Christmas

Coley's most recent post inspired this post from me. She writes about how a Christmas letter has changed and does change with growing up. It reminded me of this Christmas song that I listen to every Christmas on my Merry Christmas To You CD by Reba McEntire. Artist/Band: Reba McEntire Lyrics for Song: A Christmas Letter Lyrics for Album: Merry Christmas To You At an antique desk An old man sits alone It's Christmas Eve And it's almost time to go He signs his name to a letter he just wrote Then he reads it back with a voice as soft as snow I want peace on earth for Christmas In a world where there's not one hungry child A day where hope and faith Conquers fear and hate All I'm asking for is a little more love Then he walks outside And… [more]

"Clomid For Christmas" Holiday Medical Treatments by Teri Brown. I found this article on line yesterday. Not only is it timely, but the coping suggestions are perfect. Limit your participation in family celebrations. If your family's holiday traditions include children opening presents, you may want to come at the end of the gift opening, or skip it altogether. If you are feeling particularly depleted or vulnerable, there is nothing wrong with giving yourself permission to protect and take care of yourself. It is OK to say, "No, we really can't make it this year." If you want to limit the time and exposure to potential inquisitions from others, go for dessert but skip dinner. Give yourself protective space. If you plan to travel to spend the holidays with your family… [more]

4. Define 'On Time' "Being on time is really respecting other people's time," Post says. "Communicate about what 'on time' means to you. It means different things to different people." Post also advises to call if you're running late and check with the host first if you plan to arrive early. If you are the host, let family members know what time you would like them to arrive, rather than what time you plan to start the meal. Don't assume people will come early to help unless you ask them directly. 5. Avoid Re-Gifting "You don't have to break the bank for a really nice gift," Post says. "The key is to find something the person will really like. Stay away from re-gifting, because people's feelings will be hurt" if the gift seems too… [more]

As we're heading into the holiday weekend, here are some more ways to avoid some of the possible stress. The following hints are from www.webmd.com 1. Be Realistic Post tells WebMD the first step toward enjoying the festivities is to set aside idealized images of how things should go. "Be realistic," she says. "Don't think anything is going to be perfect." 2. Anticipate Conflicts "Plan ahead and try to be as calm as possible with other people," Post says. If you can anticipate the types of conflicts that are likely to come up, you can plan a response in advance. This can help avoid the knee-jerk reactions that tend to escalate tensions. For example, if you tend to have the same argument with Dad again and again, come up with a plan to… [more]

Well, my aunt was at it once again. I came into the office this morning and found another sweet little handmade gift tucked into my computer keyboard. If any of you need a last minute stocking stuffer idea, or just want to hand out a small gift that won't cost a lot of money, this project could be just what you are looking for. To describe it, I'll do my best and I'm sure that you will get the basics of it. My scanner really wouldn't do it justice since the font and the papers are so small. She took a piece of thick white paper and cut it decoratively to about 3x4 inch dimensions. On top of this she glued a regular piece of… [more]

As you can tell by the photo, I found an appropriate Christmas style outfit for Bec! Ivy already had her little outfit that was purchased for her by my mom last Christmas but didn't fit. It is a little sweatsuit by Ecko with the white fake fur around the hood and sparkley rhinestones in a star pattern on the jacket and pants. It is odd because Ivy is 3 but can fit into a variety of sizes. For instance, this outfit is 18 months! We took the kids to our local mall to have their Santa pic taken before it got too late in the season. I was resigned to having Bec wear a generic Santa hat that I… [more]

Well, have I got the blog for you! Christmas For All And talk about the "For All". The posts on this site run from instructions on how to decorate with lights on the outside of your house, all the way through to the Brad and Angelina wedding planned in South Africa this Christmas. The posts are pretty put up pretty regularly and are very lengthy and fun. The blog started back in August with a post on "Christmas Party Ideas". The blog is written by Sean Carter who also has blogs titled, "Thanksgiving", "Valentine's Day" and "Halloween For All". There are lots of links for almost every Christmas need and also a running countdown until Christmas, which always freaks me out as it lists seconds as well. For a… [more]

One of my favorite traditions of this holiday season, or any season for that matter is the receiving, through snail mail, holiday cards. Is there anything better than finding a card or letter admist the bills and promotions? Not too many that I can think of anyway. I even enjoy the Christmas letters that a lot of people have issues with. The sappy ones I have a laugh at and the honest ones I adore. And I especially enjoy any card with a family or child photo. Those are priceless. I have a client and a friend who still sends out her holiday card with her 3 kids on the front. And two of them are in college. I couldn't even… [more]

Let me first clarify that I'm in a cruddy mood tonight. I'm about to head into a rant about now, so if you don't want to hear it, I'd stop reading now. This is my baby's first Christmas. Maybe not his first Christmas on Earth, but his first Christmas celebrating with our family. Do you think that I could find any article of clothing to celebrate that fact? After driving around today to 4 different stores on the opposite ends of town? Nope. There are adorable onesies, Santa suits and bibs declaring all about Baby's First Christmas. But none over size 9 months. Now my baby is only about 14 months old, but he wears 18 month old sized clothes. Even the bibs are too… [more]

[subtitle: We Wish You Ovary Christmas and a Fertile New Year!] At Christmas (a long-ago dream...), my brother and sister-in-law drove up from New Jersey (Joisey) to be with us. My SIL is 5 months pregnant. It was fun to be thinking of adding a new member to the extended family, and I was indeed heavily pregnant six years ago at Christmas, as J was born a few weeks after. Bro and SIL also took this opportunity to "relieve" us of a lot of J's baby accoutrements. I was feeling generous and happy for them, Lady Bountiful and all that. But after all the stuff was physically passed on, I was suddenly, unexpectedly grabbed by the throat with nostalgia for J's babyhood…and…? Passing on the… [more]