Christmas Countdown Week 2 at The Old Parsonage

This is Reality Check week over at Organized Christmas. With my recent diagnosis I'm focusing on what I really have to do versus what I want to do. Now if you've been following me for a while you know that I pull out all the stops when it comes to Christmas. So my "have to" is a mile long...



I've been making our Christmas cards for quite a few years now and I think that I'll get them all finished and ready to roll by the end of November. Typically I have them almost if not finished by this week. If you'd like to follow along with the Week 2 Countdown then you should decided whether or not you are going to send out Christmas cards and buy them this week.



A lot of the retail stores already have their Christmas cards out (right next to the Halloween things). Organized Christmas suggests dividing your list into 5 groups and addressing 1/5 of the envelopes this week.

($1 last year at Wal Mart)

You should also divide your Master Gift list into 5 parts and start shopping for the 1st group this week. We're doing a lot of cash and gift cards this year. There has to be a few things under the tree for Christmas morning of course, plus stocking stuffers - but I buy a lot of these things all year long.

($1 last year at Wal Mart)

If you plan on wrapping a lot of gifts, pull out your leftover wrapping paper, etc. and see what you have already and what you may need - add it to you gift buying list for this week. I usually set-up a central wrapping center in our spare room. I keep all my supplies in one place so that anyone can sneak in to wrap something when they buy it instead of waiting till the last minute (at least in theory).



Another great tip is to schedule any hair appointments that you want during the holiday season. I know that my hairdresser fills up quickly, and I already have my appointment scheduled for November. Tomorrow I'll put away any of our fall decorations that are Halloween specific and bring down the Thanksgiving decorations. My studio is full of Christmas decorations all year round - are you surprised? I used 2 different settings when snapping these. I'm not sure which I like better the bright or the more muted ones.

We're having everyone here for Thanksgiving - I think that there'll be 10 of us total. I've been searching for a good sweet potato casserole and creamed spinach recipe. Anyone have any tried and true ones that they love?

Hope that you all had a wonderful Halloween!

She said the F Word

I had another appointment at my rheumatologist. And since she and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other I can officially say "my rheumatologist."



After looking at my latest round of blood tests, going back further in my medical history plus my current state of being she gave me a final diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.



My primary care physician suspected it, but she confirmed it. I did some research on fibromyalgia before yesterday's visit and pretty much knew that's what it is.



At least I know what it is now so that takes away some of my anxiety. My plan is to attack this with knowledge - I'm going to eliminate certain things from my diet, do mild stretching exercises and take 2000mg of vitamin D3 per day, coupled with a prescription pain reliever only when I really need it.



I don't want to take one of those everyday pills like celebrex until I've exhausted other more natural things. Does anyone out there have any suggestions?



I made this little Halloween journal before this all started, and am so glad that I did - otherwise I'm not sure I would have finished it (now that I'm in full swing Christmas crafting mode).



Just to clarify my Halloween candy statement I meant that I was thinking about going out on Halloween and not being home to give out candy. But I just bought (2) big bags of peanut butter cups and kit kats in case we stay home.



I may end up putting the candy on the front porch even if we do decide to go out and the first lucky trick or treater with out parental supervision can go wild!



On ward and Upward my friends!

Happy Rudolph Day

I totally forgot about the Christmas Countdown that I made a few years ago. So I got it out and hung it on the kitchen wall - it's already at 59 days and counting. I made it from a 99cent clipboard. I just covered it in scrapbook paper, covered that with modge podge, then tied ribbons around the clip to hide it. Then I glued (2) magnets to the right side. I stamped and distressed the individual shipping tags and attached magnet strips to the backs of the tags. It was fairly easy.


I so enjoy enjoy Christmas Planning especially on Rudolph Day. Since I had to work today most of my Christmas Magic will happen tonight, although I did listen to Merry Christmas Radio through my computer today. Mr OP had to work late tonight, so I threw a meatloaf in the oven when I got home and went up to my studio.

edit: My mistake it's really on 60 days as of today.



These are the little vintage Christmas wreath ornaments that I bought the weekend that the mystery illness appeared - just now had a chance to snap a few photos.



I couldn't resist them, and the price was right. I'm not sure how I'll use them. I may tie them on packages as a little extra something or I may add them to a craft idea that I have. Does anyone have any ideas?



I cut the card stock for my Christmas Cards while I was up in the studio. It looks boring right now, but I have big plans for this paper. I also updated our family Christmas Calendar with an important item - OUR TEXANS ARE COMING HOME DECEMBER 27!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Now here's a question that has nothing to do with this post. Are you giving candy to trick or treaters this year? We're undecided, and I'm curious as to what you all are doing.

