Today is a better day. For one thing, DD and I decided not to watch any sappy movies last night. We spent most of the day decorating our house for Christmas.

It was a lovely warm day for November. We've been having amazingly good weather this fall. I went outside and tidied my front yard: raked leaves, swept the porch, pulled annuals out of the flowerbeds, trimmed the roses and hung a few Christmas lights. I think getting out into the sunshine really helped. I've got more work to do in the backyard today if the weather holds. As much as I like my job, I miss being home during the prime daylight hours. It was good to get into the garden again.

I have never started decorating my house for the Holidays so early! I think we might even get our tree this weekend. The practical part of me would like to get an artifical tree but the kids are rebelling. Since they feel so strongly, we will have our traditional tree. Maybe we'll get it this weekend.

The first thing DD want to put up was our Nativity Scene. She did it with much love and care, considering the placement of every figure. I began to set up my Christmas Village. I remembered once again just how much I love my little village. It's made of stained glass. Every year, I try to add a little something. I've got some new little fiberoptic pine trees to add more sparkle. It's funny how something so small gives me so much pleasure to set up.

I also went to the store and got a gigantic turkey to cook. It was so cheap. I'll debone it and stick it in the freezer. When the boys are home on break, we'll need it. It's also pie day. Any of you Southerners got a good recipe for pecan pie?

Thank you everybody for your hugs. Such a small thing makes such a big difference.

{{{{{{{{{{{GrapeGirl}}}}}}}}}}}

Glad to hear you are enjoying life a bit today. I am a quilter and stopped sewing after DDay. I finally took a class just to get me back into it. I'm starting to feel like my old self again. My son and I are decorating for Christmas and have a little village as well. I was happy to find myself just as excited about the season as I am every year. Do you know that my mother, father, and sister all died from cancer in the month of December (different years of course). When my DS was 5 he got a viral disease that sent him into acute kidney failure. When was this discovered? Yes, December. Two days before Christmas eve he was receiving chemotherapy. He is all healed now. What I am getting at is that after each event I thought I would never enjoy Christmas again. Yet every year I find myself getting excited like a kid. Decorating, music, the tree, etc. I just get swept away in it all. I think it's part of the miracle of the season. It never loses its spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving GrapeGirl.

{{{{{{ Hug }}}}}}

from my little vineyard in Wiscowsin.

What's your preference? Concord, Niagra, or Fouche?

{{{Grapegirl}}}

Glad you're feeling a little better now. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Alph.

Shattered, it's funny because I love to sew also. In the past, I've sewn a lot. A year ago. October, I started a quilt for my OS's birthday present in June. I had gotten all the blocks done and was ready to finish it up. Then D-day happened. I didn't sew again until August. I started working on it while I'm off work this week. I hope you and your son enjoy the holidays.

WTF, I like just about any wine as long as it isn't too sweet or too oaky. I had a lot of grapes in my garden that a friend took to make wine. He wanted the Niagara grapes but refused the Concord.

Alphin, we seem to be in sync with our low moods. Are you better today also?

Yes, I am thanks.

My parents are coming to visit the girls and me on Friday - we're all very excited about that; it's been a while since we've seen them.

Nothing like panic-cleaning the house to blow away the blues!

Alph.

GG - there's a recipe for a chocolate pecan pie on Believer's Thanksgiving thread. Sounds yummy if you're still looking. tt

Hey Grape

{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}


Hang in there.