Mystery box opened...

remember this?.....

My Mystery gift box...

here is what my honey gave me...

A marble pastry board! so light reflective, it's hard to see how gorgeous it is!

16"x20"...42#'s...3/4"!!!  It's gorgeous!  I thought it sweet and romantic and unexpected and nothing on my must have/wish I had/longing for list...he's sentimental.  At some point I mentioned that I missed my old marble cutting board that I had in Alaska.  I used it for all sorts of things...bread dough, poured candy, rolling pie-crust and I sliced and hacked on it also.  When we moved it was one of those last things to be packed...when you are tired and all that sort of thing and for some reason (momentary insanity?) I gave it away!  I've sort of watched for one over the years but never really talked about it.  Never had it on my desire list and never looked online as you can do nowadays.  But my sweet guy did!  

and he opened his headset!  loves it also.  as do I.  this headset is a marriage saver when you have one person with hearing loss that likes TV and likes shows that the wife isn't necessarily crazy about...ah, bliss!  he can catch up on WW1 and also any other war or historical fact or the world situation and I can choose silence or play music or whatever appeals to me!!  It's a winning situation so we are happy campers on the home front.

Terry has had a couple of rough days health-wise.  we have been barricaded indoors and some kind angelic soul actually came and put our garbage can up and Kip's!!  Talk about angels!!  We are blessed!!

A great Christmas!

I know.  I know.  I said I wasn't going to blog for a few days but this Christmas has been so wonderful I just have to blog a bit.

We bought a new vacuum and that was to be our joint present.  we weren't going to do any thing else.  Then his headset dies and it is so worn out that he will need a new one.  So Kipper and I get online and find one and order it.  I tell Terry that after Christmas would be a good time as maybe they will be on sale.  Then Terry decided to order one so I had to tell him that one was on the way.  Long story short.  They aren't here yet.  In the meantime this large box arrives and he says...don't open it.  it's a surprise for your Christmas.  then we have that conversation of...but you said...but I thought...that's not fair as I don't have a surprise for you.  All that silly immature talk that all adults do at one time or another.  So currently- the headset did not arrive.  the box is not opened.  we will open them both at the same time when his headset arrives.  just an extension of Christmas celebrating!  He is second guessing himself and wondering if he did overkill on what ever he ordered.  maybe size wise?  it's pretty big.

My mystery gift!

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We received so many love gifts of baked goods and candies.  Scrumptious!!  Beautiful cards!  Speaking of food...we had a delish dinner.  Turkey roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, StoveTop dressing, cranberries, olives, sparkling apple juice and mince meat pie.  it was such a simple dinner and some of the other things we were going to make we just decided not to.  there is something to be said for simple fare that tastes superb!  we cooked a winner dinner!!

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Phone calls from all of our children.  That was fantastic!!!  They all sounded good and happy.  Jeanee and her family were with David and his family.  They had been trying to do that for a long time and it finally all came together.  Jeanee was 8 when David arrived in our life.  a hefty 9.9!  She was a petite little darling.  She had longed for a baby sister but was thrilled when we got the call that a baby brother would arrive as soon as I flew to Renton and picked him up!  She did all the things that sisters do for newborns--feeding him, changing him, rocking him, dressing him, baby talking him etc. etc. and she still adores him and he her.   Of all the pictures she has sent of the two of them, this is my most favorite. 

 

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Terry and I were alone but things ended up just fine.  Next year we will be better prepared to bring in a few things that we enjoy looking at.  I appreciated Terry making the effort and bringing in a couple more nativities.  They seem to have a special feeling all their own.  Here is how our decorations ended up...

this made me nervous when I walked in on this!!  I was afraid he'd fall!

success!  the tree aired out enough to bring in and rehang!

contemplating how to restring lights inside like my Dad did when he made it. 

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I was surprised when he found a box with some of our nativities.  They truly bring such a special feeling to a room.  so here is how it ended up with those...

My Daddy made the macrame tree and my Mother made me this in 1984...

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Terry brought in a Christmas house to prepare it to give away.  Very sentimental.  Difficult to do.  Reliving and walking down memory lane in his head.  Tough to watch from out of sight.  Then he started talking about how these houses need to be used and loved the way he has felt about them and his spirit lifted.

