The Dysfunctional Decorator

Someone has stolen my mind! I have been working on decorating for the holidays for the past three days. This is so not me! I normally pull out one box at a time and unpack each item and set it out on the kitchen table and coffee table. Then I pack all the stuff that  I am putting away for the holidays to get it out of the way. Then I start putting the Christmas stuff where I want it to go. So far, I've accomplished hanging the wreath in my office.

Putting the tree together so it can "fall out". Hubby will shape it later today. 

I moved the place mats to the kitchen table so I can redo the table today for Christmas.

I did put together my little Christmas platter that I made last year and put it on the stand where I want it to go. That can be checked off my list. 

I found Ted E. Bear's Christmas sweater so he can change clothes this morning and get in the Christmas spirit. He hasn't decided where he wants to set this year. Mr. & Mrs. Christmas are still packed away. He usually sits with them in a red wagon.

T.B. Santa and T-bear are in their sled setting on top of the TV watching all the mayhem and madness.

I hung my favorite wreath behind Hubby's favorite chair. 

I unpacked the houses for my little village. These are new this year and I'm not sure where I will sit them.

I guess I will just jump in this morning and finish up the tub from yesterday and see if I can get it all completed. 

I am going to have a busy, busy day today. I want to finish the decorating (except for the tree). Then hubby and I are going to go pick up some lights and bows and who know what else to do some decorating outside while he is off today. I have to make a dessert and go shopping for a gift for a party I'm going to tonight with my local Thirty-One sisters who have adopted me into the fold. I'm really excited about it. I know what I'm getting for the gift and it will be interesting to see who ends up with it in the Dirty Santa game. 

Have a happy Friday.

It started with a .50 cent folder.....

Why, oh why, do I go to Staples?

First off, it started with me needing a printer cartridge for my printer. I have been fussing about this printer for a year or more because it takes 4 cartridges to run. Pink, blue, yellow and black. Normally, I buy them on line at a really low discounted price, but sometimes it runs out before I can get any and I have to go to Staples...which charges $18 per cartridge. But I had some printing that needed done for a deadline.

Well, they were out of the cartridge....which happens a lot. So I decided to look around the store. I found these adorable folders for just .50 each. So I got two of them. 

Then I saw two more patterns I liked so I got those. I like different patterns so it makes it easier to pull out the folder I need. So I got these two as well. 

Then, for a dollar they had this folder that actually has interior pages that make it a six pocket folder. It was really neat. I just hope the wild patterns don't blind my eyes. 

Then I came on home. That was all on Tuesday. They were supposed to get cartridges in Wednesday so I made another trip to town and they were still out. In the meantime, I decided to research printers. The one I had, if I don't order the cartridges on line, cost $18 per cartridge for the 3 color one and $25 for the black. I have been wanting a new printer for quite a while now because I hate having 4 cartridges to worry with. I wanted one that only has 2 cartridges (black and color). In my research, I found this one at Walmart. It is a Canon. I have had Canon's before and loved them. This one has a very good photo quality to it as well. So I made another trip to town and bought a new printer.

Then I decided to move some furniture around because I have been wanting this little file cabinet in my office (it had been in the living room by Hubby's desk but he doesn't use it any more.)

I was really getting excited to pull out the new printer. So I dusted the file cabinet and got the new printer out. 

I took off all the little protective papers and tapes. 

It installed easily and I did a test print and it was awesome. The quality of the color is unbelievable for such an inexpensive printer. Did I tell you it was only $29.00? What a great find!

So now, I am ready to re-organize and rearrange my office ... again. I am great at getting organized, but not so great at staying that way! I'll let you know when I finish the project. I might as well put my office  Christmas tree up while I'm getting organized. One of these days, I will get my office exactly like I want it and will quit subjecting you to these "I'm reorganizing my office" posts.

Ten in Ten

I am launching a new Thirty-One campaign, Ten in Ten. I am trying to get 10 orders in 10 days. Any orders placed before December 10th, will arrive in time for Christmas. 

Most everyone has someone on their shopping list that they are not sure what to get for them. Thirty-One has a wide variety of totes, purses, thermals, accessories and bags. Something for everyone. Here is the special for November 27th through December 31st.

