Misadventures in Christmas shopping

My dad, affectionately know and GdAd by his granddaughters, told this story on Christmas Eve as we were enjoying a nice dinner at Applebees. It is so crazy that it is true. At the end you will shake you head and say, "Really".

Do you remember the song, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”? Okay, start

that melody buzzing around your head…huh 1, 2, 3, 4…

G-dAd got run over by a wheelchair,

Shopping at Fred Meyer's yesterday;

You might think there can't be that much rudeness,

Especially when it’s close to Christmas day.

While he perused the aisle of pudding,

Choosing instant or to cook;

Passing wheelchair was a scooter,

Veered in and gave him a right hook.

No apology was given,

Not a word, no one could tell;

All who saw were simply wondering,

If scooter man had simply caught a spell.

G-dAd got run over by a wheelchair,

Shopping at Fred Meyer's yesterday;

You might think there can't be that much rudeness,

Especially when it’s close to Christmas day.

This adventure was not over,

Express checkout just as hard;

Before me were two shady fellas,

Caught using someone else’s credit card.

I just stood there feeling stupid,

Wondering if I’d leave the store;

Chanced a glance at those behind me,

We all laughed, oh please, could there be more?

G-dAd got run over by a wheelchair,

Shopping at Fred Meyer's yesterday;

You might think there can't be that much rudeness,

Especially when it’s close to Christmas day.

Thank you, thank you very much…thank you…uh-huh, thank you…based upon true events…

Do you have any fun stories like that from this year's shopping adventures? Or in years past? I would love the hear them!

Pink Flower Headband/Clip Combo, Pink and White woven headband, pink handmade flower clip, pink fascinator - $12.50

This is a fun handmade ensemble. I love this pink and white woven headband because of the small flower print on one ribbon. It is delicate and subtle but adds some fun detail to the band. The band is woven with three different colored satin ribbons and is fully finished on the inside.

You can remove the clip and wear it separately from the headband in your hair, on your scarf or hat. You can wear the headband ...

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Rosebud Headband/Clip Combo, hair clips, headband, girls accessory, Two in One, Ready to Ship - $13.00

This is one of the most versatile pieces I have put together. Here you have two red and purple flower appliques sewn onto bendy clips. The clips can be clipped onto the 1/4in purple satin headband or worn as a hair clip. There are two similar clips that can be interchanged.

The appliques are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2in long

Convo me with any questions

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Pink is the new Black Hair Clip, pink and black clip, womens clip, hat adornment, scarf embellishment, Ready to Ship, Handmade - $9.00

So breast cancer awareness month is over but you can still wear your pink to support the research and survivors. Wear this pink and black feather clip in your hair, on a knit hat or on a knit scarf. Be proud and think PINK!

The flower is black mesh measuring 3in diameter with the feathers adding 1 - 2in on the top.

The ensemble is sewn onto a silver alligator clip for multifunctional uses.

Convo...

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Laddie Scottish Plaid Feather Flower Clip, Feather Hair Accessory, Flower Hair Clip, Plaid Hair Clip, Feather Hair Clip, Handmade Hair Clip - $7.50

Blue, green, red and yellow Scottish plaid taffeta ribbon made into a fun flower with green and black feather accents.

The ribbon reminds me of the dresses I wore for Christmas when I was a kid.

This clip is versatile and can be worn in many ways. The alligator clip allows it to be clipped on a sweater, scarf, hat or in the hair.

The flower measures 5in diameter with the feathers adding up to 2...

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Laddie Scottish Plaid Feather Flower Clip, Feather Hair Accessory, Flower Hair Clip, Plaid Hair Clip, Feather Hair Clip, Handmade Hair Clip - $7.50

Blue, green, red and yellow Scottish plaid taffeta ribbon made into a fun flower with green and black feather accents.

The ribbon reminds me of the dresses I wore for Christmas when I was a kid.

This clip is versatile and can be worn in many ways. The alligator clip allows it to be clipped on a sweater, scarf, hat or in the hair.

The flower measures 5in diameter with the feathers adding up to 2...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Laddie Scottish Plaid Feather Flower Clip, Feather Hair Accessory, Flower Hair Clip, Plaid Hair Clip, Feather Hair Clip, Handmade Hair Clip - $7.50

Blue, green, red and yellow Scottish plaid taffeta ribbon made into a fun flower with green and black feather accents.

The ribbon reminds me of the dresses I wore for Christmas when I was a kid.