I love him so much and sometimes it's hard to see changes even in something like giving Christmas houses away.  tonight he was standing at the kitchen sink and he'd had Christmas music really loud and filling the room.  I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas came on and it was just dreamy beautiful.  I missed my children.  I thought of the many white Christmases we shared in Alaska and the pioneer experiences we shared and survived.  I thought again of the importance of making memories while your children are at home. I looked at Terry and was awash with love for him.  I asked him.. feel you can dance a bit?  and he quietly said...no. sorry.  The song was just so smooth and dance-worthy and I just snuggled to his side and hugged him and we sort of swayed. 

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We had a fantastic Christmas and music was a huge part of it.  Terry had  Pandora  Christmas music on so loud that it filled the house but it was glorious (as my late friend Myra Faye would say.  I sure miss her).  I felt gifted on so many levels and I have to share the most unusual gift I've ever received.  A young man that I've known since he was 17, he's probably 40 now, sang me a song on FB!!  I was so shocked and so touched.  I blogged about him a couple of years ago.  He used to be in our old Ward before it was divided.  He's has a lot of struggles in his life about being LDS gay.  This reduced me to tears.   here

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Just had to say hi and share the joy I'm feeling.  An abundance for sure!!!

Decorations...

Last year, Terry had said, that he might not have the get up and go to do all the decorating.  He put the boxes where he could get to them just in case he could still muster up the oomph.  We made one huge mistake.  True we were prepared that it might not work out BUT we did not prepare a minimal box.  One that had a garland, the nativities and a couple of other things that we enjoy.  IF we had a single box, just for minimal decorations, we would have had a much easier time, preparing  for Christmas the way we like to do it, in a more abbreviated way.  the year from 2013 to now?...the boxes are buried!  somewhere! 

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 The tree still hasn't passed the sniff test and is still hanging out back.  True it has improved but not enough to warrant a permit slip for entry indoors.

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One wreath smelled so good and we usually have two...one indoors and one on the front door...so I bought another but forgot to pick up the hangar as the regular ones are buried in the garage so Terry hung it on the doorknob and I think that is it!  I put the two nativities out and the rest are also buried in the time capsule aka our garage.  We feel the Spirit and that is what matters.

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so we have been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of talking and Terry has been doing a lot of struggling (in a brave way! with a lot of neuralgia pain this last week which renders him sleep deprived).  He is unable to do what he wants to do.

Those are things that we needed to address.  We have job descriptions and divvy things up.  He is rather adamant that what is his to do, is his, and not mine.  I'm not to touch anything on his to do list!!  (Viking thing!)

So he rakes the leaves and I'm not to help.  Actually it's more like he starts to rake the leaves, I'm not to help, with what didn't get finished, because he will do it.  It's his to do etc. etc.  He moves the chairs off the front porch but I'm not to move the tables or rug or leaves as he is going to do it, because it is on his list. 

The big vacuum cleaner box will be moved.  By him.  Also the tools over by the fireplace that were used on the heater repair.  And the two big boxes the air filters came in...that need to go to the garage.  Don't touch them.  Oh, did I mention he does ALL the dishes??  Still!  But...if he's not able to do them...might I take care of that???  Uh, no.  He will do it.  

Inside or outside.  Hands off.

So...it was getting a bit smoky in here.  Not high heat with flames but a bit scorchy.  He was in bed for the morning after a sleepless night and I hauled and carried and moved and did dishes and just sort of general tidied up things that had been quite a bit of time piling up.

When he woke up...he did not run and buy me flowers and thank me for helping.  So the Missourian Mule and the Nordic Viking had a rather animated word battle.  Not pretty.  Thank heavens for being empty nesters and no one here to witness such rude behavior and loud voices.

Calming down, you have to do that to endure each other and make that eternal marriage goal, we regrouped and it turned out marvelous.  The Lord is so good to all of us as we plod/plunge through mortality, don't you think?

