNT is someone who loves you. As proof I offer the word automobile. My kids and my nieces and nephews oblige me. (Although a certain niece taunts me... "Hey ANT Laura" she loves to say.) But I guess I've gotten off subject. Sorry.
So here, in the distance, are the kids. They are SLIDING.
One final picture. The kids standing on top of a pile of snow next to a street sign. They will want this to remember in the future that the snow really WAS this deep.
It is a beautiful day. Clear blue sky and snow sparkling like diamonds. As I recall, the sun on the ocean also sparkles like diamonds. But I wouldn't know about that. You'd have to ask my husband. Grrrr...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
SNOW DAY... Part I
The boots are ready...
(I can't help it that they're fancy boots and rain boots. These are literally the ONLY boots that were available in 5 stores yesterday!)
We opened the front door and stepped into more snow than my kids have ever seen.
The snow is still coming down, so "stay tuned" for updates throughout the day!
(I can't help it that they're fancy boots and rain boots. These are literally the ONLY boots that were available in 5 stores yesterday!)
We opened the front door and stepped into more snow than my kids have ever seen.
The snow is still coming down, so "stay tuned" for updates throughout the day!
I have a dilemma. I purchased soap from my talented SIL, intending to give it as gifts. I've begun working on packaging the soap. My first attempt was so successful that I'm not sure I can give it away! I'm beginning to realize the downfall of handmade gifts. Either they turn out so nicely that I can't bear to part with them (because I won't be able to exactly replicate the result) or they turn out so poorly that I'm embarrassed to give them away. The solution I've come up with for now is to photograph the gift. That way I sort of get to keep it, while giving it away.
Here is the gift box I made, which I love, love, LOVE:
By the way, there are 2 reasons why I cannot replicate this. Number 1, I used paper purchased over a year ago. There is no chance of buying more. I have enough paper to replicate the box one time. However, the box itself is actually a Godiva chocolate box. I only had one. Hmmm... I suppose I could buy a whole bunch more. But then I would have to eat all that chocolate. I'll have to think about it.
Meanwhile, here is another (very clever, I think!) gift package:
The idea from this packaging, like any original creative idea, is not mine. My friend Alicia gave me the idea. This is a can (soup or pears or something) wrapped in paper. Using a crop-a-dile you punch holes in the can and string wire through the holes for a handle. I add eyelets to my holes for a finished look. I also added beads (from my daughter's jewelry making supplies!) to the handle to jazz it up. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photograph showing the pretty handle. 
We did end up with a small accumulation of snow that day. It was enough to sled down the hill. We did not own any snow gear - I hate to buy it because you cannot count on needing it around here. My poor kids played in the snow in tennis shoes and ended up very cold and wet. I ended up with lots of wet pants and socks to launder. They would get too cold to play so they would come in for some hot cocoa and change into dry clothes. Before long they couldn't stand to be inside looking at the snow anymore, so back out they would go. Time after time.
Here is the gift box I made, which I love, love, LOVE:
By the way, there are 2 reasons why I cannot replicate this. Number 1, I used paper purchased over a year ago. There is no chance of buying more. I have enough paper to replicate the box one time. However, the box itself is actually a Godiva chocolate box. I only had one. Hmmm... I suppose I could buy a whole bunch more. But then I would have to eat all that chocolate. I'll have to think about it.
Meanwhile, here is another (very clever, I think!) gift package:
The idea from this packaging, like any original creative idea, is not mine. My friend Alicia gave me the idea. This is a can (soup or pears or something) wrapped in paper. Using a crop-a-dile you punch holes in the can and string wire through the holes for a handle. I add eyelets to my holes for a finished look. I also added beads (from my daughter's jewelry making supplies!) to the handle to jazz it up. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photograph showing the pretty handle.
The gift inside is a small jar candle from Yankee Candle. They fit PERFECTLY!
My last picture for this post is sort of a preview of what my day is going to be. It was taken several weeks ago when we got our first snow. We didn't get much, but the kids were THRILLED nonetheless. Here they are, trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues:
We did end up with a small accumulation of snow that day. It was enough to sled down the hill. We did not own any snow gear - I hate to buy it because you cannot count on needing it around here. My poor kids played in the snow in tennis shoes and ended up very cold and wet. I ended up with lots of wet pants and socks to launder. They would get too cold to play so they would come in for some hot cocoa and change into dry clothes. Before long they couldn't stand to be inside looking at the snow anymore, so back out they would go. Time after time.