Six Week Christmas Countdown

Today marks the start of our six week countdown to Christmas. This wonderful method of doing a little bit each day (15 minutes or so) to get ready for Christmas was developed by Cynthia Ewer at Organized Christmas. Week one starts with organization. I created a Christmas Magic planner a few years ago that I absolutely love so I still use it.


You can use a three ring binder, a journal, or what ever you like. This is where you 'll keep a calendar, make lists, plan your holiday meals and baking, etc. Organized Christmas has free printables to get you started. Don't think that we're skipping the other holiday's, there's lots to think about for Halloween and Thanksgiving too. But I'm guessing everyone pretty much knows what they're doing for Halloween by now - right?



I've got my calendar ready to go along with some Christmas dvd's, books and magazines for inspiration, Christmas breath (peppermints), my favorite Santa Mug and my Christmas Magic planner in my wonderful Christmas tote bag that I won from Cathi last year. If you don't have one, start your master gift list this week (in your planner) with sizes, idea, things that you buy, etc. I keep one all year round, but that's just me. It's a great idea to make of list of things that you bought too if you have to keep track of how much you are spending on each person. I like to include envelopes in the planner - I use one for receipts.


This is also the week to take a look around your home. Do you see something that needs fixed or spruced up? You should schedule anything that requires an outside contractor now - carpet cleaning, etc. As the holidays approach, they seem to be booked solid. Another thought is if you usually send a family photo in your Christmas greetings then now is the time to schedule that. Schedules for young and old fill up quickly with all the holiday comings and goings - easier to do it now or at least make time for it before it's crunch time. As you know I've been doing my fall cleaning and as I clean I've been trying to de-clutter (somewhat) to make room for the holiday decorations.

Well, I've got a lot planned for the week ahead, how about you? Will you join me?

TGIF

Finally! This week seems to have gone on forever. Don't you agree? It's dark in the morning when I get up and it's getting dark so much earlier it seems like the days are never ending. And since we've have such warm days lately my roses are never ending too this year. There were actually enough to cut and bring in,




plus there were enough left on the bush to still make a statement outside. The weather is supposed to stay on the cooler side this weekend - yeah! I'm just hoping that we don't go directly from warmer temps to winter temps. We keep the bedroom window open as long as possible into the fall. I love the crisp temps and having tons of heavy blankets on the bed weighing me down.




Thanks for all your sweet comments about the house tour. I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that the dining room is the least used room, but it's probably the largest - it's also my most favorite room to decorate. Beverly's hosting PINK SATURDAY again this week, so be sure to pop on over and see what's happening in the land of pink!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend my friends

Around the Old Parsonage Part Three

This is the dining room and it is jam packed with wall to wall furniture. Many of these pieces are family heirlooms. The china cupboard above was Mr OP's grandmothers. I've been wanting to paint it white but he won't budge. We really don't have any white furniture except a piece or two.The trunk to the left was my great grandparents; they used it when coming over from England on "the boat."


My parents bought the piano for me when I was in fourth grade. Our Flyboy took lessons for years too and when he's ready, it will go to his homef or my someday grand babies to play too. The corner curio cabinet was a birthday gift from Mr OP years ago. It's filled with so many memories.


I got this little white cupboard at a neighborhood yard sale. The woman selling it said that her husband used it in the garage for storing paint. The bent wood rocker sitting beside the cupboard was made by my great grandfather in the early 1900's.



Our boys know the story behind each and every piece of furniture and knick knack in the house. They heard it every week as we cleaned. I wanted them to feel the history not just hear it.



The buffet and table and chairs were in my grandmother's house until she passed. They were her parents before her, but I'm not sure how old they are I just know that I adore them. See the little covered purple dish in the center of the buffet? It was hers too and always sat where it's sitting now. She was more of a minimalist; I on the other hand am not (smile). Can you see the high chair to the left of the buffet sticking out? That was my Uncle's Grandfathers too. Remember the Uncle who gave me the table cloth (same Uncle)?



See the Christmas breath in in my footed bowl. Yep, that's right girls it's coming. Next week starts our Christmas countdown. There's only 66 days left and if you do a little each week, you won't be too stressed.



Yesterday was our 26th wedding anniversary. We celebrated it very low key with a few funny cards and dinner out at a local Italian restaurant. I'm hoping that I'll be feeling up to some junquing this weekend - I'm chomping at the bit to get back in the saddle.


Gotta run, I'm off to work! Enjoy your day!

Craftmanship at The Old Parsonage

Last week while Mr OP was away archery hunting, I did some more fall cleaning. This process is really drawn out this year. I found that if I do a little bit at a time and rest then I don't get too fatigued.


Mr OP's fly tying usually happens on the dining room table so I took advantage of the fact that he was away to wash the table cloths and change up the centerpiece. Isn't the handwork on this lace cloth topper gorgeous?


It was made by my Uncle's grand mother and is over 100 years old. His children aren't into family treasures or "old" things so they come to The Old Parsonage to live. How cool is that?!