We decided to just be thankful.  Just be grateful for whatever got done. Not wish it was more.  Accept with gratefulness whatever got done by whoever could do it. If one of us couldn't step up to the plate and hit a homer then the other would pinch-hit.  We would both just be totally thankful that one of us was up to the task at hand.  No selfish talk of ...but that is mine to do!  not yours!  We aren't fighting over toys here or who is right and staking out territory and putting yellow crime scene tapes to set a trap.  We are partners and we want to work together.  In harmony.  Can you hear the little bluebirds of happiness twittering/tweeting over here??

We hugged and kissed and got back in our somewhat rickety wagon, for our sometimes very bumpy mortal ride. 

Then we had a stupendous event happen!!

We were so moved by the monumental shift we had made in who does what, and just expressing gratitude to each other,  that we decided to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie!  Saving the North Pole.  We both, in our tenderness, were feeling teary.  Yes.  Teary over the North Pole!!  And right then a loud knock got our attention. 

Imagine my surprise...no one was there BUT this precious gift of love!  So then we were tearful over 6 cookies with a sweet note!!  I'm sure others got some but no one could possible be as thankful for that sweet thoughtful gesture as us.  I cherish the plate!

"Tis the Season...

 Figuring out my life this last while and ended up at one point this week, reminding myself that life is truly fleeting, and also remembering what Auntie Mame said in that hilarious old 1958 movie, of the same name- Auntie Mame... Live! "life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" I was thinking it's time to pick things up a notch.  Being somewhat crazed?-- Perhaps so.  I did the thing that lots of females do in a time of perceived crisis...got online and ordered a dress!  A plus size bright red dress!  Insane! 

 

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    So things are different and that is fast becoming just fine.  It was nice to send out this note to our family and get such a fun response back.  

Dad is ready to give his Christmas houses away.  I know each of you have several so don’t need any duplicates or any more.  Anyone of the next generation want one or so or more?  If we don’t hear back then he’s gifting them to others.  first choice is for you and yours!!! 

 

love to each of you from your Mom

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 Oh no! Why?  Are they ones that belong to our series?  Putting up the houses are the boys favorite part of decorating.  I would love to be able to pass those down to them for their little families.  It's so special.  I hope I'm not too late!
 Love, your DIL💛💙💜💚

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Hi! We would be happy to take some. We packed poorly one year and a lot of ours broke. Grace absolutely loves them and she's sad that they are broken. 

Let me know!!

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Grandmama and Grandpapa, I would love to have a house or two, they are my favorite :)

Love you

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We would love one. The kids would cherish the fact that it was yours.  Love you xoxo

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Good morning.  The girls expressed an interest in them. 

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Our boys enjoy those houses. We'll take them if no one else in our family does.

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(our lone daughter, she that requested several years ago-- please, stop sending them. We have no more attic space.)

Thanks so much Momma!  But we are bursting with houses and are all set here. xoxo 

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Our eldest son said...

I would love to see them go to kids and families who are less fortunate this holiday season...

(He will maybe be surprised that his daughter-in-law wants 3! we'll probably give her 4!)

So that is taken care of.  Well, step one!  Now we have to find, sort, send.  But it will be fun is what I'm thinking!

 

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 Decorating inside?--

The tree is still airing outdoors...the wreath is still hanging on the door knob...the Nativity is still where it sits year round... as is the other Nativity...as is the metal snow flake, decked out with a pine cone and a sprig of green pine needles...as is the house  with it's little tiny Christmas tree that reminds us of Halibut Cove. 

So year round we have these touches that make us feel cozy and sentimental and when December rolls around we feel Christmasy.  technically I could claim that we have Christmas decorations up year round.  They do remind us of home, family and the Savior.  So I'm thinking we are about set.

I'm really so fed up with all this holiday talk in the media/stores and leaving Christ out of everything.   It seems counter productive to me to buy more stuff or receive more stuff when I'm trying to get rid of stuff.  I have thought of what I want to do for my sisters I VT.  I have a rather bizarre idea (is that my norm??) but I want to do it.  IF I don't do it then I'll tell you what I wanted to do.  IF I do it then I won't tell you what I did.  I mean it's a gift after all!

 This morning I had a great visit with a dear friend about the poor and giving and all that goes along with that subject.  We are both on the same page and that is always nice to know that fact and confirm how you view things from the same vantage point.

Later on I remembered 2 blogs that I did in 2011.  Some of my favorite scriptures and a couple of incidents are shared.  If you are new to my blog you might not have seen it.  If you are old to my blog you might enjoy reading the references.

