I looked at the clock

and realized that today is the last day of 2012. That after today, 2012 will just be a memory and that we will be day one into the new year. Wow! Where did this past year go? It went screamin' past if you want my opinion. I guess it's true what they say. As you age, time seems to pass faster. That's got to be some type of illusion because I know I get the same 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that younger people get. But somehow, my days seem to burn out as quick as a comet.

I've got to confess that I have been about as lazy as one can get these days. It's taken me several days to undecorate from Christmas (sshhh... the boxes aren't even in the attic yet). And I've spent way too much time watching television or playing word games with friends. (I think it's time to step away from my phone for a while, to be honest.) But some of the time has been well spent, like talking to Hannah and my husband, cuddling with the dogs, cooking a little more than usual.

I got out my big girl camera a few times over Christmas break and decided to see what type of bokeh effects I could achieve. You're probably tired of Christmas photos by now, but here's one more....

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get my house back in order. And I'm really ready to declutter. Too much "stuff" seems to be weighing me down. So that may be how I spend my last day of 2012. What about you?

Christmas....

Some years, I've watched people scurrying around and questioned where our hearts were during the Christmas season. We seem so intent on shopping and buying and giving and receiving that it seems the true meaning is lost amidst wrapping paper, ribbons, and the empty boxes left behind. This year was different. Although I know the scurrying and buying were as rampant as ever, I didn't feel as cynical and actually enjoyed being a part of the crowd.

Today, on Christmas morning, I loved seeing the surprised looks on my daughter's and husband's faces when they opened their gifts. But even with the wrapping paper piling high, my thoughts drifted back to last night's candlight service at church. There, where faces were bathed in a soft, golden light, the sounds of guitar, violin, and piano filled the air and our voices sang pure ... and I felt peace, love, and happiness envelope me.

Feelings of happiness aren't guaranteed 365 days a year, and for some, today may be in contrast to the traditional "picture" of the holiday season. The loss of loved ones, relocating and uprooting your family from beloved family and friends, may make this Christmas bittersweet.

But it is my hope that on this special day your heart will be a bit lighter. Merry Christmas....

xoxo




Merry Christmas, Friend!

Look who I've spotted here and there

and everywhere!

Who would have known that Santa cheers for

the University of Alabama football team....

Or that he had time to visit another small town

just a week before Christmas.

To

be honest,

I think the football

 fan Santa is the real one.

I bet his boots are even real.

Plus, he's had time to get home,

load his sleigh, and get ready for a

big

trip!

Merry Christmas!

Finally, that feeling...

Even though I've been on Christmas break all week, it wasn't until Wednesday morning that I truly felt the feeling that I had been waiting for. That moment of total contentment as I walked into the kitchen and began to wrap presents. That moment when our home is decorated, the Christmas tree lights are twinkling, and I am home doing those Christmas-y things that I want to do.

Bliss. That's the best way I can describe it. And the nice thing is that it stopped me, at that very moment, so I could recognize it for what it was.

My mother-in-law and I went on another little excursion earlier in the week. I found this Christmas banner made out of chipboard. I had planned to use it over the fireplace, but this spot worked out better.



Before we can continue with Christmas, there's always a special birthday to celebrate...

My sweetheart of a daughter turns 17 today. Yikes!! She was just a toddler it seems a few days ago!

She had a few close friends over to help her celebrate. I enjoyed making a few appetizers and dinner for the girls. It was so sweet to hear them talk and laugh together.

P.S. Happy birthday, sweet girl! You're still my little Peanut.



Trying to Get There...

step by step. I know I'm not the only person who feels like they start each day at the bottom of some long stairwell. Looking up at all of the steps that need to be climbed. Wondering how in the world I'm going to get there. And truth be told, life is good right now. It's just that each day is so busy with my to-do list that I forget to enjoy the little moments sometimes.

Bottom of the steps. That's where I am at the moment. Maybe I'll make it to that landing by Christmas break. And to the top by January 1. Now that will feel good, won't it?