This clip is versatile and can be worn in many ways. The alligator clip allows it to be clipped on a sweater, scarf, hat or in the hair.

The flower measures 5in diameter with the feathers adding up to 2...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Green Rosette Hair Clip, Green Flower Clip, Womens Hair Clip, Hat Pin, Scarf Pin, Ready to Ship - $5.50

Looking for something a little more subtle? This is for you! A light green satin rosette is embellished with a simple silver and pearlescue button.

This 5in diameter flower is glued onto a silver alligator clip/pin back. Use the clip for your hair, scarf or hat. Pin the flower onto your shirt. This is one versatile piece.

Convo me with any questions.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Black Sequin Flower Clip, Sparkle Flower Clip, Womens Clip, Hat pin, scarf clip, Ready to Ship - $6.50

One black sequin flower clip with just the right amount of sparkle to brighten your day. The 4in diameter flower is embellished with seven gold, antiqued Swarovski crystal flower findings. The gold findings bring out the gold stitching on the edge of the sequin flower.

It is a subtle but fun piece that can be worn in your hair, clipped to your scarf or on your knit hat. The silver alligator clip allows lots of...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

In spite of me or inspired by me

I received the email below from my daughters kindergarten teacher today. While I was volunteering in the classroom, the teacher approached me to see if I had read her email. When I told her I hadn't she explained the situation and let me read the email she was going to resend to me.
I beamed with immense pride when I read the email. I wonder if she is this was in spite of how I have behaved toward her in the past. I haven't been the most patient or kind mother. Before I starting dealing with my depression and anxiety I was not the nicest person. So I read this email and recognize that my daughter is this way in spite of me.
Then I wonder if I can take credit for this at all. I hope so. I know she gets a lot of these tendencies from her daddy. He is a lot more patient than I am. Part of me does want to take credit for this but I have to give my husband the kudos that he is due. Maybe just a small part of this behavior is because of me.
No matter what way I look at it, I am immensely proud of my daughter.

Anne,

I thought I would pass on this beautiful act of kindness from daughter on Friday.       

On Friday, John was really amped up and excited (probably the concert).  He needed to talk a lot, and had trouble focusing on his work.  I usually offer “other quiet work places” for his table-mates if they need some space.  This time I asked John if he would like to choose a quiet place in the room to work, and offered him my big, “teacher table”.   He loved it and said yes and moved there to work.  A few minutes later, I noticed that Sarah had picked up her work, and moved next to him.  I tiptoed over and heard her encouraging him to keep practicing to write/trace the letters.  She was actively coaching, mentoring him and giving the kind of emotional support he so needs.

This will be one of my favorite student memories for years to come.   You have a very special, beautiful girl.  Thank you for letting me experience her as part of my class.

Little Darlings

Is there anything more precious than watching your children sleep? I can think of only a few. What is it about seeing a child sleeping that gives warm fuzzies?
I was up early today because I had a job interview. I needed to be up and mostly put together before my little darlings woke up. I have to admit that I was shocked to not only complete my shower uninterrupted but I ate a quiet breakfast, alone, and I did most of my hair and makeup before the girls got up.
I hated to wake them up considering they were sleeping in. I peaked in on my oldest first to see if she was awake but not up. Nope. She was snuggled under her Cinderella blanket, face covered by a crazy nest of curls. I smiled, took in the moment, not wanting to wake her up. I left her door open and went to check on my little one.
The littlest person in my family was snuggled in her blanket sleeper jammies with her favorite blankie wrapped around her. She stirred when I rubbed
her back but she did not wake up. I sat for a minute looking at her sleeping face. I put my hand over hers, she stirred again but still did not wake up.
I went back to my 5 year old who greeted me with a sleepy smile and happy sigh as I snuggled in next to her. We decided to get up and find her clothes to wear. In the process of heading to the kitchen for breakfast, my 2 year old heard us. We walked in to greet her and she was so happy to see mom and "thister".
I think I like watching my kids rest and/or sleep because they are so busy during the day. Seeing them at rest is calming to me. I love the quiet and peacefulness of them sleeping. I feel like I am reassured that if they are asleep they are healthy and happy and ok. It may be the hope that perhaps the quiet, angelic peace that lies with them will stay with them for more than just the night. Well, I can hope, can't I?

Hear Their Stories

Hear Their Stories - Made Possible by You!

Powered by supporters like you, we respond to 200 emergencies every single day.

Now, meet some of the people whose lives have been changed by your compassion - watch our heartwarming video below.