So when I heard yesterday that we were supposed to get a lot of snow overnight (thank you Joel!) I rushed out to buy boots and snow pants. I was not alone. I think the whole state was buying snow gear. The first store I went to had 4 pair of snow pants left, 1 size 5, 2 size 8 and 1 size 12. I bought both 8's. They'll come close enough to fitting each kid. (They were 50% off. Yeah!!!) The boot section was decimated. I did manage to find a pair for Anna, although I fear they may be more fashionable than useful. I went to 5, yes FIVE stores looking for boots for Ethan. The scene was unbelievable. The shelves were empty. At Famous Footwear there was another mother searching desperately through the few stragglers that remained. She told me she couldn't find two boots in the same size. She chose 2 that were close. I found one boot that was 1 size smaller than I wanted but there was nothing else anywhere close to the size I needed. How in the world does that happen?? Eventually I found a pair of rain boots which I scooped up. They will be better than tennis shoes, I hope.
Hopefully there will be pictures of happy kids to post later today.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
More Cards
Today I am doing what I love - stamping! I decided to try some more snowman cards. First, here is yesterdays card (again):
I don't own any snowman stamps. So when I decided I wanted to make a snowman I hunted through my stamps for some circles. I was thrilled to find two different sizes; however, I needed a third for the head. Since I didn't think I had one, I pulled out the letter "o" from an alphabet set I have. I wasn't happy with the result - I colored the middle in but it is more opaque than the rest of his head. There were other things I thought I could improve on too, so I got to work.
I had actually put my stamps away yesterday (gasp!) So I had to find my circles again. In the process, I found a third, smaller circle. Perfect! Here is card #2:
There are several things I like better about this card. For one thing, I decided to start with white paper, so the snowman looks white, as a snowman should. To be honest, I did 3 or 4 similar to this. So far this is the only one that I have mounted and put onto a card. I was getting a bit bored with the same picture, so I decided to try something a little different. Here it is, and it is my favorite snowman card:
I copied the swirl idea from this blog. (This is probably my favorite stamping blog. The woman is an artist. She travels around the country teaching classes. I would like to go if she ever comes near me. In the meantime, I am trying to learn from her online.) I really love this card. I really got stuck though when it came time to put a sentiment on it. I don't own many Christmas stamps. I have just 2 with words. They are "Silent Night Holy Night" (from which I've been pulling Silent Night on my other cards) and "Let's Welcome Jesus". Neither worked here. I do have a stamp that says Merry Christmas on part of it; I have been using that on my family Christmas Cards. However, I could not find that this morning! So I used "joy". I think it works okay. It feels a little disingenuous though, because snow doesn't actually make ME joyful. It just makes me cold. Oh well, I think a lot of people think snow and snowmen are happy, joyful things, so this will have to do.
I don't own any snowman stamps. So when I decided I wanted to make a snowman I hunted through my stamps for some circles. I was thrilled to find two different sizes; however, I needed a third for the head. Since I didn't think I had one, I pulled out the letter "o" from an alphabet set I have. I wasn't happy with the result - I colored the middle in but it is more opaque than the rest of his head. There were other things I thought I could improve on too, so I got to work.
I had actually put my stamps away yesterday (gasp!) So I had to find my circles again. In the process, I found a third, smaller circle. Perfect! Here is card #2:
There are several things I like better about this card. For one thing, I decided to start with white paper, so the snowman looks white, as a snowman should. To be honest, I did 3 or 4 similar to this. So far this is the only one that I have mounted and put onto a card. I was getting a bit bored with the same picture, so I decided to try something a little different. Here it is, and it is my favorite snowman card:
I copied the swirl idea from this blog. (This is probably my favorite stamping blog. The woman is an artist. She travels around the country teaching classes. I would like to go if she ever comes near me. In the meantime, I am trying to learn from her online.) I really love this card. I really got stuck though when it came time to put a sentiment on it. I don't own many Christmas stamps. I have just 2 with words. They are "Silent Night Holy Night" (from which I've been pulling Silent Night on my other cards) and "Let's Welcome Jesus". Neither worked here. I do have a stamp that says Merry Christmas on part of it; I have been using that on my family Christmas Cards. However, I could not find that this morning! So I used "joy". I think it works okay. It feels a little disingenuous though, because snow doesn't actually make ME joyful. It just makes me cold. Oh well, I think a lot of people think snow and snowmen are happy, joyful things, so this will have to do.
One more note for any "crafty" readers. A few months ago I bought a Xyron thing-a-ma-jig. I got the 5 inch version. It is one of the best things I have ever purchased for making cards. Now I can make cards on dark colored cardstock but insert a white or vanilla piece for writing. I run it through the Xyron to get adhesive on the entire thing. Also, any time my front pieces get too heavy I run them through the Xyron for total adhesion. I love it!
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