Spot of Beauty  here  

 Poor/Rich    here

(I'm loving my life and the newness of it each day, as I figure out how to shift gears, get off center and move along.  How long can a person be figuring things out on one subject...life!)

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This is what the core of life is all about, isn't it???

    
                                                                     

Scaled down decorations

Christmas is about beauty....be it music or scents or pictures or memories....connecting with people-close at hand or further away.  Enjoy this beautiful tree that my friend Maurine took in SLC...

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Things don't have to be lavish to be beautiful.  It's an individual thing because we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The Stake Christmas Concert was beautiful on all counts.  They used the cultural hall to the max.  I loved how they set it up.  Orchestra, Choir, hand-bell ringers on the floor to the right. Marvelous singing and playing.  All dressed white and black.  Red Poinsettia corsage/red ties.  Bethlehem, Camels, sheep, donkey, water well, building ...all amazing!  the costumes...breathtaking.  Mary...heavenly.  the casting superb.  Yes, I loved it. 

I thought about why it impacted me so powerfully.  Partly because it was so well produced and evenly excellent.  no high or low.  all on the same level of excellence.  Also because of the simplicity of it.  All about the Savior and His Birth.  Later it dawned on me that events like this, where someone gives (everyone involved in the production)  and someone receives (those of us in the audience)  are on the same wave length.  We are all being taught.  We are all being edified.  We were unified.
Just like in...

Doctrine and Covenants 50:22 Wherefore he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

It was a time of celebration, not only for what was performed in such a tender touching real way, but also of feeling love for the Savior and the joy of knowing about Him and enjoying the Gospel.    

Doesn't do any justice to the reality of it!!!

So here is our tree for this year....

It's handmade macrame.  By my Dad.

it has lights and bows and is perfectly done.

I never called him Dad in his life.  It was always Daddy.  Anyhow...he had retired, my Mother was trying to find things to keep him busy (as his health wasn't real good but his brain was always whirring as happens with workaholics sometimes)  so macrame was one thing she got him interested in.  he was great at tying knots so it was a good match.  he made all sorts of things...end tables, wall hangings, lamp shades and then one year in late 70's, he made this tree.  It's been stored for years (it collapses within itself and all the lights and ribbons stay on as is.)  and right now...it really smells and not so good.  We are thinking of hanging it outdoors and seeing if fresh air will outdo our attempts with air filters we have in house.

We aren't going to put up our tree that we love and enjoy.  Nor the houses.  We will put out the Nativities, get a wreath for the door, put a garland over the mirror and that will be it for this year.

This last week, I've realized how much our life has changed and how we need to simplify on so many counts.  I need to pick up my pace and do more.  When Terry said...We can't do Christmas decorating as we have before and then said...I'm going to give the houses away...I knew that he was speaking his truth.  That just isn't going to happen.  A friend offered to come pull boxes out and do it all- and another would do it also but you know what?--in life's scheme, being very independent folks, we want to do what we can for ourselves and that is what we decided on.  It's time for us to step up to the plate and make some rather drastic changes for us.

All of these decorations are about shared memories with adults, that were one time our young children, filled with the wonder of Christmas.  They all now have their own young and not so young children, at home.  Sad to say we don't live near each other.  I'm just saying these things served us well and now we need to cut back.

I'm so sentimental and always talking traditions and making memories.  That has been done at various times on many levels.  So I sent a note to the family and told them Dad is going to give the houses away.  You get first pick. I just sent the note and our sweet Granddaughter-in-law is very sentimental also and she wants a couple for her little ones.  Our Granddaughter Grace had some that got broken and she would like a couple.  Remember...all 5 of our children have been gifted with houses and also remember...they finally asked if the gift houses could please be stopped!   Terry will gift remaining houses to friends.  Well, some friends as there aren't a hundred or so houses.

It was a tough week in letting go but I found the answer in the scriptures.  This applies at different times to different situations but for me, this week, it rang true...

Ecc. 3:1,6 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:....A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. 

I'm thinking cast away is give away!!!

My sweet husband and I have intact, the most precious thing of Christmas...our love of the Savior and our testimonies.