Yayness! My first REAL Christmas Tree!!!

Yayness! I picked out my very first REAL, fresh cut Christmas tree today!

Well. Okay. I have had a REAL Christmas tree before, but not on my own. This year, because I thought I would do something special and a little bit different, I got a REAL, fresh cut Christmas tree. I have had an artificial Christmas tree for ever so long, but the one I had most recently, remains in Colorado, while I am here in Arizona.

 

I went to Tractor Supply today and they had their Christmas trees, Frasier Firs, at the price of $24.99 for a 6 to 8 foot tree! They also had Christmas tree stands on sale. I was going to wait until after the 10th of December, but at those prices? There is also the fact that although they are spraying these cut trees with water several times throughout the day, it won't be long before they are simply dry kindling.

 

Better to get mine now and get it into water.

 

I did not take any photos of my setting it up, as much as you would have laughed your pants off at my antics. It is difficult to work a camera when you are engulfed in fir limbs. I am sure I looked like a walking tree. I know my new little kitten, Scooter, saw me carrying the tree and high-tailed it to her favorite chair where I keep my outside vest and hat, to hide!

 

 

Being the good little doo-bee that I am, I actually found my bow saw and sawed off a good 6 inches off the bottom of the tree. Because that is what the directions I found on the internet said to do. I also wanted to make sure the tree fit in the house without hitting the ceiling. It would have hit the ceiling, had I not done that!

 

I remember my Daddy always choosing a tree that was WAY too big for our house and having to cut more off the bottom or the top so we could get it into the house. I guess I must have inherited that from him...

 

 

Like all trees at the Christmas tree lots, this one has its' flaws, but I think she is beautiful! (Even if the toppy thingy is a tad crooked!) I was expecting that I would have trouble leveling the tree and would have a leaning tower of Pisa tree, but I guess I must have cut extremely straight, because I plopped that tree in the holder, tightened up those little screwy thingys and TADA!

 

A STRAIGHT tree!

 

I mixed the Christmas Tree fresh stuff with water and watered the tree. Actually I over watered it and water started coming out the bottom holes where the screw holders are. Who knew? I never even thought about it. I haven't gotten any water on the carpet yet, but I have mopped up the excess several times, in the extra well they built in this tree stand for just such an occasion. Smart tree stand builders!

 

Daddy always said that you should let the tree 'settle and fall into place' for a day or two, as did the internet directions. And so I shall do that. With one exception.

 

My Christmas Star arrived today! Yayness! I was a tad disappointed because two of the crystals were broken! Of course one could glue them back into place if one had any crazy glue on hand, but alas! All I have is a hot glue gun. (It didn't work well.) So when I come home from work, I will stop at the mart and grab some crazy glue. But even though it was broken, I still put it on the tree because I was SO excited!

 

The two broken crystals are on the either side, but with all the shards, you can hardly tell! I am still crazy gluing them though.

 

I had to plug it in and found that all I have on hand are white extension cords...one more thing to get from the mart tomorrow ! GREEN extension cords! But WOW! I am in love with my Christmas Star!

 

I cannot wait until the rest of my ornaments arrive and I can decorate my REAL, fresh cut Christmas tree! I am still awaiting 3 boxes of ornaments from EBay. I hope they arrive soon, but even if they do, I shall wait for the weekend. I have to decide on ribbon or garland yet, and string the lights on the tree before decorating begins.

 

I have missed decorating for Christmas in big time fashion this past 2 years. I had forgotten just how much I enjoy it and what joy it brings my heart to do this! I also had forgotten one other thing about a fresh cut Christmas tree.

 

The scent!

 

How ABSOLUTELY heavenly!

 

Merry Christmas!









 



 

 



 









Who is in control here???

This is a heck of a way to start a Monday morning, much less the first week of the Christmas season, but if I don't write my thoughts down now, by the time I get home from work, I will have lost them.

Human minds are so frail. How quickly we forget the prayers He places on our hearts when faced with the problems of a work day. So here it is...

My heart is troubled this morn. I get up to my daily devotions and then to check FB and EBay and all of the other really NOT important computer stuff that is my habit and these headlines are what I find...

