Holiday grand plan 2010

[Harriet]

TaDa. All finished and ready for mail in the morning, but package will have to go to PO. If HRH feels it must go tomorrow, I'm going to let him do it. I'm tired! He wrote only the briefest personal notes - mine were long.

Of course as soon as I finished I found another set of cute stickers for envelopes. Next year.

Our family party here planned and info put into the few envelopes that needed it.

Time for a couple quiet days before starting in to decorating, although of course dd12 is already asking if we can shop tomorrow! Sigh! I know how she feels, though. When she gets out of school each day it's time to take care of her grandfather's supper and by the time that's finished it's dark. Saturday is about her only day.

I know Harmony was exhausted from office work today. Hope there's time for some holiday prep enjoyment later.

Nancy, I'm sure the hot pad will be practical. One thing I would like to do by our family party is to make a set of new cloth coasters for glasses/mugs. the old ones are getting stained and I can't wash them because friend put potpourri into them and when they get too moist they're icky - they'll need to be tossed. Seriously doubting there's time to make any although I do have the materials and some patchwork "fronts" finished.

After the sleeve for the quilt is done and it's hung, I'll have a better feel for any leftover sewing time.

[blessedw2]

Wonderful dharriet...

[Nancy]

Christmas cards are half done now and in the mail! Wahoo!!!

[Harriet]

Getting the cards away into the mail early (and all supplies put away properly) is probably the most helpful ONE change for us all, as far as a Grand Plan/Countdown.

I used to wonder why people wanted to be early, thinking they were rushing the season, but now I see it is a skill for creating a calm, focused season. I'm certainly not the earliest, btw - we've gotten 2 cards already and half of mine won't be mailed until today; we'll probably get several today and Monday by the time others get my cards.

[Harmony]

My holiday prep is going so slowly this year. I have not one decoration up yet. I do have the fixins' for a few batches of cookies, but they have to be made. I am at least almost ready for my cookie swap party tomorrow. I was thinking of telling DH I need one whole complete day off without any interruptions, but I guess I'll crawl along like this unless I get desperate for time. It is odd, usually this time of year the business gets quiet with nobody wanting their house torn up during the holidays. This year some are still calling and we are continuing on. Now I'm not complaining as this is definitely a blessing, but it does make things hard.

Editing: new dilema. I went to get my cards out (I always try to buy a box after Christmas at half price if I can find some nice ones still) and thought I'd done that; but the ones I was looking for were just a few leftovers. It appears I did that the year before so hopefully there will be some nice ones left on the shelves.

[Nancy]

Last Christmas card is done now to get it in the mail!

[Harmony]

Finally I have some progress to report.

• got up on ladder and brought down 4 big bins from the garage. Broom swept the walls in back, cobwebs, etc. and the shelf tops. That only gets done in December.
• Sorted out some lights. I put a single strand of white lights all over and atop my arbor that we walk under frm the driveway to get onto the front porch.
• I strung out 3 sets of icicle lights and attached them to the gutter all the way across the front porch. Whole house didn't get done this year because other parts are taller and I didn't want DH up on ladders this year.
• Got down all my boxes and bins from my bedroom closet. I keep things there that the heat in the garage would damage.
• I put up the new 4' tree on the corner table; the tree skirt covers the whole tabletop. I decorated the tree. It looks very pretty. It was the right thing to do this year.
• Cleared off the mantel and decorated with the stocking hangers & stockings and all the other stuff I put on top. Decorated the tops of my bookcases too.
• Cleared off the sofa table I have under the window in family room. Put the white cloth on there and set up the nativity scene.
• Hung up kitchen and guest bath Christmas towels.

Still a lot to do, but this is a huge amount of progress for one day. I'm going to tidy up all the boxes and put the Christmas tablecloth on next, then probably go to bed.

I am finally feeling a little bit Christmasey.

[Nancy]

Excited to say that I found a Christmas story book at the thrift shop to replace the one I can't find I think I gave it to dd.

[blessedw2]

yeah nancy christmas cards and a christmas book
yeah harmony look at the work done! and I am seeing a bit of Christmas spirit
yeah harriet.. cards done and items put away!
I used to think the same thing... but it is a skill. it makes the holiday better and gives time to focus on whats important

[blessedw2]

I think I finished all my Christmas shopping except waiting for something to come in for one person.
most presents wrapped.
now for tip cards