The Elves Have Been Busy

Sometimes, it's bothersome when regular life gets in the way of holiday preparations. Does anyone else feel that way? But work continues, appointments continue, paperwork continues, and chores continue. They don't seem to take a break. Can you tell, I'd like to just concentrate on holiday things? 

Despite the everyday distractions, we are making progress with Christmas things here. We have bought or made all of the gifts we can think of. (However, there are always some people we're unsure what to get.) The holiday letters have been mailed, and the Christmas tree has been decorated. Hopefully, we will be done decorating the house this week, which makes it sound like we do a lot, but we don't. 

Ward and I have been working on a few projects together. We make a good team. I come up with ideas, consult on designs, and manage projects. Ward implements his many skills to bring the projects to fruition. 

Below are what we've done so far.

This is the prototype for bluebird boxes that we put together for kits. We will give kits to our older (5-7 yo) niece and nephews, along with a bluebird book.

Ward made hamburger stacking toys for the younger kids. In the foreground, you see the separate pieces, and in the back, you can see them stacked. The stacking puzzle is harder than it looks, so a couple of the very young ones may have to grow into it. 

We are still experimenting with different versions of these trees. These two will live on our mantle. Hopefully, we will get more done to give away.

These are cross-stitch projects that I started years ago and finally finished. I will add some garden tools to these for a gift.

There are a couple of other things that are already wrapped. Maybe you'll get a look at them after Christmas.

How are things going at your house? Do you celebrate the Christmas and/or Hanukkah? Do you do it in a big way?

Those everyday things are calling, so I guess my computer time is over.

Until next time...

Christmas Disappointments

 or a Look into Christmases Past with Kris

Kris is a friend to many of us as she is frequent and interesting commenter on our blogs. Today she is my guest blogger sharing with us some of her Christmas presents from the past that didn't work out quite the way everyone had planned. Take it away, Kris.

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Christmas Disappointments

 

Hi, I'm Kris, one of June's long-term readers.  I had suggested to her that she could write about a disappointment she experienced at Christmas and somehow that evolved into my making a guest appearance on her blog. 

 

Childhood disappointment:  I was very young, probably around four years old, when I saw a toy on tv that I had to have.  She was called Tumblin' Tomboy and she was a beautiful blond doll who could do acrobatic somersaults.  I was fascinated and she went on my Christmas list.  On Christmas morning, amid the flurry of wrapping paper, I opened the pinnacle of gifts.  Yes, Tumblin' Tomboy was mine.  My parents added the batteries and she performed her first tumbles successfully.  I was ecstatic.  The second time, however, things didn't go so well.  By the third attempt at a tumble, she clearly wasn't performing like she did on tv.  No matter what my dad (who could fix almost anything, or so it seemed to me) did, she remained without any tumbles.  I don't remember what ultimately happened to her but my Christmas dreams suffered from technical difficulties.

     

My mom's disappointment:  I was probably around 8 or 9 when I decided that I really wanted a Lite-Brite for Christmas.  On my list it went.  I didn't really think much more about it until one day when I came home from school.  On our mailbox was a box, and not just any box.  No, this was a giant-sized box that said "Lite-Brite" on it.  I brought it, as well as the rest of the mail, into the house, grinning from ear to ear.  "Look what was on the mailbox, mom!" I called.  "What?????  I can't believe the mailman left it there.  Well, you're not getting it until Christmas".  While I know my mom was disappointed that the surprise was spoiled, it didn't ruin the pleasure for me.  In fact, I still have it, and my daughter and I have had fun with it in the recent past. 

     

Averted disappointment:  In my teen years, I was poking around in my mom's closet, looking for cleaning rags, when I uncovered a purse.  This was a leather purse that I hadn't seen my mother using.  I suddenly realized that the purse was meant for me for Christmas.  I quickly covered it up, and although it was inadvertent, I felt guilty for discovering it.  I knew how disappointed my mother would be if she knew I found a gift, so I never told her about my discovery.  I received a nice purse and my mom was pleased to give it to me.  Sometimes silence is the best response. 

 

The first two stories have made it into family lore.  What seems disappointing at the time can seem funny in later years.  Have you had any disappointments during the holiday season?  Please join me in sharing your memories.  Thanks for reading and thank you, June, for the opportunity to write. 

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That was fun, Kris, and you've given me an idea for another post about how my mother kept us from finding out what we were getting for Christmas. Thanks for sharing and you're welcome here anytime.