Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Sunday, December 5, 2010

New Tree Topper

Jonah has been very inspiring this Christmas season.
Helped his Momma thru her tree meltdown.
Proudly participated in Christmas Shoebox thru our church.
Used his allowance to buy a pig for a family in need.
He has been amazing.

Jonah asked me the other night why we have an angel on our tree (who was really not working well and looking pretty ragged) and not a star. I told him it was what Daddy and I bought when we got married. Jonah told me he thought we should get a new topper. He wanted to go to the store and get a Christmas star. His reason - "Because Jesus is the reason Mommy! He had a Christmas Star and so should we."

Inspiring boy.


Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Tree Meltdown

Christmas is my most favourite time of year. Everyone who knows me well knows that. I love everything about it.

Especially the Christmas trees.

We have a beautiful, big, bushy colourful tree. I love it. It was expensive when we bought it, but so worth it.

Sigh.....

Moving into a smaller house means things have to be sacrificed. I knew that moving here. But I never imagined it would be my beloved tree that I would have to sacrifice.

It didn't fit!! No where. Unless I removed furniture, which I seriously considered doing.

I was upset (hence no pictures) but that wasn't the worst of it.

We went out to buy a "slim" style tree - which no offense to anyone who has one, but they just don't make me happy.

I went with Martha Stewart - can't go wrong with her can I??

YES I CAN!
Commence meltdown!

This tree was terrible. I wanted to launch it out the back door! It was worse than a Charlie Brown Tree.

Martha should be ashamed to put her name on that piece of crap.

I cried. Jonah saw me cry and I felt bad.

I went out, had to just leave the decorating because I couldn't deal with any other mishaps. While I was out, Sean and Jonah bought another tree and put it up.

When I came home, my sweet boy said to me "Mommy, it doesn't matter what the tree looks like, as long as we put a lot of love in it, it will be beautiful!"

I cried again. And honestly, the tree isn't that bad.
Meltdown over.


Smoochrellas all around for my men. They certainly know how to make me happy.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Christmas Shoebox

I love my church. I really do.
The messages are always clear and uplifting.
I have never been to a service where I haven't laughed or cried.
Brooklin Village does many wonderful things to help those in need.
One of those wonderful things is Operation Christmas Shoebox.
Everyone is asked to take one, two, ten boxes to fill.
The requested items are things we often take for granted.
Combs, toothbrushes, a small stuffy.
Jonah was proud to stuff four boxes.
Something so simple. A box of needs for those in need.
At the service, the children all carry the boxes to the front so we as a congregation can see the good that is being done.
It was a beautiful sight!
A few pics from service:
Jonah with Pastor Peter and 2 of his boxes.
Jonah being silly with Pastor Dean - or quite possibly, the other way around.
The kids lined up in front of all the boxes.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Letting it go in Cape Cod

Last week, I was off for a few days in Cape Cod thanks to a generous invite from my very good friend Lee. It was an amazing trip and the ladies were wonderful! I will be posting pics and more details of that soon!

Cape Cod had a major impact on me - in a very good way. There were many things I was holding on to, or rather, wouldn't let go of. And I knew that I needed to do just that. Let it go.
As some of you know, I, like many others, have had a challenging year. It started out with a death of someone very dear to my heart that I am still struggling with and continued on thru to the present with unemployment, illness, trips to hospitals, car accident, broken elbow, elbow surgery and recovery, preparing to have a hysterectomy and just general uncertainty of our financial future. Needless to say, it has sucked ass large. And yes, I do know there are others worse off than me. I am not that ignorant. I am aware of the issues from all over the world so I do not need anymore of the "things can be worse" emails. Sometimes we just need to wallow. :o)
There were some realizations that I was not prepared to deal with. The biggest one being support. I have often "been there" for people but found when it was I who was having turmoil, they didn't have the time of day, or frankly didn't care. It was not that I expected it, I was just taken aback that the "places" I thought I could go to for support, were closed. And the places I least expected, were wide open! Many people have said, when times are tough, you realize who your real friends are. This year, sadly, proved it to be very true. In so many ways.
I was starting to carry anger around with me. That anger grew after my husband was being blamed for someones cancer. Appalling and unbelievable, I know. But it happened. That threw me over the edge.

I kept praying that things would turn around. I also realized that if I didn't let things go, they wouldn't turn around. Thank God for Lee and her invite to Cape Cod. It is amazing what dipping your toes in the Atlantic Ocean and watching a sunset can do for your soul!
A couple of the ladies and I went for a walk on the beach to discover and take pictures. I stood at the edge of the beach and waited for the ocean to roll up to me.

It was not as cold as I expected it to be! But what a great feeling! I just stood there, mezmerized by the beauty of this place and the feelings that wash over you.

Afterward, I went up to Monica and Jayne and hugged them. I am sure they didn't realize why, but the emotions hit me like a wave and I just needed to hug! LOL. They probably thought I was just being "Crazy Char".

One of the last evenings we were there, we all watched a beautiful sunset.

From the start.....


.... to finish.


I have "seen" many sunsets, but very rarely are they "watched". The last time was with my husband at our honeymoon spot. I was due! It was spectacular and breathtaking.

The sunset completed it for me. Again, I felt emotional and went to hug Lee to thank her. I am quite sure Lee understood the hug. At least I hope she does. I am truly grateful. The year may be half over, but for me, after this trip it is a new start.

I really had a wonderful time in Cape Cod and I will share some more details soon.

Until then....much love,

Char

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Thanksgiving Tradition

It has become a tradition at Thanksgiving that Jonah and Nana create the centerpiece for the dinner table. We walk thru local greenspaces and pick out some beautifully coloured leaves, wild flowers and pine cones. We make sure we get something of every colour.
Here are some photos of our leaf collection:

The finished product.

Our family picture - my parents, my sister, my nephews, friend of the family, my family and of course, my sisters puppy Zeus.
Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. I want to wish all my friends and family a very happy Thankgiving. Take the time and express the things you are thankful for. With all the tragedy, hurt, hunger, devastation going on in this world - take that moment to step back and look at what you have. Embrace it, love it, LIVE it. Be Thankful for it.

Much love to everyone. Enjoy your day!