Look what Nae Made!

This afternoon, Jon and I drove down to south Seattle to pick up the girls for the weekend. Their mother has finals all week next week, and we wanted to spend some time together before the holidays. I wanted to have Mom come too, but she needs some time to study for her finals. She was very excited because someone had given her a Christmas tree and some ornaments to use this year.

BUT

In an almost overlooked statement said to one of the girls, there are no Christmas stockings.

Correction

There were no stockings.

After we put the little girls to bed, Nae and "Auntie" went to work.

We traced one of the boys stockings.

Onto felt. The felt was bags I used when wrapping my Princess House products up for traveling to and from parties,

Not getting any bookings for parties,

I don't need the bags as much as the girls need stockings.

(and coats, and socks, and jammies, and jeans, and...)

Having already spent my budget buying  a few of the above mentioned necessities, I needed to use what I had.

I asked Nae if she had ever used a sewing machine, and she said no.

So I asked if she wanted to. She said yes.

I walked her through the steps of sewing  the stockings together, and she did a really good job. Only one place I am going to have her go back and fix in the morning. But for never having used a machine before, she was a PRO!

(look how closely she is watching her stitches.)

And Her finished product. We sewed a hanger on it with a wide zigzag stitch, then using the same stitch, sewed an ornament I had gotten at the dollar store to attach to presents.

Isn't she beautiful? Her 13th Birthday is two days after Christmas, so Auntie has to find a special something for that too!

After Nae went to bed, Auntie whipped these other two up.

For the little sisters.

Mommy needs one too, but I am going to let the little girls "help" with that.

I have found that one of the best ways to combat my seasonal depression is to think of the needs of others,

It doesn't have to be as grand as making an entire Christmas for another family, but just looking to the needs of others and not thinking about what I may or may not "need" has made me much happier this year.

AND

Even though they have so little, their mommy is doing the same thing by working a blanket drive for the homeless in her area.

I am going to go wash some of our extra blankets now.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

( I just read this post and was feeling so smug about my accomplishment. Right up to that last picture. See it?)

Now you don't have to tell me my mistake in the comments. Just tell Nae what a terrific job she did!

twas two weeks before Christmas

Twas two weeks before Christmas, and I couldn't care.
The only gifts that were purchased, was something to wear.
No cookies were baking, no scent in the air.
No signs that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were man sized, and so were their beds.
While visions of electronic devices danced in their heads.
Mommy was working almost every day, only to come home
and this is what they say.

Mother what is for dinner, I need a snack,
I step into the kitchen and am completely taken aback.
The dishes are piled in the sink without care.
The peanut butter and jelly are just lying right there.

Dish rags are thrown in piles on the floor.
I pick one up to peek and see spillings galore
You know I began to make such a clatter
With 3 man sized offspring, wide eyed, saying mother what is the matter?

The laundry is spread on the couch like new fallen snow.
There are socks lying about, dirty or clean I do not know.
When what to my wondering eye should appear?
But the arrival of "Daddy" dear.

He walks in the door his shoes does remove.
And leaves them lying starting his groove.
Up the stairs he comes while working his lungs.
The names of his children flying off his tongue

Now Darian, Now Cannyn, Now Brystan
You too! Get out here and pick up your book bags and shoes.
Now Darian, take out the trash, Now Cannyn The recycle
Now Brystan go out an pick up the Bicycle.
To the garage you go, all three of you.
And while you are down there, clean it up too.
NOW! RIGHT NOW!
I have told you all!

As loud crickets chirp, so as not to obey,
Two man sized offspring turn around to play.
They have heard this blustering a million times before,
and know they are safe to be told two times more.

With a warning glance at them and their brother.
I told them I did not want another
evening of chaos and anger and strife,
They looked at me funny, saying, "That is life"

Now the oldest was home between school and practice that night,
He looked around and seeing the fight.
He picked up the trash and the recycle,
went to the garage and put away the bicycle.

He spent a few minutes putting things away with care.
Knowing that mother was pulling her hair.
Washing the dishes was next on his list.
All the while he was doubling his fist.

