Christmas Ornaments - "A Tisket, A Tasket..."

Two birds in cages and a basket to fill with sweets. These are handicrafts bought in Peru. They carry memories of the many happy times we shared while we lived there.

Christmas Ornaments "Wooden Shoes"

From a trip to, where else, Holland, where children put them out for Sinter Klaas to put presents in them (larger ones, of course!)....... oh, the memories they evoke....
The Rijksmuseum...Anne Frank's hiding place...rijsttafel.....the sea wall holding back an angry sea....cold, wet, windy.....cheese market in Edam...."Night Watch"......windmills....Delft..... wrong time of year for tulips....

Keeping up With the Neighbor

Last year, while my neighbor's children were visiting her over the Thanksgiving holidays, they put up all her Christmas decorations. When they left, she was ready for Christmas. Of course, I mentioned this in passing to my own children and their competitive spirits kicked in immediately. They put everything up for me and I gave them free rein. Happily, they were all into it again this year!
The front porch has swags and posts hung with lighted garlands. My bushes are covered by nets of lights. A wreath, made by my mother several years ago, hangs on the front door. I keep thinking I will replace it but it reminds me of some good times. (Thank you, Mother!) A (battery operated) candle burns in the window for Gunner.
DD-Ki, L, and Ky, helped put up the Christmas tree. Several years ago, I bought a tree that has lights already threaded onto its branches and I have never regretted it. No more hours spent untangling lights and checking to see which one is keeping the entire string from working. Those frustrating hours of togetherness are replaced by a more positive atmosphere. L & Ky hung all the non-breakables on the branches as high as they could reach, and helped drape tinsel over the tree. The tinsel covers the bare spots, hanging from the lower branches in happy little clumps.
The tree lacks a decorator's skill and expertise, but almost all the ornaments have a story behind them. DH and I decided many years ago to collect items for ornaments instead of other dust-catchers. As I free each piece from its protective wrapping, I tell the children the story behind it.
It is only fair that I share my loved ones with the other sides of the families, but I will be looking forward to our own celebration when almost all gather here on the 28th.
Then they can take everything down and put it all away. Maybe we can set a precedent for my neighbor.

Happy Birthday DS!

Happy Brthday! You've come a long way, Baby.....

Happy Birthday DD-Ki

Happy Birthday to my 4th generation Texan!

Was He Kidding?

The appraiser from the insurance company visited and checked out the damage to the car. I have already secured a quote from the body shop but the insurance company wants to do its own thing. I was apprehensive when he wanted to raise the hood and check things out. The hood seemed a little off kilter and I was concerned it might not close again. The body shop rep didn't open it because he did not want me to be stuck if it did not close.
"What if the hood won't close properly after it is opened?" I queried the appraiser. I didn't even mention the fact that in the whole year I have owned the car, I had only had to check under the hood one time.
"Don't worry," the appraiser replied, "we'll do just what we always do."
"What is that?" I wondered aloud.
"Tie it down with strong twine and you can go on your way until you get it fixed."
"But I have to drive to Houston on Thanksgiving Day with a car full of children!" I said.
Was he kidding? I don't know but, fortunately, the hood closed with a satisfyingly loud noise.

Oh, Deer!

Well, it was bound to happen - I hit a deer last night!
I had driven to Ft. Hood to attend Em's "Drums & Xylophones" concert at her elementary school (BTW - it was excellent!) and was headed home at a respectable 6:30 PM. Of course, with the DST changes, 6:30 in the evening is now pitch black. Fortunately, I was obeying the speed limit, 35 mph, as I drove through the subdivision and was only a few blocks from home when it happened. From "out of nowhere," a deer suddenly appeared on my right, moving fast. I slammed on the brakes and saw the right front side of the car connect with the side of his(?) body. I was horrified! He fell to the ground on his side and I worried that I would run over him but, thankfully, the car stopped on demand.
The deer floundered around, skinny legs akimbo, then stood up, and moved to the side of the road. He stood for a moment looking right me, as if to say "This is really my territory, what are you doing here?" Then he ran off into the relative safety of the brush in the greenbelt.
I was shaking, but able to drive the rest of the way home. All the damage appears to be to the right front headlight area of the car and it does not appear that the lights are broken.
This does not fit in my agenda for the holidays.

I hope the deer is okay.