The Beginning

While alot has been accomplished since these pictures (further down) were taken, there are still some challenges ahead, but we're now past "The Beginning"!!  This post was put together a few days ago and I was supposed to finish it and post it yesterday, but sigh, what can I say???

Since you haven't seen any vacation pictures, here are two from Phoenix, AZ.  This first one is of my loving son Mario with his precious son Corbyn and their newest addition, Molly (or as I like to refer to their little fun Welsh Corgi, Molly Wolly  Polly Frog).....

A vision of loveliness awaits anyone looking on this little princess who dressed up for me to take a picture, my huggable and gorgeous Myla...just wish I would have captured her pretty mama in this picture as well...

Now for the scary pictures as I let you see a little of the chaos of starting to put the nativities out...here's a view coming down the stairs with only a few of the boxes from the garage and none of the big crates yet....

To the right the red tablecloth is on the large plywood sheet that is on top of the pulled out futon.  Sadie Mae decided she wanted to say Happy Advent to everyone too.  You will also note our door leaning against the wall...this is the door to the little storage area that flooded and now it needs to be put back on....

One last vision of chaos is here where you see the fold out table with no tablecloth yet.  The curio here (between the windows) was upstairs and held Michael's car collection but he generously donated it for the nativities, so I will have two permanent nativity displays (there is another curio to the left that is not pictured)as well as the little set of shelves in the corner that we bought from Bombay Company when they were going out of business and selling their fixtures.  Since I am so late posting this, much progress has been made and I will be taking many more pictures to share....

And from the Internet, I found these sweet thoughts and gift card add on ideas....

"~ Attach These Sayings and Quotations To Your Homemade Gifts! ~

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions." - Bill McKibben

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." - Hamilton Wright Mabie

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles!" - Author Unknown

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." - W. T. Ellis

"May peace be more than a season, may it be a way of life" - Author Unknown

" Every day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." - Author Unknown

"Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day." - Helen Steiner Rice

"Take time to make someone Smile, Your heart receives such rewards that only your heart can spend, A Valuable Treasure in Life Making One Another Smile" - Author Unknown

Any sweet treat: "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"

Popcorn: "We just "popped" in to wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Mug with Hot Chocolate Mix: "To our special friends so dear, a cup of cheer."

Candle: "Hope your Christmas is full of light"

Bubble Bath: "May your holidays "bubble" over with fun!"

Cookie Dough - "Here's a little extra "dough" for Christmas"

Jar of Jam: "Hoping your Christmas is "jam" packed with cheer"

"Basket of Bath Items: "When you feel like a basket case, take a break...and slow your pace"

Cake Mix: "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix!"

"Be naughty....save Santa the trip !"

"Dear Santa: I want it ALL !"

"Delivered in a "twinkle"

"Free the ELVES !"

"Santa is coming to town!"

"This house believes in Santa!"

"Will work for milk and cookies !"

"Trimming the tree with happy hearts, that's the way the holiday starts"

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!"

"If you got everything you wanted for Christmas where would you put it?"

"Merry Kissmas with lots of hugs."

"Santa Claws never forgets the cat."

"Santa Paws never forgets the dog."

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties

is looking for a job the next day."

-- Phyllis Diller "

Not only can this next  list bring smiles, it could save a marriage if you post this on hubby's mirror!!....

Ten worst gifts to buy a woman

1. Never give a woman any kind of household appliance or something that is going to make "housework" easier. For instance, a blender, a toaster, a new vacuum, one of those mops they advertise on tv that does everything but suck the life out of you, anything in a informercial. One allowed choice is a new washing machine with a turbo spin cycle.


2. Any bulk cleaning supplies, "honey, I got you that large box of Tide you have been wanting." "This Windex should last you a while." "I got a good deal on the industrial strength toilet bowl cleaner." All I can say is, be prepared to run. I have faith that if you would have at least stopped and thought about what would be a much more intimate gift, you would have had the sense to spring for the $5 Chia Pet you were eyeing in Kmart.

3. Any sharp objects made by Ronco which slices or dices, or a set of ginsu knives. These may one day be used as a weapon against you when you come home after a "night out with the boys."


4. Do not buy gifts for yourself and pretend they are for her. "Honey, I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out of the new drill I bought you." By then she will have put it to good use by drilling a quarter inch hole into the side of your skull for even thinking she would accept such a lame gift. After a gift like this, you probably won't be around for NEXT Christmas.

5. Any lingerie made of flannel, such as a pair of feet pajamas with a trap door in back. A Little Mermaid or Barney cartoon character nightgown. It gives her the idea that you do not consider her the beautiful woman that she is. Take out that wallet and buy her something sexy from Victoria Secret .


6. No name perfume which costs you $1.99, such as Eau de Toilet, which actually smells like the bathroom, moldy fruit, or your dirty socks. If you are going to buy her perfume, spring for the brand names.


7. Any type of cubic zirconia jewelry you see on the Home Shopping Network. It will be quite embarrassing when she is showing off that fabulous diamond to her friends and tries to cut glass with it. (We actually test them you know.)

8. Please do not buy her clothes because you think for one minute you have good taste in woman's clothing. Well, perhaps you might if you are a transvestite, but all in all, believe me, she'll smile and say its beautiful while choking back tears and mumbling under her breath, "where the hell would I ever wear this outfit without being arrested for bad taste?" An additional hint, plaids do not go with stripes (even though you think your golfing outfit looks just fine). Its a known fact to the rest of the world that that is a taboo. In the Northeast, thats like wearing white after Labor Day.

9. Do not give her a gift certificate to Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Most men would know better, especially the ones who have learned the correct response to "do these pants make me look fat." If you are one of the poor souls who still doesn't get it and purchased a gift like this, be prepared for the silent treatment for a month. (Although that may be something you would actually look forward to.) A better alternative would be hiring a Chippendale dancer as a personal trainer to get her motivated into getting fit.

10. Last but not least, never buy a woman anti-wrinkle cream, or a book on "How not to be Nasty Sunday through Saturday." These are not considered gifts, they are considered reasons for seriously injuring the person who bought it and just may stand up in court of law.


~~~Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blessings of turning our chaotic lives into ones of order and peace if we stay close to You.

P.S.  I would like to ask for many prayers for a dear friend and fellow blogger from our Village of bloggers, Diana who found out that her beloved mother passed away last night.  Please keep her whole family in prayer.  Her blog site is Welcome to My World and I'm sure she would appreciate a word of comfort.  Thank you.