Downed Tree

Have you heard the song, "I Cry the Day that I Take the Tree Down"?

That is not my favorite song.

And I DON'T cry the day that I take my tree down.

Look how much bigger my house looks with all of the Christmas stuff put away!

And look at these two empty somethings

that used to be full of Christmas decorations.

The D.I. got some of my less favorite Christmas stuff.

Hopefully, somebody there will like it!

Something from the Husband!

The husband had the whole week.

He decided to take advantage of the 45 degree weather.

He put the boys to work in the yard.

Here's some of what they accomplished.

He even had the 13-year-old mow (or at least clean the lawn with the mower)!

The 13-year-old said it was embarrassing when the neighbors would drive by

and see that he was mowing in December!

Then he took the table I made last week to the scout closet at the church

along with a pile of tents that have been in the garage since the summer.

I don't think yard work was on my boys' list of things to do for their winter break,

but it sure makes the upcoming Springtime easier.

In with the New...Out with the old!

With all the new stuff we got for Christmas,

it was time to get rid of some.

I put some out for the MS pick-up yesterday

and took the rest to the D.I. today.

Switching Dressers

When we rearranged the 15-year-old's room last month and got him a new desk,

I wanted to paint his dresser to match the decor.

The husband vetoed it because the dresser belonged to his grandpa.

(I really am a sentimental person.  I wasn't suggesting getting rid of it, just updating it!  ;-))

We decided to switch dressers instead.

So we took my dresser and put it in here

and put his/Grandpa's in our room.

He even put his clothes back in his.

Look how neat it looks!

Putting mine back together is something for another day.

The Last Season

I made a "Summer" mantel decoration for my sister-in-law several months ago 

for her new house.

When I visited her in October, she told me that she already had Autumn and Spring

so for Christmas, I made her "Winter."

Here is a during picture...

And here's the finished product...

I actually did this project a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't post it until after Christmas
since she occasionally looks at my blog!

Attached Legs

Today, I attached the legs to the countertop I got from the sister-in-law when she moved to New York.

I saved the countertop for the scouts to use at scout camp on top of sawhorses.

I decided that table needed attached legs.

I also decided to use it at our house on Christmas Eve!

Look at those legs!

Today I bought legs to make a table for Christmas Eve dinner.

I had intended to finish it today, but had to go back to the store for some mounting hardware.

Sister Post - Wreath

Aunt Karla has been busy.

Which means I don't have to do a something (for this blog) today!

And since I need to get this place ready for a Christmas Eve party,

I'll thank her for you!

Every year Karla makes something to decorate the graves of 

our dad, grandparents, and nephew.

Here are the finished products...

Sister Post - Blankets

In October, after the St. George Marathon, we stopped to see my uncle near Cedar City.

He lives on his own little ranch not far off I-15.

It feels like you're in the mountains far away.

Just beautiful!

He built two small cabins for guests to sleep in on the other side of his lake.

Can you see the cabins through the trees?

Here's the inside.

They went and bought these cool beds just before we came.

Aunt Karla and a couple of my boys stayed there overnight.

Karla came home and made these fun blankets for the beds they used.

 I think Uncle Bruce's race horse will approve!

Now I Weigh Me Down To Sleep

I took the 3-year-old girl to an evaluation for an intensive physical therapy program.

The therapist suggested that I look into a weighted blanket

for some sensory input.

I looked online for one and a 5 pound blanket costs $100!

OUCH!

So I just took an old piece of fabric and some wheat from the storage room

and with the help of my sister and her sewing machines,

I made my own!

FOR FREE!
We'll be trying to keep it clean since it wouldn't last long in the washer!
;-)

Work Truffles

I bought these truffles at Costco for the husband to give to his 

friends at work.

 There are four in a package so I opened them and made them look pretty.

 We get most things around here done at the last minute so it's been nice to 

get some things done early this year.

P.S.  If you haven't tried these truffles,

you need to.

They're delicious!

Early Dinner

When my oldest son came home from school,

he asked if I was making dinner for someone else.

My kids know that if dinner is in process before 5p.m.,

part of it is probably for someone else.

They're right!

A friend of mine had knee surgery

so we got to take dinner to her and her family.

Home made soup and bread.

We got to enjoy it, too!

A Presidential Christmas

I found something in yesterday's something.

Christmas cards!

This is where I like to display them...

 And here they are...

 Most of them anyway.

I didn't put the ones up that were from people I didn't know

except for this one...

I've never gotten a Christmas card from a presidential candidate

who makes $10K bets until this year.

Did you get yours?

Paper Everywhere!

I've let these hot spots get out of hand so I took care of them today.

 Ahhhh, that's better!

 Now I have to pay all of the bills that I found!

:-(

Door Jambed

I'm not exactly sure how this something happened,

but I have about six guesses...

one of five boys or one girl in her walker.

 The hardware on the top was bent

and the hardware on the  bottom of the door pushed inside the split wood.

 I got to work with my wood glue and clamps.

 Now it's as good as new.

Hopefully this something will last a while!

Out with the Old...In with the New!

Some things are funner to replace than others.

Today we replaced the water heater.

(Just tilt your head, I'm using an old camera that doesn't know which way is up.)

Not one of the funner things.

The good news is that someone else did this something for me.

The bad news is that new water heaters are expensive.

:-(

However, being able to shower with hot water is worth a lot to me!

;-)

Neighbor Gifts

The neighbor gifts are purchased, wrapped, and ready to go!

And it's only December 8th!

Wahoo!

NorahS commented on this post and asked what is in the bags.
It's peppermint foam soap from Bath and Body Works
along with some red and white filler
and peppermint candies.
I'm going to make a tag that says something
about how Christmas is "mint" to be!

I looked at NorahS's blog and one of her favorite things in December
happens to be Bath and Body Works sales and gift cards.
Love that place!

Christmas Food

I suggested to my mom that she give her kids

and married grandkids food storage for Christmas.

I thought it was a great idea...and so did she!

With the help of two sisters and a nephew

we canned 87 cans of food at the dry pack cannery.

 Now I know what I'm getting for Christmas.

And so do you if you're my sibling, niece, or nephew and you read this blog!

Act surprised, okay?