You can place your order online and it will ship direct to your house. The entire catalog is online and you can view it or place an order by clicking this link: Order Here

I appreciate your business. Anyone who places an order through this link, will also receive a free gift from me as a Thank You for your order. Your free gift will be from our new spring line and will ship after January 1st.

Many of our tote bags and thermals are used as "gift bags" that you can fill with goodies for the recipient. If you need any gift ideas for that special someone on your list, I would be more than happy to help you find that perfect something. You can also email me any questions at beesplace31@gmail.com.

Thanks again for your help in reaching my Ten in Ten goal. Happy Shopping. Check out this video for December.

 

Some Neat things to Share

My niece Amy has been crafting again. I wanted to share this snowman display she made using wooden spoons, paint and markers. Isn't this adorable and so easy to make. 

 She made another Christmas runner. I love this material. I need to go to wherever she gets her material. She finds the most unique patterns.

This must have been the weekend for no sew runners. I made a couple more small ones to give as gifts. I love these little nesting Snowmen. 

One of my favorite Christmas items is poinsettias. So I had to make one with this material. 

I am experimenting with what to set on it when I decorate for Christmas this week. I am thinking of this display, but not sure yet. I have a lot of Christmas material so I will be making a ton of these this week for gifts. 

I hope to get my Christmas decorating started today. I won't put the tree up until this weekend. Hubby is off Friday and I always let him do the lights. I did get all the boxes out yesterday and they are in the spare room. That should give me the push to get started.

  

Weekend Wrap Up

It sure is hard to get back to work today after being off for 5 days. I feel a little lazy this morning. I didn't decorate for Christmas yet, I am going to do it one day this week. But here are some fun things from the weekend.

I have been wanting some pine cones for a centerpiece idea, but we don't have any pine trees. I asked my granddaughter, Alexis, to bring me some when she came over for Thanksgiving. She is little Miss Memory 'cause look what nice ones she brought me. 

But she surprised me even more by having a bag of these for me. I love them and never even thought about little ones. But I have an idea for them. 

Friday and Saturday were spent shopping. I got up at 4:00 Friday and by 4:30, I was heading out the door with my favorite Christmas shirt and my favorite Christmas earrings. My earrings say JOY as well. 

Saturday was our annual Christmas trip to Turkey Creek and lunch at Steak and Shake. They had a new dessert....Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. My number one weakness in food is ice cream and my favorite cookie is Oreo so I had to try. I guess you can see by the extra spoon, my daughter wasn't going to let me try it alone. Oh my gosh, I highly recommend this. It is bigger than an Oreo though the picture doesn't look it. It was perfect for two of us to share. 

I did get my two little poinsettias I wanted for just .88 cents each at Walmart. 

And I got a Douglas Fir wreath for just $4.46. It smell so good. I love fresh greenery at Christmas. 

I haven't put up my tree or decorated yet. That is on my list for this week. I did go ahead and hang my front door wreath though. I had to get the fall piece down so I could get my Christmas spirit going. 

At church yesterday, I had another gift from my secret sister. I fell in love with this little guy. And then when I realized his belly was a candy jar and it was full of Junior Mints (my other weakness) I just fell even more in love. His belly will be empty before the day is out. 

My hubby surprised me last night when he came home from work. He had brought me a large bowl of Buddy's soft serve ice cream...off for just me! Have I mentioned my love affair with ice cream? Hubby is the best and he sure knows what I like. 

Hope everyone has a great week. 

Grace has a Face

One of the songs in our Christmas Program at church is Grace Has a Face. No matter what is going on during the Christmas season; no matter how much I enjoy the shopping, the dinners, the parades, the gatherings...I never, ever, ever lose sight of the fact that God sent that tiny little baby down here for one reason and one reason only. And that is to save us from our sins. Please listen closely to the words of this song. It is one of the most poignant songs I have ever heard. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Have a blessed Sunday.

My "must see" Christmas Special List

There are certain movies and specials that I have to watch every Christmas. It just isn't the holiday without them. Here are my "must see" items that I watch every year. 

1. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - I have been watching Rudolph as long as I can remember. It simply isn't Christmas without me getting to see Rudolph. I love when Clarice sings "There's Always Tomorrow."

