Happy Birthday, Deena!!

Today is my sister Deena's birthday. Yes, I know. That really sucks. And with any luck at all -- she will NOT be reading this blog today -- and neither will you. lol...

But, one day, she'll stumble across it -- and I want her to know I was THINKING ABOUT HER ON CHRISTMAS DAY.  As I always do.

My thoughts usually go something like this, "Oh, crap, I forgot to buy Deena a birthday present. Again..."

Deena is a wonderful mother and grandmother -- always there when her kids or grandchildren need her. And, of course, it goes without saying that she is the BEST SISTER...and here are a few of the moments we shared this year...

Christmas Eve

Dearest reader,

It's Christmas Eve, and if you are reading my blog, I worry this day could suck for you.

But YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

The truth is, the holidays are miserable for MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

Why?  BECAUSE OF ALL THE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS!!  THERE IS SO MUCH PRESSURE FOR THIS TO BE THE PERFECT DAY...

The wind-up to Christmas is so intense.  The movies, the music, the television shows.  It's everybody's favorite day of the year -- right??  It's about getting together, enjoying family traditions, elaborate meals and delicious goodies.  It's a day of sharing and caring -- opening thoughtful, personal gifts.  All love and laughter -- Right?

And if you don't own a piece of that Christmas Fairy-tale -- well -- that might suck.

We all crave the perfect Norman Rockwell holiday...and if that's not happening for you -- just remember --

YOU ARE NOT ALONE...

A friend of mine told me her challenge was to make Christmas "just another day".  Hey -- that's a decent goal!  Even though she was invited to spend Christmas at a neighbor's house -- she didn't feel like she'd fit in...and she was afraid she'd bring down the spirit of their holiday...

So -- HOW DO YOU MAKE CHRISTMAS JUST ANOTHER DAY?

Do something you enjoy.

HEY -- I WRITE.  It always makes me feel better.  Write a letter to your dead Grandmother,  who you adored....thank her for your wonderful childhood Christmas's.  Or -- write a letter to the grandchild you wish you had.  It's not about sending the letter -- it's only about WRITING IT.

One of my favorite things is to SEW.  And if you're like me, you have lots of UFO's...so TODAY IS THE DAY...and I always feel better after I've finished a project.

Do you enjoy cooking?  THEN JUST DO IT.  Look up a new recipe on the internet.  Shop for the groceries at Walmart.  (they're open until 6 on Christmas Eve).  Or -- you might have to go to a Kwik-Star or WaWa.   Bake something you will enjoy and look forward to...Or have a grilled cheese with a can of tomato soup.  Hey -- what the hell -- eat a whole pan of fudge.

Of course -- whatever you enjoy -- NOW IS THE DAY TO DO IT.  Read a book, paint a picture, watch a movie, shop on the internet, clean a closet, take a bubble bath, shampoo your carpets, clear out your basement...wash your car...

Oh, yeah, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel, girls...but if you are reading this blog on this day, I worry about you.  (and I'm only leaving it up for TWO days -- then I'll push the delete key and we'll act like this never happened...)

Maybe you just want to curl up and sleep.  That''s okay, too.  Accept that it's okay to be sad -- it's an important part of the human spectrum, isn't it?  And you are not alone...on any given day, millions of people are sad.  And tomorrow is another day.

Remember -- the very best thing about Christmas is that -- IT IS NOT YOUR LIFE.

Christmas really is JUST ONE DAY!!  

Ya Ya Pictures to look at....

The Train

Like everybody else, I receive lots of forwarded emails...this one came from my friend Becky.  I was honored to receive it -- and I'm delighted to share it.  The older I get, the more I understand the wisdom of this...

I think it's a wonderful sentiment to share at this time -- right before Christmas.  It can be a hard time, especially if you've lost a loved one this year.  But maybe this is a good time to take a look around and see who's still on your train...

Then -- make the most of EVERY MINUTE you're given...

ON TO YOU MY FRIEND !

At birth we boarded the train and meet our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side.

However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.

Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.

So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love.

Thank You for being one of the passengers on my train

Frankensewing: My YMCA Tote

This is one of those Frankensewing projects I am always so pleased to share...

Last week, I explained how my VERY LARGE TOWEL doesn't fit into any regular totebag. It's kind of embarrassing, actually...

But I SOLVED the problem by adding an extended bottom to an existing totebag.

The bag was a freebie, with a pharmaceutical logo on the pocket. The black words are just a t-shirt I cut up and basically ironed on the existing outside pocket.

Of course, I had to take my new extended tote to TMBC for sew-and-tell.

The real magic happened when I cut open the bottom of the bag...and added 8" of cotton zebra fabric to each side.

I had the PERFECT t-shirt to cover the pocket.

And I added an outside gusset to give the bottom some shape.

So now there's PLENTY OF ROOM in my new totebag for my super-size bathtowel.

Lilly's Christmas Treat Tins

This is the third year I helped Lilly make "treat tins". She LOVES doing this, and there are so many good lessons. She starts by making her list, so there is actual WRITING and SPELLING to be worked out, of course.

The big thing, though, is that it's about GIVING. When she is working on her list, Lilly is thinking about the people in her life who she wants to thank...

During my thrift travels throughout the year, I collect Christmas tins.  I never pay more than 50 cents. And matching the tin to the recipient is half the fun.

We look up recipes on the internet, then I read the ingredients and Lilly writes it out. 

Warren thinks sprinkles are an actual food group...

Lilly takes the cooking very seriously.

The kids rolled Oreo truffles (a Pinterest recipe)

Also from Pinterest -- Christmas trees made from coconut...dipped in white chocolate.

Yes, adding the sprinkles is clearly the best part!!

I cut the fudge into squares, and Lilly wrapped four pieces in waxed paper.

Oh, yeah...Christmas is magic!!

Lilly wrote a card for every person receiving a tin.

This year, she had more than one teacher. There are the two ladies who work in the library, and the four ladies who work in the office...and the music teacher, and the gym teacher, and the art teacher. YIKES. I didn't see this coming...we should have made more truffles...

She signed the cards, then put them in envelopes and wrote (for example): "To the Virgil Grissom Library ladies...from Lilly Farro"