I used some of my Eldreth pottery with pine cones and white pumpkins to create the centerpiece. The pine cones are the scented ones from last Christmas that I saved in a plastic tub. There is still a bit of cinnamon-y smell left in them - yumm!



Do any of you do fall cleaning? The kind where you take down all the curtains and clean the windows? Where you wash all the knick knacks and photos? I'm getting there...

Hope that you are enjoying these beautiful fall days!

You Gotta' Have Friends...

I've been wanting to show you the wonderful birthday gifts from a few of my friends at work. They are such stinkers - as soon as I was how everything was wrapped, I guessed where the presents came from. Gifts were individually wrapped in old sheet music, book pages and seam binding.




Look at the beautiful vintage wallpaper border - those roses are soo dreamy. There were several old paying cards as well as a bridge score pad too.



This bag was full of all kinds of ephemera. There was also a bunch of paper milk caps, a small reader dated 1907 and some fun bling. Did you guess where they got everything from yet? Karla's Cottage that's where! I love her blog and her shop is chock full of vintage goodness!


Speaking of friends, our neighbor Maryanne popped over tonight with this gorgeous wreath. Isn't it beautiful? Her niece sent it to her and it was supposed to have a candle in it, but the candle wasn't included. so they sent her another one instead of just sending her the candle. She decided that she didn't need both and gave us the original one.


I plopped it on the corner of this chair in the foyer and think it looks fab so that's where it's gonna stay:)

Wishing all of you MY FRIENDS a wonderful weekend!

Baby Face

A son is a warm spot in your heart and a smile on your lips.

In the beginning he is charmingly innocent, putting his complete trust in you.

He comes to you for a hand to hold, and for the security only your arms can provide.

He shares his tales of adventure, and knows how proud you are of his discoveries and accomplishments.

All his problems can be solved by a hug and a kiss from you, and the bond you share is so strong it is almost tangible...

Time passes, and your innocent little boy starts to test his limits. He lets go of your hand to race into the midst of life without thinking ahead or looking both ways.

His problems have grown along with him, and he has learned that you can't always make his life better or kiss his troubles away.

He spends much of his time away from you, and though you long for the closeness you once shared, he chooses independence and privacy.

Discoveries and accomplishments aren't as easy to come by now, and sometimes he wonders about his worth.

But you know the worth of that young man. He is your past and your future. He is hopes and dreams that have made it through each and every disappointment and failure.

In your heart, your son is precious and treasured. Together, you struggled through the years trying to find the right amount of
independence for each new stage of his life, until finally, you had to learn to let him go.

Now you put your trust in him, leaving that son, whom you hold so dear, totally in his own care. You hope he always remembers that you
have a hand for him to hold, and arms to provide comfort or support.

Most of all, you hope that he believes in himself as much as you believe in him, and that he knows how much you love him.

Barbara Cage

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLYBOY! We are soo very proud of you!

Around the Old Parsonage Part Two

Some of you voiced interest in seeing more photos from Around The Old Parsonage; I just hope that you aren't bored. My original intent was to show you around within a few weeks, but when my mystery illness hit, it kinda put a damper on a lot of my plans.


Speaking of the mystery illness, the second round of blood tests all came back negative (good thing), but that takes me back to the Rheumatologist. My family physician is thinking fibromyalgia, but defers to the Rheumatologist for further tests, etc.


I had off yesterday and today. The sun was shining brightly, so I thought that I'd continue your tour. These photos are of the living room, as is, no cleaning up to snap the photos. See the remote on the arm of the couch in this shot, and the stacks of books and magazines in the last shot and the next?



You can get a sense of just how small the room is in this shot. The small corner is flanked by two doorways. We don't have a family room, all our "living" happens in this room and the kitchen really.


Where do you do most of your living?

Speaking of Thanksgiving...

Well there's only 46 days left until Thanksgiving - here in the US. Canada is celebrating their Thanksgiving this Monday. Our market started their annual turkey coupon giveaway this weekend. For every $1 you spend you earn 1 point. After 300 points you can turn them in for a free turkey. However if you wait until you get 600 points you get a free turkey, gas reward points, and a coupon for 6% off a shopping order between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I got the Martha Stewart Holiday DVD collection a few years back and put this one on a few minutes ago. It has a lot of footage from the older shows, which are the segments that I like best. This one shows a deep fried turkey, a blackened turkey among many others, as well as all kinds of stuffing and side dish recipes.

I've pulled out my holiday recipe book to see what's on the menu for this Thanksgiving. I've started to buy sale items at the market for both Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking and baking as I see them. Just today I bought some grape juice; we always start the Thanksgiving meal with a small glass of grape juice or V-8 juice; and Christmas dinner starts with fruit salad. Not sure why, it's just always been that way.