Hallmark Christmas

As I go about the holiday preparations of sorting and wrapping gifts, preparing menus and stressing over how everything will be complete for the perfect Christmas ever...I realize that true and real life is not a made for television Hallmark movie whereby every crisis is resolved culminating in the perfect life altering event in an hour and a half! Real life is messy. Real life has job loss, wage cuts, divorce, depression, recession and just about any other number of bumps that make life less than idyllic. So are you just not feeling the Christmas spirit? Low on cash? Sad? Angry? Sick? (Me) How does one go about getting into the spirit of Christmas...therein lies the answer..."the spirit of" Christmas is about love, joy, giving and receiving. The Spirit of Christmas is an everyday, every moment blessing not just a monumental once a year event. Here at the Loose Lemons blogspot and household...I strive to make every moment count...some days are better than others. My checklist runs akin to have I been kind, generous, calm, a peacemaker or have I been angry, unforgiving, petty and small? Am I "shrinking" or "expanding" my world? If I am feeling small and "shrinky" I smile at strangers and wish them well. I compliment those I meet. Let that person with one item and a tired look go ahead of me in line...little things that spell the S*P*I*R*I*T. When I am feeling small I go and look at nature, cuddle with my cat, talk to someone and come to realize I am a part of something much larger than just myself and my little world! I realize that the family and friends that come to my home, come to see me to be welcomed...they really don't care if I didn't vacuum the carpet or dust the knick knacks...they would rather "sit a spell" and feel comfortable! We can eat a tin of really good store bought cookies because I just was unable to bake homemade. I guess my thoughts are my life is imperfect and it is okay because it is a good life. I grieve for my friends and family that have passed on, I get angry in really bad traffic, I get stressed by deadlines. Frustrated by illness... I find joy in little things and in each moment and if I need to cry, I cry and then I move on to the next thing and that may even be staring out the window for awhile. I am feeling a sense of peace and calm right now and that is unusual for me! As someone once told me..."you are too tightly wrapped" Of course, those crazy perimenopausal moments may come upon me at any moment! But for now I wish I could embrace each of you in a warm hug and tell you Don't worry, Every thing gonna be all right (imagine a little reggae type music in the background)

Besides who decided a "Hallmark" Holiday was the right kind of holiday? Point me in the direction of the Charlie Brown trees, please!

P.S. I think the Grinch was just misunderstood! He just needed a little love! Remember after all the goodies of Christmas were gone...the "Whos" still stood around and sang...

Box Full of Kisses

One of our first Christmas celebrations in Columbia, South Carolina. Dad was stationed at Fort Jackson Military Post and we lived in the apartments just off the post. This was Baby Boo, when you pulled out the pacifier, she boo hooed like crazy!!! I think my mom eventually gave her away. I loved that doll so much!

The smallest girl child would never smile for pictures. I often wondered what was going through her head. She probably wished her Mom would quit "taping" bows to her head! This was a time when they still allowed me to choose their clothes!

In my wanderings out and about I become so distressed and dismayed when parents are yelling and jerking their exhausted children around. With all the excitement and hullabaloo...children are out of their routine, they are tired, hungry and can be whiny...take them home parents...let them play and rest!!! How sad that they become a sounding board for angry, frustrated parents. I just want to scoop them up and take them home...eat popcorn, watch movies and trash the kitchen! My grandchildren frequently visit and the house is never the same... it takes hours to restore it back to "normal" but it is just stuff...the time spent with the kids is priceless.
My tree is more "decorator" style than homemade nowadays, however nothing on that tree means more to me than each child's delight as they look at it and maybe touch the ornaments. It is stuff...feelings are more important! So feel free to come on over and put your feet on the coffee table...provided you don't have on muddy boots! I came across a story similar to the one below several years ago and it sums up some of my feelings about "stuff"

A Box Full of Kisses

The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, "Don't you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They're all for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses... from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this.

Santa's Helpers

Mix together a lovely group of fun filled, life loving floozies, assorted hats, delicious treats, Kendall's annual "surprise" beverage, generous doses of laughter and kind, loving, giving hearts and an annual Flamingo Floozie Luncheon takes place with fun had by ALL!!!

Thanks to the Lauren that stood in for our errant photographer. Tom had errands to run...hmpf

He generally hides out until he is called for the photo ops.

The hostess with the mostess (the Diva) and her partner in crime (the princess of quite alot)!

Since the Floozies are an extraordinarily blessed group...in lieu of purchasing each other gifts we decided to purchase Christmas for a dear family... a single mom with two lovely very young daughters. Thanks to generous offerings of the Floozies and diligent shopping by the Princess of Quite Alot and the Diva, each child will receive a toy, several pairs of shoes, a winter coat and an extensive winter wardrobe. In addition, a gift certificate will be purchased for their Mother.

