2014 Day 13 - White Christmas

We pretty much always have a white Christmas.  I can think of maybe a handful where the snow had melted and it was a brown Christmas, but that's the exception and not the rule. 

It was warm again today and it allowed us to do more shopping without feeling weighted down with winter boots.

The snow is pretty...just not when you have to drive on it.

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This year on Dec 13, I helped PJ write his Santa letter

2014 Day 12 - Merry Mentors

I talked extensively about my real mentor last year, so this year I'll have to think of something else.

One thing that I did notice this year is that there are a LOT more houses that are decorated with outdoor lights.  Not only are there more, but those that are there have TONS of lights and I love it!  Even our neighbours put up a Christmas tree in their front window (we've been here for 13 years and this is the first time I've seen any Christmas activity there).  They even put "Merry Christmas" on the outside of their garage...shocking!

I love driving around at night and seeing so many lights on houses, trees and buildings.  LOVE IT!!!

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This year on Dec 12, it was super busy.  I had a 1/2 day accounting class and then I had a quick lunch and I went to TWOES to see the Indiana Jones Exhibition (since my parents were dealing with PJ school stuff).  Then I did some more Christmas shopping before going home.  That even was an Oiler game....I was really tired by the end of that day....but pleased with what I had accomplished.

2014 Day 11 - Holiday Papers

Today we're supposed to 'wrap' our page...but since this is virtual, that's not going to happen.  Its all I can do to not keep buying gift wrap - anytime I see some blue Christmas paper, I use extreme will power to keep from getting more.

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This year on Dec 11, it was PJ's last school Christmas concert.  We went to the practice in the morning (got great seats) and really enjoyed it.  There was a Grinch this year and PJ didn't realize he would be there, so he was a little freaked out....but did great.

I ran around with errands in the afternoon and we had to have a quick dinner and back for the real performance in the evening.  We weren't supposed to be there until 6 pm...but we learned that we would get a crappy seat if we waited that long, so we got there for 5:30ish and ended up with fantastic seats!  It was easy to video and photograph because they were lit so perfectly!  I enjoyed every minute and really wanted to cry when it was done because I think grade 3 is TOO YOUNG to be done with Christmas concerts at school.

Today was also a special day....Jocelynne turned 50!

2014 Day 10 - Christmas Lists

Last year was the first year PJ actually HAD an idea of what he'd like for Christmas.  It made shopping so much easier - and he knew what he wanted early enough that I was done shopping before December - yay me!

This year, however, he had NO IDEA - so I had to wing it...YIKES!

GJA always waits until the last second to give his list and its stressful - I normally get him to hand it over the 1st week of December...be we know where I was then...so the list was really REALLY late.
Batman TV series Blu ray
Amazing Spider-man 2
X-men Days of Future Past
Captain America 2 Winter Soldier
Six sided wooden block puzzle – Lee Valley
Guardians of Galaxy blu ray 3D
Larger white hand towels
Common Ground book by Justin
You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes – Space photo book by Chris Hadfield
Pewter Xmas Ornament
Garden hose – Lee Valley – Lifetime Hose, 5/8" x 50'
Calvin Klein Eternity for Men gift set – clear bottle, not the blue bottle, Bay, Sears,
Car detailing gift cert
2 Ikea CD holders – tall


For me, I usually wait until just before Black Friday to give my list...so they can get in on the deals:
FitBit flex
Cotton cable, turtleneck Sweater - LLBean; teal shadow
Cotton Cable Turtleneck sweater - Land's end; midnight indigo
Cricut Explore
Cricut cartridges (Michael's) - look for Black Friday sales

 - Days & Dates
 - Family Album
 - Lyrical Letters 2
 - Holiday Snowflakes
 - 3D Floral Home Decor

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This year on Dec 10, I did present shopping for PJ

2014 Day 9 - Special Treats

One treat we only have at Christmas is pizza buns.

We started having these for Christmas lunch back in the 70's.  It is a recipe that my Granny used and SHE got it from her best friend (Aunt Reba).  We have had it for Christmas day lunch ever since - one batch lasts more than one lunch so we get to enjoy it a few times during the week.    Its basically cheese, tomato sauce, finely diced small onion, scant of garlic powder.  You spread a heaping table spoon on a 1/2 a hamburger bun - put in oven until bubbly.  We cook them a bit more - we like to see some of the bun browning (with broiler, after the cheese bubbles).  You can put stuff on top if you like...we use pieces of pre-cooked bacon.