Our lives are so busy, there is so much to do,
We need to do homework and tidy up too.
Our droll little house is bursting at the seams
with toys on the floor, and dirty laundry in streams
starting in the bedrooms and flowing down the hall,
There just isn't enough time for mother to do it all.
You would think that someone would care,
With holidays approaching, and winter in the air.

The tree is decorated, in gold, green and red,
With bows, balls, figurines and Santa's head.
A constant reminder of pleasures to come,
You would think that someone would care, Maybe just one!

So just days before Christmas I survey this dump.
Looking at the man sized offspring lying like a lump.
I don't feel like shopping, No not at all.
And so I have yet to enter a mall.

Two weeks is all there is left to wait.
Two weeks is all until that date.
Now clean it up, clean it up,
Clean it up all,
Or this Christmas I am giving it away all!!!

Venture Horizon Stackable Oak Mud Bins - 4860-33OA

Venture Horizon Stackable Oak Mud Bins - 4860-33OA Yep, that is what I would choose if I won the giveaway. Because you all know I am organizationally challenged! And it would be really cute in my youngest man sized offsprings bedroom, painted black or cherry red to go with the stripes on his silver wall. I wonder if they are wall mountable...


so, now I am sure you are all asking what giveaway is it this time? WELL...
Maryanne at Domestically speaking is giving away a chance to PICK YOUR PRIZE!
Any thing from the CSN store up to a $45 value. So, click on over and check this one out. But, if you don't enter, then my chances are better... So on second thought, just stay here and admire my beautiful bloggy!


OH, That reminds me I am at 31 followers now, I am doing a giveaway for reaching 50, so just 19 more to go. I think, let me check my math.
 50-31=19
Yep, 19 more, what are you waiting for? Follow me and I will make you... (insert your own label here) you thought I was going to say fishers of men....
Remember, I have 3 man sized offspring and their father...
You may just end up with one of those!

PLEASE READ!!!

My Friend KATIDIDS posted instructions on how not to decorate your house for Christmas. I am not going to spoil the surprise, lets just say it involves a ladder and some very helpful passersby. Check it out, now If you will excuse me I gotta go clean up... I was laughing too hard!!!

Could you help me reconcile this statement please?

MOM, There is NOTHING to eat!

Granted, we are out of milk and fresh vegetables. But NOTHING to eat is a little extreme don't you think, And I didn't even open either of the freezers to show what is in there!!!

Dontcha just love this time of the year?

I DO!!!
Everyone seems to be in the giving mood. Everywhere I turn there is a giveaway of some sort.
Like This one. Dawn at The Feathered Nest has one of those brains that is hardwired to create beauty out of anything she picks up. Just click on her and you will see what I mean.

Cheap "New" wreath

In keeping with my new theme for Christmas decorations this year, I had to remake my wreath, so off came all the Purple flowers and ribbons, And on with the Red, Gold, and Green Santa theme! First up, I made a new bow. I had this ribbon from several years back, and so, it being the right colors, ON WITH IT!
I had thought about making one of those wreaths out of ornaments like I have seen on EVERY blog this season, then I thought, NO! (I have seen it on every blog, that makes my rebellious spirit rise up and scream!)
Now, I have been on a quest to find the right Santa stuff for my tree, and at the Dollar Store, I found these reindeer and more, on sale for $.88 each. With three of them on this wreath, so far I have about $5.00 because I found the red and gold ornaments at the thrift store.
I took some of your advice from the ornament wreath, and hot glued the tops onto the balls, that way they won't fall apart if nudged by one of my man sized offspring...

First, I laid everything out finding my balance. I purposely offset everything. I am usually the one who does symmetrical designs, so this went off the charts of normal for me...

Once I had everything where I wanted it, I just wired it on using my brand new spool of florist wire. I bought it the night before, but had to go hunting for it. I found it, pliers, and strange wire creations in Brystan's room...

Almost done...

Ta Dah! Me likey!!!

Cannyn noticed it when he walked in the door.

Man I love that kid, he always looks around to see what I have done next, then makes sure to stroke my ego before heading to his next thing.

I am linking this baby up too!

Linked to Funky Junk Interiors SNS, click on the button on the sidebar.

Tricia taught me how to link words with blog pages. so, Here goes.
Linked to Between Naps on the Porch