Monday, November 30, 2009

A bit of Holiday decor

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday! Over the weekend I pulled out some Christmas decorations we had in storage. Being that we live in a tiny apartment I added the decorations throughout and wanted to avoid overcluttering, but I find it a bit undone, so I will continue to add more. In the meantime I just got so excited to show you what I had so far! I hope you enjoy the tour. (I think you can click on the picture to enlarge it).
























Wishing you a great week!

~ Marcia

Monday, November 23, 2009

Seems like I haven't posted in forever!

Hi All!

I am so behind on my blog. I feel I haven't visited or posted in the longest time! I am scurring to get Christmas gifts done. We went shopping on the weekend and the stores are already packed, no surprise there as it is almost Christmas. I love to shop but really dislike crowds so I'm trying to get things done but am finally admitting to myself that I am way behind this year. December brings two birthdays (three if you count my pups), and Christmas so getting everything organized and purchased is cumbersome. But being that it happens every year at the same time you'd think I'd be better prepared? LOL. I think this year I am not feeling the holiday mood because we only get Christmas Day off of work. I have never worked for a company that has you working 8-5 Christmas Eve and only have Christmas Day off? I think that's very Ebenezer Scrooge! Do you guys work for a company that only offers Christmas Day off? So I don't feel it this year. Sigh. I'll pull up my big girl panties and deal.
In the meantime, I did manage to put out some Christmas decorations. I will show you that in tomorrow's post, along with some great gift finds!

Wishing you all a great Holiday week!
~ Marcia

Friday, November 13, 2009

Christmas, Yes I said it.

It's finally starting to feel like Fall in our area with just a touch of winter in the air. But being from the North you know we can't help but sleep with our windows cracked open ;)

So have you started your Christmas shopping? I have gotten as far as compiling a Christmas list of gift ideas. I'm late this year. Usually I like to start in October and be done by early November. I hate crowds.I love to shop but hate having to wait in long lines and even more settling on something I know the recipient will not love but having to get it because there isn't much left to choose from. So I'm planning on getting in the Christmas spirit this weekend. To start off, we're going to see this:

Disney's A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey.


(Photo courtesy of Disney)

I admit, I'm not a huge Jim Carrey fan but his rendition of The Grinch was amazing! I seem to like him better animated. LOL. I am so excited to see this movie!

Then its off to do some shopping! I love the Christmas Season. Things seem more magical, people a little more friendlier. Strangers seem to try to extend hospitality to those around them a bit more than usual. Trying as we might to be a "good neighbor" I think may have bite us in the butt just a tad, wouldn't you say? I mean, to omit the word Christmas from it's very holiday because we as a society are aiming to be politically correct, in my opinion has gone to far. Least we forget why it's called CHRISTmas in the first place? Schools are now closing for "winter break" and no longer "Christmas break". I am a big believer of the saying, "live and let live" but to say that we can no longer merrily say "Merry Christmas" to each other in the malls or in public places because someone within earshot may not celebrate it? I don't see it as an insult to those that don't celebrate but as a celebration for those that do. It's Christ's birthday, and for me I'm opting to keep Christ in Christmas. If that doesn't make me politically correct, I apologize, I don't mean to offend, but I do mean to celebrate the holiday for what it is.

OK, I'm done ranting! What we were talking about when I got side tracked? Oh yah, shopping! What are your favorite stores to hit up? Do you have a special go to place you know you'll find great deals, great gift ideas? I know for sure I want to visit the Disney store for my niece and nephew. Otherwise, probably the mall and the outlets. Anyone care to share their fave stores?

~ Marcia

Friday, November 6, 2009

Making due

Our morning walk was a beautiful cool crisp one where the aroma of breakfasts seep through closed doors and out into the streets. That aroma brought with it a memory that I hold close but never realized it's meaning until this morning. It reminded me of days gone by. We'd all pack into the car and head over to my grandparents house where we'd meet up with aunts, uncles and our cousin and settle in for a grand holiday feast. My grandparents had 7 children, those children had childen so to say there was a lot of us is an understantment. Yet my grandparents house wasn't really a house at all, it was a two bedroom apartment where they lived for the majority of their lives as my grandparents.

Their home may not have been a house but there was no denying it a home. It was filled to the brim with love, laughter and gatherings. It was a standard issued apartment, a two bed, one bath, galley style kitchen and little patio. Yet on many a holiday or simply a Sunday, they'd add the leaf to the dinning table (if you were seated by the patio door you'd know to use the washroom before settling in, otherwise there was no getting back up)! The kids had the "kids table", which on every other day was their coffee table. Yet we didn't mind it at all! It was a grand! Grandma would deck out our table as prettily as the big table. Our napkins would be rolled into our "wine" glasses (only years later did we realize they were stemmed orange juice glasses). She would set our table with large plates, salad plates and we had the same knives, forks and spoons set up around them as the big table did. Even her olives had their own silver platter and little spoon! My grandparents hosted many a holiday and no one wined about having to share one bathroom, ok, ok so I do recall telling my sisters to hurry it up from time to time, but my point is, they made due with what they had. They opened their door to family and weren't shy about the lack of space their home offered. No one complained about having to sit at the kitchen table while others sat on the couch or piano stool. We made due, and enjoyed each others company. This realization stopped me in my tracks. I have been living a life of "when we have this...we'll be happy".

Once again, my Granny has been an invaluable part of my life and my inspiration. So from now on I promise to open my door to family and friends and invite them to gather around our little table or squeeze onto our sofa and make memories.




~ Marcia

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

You gotta know when to fold them...know when to walk away

I know Kenny was referring to a game of cards but I think his words can be used to describe relationships as well. Sometimes we gotta stop making excuses, and see what it is we're looking at, with new eyes and an unbiased opinion. Life is to short to pretend it away. We can only hope, pray and try so much, when it ain't fixing, it's definetly broke.

Most people have assumed I was referring to my husband or an old friend, and would be behind me to change my situation, "stand up for yourself", they'd say, "be strong", they'd cheer. Yet, when I say no, it's neither of those, but the relationship I have with my mother, the reaction is always the same. Ohhh, "give her room, give her time, she needs you". Why? Why is it ok for someone to treat you with no respect, no love, no understanding, because your veins share the same blood? When is enough, really enough? And why do people think because its your parent that you need to be the one to bend? That you need to forgive, forget and keep the line of communication open? Even though every turn remains unchanged.I have tried to find the source of her dismay but to no avail. I have finally faced the truth, that lay in front of me, for years I overlooked it. She never offered to share her thoughts, her feelings or her truths. So I must accept it for what it is. The only truth I have is to decide what to do with this information. So yes, Kenny, you're right, you really need to know when to fold them, and simply walk away.

I am sorry this post is more on the personal note. I didn't intend to share this with you, but it needed out of my brain. And my friends, God love them, can easily start sending me bills as I've talked their ears off for years. ;)

Here's to change, to a new season, a new day!
~Marcia