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This year on Dec 9, I went to TRU and purchased a cart full of toys for Santa's Anonymous and then delivered all the gifts to the donation spot.  It was a lovely 'hot' day - 8C - which is crazy hot for Edmonton in December.  After school, we went to Kids Uncomplicated to have our photo taken with Santa

2014 Day 8 - Christmas Tree

This year I got the tree setup a week early because of my trip.

GJA helped hauling up the branches and that made a huge difference and I was able to set it up in 2 days instead of a week.  There were 1/4 of our light strings that had 1/2 of the lights not working, so I had to run out and get more strings.  Now our tree is 1/2 old style mini lights and 1/2 led mini - both are warm white but TOTALLY different from each other - so looks a little odd.

That is 1 string...very odd

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This year, on Dec 8, I just got back into the swing of the routine.  I did, however, order my photos for Christmas cards and composed/designed our Christmas letter.

2014 Day 7 - Sensory Overload

Getting in touch with the 5 senses during the holiday....

Seeing...Lights, definitely lights!  It is always a favourite!  Many more houses put lights on than they did when I was a kid & I love to ooh and ahh at them.  We were able to see the lights at the legislature grounds this year!

Hearing…I love Christmas carols!  This year was our son's last school Christmas concert (which makes me want to cry just thinking about it).  They did the entire "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and it was fantastic!  His Grade 3 class sang "Fah who for-aze"; "Where are you Christmas" "Carold of the Bells" & "We wish you a Merry Christmas".

Smelling....TURKEY!  YUMMY!  I love the smell of a cooking turkey. 


Feeling.....It was a fairly mild Christmas - around -10C or warmer!  Usually its one of the coldest weeks of the year!


Tasting....A favourite treat is a Second Cup Candy Cane Hot Chocolate - I've only had TWO this year...boo hoo...but each one was incredibly yummy!

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On Dec 7 this year, it WAS our last day in paradise.  The prior day I was sad we were leaving and thinking that I would cry on the bus or plane...but having that extra day helped prepare for the departure.  We spent the morning by the pool, checking out and having our last yummy lunch.  It was a great trip!

2014 Day 6 - Christmas Cozy

Remembering back to a year when I wasn't stressed out preparing for Christmas - what was different?

1.  Kiddo knew what he wanted as gifts - back in early November!
2.  Shopping lists from family arrived quickly and was easily purchased (or ordered on-line)
3.  Started making and completing Christmas cards in September
4.  Had Christmas letter ready for printing in November
5.  Cards ready for mailing prior to deadline
6.  Gifts wrapped (including toys assembled and ready for use) prior to the Dec 24
7.  House fully decorated by the end of the 1st week of December
8.  Most Christmas week food shopping completed by Dec 23

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This year on Dec 6, it was our last day in paradise - we were going to go to the beach, but there had been a full moon the night before and the tide was so high that there was no beach.  We found our regular spots to sit by the pool and relaxed before check-out time.  Once we checked out, we found out that we had time for a quick lunch before our bus to the airport.  As we waited for the bus, it was determined that the flight was delayed.  We all kept together by the pool and waited for word....No one wanted to leave, but it was nice to have a few more hours to relax.  Our flight ended up being canceled and we stayed over night!

2014 Day 5 - Written Communication

Christmas cards were different for me this year and there were a few reasons.

1. Trip to Mexico - With having to get the house, gift getting etc ready early, I made a decision that I wouldn't really have time - so rather than stressing myself by MAKING cards again this year, I decided to NOT do it.

2.  No Microsoft Word - We got a new computer in the summer and even though someone in the house can get an amazing deal on an MS bundle...he waited until the DAY before I flew out to Mexico to install it!  This meant I didn't have our Christmas letter designed, made, or sent for printing prior to my trip (as WAS the plan).  THIS point also meant that my labels weren't printed and ready to adhere to Christmas cards (which I had expected to have done prior to my trip).

3.  We got our family photo taken and it included 20 professionally designed Christmas cards...and our son's school had a fund raiser where the kids design a Christmas card and its professionally printed (which we purchased 20)...so, there were my 40 cards!

Anyway - I managed to get it all done and sent...just after the mailing deadline...but it was done!  Kind of felt like cheating...I didn't personalize anything.

PHEW
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This year, on December 5, we took a morning trip to a tiny surfing town near our hotel.  We were able to purchase a few souvenirs and it was quite enjoyable.  I also purchased a cute, beaded Christmas ornament for m souvenir of the trip.