Help us create more inspiring stories like this one and change more lives by making a donation to the American Red Cross. Thank you.

 www.redcross.org//lp/hear-their-stories

I am a proud volunteer for Red Cross. I got teary watching these video clips. I really hope you can view the clips on  the link above. This is not just recovery from Hurricane Sandy but other ongoing services that Red Cross provides.
Please consider clicking on the link to make a donation to Red Cross. Locally, .91 of every dollar goes back into the community and Red Cross programs. That is awesome!

Raising up Rubies: Celebrating Christmas with a Jesse Tree ... ♥

I found this on one of the blogs I follow and I loved it. This would be so much fun for kids of all ages.


Raising up Rubies: Celebrating Christmas with a Jesse Tree ... ♥: my littles were sick last week and everything slowed down here but i managed to finish this advent calendar that I wanted to share with...

Don’t Forget To Giggle

If there is anything we need more than family and fun this time of year is the need laugh and be merry. 

Don’t Forget To Giggle

The Holidays should be a time of sharing love and joy with our family and friends, honoring traditions, and creating new traditions.  Often it can be an overwhelming and stressful time.  When my son was younger, my husband and I decided to take control of our Holidays.  Between the three of us we had three families to visit: my husband’s mother, my parents’, and my son needed to get to his father’s family celebration.   Each of these three living in complete opposite direction of the other.  Add to the mix that my husband & I both work, and we wanted to have our own family celebration/tradition – it was a frazzled time for the three of us.  The key for putting the love, joy and giggles back into our Holidays, has been in the planning.  Here are some of the things we try to remember and incorporate in our Holiday planning.  I hope it helps you, as well. 

Don't over commit.  Only commit to what you can actually handle.  Sit down and really reflect on what’s important to you, and what’s realistic for your life circumstances.  You have permission to limit your obligations.  You don't owe your Holidays to anyone.

Manage your time.  For many people, the Holidays are just one more thing to add to an already busy schedule.  This means things can get out of control really fast.  Use a calendar to keep track of Holiday events.  Keep a “to do list” to stay on track. 

Be present.  Be sure to be in the moment.  If you forget something, chances are nobody will miss it.  Don’t fret about perfection or imperfection.  Cherish and enjoy each and every second.   

Be Grateful.  Expressing your gratitude is important for both your recipient and you.  Take the time to appreciate and acknowledge all of whom and what you’re grateful for…  That’s the best gift you could ever give.

Let it go.  At some point, you have to remember to keep things in perspective.  Cut yourself some slack.  It's okay if you forget something.  So what if you forget to make the biscuits for the family dinner?  Nobody will even notice!  You’re all together, and enjoying the Holiday cheer – that’s what everyone will remember.

Remember, honor, and giggle – don’t forget the giggles.  Holidays may remind you of the loved ones who aren’t around anymore.  Do something active to celebrate their memory.  In our family, we celebrate by sharing stories, which ultimately leads to a beautiful symphony of giggles…

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Happy Hanukkah!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Laura Anderson

Organize With Laura

206-963-5343

laura@owlsgroup.com

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Is it just me?

I love this time of year, don't you? I enjoyed putting up Christmas decorations and lights yesterday with my girls. My oldest was so happy to help with some of the outside lights. Despite the fact that she doesn't understand how fragile the light strings are, we managed to get them up without incident. I think the little one will be excited to help with the tree. That is going up this Saturday. What a delight!
Is it just me or are their others who, despite feeling festive and merry, dread the shopping and the lines and the people and the parking and the 24/7 Christmas music playing? It is enough to suck that holiday spirit right out through your nose. No, I don't mean to be a grinch, I am just realistic. I  love this time of year as much as anyone but...
I have 6 preset stations on my radio in the car. Only five of them come in well. Three of the five, my most favorite three, are playing non stop holiday tunes. I have resorted to listening to the country stations that are still mixing the secular songs with the holiday ones. I have my favorite holiday tunes but I do not need to hear the same song, in varying styles, played over and over.
I am so glad for the extra week to shop and plan between Thanksgiving and Christmas, however. I feel like I can do the shopping and buying in smaller, bite sized pieces as opposed to quick, I have to get it done, NOW! Did you realize that there is more time between these two holidays this year? Well, there is just one more thing to be thankful for.
Don't let all the frustration of the practical parts of the season get you on the Bah, Humbug train. Simplify. Draw names for gifts this year to cut down on money spent. Or, one of my favorites, gift an experience. I have received a gift card for a local spa three years in a row. Allow someone to have a wonderful experience rather that gift something material.
Get a mug of Christmas cheer, turn out the lights and enjoy the tree lit up. Get out your patience cap and wrap your self in good will before you head out. And don't forget to smile, it helps!