Woohooo!!!

Let the wrapping begin!!! Santa's helpers busy boxing and wrapping the gifts in the Flamingo room.

A Very Happy Birthday to Rhetta (far right) ! Can you put your thumb here for just a sec! I was taking pictures and making gift tags.

All enjoyed watching Rhetta open her birthday gifts! Ellie looks like she wants a set of those!

More birthday festivities! The Diva played the stereo this year instead of her beautiful piano!

Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words! We all lead such busy, diverse lives but we come together in the spirit of fun, friendship and giving.

Our friend Bonnie had another committment and could not attend...we missed you!

A moment was shared by several of us remembering our dearly departed Dot Dot...she would have loved this party the best!!!

May each of you be blessed with gratitude, love, and friendship this holiday season.

Ghost of Christmas Past

My cousin Rudy and I around 1962 or 63 in Germany. Obviously, we were not quite ready to jump into the photo frenzy that ensues on Christmas morn! Please, please can we open our gifts?

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum...looking happier! We lived in a very small apartment in Hohenfels, Germany hence the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Childhood times spent in Germany with relatives was the best part of my childhood! I felt very loved and a part of a larger albeit small community. As a child, I always felt a little bit odd living in the United States...even as a U.S. citizen and an adult I often long for a return to that simpler time in Germany. I love my life with my family and have spent my entire adult life living in South Carolina. Life is Good! Sometimes that longing just creeps in...so I look at old photos, we call my aunt overseas and eat lebkuchen! Frohe Weinachten Ya'll

P.S. As I was looking at this photo I noticed a child sized ironing board...my mother ironed my dad's boxers, t shirts and handkerchiefs and I guess she was trying to get me off to the right start...PLEASE...I try not to buy something if it requires more than a good shake out of the dryer!!!

Fabulous Floozies take the Stage

Dear Friends and Family,

For your viewing enjoyment! Look out remaining floozies and s.l.o.b.s...no one is safe!

Organized Chaos!

There is a delicious sense of anticipation in the air as Thanksgiving celebrations turn into other holiday celebrations. In our household we celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ. We honor the diversity with which our friend's celebrate their holidays. Glad tidings all around! Dear Husband put up the "faux" tree last Sunday night and yours truly has been decorating it a couple of ornaments at a time. Boxes are still littered on the floor much to Moe, the kitty's delight! Traditions must be changed on occasion and ours changed from trudging around the Christmas tree farm and cutting the perfect tree to using the pre-lit "faux" tree. Sadly, I can no longer live with a real tree as I break out in huge whelps and bumps if I go near one. I convince myself it is okay because I am being frugal, I am saving trees and it is easier (yeah right)

The grandchildren stopped by one evening and were so excited they could barely contain themselves. Thus the one quarter of the front of the tree is covered with about thirty ornaments and only the shoes of the "girl" would stand still to be photographed!

Since I do not have a fireplace mantle, I use the space above the electronics cabinetry as a "mantle" My OCD self is noticing that I must go home and tweak some of the spacing issues of ornaments!

Work in progress, a 9ft tree is a time consuming endeavor...I hope to be finished before Christmas comes and goes.

My favorite nativity ever...placed in the entry of our home...to remind us to be faithful, joyful, hopeful, charitable, kind, loving, and give thanks for our blessings and abundance! I love the flash of light reflected in the mirror, I imagine the star glowing bright above all else to signal the birth of the Christ child!

Mary and the Christ child, my favorite pieces in this Nativity set. Reminds me of the joy of being a mother. And Mary's joy in bringing forth this infant to redeem mankind.

Whatever your beliefs may be I wish you health, love, peace, and happiness throughout this Holiday Season!

Throughout December I will be exploring traditions, memories and year end musings...I hope you will stop in and take a peek!

I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues

Queen of procrastination that I am...Pippa over at her porch had a game of capturing "the blues" last week...I am finally posting my finds...it has also gotten the song "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" by Elton John etched in my brain!

Seems like I can ALWAYS find a way to get the grandchildren into any project...I must confess these were not taken last week! (but...they capture blue)

Packed and ready to GO!!! Anyone still want to go on a road trip with me? I promise I'll use a map!

In the kitchen blues, a spot of herbal tea anyone? Or shall I cook something...hmmm...the recipe is here somewhere...

"Swiped" the lucky elephant from my Mom, she has "its" four brothers and sisters...I told her I would give it back after I took a picture and she said I could have her! Mom decided to decorate her bare tulip tree with a drawer full of Mardi Gras beads.

So, that's it for this past week's game of the blues! I guess that's why they call it the blues...friend that I am I did not put the song in the background of this post...because I am nice that way... anyone have any suggestions for getting it "unstuck" ?