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas - I love this one as well. My daughter even bought me a little Charlie Brown tree a couple of years ago. I put it in my kitchen every year. 

3. Santa Claus, The Movie - This is one of my favorite Christmas movies because of the legend at the beginning about how Santa became Santa. I love the part with Burgess Meredith, as the Ancient Elf, proclaims "Now, all those within the sound of my voice, and all those on this Earth everywhere know that henceworth you will be called Santa Claus."

4. Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas - This is a cute twist on The Gift of the Magi. I love this little show and it just isn't Christmas without Emmet Otter. My kids like to watch every year too. I love the song "When the River meets the Sea" that is in this movie. 

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The cartoon. I don't like the movie.) Who doesn't just love little Cindy Lou Who. This is a classic and we should all learn from it that even if we do not have much in this life, we still have reason to rejoice. 

6. Miracle on 34th Street (The original version.) My favorite quote is when Fred says "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to." Maureen O'Hara is one of my all time favorite actresses. 

7. A Christmas Story (otherwise known as "You'll shoot your eye out." This is my husband's favorite Christmas movie and we have to watch it two or three times every year. It is a classic around our house. 

8. Christmas comes to Willow Creek. This is a wonderful Christmas movie full of twists and turns that all put together give a happy end with a Christmas miracle or two thrown in. I love this one. I had it on VHS and it broke last year so I need to find it on DVD...SOON.

9. A Smoky Mountain Christmas. Obviously, living in the Smoky Mountains this is definitely a favorite one of mine. I just love Dolly.

10. The Santa Claus (just the first one. Didn't care for the sequel.) This is a good movie to watch for a light hearted take on Santa Claus. 

Well, there you have it. My top 10 favorite Christmas specials. What ones are a "must see" at your house every year?

Better late than never

I'm a little late in posting today, but it's been a busy day. I headed out at 5:00 a.m. to do some shopping. There wasn't anything on my wish list for the early sales yesterday and last night, but I just love going out early on Black Friday. I did manage to snag three items that I wanted. Needless to say since they are gifts, I won't be posting what good deals I got. Let's just say I'm very happy.

We had an awesome Thanksgiving. Hubby and I used a lot of my Pyrex. There is no better combination than Pyrex and Duncan Hines.

My grandson likes to make woven potholders and make his own pattern. He wanted to do one yesterday when they were over, so I had him do one in blue to go with my Pyrex bowl. 

I love the pattern he designed. 

Worked some on my latest project....getting all 5 grandchildren in one photo. It didn't work. So I gave up on a group photo and took what I could get. Garret did agree to let me take one of him....but he preferred not to smile and I didn't argue.

Caleb on the other hand likes to do his crazy faces so again, I'll take what I can get. 

Colby just gives me that "Seriously, Mamaw? Another picture?" look. 

My girls will pose at the first site of my camera. They even got me to pose with them. They are so "camera ready" that if I pick up my phone even, they start posing. Not sure why Alexis's eyes are glowing, but we at least got a picture together. 

Guess I'll have to resort to bribery to get a group shot at Christmas. 

One thing I noticed today while I was shopping was the return of leg warmers. Oh, how I loved these. They look so warm. Does this mean big hair may come back as well? 

Saw these really cute boots. I need to check and see if the granddaughters might be interested in something like this. They are both fashionistas.

The parking lot at Sears was loaded with Canadian geese. Guess they were shopping for some scarves for Christmas? I rolled down my window to get a good picture and one started waddling over to me so I snapped, rolled up the window and moved on. 

By 8:30 a.m., I was at Target and my breakfast from 4:30 a.m. was worn off so I needed nourishment. It is never too early for popcorn from Target. 

Met my daughter-in-law for lunch at O'Charley's. Their sampler platter was just the thing I needed.

Of course, the brownie and ice cream for dessert just topped off the day. Going to have a nice long soak and redo my nails. They were red glittery today to match my red Christmas shirt. I'm polishing them green to match my green Snowman Christmas shirt for tomorrow. Going to look over the regular ads to plan my day for tomorrow. My daughter and I are heading out to do some shopping at Turkey Creek tomorrow. Leftovers for supper tonight then vegging out on the couch all evening. Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend.