7 days and it's coming FAST!!!

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!! How many of you are feeling the same way???

First, let me take care of business and get that out of the way. Memberships are going well but with Christmas coming it is getting hard to find time to jump on here and get things done. Fear not, I will get to you and since the memberships start in January, you won't be missing anything! So many of you write such sweet notes when you send me your confirmations and I really wish that I could respond with a little note but please know that your comments are so appreciated! Many of you have been members from the start and the fact that you keep returning makes me fell all warm and fuzzy!!

So, please if you do not hear from me right away, be patient...I will get to you even if it is after the Holiday!!

Well, we got out the lights for the tree last night and only 4 strands work! I know that I bought new lights last year and it seems like every year I am buying more. I sat there for 3 hours checking them, changing fuses and bulbs (which I really think is a crock!) and am throwing out 12 strings of lights this morning! We put up 2 full size trees and I love tons of lights on them so I am off to Target to buy some more YET AGAIN! Remember when a light went out, you simply unscrewed it and put a new one in? I really wish that I had kept all those old lights and not threw them out when these new and improved ones came out. I swear, 'new and improved' really means :we found a way to make you have to spend more money'!

I finished making my cards...a very simple design (using the kit you are getting today) but at least they are homemade which was one of my goals this year! All my presents are wrapped, that is until DH brings over his that he has picked up without me knowing about it. Every year, I carefully make sure that I have spent the same amount on each of the kids and they have about the same amount of gifts under the tree and then DH decides on his own to shopping and throws it all off and I end up going out and buying more to make it even again. Every year we have this discussion and every year we need to have it again! LOL! All he says is "well, when you ask me if I have any ideas, I don't but then I think of something and just get it before I forget!" Needless to say, the kids always get more than the original budget was set for!

I am not sure how many will be around the table, so far 13 but that may increase by 2. I really don't mind since I have always told my kids that we can always find another chair and sit closer together so that no one is spending the day alone. It really amazes me how some of their friends have no place to go. I can't imagine NOT spending the day with my kids! I made little candy boxes for each place setting (also using today's kit) and I made 15 just in case! If any more show up I might be making some more at the last minute.

I found the greatest 'ornament' at Target!!!! They are little metal tubes (about 8") that say 'Letters to Santa' on them. I have saved all the kid's letters to and from Santa and just had them in a box. So, now I am going to put them in these and give them to them. I was so thrilled to find them! Every year, they get a new ornament so when they move out and set up their own tree, they will have enough to decorate it with ornaments that have memories. With them both being in their 20's they have so many now that our family tree is mostly their ornaments and very few of mine. But the second tree we put up is just the gold ornaments that DH has given me over the years from Danbury Mint so I really don't feel left out. Family tree in the living room and the gold tree in the dining room. We used to do a tree in each of the kid's rooms and in the dinette and the rest of my family thought I was nuts but, heh, Christmas only comes once a year! Then, there were the Santa footprints, the magic dust, the scraps of red velvet, the reindeer bells on the porch roof....geez my kid's were believers long past their times!!

Okay on to the last kit of the year!!! A Patchwork Christmas! The previews do not show all that is in the kit since I ran out of time to do the previews like I usually do! But, I am sure you wont' mind being a little surprised when you unzip them!!

Members can download...HERE

And the Sampler for non-members...Sampler download is...HERE

Well, we are going to get some serious snow today and it is supposed to be starting any time so I had better get to Target before I am not able to get back up our hill! Have a Wonderful Holiday everyone and a GREAT New Year! May your Holidays be all that you deserve and wish for for you and your families!!