2014 Day 4 - Greatest gift

Last year I talked about THE greatest gift of my childhood, but another memorable one was an LP!

Yes, I mean a real record.  It was "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby.  I don't think I knew it was Bing Crosby when I asked for it...I said it was a Christmas album that was white and had a big head in the centre of it.  My mother asked and asked and re-asked if I was sure that was what I wanted...why would a young girl want an album made my an old man?

Well...THIS girl (aka...ME) did AND she listened to it at least a bazillion times....and later on, as a young adult, I got it on tape.  As you can imagine, I now have it on CD and also the movie on DVD.  Even though I have MORE Christmas CDs than any other type of music (and purchase at least 1 new one a year...this year I got about 7)...this album is still my favourite!

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This year, on December 4, I ALSO had a pretty big gift.  For my 50th year, I made a list of things I would like to do to commemorate surviving to this age - this list included several trips (knowing I'd be lucky to even do 1 of them, but expecting none); take classes (never happened); work on health (yay me, I did this); work on scrapbook at least 1 day a week (yay...did that); meet with BFFS to work on scrapbook once a month (yay...achieved)... and many others I didn't get to.

BUT one item on this list was to swim with dolphins...and...guess what...This day, Dec 4, 2014, the day we are to talk about the greatest gift, I got to SWIM WITH DOLPHINS!  I wasn't a bit worried, it was so amazing to be in the pool with 2 dolphins, to pat them, to hold onto their fins for a ride...on and on!

It was the best day ever (well, next to waking up Christmas morning to our precious cat Hobo and this White Christmas CD)!

2014 Day 3 - Planning Happiness

This year, planning was moved up earlier because I was losing a week in December.

I planned, and succeeded, to put up the tree a week earlier.  GJA helped haul up the branches and  lights, so I was able to assemble it in 2 days rather than 4.  When I tested the lights, I found that 1/3 of them were toast (and it was weird, it was 1/2 of the strings that weren't working...ain't time to replace that many little bulbs, that's for sure!   The plan was to have the tree and lights up before my trip, but I was able to put on the ornaments too...as well as decorate the fireplace mantle...YAY me!

I didn't, however, get my Christmas letter done or cards ready....this was because we didn't get microsoft word loaded into the new computer until the DAY before I left...ah....thanks for loading that program...its just way WAY too late!

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On Dec 3 this year, we spent the day at the resort.  We started down on the beach and after lunch, stayed up by the pool - very relaxing.

2014 Day 2 - Countdown Memories

Today’s prompt asked me to think about the Christmas countdown in my childhood.

Thinking back, I guess one of the 1st countdown memories that comes to mind is my mother hauling out a pad of paper and several boxes of Christmas cards.  It was usually mid to late November and it also included a lot of sighing because it was such a big task.

She would write at least a 2 page letter to everyone - and this was hand-written on un-lined paper.  I'm sure her hand was cramping like crazy.  When I was in university, I started doing letters too - and I hand wrote all of mine too.  After the 1st one though, I would just copy it over and over for other letters (some people would get all the paragraphs and others wouldn't).  So glad when I moved to typing them instead!

Anyway, in my mind's eye, I can see the beautiful cards sitting on the floor, around her chair - knowing that we would soon receive many beautiful cards with lovely long hand written letters from friends and family.
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This year, on December 2, we had a day trip to Puerto Vallarta & a yummy dinner at the Japanese restaurant.

2014 Day 1 - Manifesto

I'm really REALLY late this year...day 1 is being composed on Dec 22...eek!

The reason I'm doing this journal is because I'm still a Christmas freak & I really enjoyed it so much last year, that I need to do it again.  Hopefully I'll be able to complete it this year.

The reason I am so late is because on December 1, I was in Mexico!  I turned 50 during the year and my girlfriends also turned 50 in 2014 - so we decided to treat ourselves once this year.  We were at a 5 star all inclusive resort in Punta de Mita, Mexico (an hour north from Puerto Vallarta).

On this particular day, we spent it relaxing at the ocean in the morning, then spent the rest of the day by the pool....with various eating and drinking stops along the way.  I did, however, go to the Zumba class at 4 pm.

Ahhhh - so relaxing!

What the weather was like, back home!

Here I am, on December 1...working hard on JYC (not)

This is a Christmas journal, so I should mention, a week before we left for paradise, I DID setup out tree and mantle!