Thanksgiving Blessings

If I added anything more to this blog entry I would take away from the greatness of it. Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy this post from Jen Lautenbach.

It is the day before Thanksgiving and you are girding your loins, either to attend a family function or perhaps even more stressful, host a family function.  I use the term “family” very loosely.  Family may be your blood relations, close friends or just you and your other-half.  Whatever the configuration, Thanksgiving is a time to BE THANKFUL!  In The Lump of Coal, Lemony Snicket writes

“It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season – like all the other seasons – is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them.”

Being grateful is defined on Dictionary.com as “warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful”.  I am deeply grateful for a number of things in my life.  Namely my family which includes a funny, irritating, wonderful husband that works tirelessly to provide for our family so that I may stay home with our boys.  I am deeply grateful for three, healthy, happy boys.  They are my miracle and I do not take for granted what a blessing they are, even in the midst of some calamity which makes me want to strangle them ala Homer Simpson.  I am also grateful for the smaller blessings in my life.  The pedicure my mother-in-law gives me for my birthday.  The way Fed-Ex stacks boxes on my back steps when I get a Willow House delivery.  The gift closet (actually a drawer) I have filled with perfect presents just waiting for a recipient.   I plan to be diving into that gift “closet” soon to give some thanks to my wonderful hosts and hostesses over Thanksgiving. 

Taking a gift to your host is a wonderful way to show your gratitude for their hospitality.  I was watching The Chew some time ago and Clinton Kelly gave some rules for those gifts.  DON’T bring a bottle of wine expecting your host to serve it that evening.  DO bring a bottle, in a decorative wine bag, for them to enjoy later.  DON’T bring flowers straight from the grocery store.  The last thing a hostess wants to juggle is finding a vase and arranging flowers while trying to get dinner on the table or greet other guests.  DO arrange them in a simple vase that will not clash with your host’s décor.  

A few things in my stash are wine gift bags, Christmas ornaments, puzzles, handmade dishrags and potholders, candles and decorative candle holders, wine charms, a couple small vases and cool decks of cards (who wouldn’t smile playing with a deck of Elvis cards).  I am ready for the holiday season and look forward to showing my host how much I appreciate them with a small token.  If you find your gift closet depleted or (gasp) do not have one, call me, I will happily go shopping with you!

Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy your time together, being grateful for the miracles, big and small.

Recipes for Relaxation for Thanksgiving

Please join me as I grab a napkin to dab my mouth as it waters at the thought of succulent turkey or ham on a full court press Thanksgiving table. Mmmmm! Are you hosting this year? Yes, well take at look at the recipes below for easy and make ahead meal ideas for your gathering. Take the stress out of meal preparation with these recipe ideas.
Are you bringing a dish to a potluck turkey dinner? Perfect! The below recipes will also work to reduce the stress of cooking for the holiday.
Don't have to do a thing but bring yourself to dinner next Thursday? Save these great recipe ideas for next month's festivities.

With Thanksgiving upon us, I dug into my recipe box to find a couple of quick and easy items that you can share at your Thanksgiving table.

Both of these recipes can be prepared in advance which helps to reduce the stress on the holiday itself.

For a delicious starter to your meal try this crock pot recipe…

Italian Mushrooms

1 lb medium Mushrooms

1 large Onion sliced

½ c melted Butter

1 envelope Italian Salad Dressing Mix

In a 3qt slow cooker, layer mushrooms and onion.

Combine butter and dressing mix and pour over the mushrooms and onions.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.

You can also cut the mushrooms into thick slices and then serve as a steak topper.

Forget about the marshmallows, this sweet potato concoction will have everyone asking for seconds.

Sweet Potato Casserole

1 c sugar

3 c cooked sweet potatoes

½ tsp vanilla

2 eggs

½ tsp salt

½ c evaporated milk

1/3 stick of butter

Mix together and put in a greased 9x9 baking dish.

In a separate bowl mix:

1/3 c flour

½ c brown sugar

1 c chopped nuts

1/3 stick melted butter

Sprinkle on top of sweet potato mixture.

Bake 30 minutes at 350.

This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 9x13 dish for 45-55 minutes at 350.

Side note: This recipe can be made up the day before and refrigerated to save time.  Remove from fridge 30-45 minutes prior to baking.

Are You Ready to Enjoy the Holidays?