Muslim Convert Cuts Oklahoma Woman to Pieces BEFORE Beheading
http://viral.buzz/workplace-violence-or-isis-terrorist-sympathizer-woman-cut-to-pieces-before-beheading/

Four Men in Two Cities Killed in Acts of Islamic Jihad; Media, Obama, and Holder Silent
http://www.tpnn.com/2014/09/12/four-men-in-two-cities-killed-in-acts-of-islamic-jihad-media-obama-and-holder-silent/

It is well that I go to the Bible and hear what God has to say BEFORE I hit the headlines that are vying for my attention. Were it the other way around, I would not be prepared to meet the day ahead. I would be at a point where I don't even want to walk out of my little home into the world! So today, I am going to share what God placed in my hands and my heart and my mind. The following is from my supplemental reading on the Word and is from one of my favorite prophetic teachers, Kay Arthur from her book '365 Appointments with God"

"Is your spirit troubled not only at the blindness of people today, but at all that is going on in our world? When my spirit is troubled, I think of the book of Habakkuk, an incredibly appropriate book for our times.

The prophet Habakkuk was frustrated. He saw the deep sin within his nation-----violence, iniquity, destruction, strife and contention. The law was ignored. Justice was never upheld. The wicked surrounded the righteous.

What was Habakkuk's recourse? And what is ours in a society that looks much the same as his?

It is God.

We lay our questions, frustrations, anxieties, and impotence at His feet and wait for His answer. Gad assured Habakkuk that the ungodly would not go unpunished forever (2:16). Judgment will come."

The prayer that follows in the pages of this short devotional reminder, is one that is an echo of my own heartfelt cry...

"Lord God, You are the everlasting Sovereign Ruler of all the universe, the Creator of heaven and earth, the One Who sits on the throne. The wisdom and cleverness of man has failed. Man's impotence is obvious, Your judgment is sure.

I rest in the firm belief that You are God-----immutable, eternal. Everything is under Your control."

                                                                                       Copyright 1999 by Kay Arthur

I don't always understand why bad things happen. I really dislike that. I want to understand the big picture. My life is such a vapor, so small a speck in the continuum of eternity, but He always assures me that I matter and He cares that I have that which I need to face my day.

I hope this helps you to face yours, knowing that God is with you. And He always will be.

A Christmas Carol

Well the Christmas season is in full swing! When I was coming home from work on Friday night, I saw the first Christmas lights, twinkling away merrily! I love Christmas lights!

What traditions do you observe that you created with your family? For me, one that I still observe, even though my children are grown and gone and I live alone with my animal family, is watching my favorite version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". I do not understand my fascination with this story, as it is probably the creepiest story that was ever penned when you really think about it.

About a gazillion versions exist and I have seen many, but my perennial favorite is George C. Scotts'.

Patrick Stewart, Bill Murray, Henry Winkler, Albert Finney, Michael Caine, Jim Carey and a host of other men cannot hold a candle to George C. Scott when it comes to being a mr grouchy pants supreme...

(If I met this on the street, I would turn and RUN!)

 

The supporting cast was superb and I have yet to see anyone who played a better Janet Holywell than Caroline Langrishe.

 

 

Such a tiny supporting role, but in the end of the movie, when Scrooge comes to beg pardon for the things he said about Christmas to his nephew Fred Holywell, her subtle facial expressions alone should have won her an academy award .

 

I think I have watched this movie at least 100 times, if not more! (7 of them were this weekend.)  But today, as I ran the movie while I was decorating and cleaning my little house, (the wind was like 50 miles an hour outside, so no outside time for me today!), I found myself, as is usual, pondering the message that this movie, and the book it was based off of, brought to my mind.

 

The ending words of Fred Holywell rang in my ears......."It was said of Ebenezer Scrooge that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge."

 

Do I do that? 

 

Oh so many times I do not! I, like Scrooge, get bogged down in the mire of everyday living and I forget to see the daily miracles that God provides! I whine. I complain. I want. I compare. I hate. I procrastinate on good I might do. Oh the list goes on and on! Must it take something scary and tragic to open my eyes to the loveliness of life and my purpose in it?

 

(I almost have to change my pants when I see this poor Marley with all his chains!)

 

How many chains do I carry? How many have I forged? I am not sure I want to know, but I do know that through the power of the Holy Spirit, I CAN break those chains! Does not 2nd Timothy 1:7 tell us, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline!"? (emphasis mine) I do not have to be bound by those chains that I forged in the past! I am a new creature in Christ! (If only my heart would believe what my mind knows!)

 

We have all had bad things happen to us. Bullying, abuse, unfair accusations and lies told about us, an unsupportive mother, father, or family. But here is the truth. We can allow those things to define us or we can allow them to defeat us. It is OUR choice!



 

The past can no longer hold me! Let it go! (No. I am NOT singing that song!) Remember the good, let go of that which you cannot change and learn from it! Let it haunt you no more...

 

(The Ghost of Christmas Past. Creepy when she smiles.)

 

I need to see the miracles that God put in front of me and help them to happen if it is within my power to do so! I need to not miss doing good when I have the opportunity!

 

(Anthony Walters was the creepiest Tiny Tim ever! He really convinced me he was on deaths' doorstep!)

 

I need to remember what God placed me on this earth for.......to help others as much as it is within my power to do so. And hopefully, if I fulfill that, I will never, EVER have to see some tall ghost pull back his robes to reveal THIS...

 

(The creepsters, Ignorance and Want!)

 

And heaven forbid that I should ever forget these important lessons so that I have to face THIS, because I would totally need Depends Adult diapers...

 

(The WORST creepy thing, the Ghost of Christmas Future!)

 

I am glad that Mr. Dickens wrote this story. I am glad for the lessons within. I am glad I will never have to see those creepy things in person and can put them safely away in the cabinet once the Christmas season has passed, but I want to keep the lessons of love alive within my heart and mind throughout the coming year. My hope for myself this year is that I too, will, "know how to keep Christmas well" throughout the year that is given to me.

 

And as Fred Holywell stated,

 

"May that be truly said of us and ALL of it!"   

 

Merry Christmas, my friend.

 





 







 









 



  





The Bestest Ever Early Christmas Present

One week ago, a man came into the facility with a small animal carrier that held 3 tiny kittens...way too young to be away from mama!

One of them obviously had a spinal cord injury and would need to be taken to the vet. I don't think there was any saving this kitten and my heart just broke. The other two were tiny and scared and hungry and while another of my co-workers grabbed at the little gray tabby, I snatched up the little Siamese looking kitten and carried her home with me that night.

Kitten replacement milk, kitten chow and kitten wet food on the way home, purchased from the local PetsMart and the kitten clawing its' way up my shirt the entire drive home. She finally settled down when I got food into her.



I was a little scared of what Maximoose would do. Although he was also a rescue dog, I haven't had any additions to the family since getting him 3 years ago. Silly me. I needn't have worried!

And so I am sharing photos of Maximoose and his new kitten. Look closely, because in some of the photos, their coloring is SO similar, you can hardly see 'Scooter'!



 

 

 

And so it begins. Training and growing, spaying and loving a new family member. How did I ever get so blessed to have such a wonderful family? My blessing cup runneth over...

 



 

Welcome home, Scooter!

 



Preparing for Christmas

 

Preparing for Christmas

 

I know, I know....it isn't even Thanksgiving yet! But for me, the week before Thanksgiving always begins the Christmas Season! (At least I haven't changed my blog background to Christmas stuff yet!) But I love EVERYTHING about Christmas! Even the hustle and bustle of shopping for those perfect gifts!

I love the REASON we have Christmas most of all. My biggest desire during the Christmas Yuletide would be that we all remember why this holiday came into being and especially remember the wonderful and unfathomable gift that was given us. May we never forget, during this season or throughout the year the true meaning of Christmas!

C. W. E. Dietrich (1712–1774)

 

This year I am truly starting over with gathering Christmas decor. Due to the loss of all of my lovely Christmas ornaments and decorations collected over the last 40 years, I am beginning again. I would like to have some words of wisdom here such as, "It is just STUFF. You can always get more STUFF", which is the line I have used numerous times throughout my life, but the fact is, there are some things that cannot be replaced and those are the things I am missing just now.

 

Still, as tragic as this event was, this means I can let my imagination and creativity out to play! Design and create whatever my heart desires and THAT, (even though it will be expensive to gather again), is indeed a call I have always loved! So I am beginning with a tree.

 

I LOVE Christmas trees! No matter what kind or how they are decorated, I LOVE CHRISTMAS TREES!

 

So vintage!

 

Winter elegance!

 

Traditionally country!

 

Made up of childhood dreams!

 





Ultra feminine and PINK!

 

The list and photographs can go on and on! I have always favored a Victorian edge with my Christmas decorating and I cannot go back on that which my heart longs for, but nor do I wish to create what I had created before. I am a different woman now and tastes mature. I LOVE pink and know I want that as a large part of my décor. So what will it be this year?

 

MOST definitely FLOCKED. I have longed for a white tree ever since I can remember but have never gotten around to having one. The most I have done is throw fake and sparkly snow all over and then having snow in the vacuum cleaner through July, (at least). So this is what I have decided upon.....

 

I really covet like this tree, however if I can afford it is another matter altogether. I may just end up flocking a less expensive tree myself. There are tons of tutorials all over Pinterest and while the Ivory Soap and water or the shaving cream and cornstarch recipes do not thrill me or give the effect I desire, I think I can pull it off using paint and tons of glitter. (If I do go this route, I will post pics of the mess  project).

 

Going scouting and shopping has been fun, albeit on a very limited budget. It is odd how some items just tug at you and others SHOUT at you and you KNOW, even if you had decided on the opposite, these things are supposed to come home and be a part of your life. A while back ago, around Halloween,  I scouted some snowflakes down at our local KMart. They were lovely and would look super with pink and gold, but alas! The only ones they had were on the display trees and not for sale. Bummer. But I went back a few days ago and low and behold, they were finally stocking the shelves with ornaments and there they were!

 

 

They only had 10, so....I bought them ALL. The photo really does not do the ornament justice! These things have more angles then the Vatican roofline and throw sparkles just EVERYWHERE. I love the way they pick up whatever color is in their immediate vicinity and shine it in rainbows throughout the room!

 

I also picked up some purple and gold ornaments, (even though I had decided to go pink), but everything was on sale and if I didn't get them now, they would be gone when I'd had time to decide whether or not I wanted them. 

 

LOVE how the snowflakes pick up the purple hues!

Gold is always so elegant!

 

My KMart haul...

 

I have had a difficult time finding the correct pinks I want, but I have some bids out on ebay. I had the winning bid on this star for the top of the tree! I am WAY happy about that! Cannot wait to see it in person! Time will tell if I win any more bids. EBay is so weird...you think you have something and then WHAM! Someone who has nothing better to do than sit all day and bid on your chosen item comes along and steals it. Personally, I think they are probably millionaire hoarders. Would LOVE to see the inside of their house with all my EBay bids sitting there...

 

 

Other than those purchases, I will be making the rest of the ornaments to hang on my tree this year and will begin the collecting again throughout the coming year now that I am somewhat settled in a new town, home and job. Below are some ideas I found on Pinterest. I think the links are done correctly, if not, just hit Pinterest and type the ornament in. It will be there in a flash along with a gazillion other ideas!

 

I need to start drying roses now, but I have a TON of vintage lace I can use with these!

I think I will do the poinsettia in gold though to match the rest of the tree

I LOVE the music sheet ornaments tutorials I am finding! SO very vintage looking!

Coffee filter roses and German mica glitter! So magical!

I am going to be busy for the next few weeks happily crafting in my spare time! Happy Thanksgiving and most of all, may you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas this year!



 



 







 

 



My dog family

Just looking though the files and lovin' my Scarlett, Rhett and Maximoose! Happy Hump day y'all! It is all downhill to the weekend, so spend it with those you love!