Silence

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.  New Year's is right around the corner!!! I am looking forward to saying goodbye to 2010.

My friend and former pastor always sends lovely Christmas cards and the sentiment he included with this year's card really moved me. I would like to share his words with you:

"Please let us use this occasion to put in a good word for silence--an appropriate word to hear again at Christmas.  We have felt this year that our society has been noisier, with, we think, shameless incivility on both sides of the aisle, with growing evidence of explosive anger and increasing decibels of loudness.  Isn't this then the perfect time to remember "Let all mortal flesh keep silence?"  Shouldn't we softly sing "Silent Night, Holy Night" and "...how silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!"? Can't we all find at least a few moments to "be still, and know that God is God"?  Can't we find times in the next days for calmness, serenity, silence, remembering the challenge of the Prophet Isaiah, "...in quietness and in trust shall be your strength"?  We're working on these questions, and we hope that you will join us, too.

In addition to "Silent Night " -- we're singing "Joy to the World"! May the gifts of silence and joy be yours now and in the coming year."

I want to take this moment to wish all of you a very Happy New Year!!!  I'll be back to blogging next Monday!

We Met in Fairyland

I finally met the Crafty Triathlete in person!!!  I guess now we will have to stop referring to each other as imaginary friends!

Her son is just darling and, being a big boy, provided Noodlebug with the perfect playmate.  On the recommendation of Amy Powers, I decided I finally needed to see Fairyland.  It is such a charming old-school kind of place and I loved it!!! 

Being a Beatrix Potter fan, I almost wet my pants when I saw Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's house:

Why is this sideways?!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the boys on the boat of the Owl and the Pussycat:

I have no idea why these photos are sideways!!! Grrrr!!!
Anyway, we had a great time and can't wait to get together again.  Kim and Sporty Spice gave Noodlebug a gingerbread kit and we had to do it right away:

It was so great to meet one of my favorite bloggers in person!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!
(sorry for the sideways photos)

The Stockings are Hung...

Sorry I have been absent.  My last day of work for this year was last Thursday. I have been furloughed until January 3.  It is hard not to have the money but I am grateful to have the time off.  I promptly got sick and am currently nursing a cold. Still, I am looking forward to Christmas Day!!!

Some scenes from our Polar Express ride in Sacramento:

Drinking "Hot Chocolate"

Reading our copy of the book on the train--the Conductor signed it!!!

It was such a great experience!!!  I can't wait to do it again next year! 

I also finished my homemade gifts for Noodlebug. Here is a view of his finished alligator scarf:

I liked the pattern so much I may have to make a matching one for myself!

Here are some pillowcases I made for Noodle. I am addicted to sewing pillowcases!!!  I am giving one of the rocket ship cases to my friend Kim's son for Christmas:

Sorry this one is a bit blurry.

I also finished some hooded towels. These are for some little girls I know:

Whew!!!  Hopefully, I have everyone covered.  I didn't quite get all my handmade gifts done. There were just too many great ideas and not enough time.  I'll keep plugging away though. Maybe some will be Valentine's gifts.

Speaking of my friend Kim, I am finally going to meet the Crafty Triathlete herself tomorrow!!! We have been internet friends for a long time now but will finally get to meet in person.  She is an incredibly generous and creative person and I am lucky to know her. Maybe we'll take some photos and post them on our blogs.

I may not get the chance to post again before Christmas so I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Many blessings to all of you on this very special day.

Saturday Morning

Scene:  Saturday morning, December 11, 2010, 7:00am

Cast: Mommy, Daddy and Noodlebug cuddling in bed

Noodlebug turns on his side to face me.



Noodlebug (spontaneously):  Mommy.....I love you.



And my heart bursts into a thousand pieces...

Game Called Life and Update

This song has been running through my head lately:



I have my eye on the prize.....I get two weeks of vacation starting on December 17.  Time with my family. Time to unwind a little bit. (I am REALLY wound up!)

I have finally started my handmade holiday gifts.  Two towels done and Noodlebug's scarf is finished.  Photos comings soon!!!

Can You Help Me Find My Christmas Spirit?

I am in a Holiday funk. 

The tree is up as are most of the decorations and Noodlebug is loving it. I connected the tree lights to a foot button on/off switch and the first thing Noodle does in the morning is to run and push the button to turn on the tree lights. 

I have all the materials for my handmade gifts but I can't muster the energy or enthusiasm to make anything.  As soon as Noodlebug goes to bed, I tell myself I'm going to get out the sewing machine but then I just end up sitting on the couch watching the REAL HOUSEWIVES. (I'm not proud of that but, for some strange reason, watching those shows makes me feel better about my life) 

I am having a lot of conflict within my family right now and that, coupled with the fact that we lose unemployment in a month if Congress doesn't do something drastic, is really bringing me down. The only thing I want for Christmas is a job for my husband that will enable us to stay in our rental home and cover our bills.

This Sunday, my family is traveling to Sacramento to do this:

Maybe it will give me the holiday boost that I need.  I hope so.