Christmas 2013

I just read KatieHaven's Blog and wondered why they haven't updated lately.  Could it be that Michael and Michelle are using the same excuse that I am.  "Been too busy with school, college, and James."  Well, until I update, I can't say anything to them about getting current.  So here goes:

  My christmas this year was fun.  We had a Thrifty Christmas.  My paycheck was docked because I took off work to be with James during his VA doctor and hospital visits.  Don't know which is more stressful, not being with James to talk with the doctors or being short of money, but when it comes to Jim's health, I just have to receive the information first hand. The girls and William are really compedent and do a great job, but I need to be with him.  Michael feels the same way.  We have one track minds and can't deal with work when James is at the VA.

During our Thrifty Christmas Shopping, I encouraged the girls to regift, make, repair, and shop for second hand gifts.  It was fun looking through the Thrift stores to find treasures.  In a Thrift store by my school I found firelogs for James,  I purchased the American Idol and a vampire games that were taped closed and hoped that no parts were missing from inside.  We haven't played them yet but the girls looked inside and said everything was in the box   I got Michael a "How to Train Your Dog" kit for Bonsai that was missing the dog whistle but the dog biscuit mix and booklet were inside.  She put the mix in the cupboard warning me not to cook it for dinner.  A small box of tiny handpainted dolls had an oriental seal on the top looked interesting and a wooden doll with an authentic tag seemed like a great addition to the KatieHaven Collection.  I wrapped the doll in a dollar store plastic box that the girls use to store doll materials.

I found Willians a Home repair book in the thrift shop and a couple of presents in the garage.  He wears his fishing cap and was very appreciative of the police monitor that James never used. He said he used to widdle so I looked for the carving kit in the garage but could not find it.  I bought a carving kit at Joann Fabrics when I bought Michael's gift.  The store sale saved me 50% on her baised tape making machine.

Michelle is impossible to cook for now with her "Glutten Free and dislikes" so Micheal helped me find a rice cooker so that she can substitute rice for our pasta.  We found some ...Gum additive so that she can use the cook book that I purchased for her last year. 

Mica and I took James' camera to the Garland camera store to pick up a flash, film, and battery.  We also got him a case.  I purchaed him a box of sugar free chocolates.

Our remote to the Bose sound system has been missing for nearly a year, so I ordered a new one on line.  I also replaced my barrel on my cookie press and ordered a Soap Box for Michael from the Fortune Cookie Soap company, but haven't received a package.  My Holiday spirits took a nose dive when Grandma Nita told me that she wans't going to put up a Christmas tree, so I ordered her a tiny live tree on line that came with tiny ornaments and lights.  She laughted when she read the card from me saying to make the holiday brighter by plugging in the lights.  We plan to celebrate Christmas with her on January 19.  She is trying to keep the tree live until then.

  Bless RuthAnn's heart, she sent me bulbs that I shared with Rose and Tina.  Tina's dog has been digging up her plants so she will be able to replace them.  Rose kept asking what I was going  to do with the dried flowers and oranges in the cupboard.  I hot glued them to some artificial flowers, stuck them in an old orange vase and gifted them to her.

William made us girls beautiful paper weights from clay.  He graciously added a ring so that I can hang my pretty angel on the tree or on the wall after Christmas.  He gave James a solid cane with a buffalo head. 

Michelle made Michael a doll carrying blanket that can be adjusted to fit either doll.  The girls played Santa for James and I and bought a printer, a fireplace screen, afagan, Christmas kitchen towels and potholders, ear rings, and harliquins for me.  They  gave William bits for his soddering kit.  Micheal gave Michelle a sewing machine class and book.  
Hopefully my friends and family will know that it's the thought that counts.  My thought is you can't buy love, you've got to create it.
Thanks for a very happy Christmas Season that will last through Valentines Day, when we can celebrate our love again.