Onions!

There is a bad boy at my house right now and I think Santa has a big onion in mind for him. It's t-minus 5 hours to leave for the airport and Mark has yet to pack. In fact, he hasn't even come home from the office yet! For everyone else here's a little bit about one of our stocking traditions. Journaling reads: In our house, there is no coal for naughty children, only ONIONS! The size of the onion is in direct proportion to how “bad” Santa thought a child might have been throughout the year!

Chaos & Lists!

I'm catching up on the last couple of days of my JYC. I think these entries fit nicely into my life right now. Chaos and lists kind of sum up where I am right now. This is a look into the chaos that is my scrap room right now. Normally this is my sanctuary, where I go to get away from the world! Now it's just chaos!















I have so much left to do before we lave tomorrow. Here's just the things I can readily come up with at the moment. Off to start working on the list! The list reads:
*catch up on JYC
*clean up living room from the present mess
*recycle the card board from all the presents
*finish laundry
*run Andrew to the store for more t-shirts
*finish wrapping gifts we are taking with us to Washington
*pack
*print boarding passes
*play with my new Cricut Jukebox

For Inquiring Minds That Want to Know!

Back on December 17th, the prompt for that day's JYC page was about a gift you were particularly excited about giving this year. For me it was my gift for Mark. As I said in the entry for that day, as the years go by he becomes harder and harder to buy for, but this year I actually got him something he has wanted for quite awhile. Last night we had our little family Christmas celebration here and we opened all the gifts we had for each other so we don't have to take them on the plane with us. Mark was very excited about it and can't wait until after the New Year when he starts taking guitar lessons on Saturdays! He'll be playing "Stairway to Heaven" in no time, I'm sure!

Unexpected Surprise

My scanner didn't really do justice to this photo. I'm usually not good at random shots but I was pretty pleased with the way this one came out.

Journaling says: This year we have decided to have a much smaller Christmas than usual. It was a tough decision, especially for me, because I love Christmas so much and because I take such delight in giving to everyone, especially my children. My unexpected surprise has been how well the kids have taken to this new idea. They both keep talking about how much they can’t wait to be with their cousins and how much fun it will be. They don’t seem to be missing the gifts. WOW! In a family that would sometimes take 4 hours to open all their gifts on Christmas morning! What a surprise!

I Believe!

I love this entry. I would so love to go sit on Santa's lap right now! The journaling says:

Dear Santa:
In the spirit of trying to “pare” things down from Christmas’ past, why don’t you take Mrs. Claus and steer the sleigh to the tropics? The Larsen family has decided to have a much smaller Christmas this year, mainly because you have been so generous in the past and there is very little we need or want. Knowing what a “workaholic” you are, you will still want to deliver a few presents. Do me a favor and stick to those houses where the parents have had sleepless nights wondering about how they were going to make the Christmas “magic” happen this year because they lost their job. Those are the people that really need a miracle this year. We are all fine here at the Larsen house. I am so grateful to you for all the years you brought the magic of the season to our home. I will always believe in you!
Love,
Gaye

All About the Food!

I'm so excited that this year's Christmas food only involves me as a guest and not a cook. I will gladly help out but it is so nice not having the responsibility of having to cook and come up with all the ideas for the menu.

The journaling today says: This year it’s all about dessert for me! For the first time in a very long time, I am not the chief cook & bottle washer for Christmas dinner. I’m doing a shortened version of Cookie Baking Day spread out over two days, one in San Diego and one in Washington. Both Amy and I are hoping that Andrew will be the Christmas chef and he’s hoping his sous chef will be Annabelle who has recently decided that she loves cooking (how could she not being part of this family?). Whatever we end up having for dinner will be fabulous because it will be made with love and shared together.

It's No Red Ryder BB Gun . . .but

It could be the best gift I've ever gotten for Mark. Shhh. Can't tell you what it is because I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Once again I got the chance to use my favorite Christmas paper - Figgy Pudding from Basic Grey. The journaling reads: I am so flippin’ excited about this year’s present for Mark. Some years he is very easy to buy for but the longer we are married and the more “toys” he acquires the harder it is to come up with not only a gift but one I know he wants. I think I’ve done it this year. This is something he has asked for before so I know it’s something he wants. Thanks to “eagle eye” Andrew for spotting this back in September when we were out shopping at Costco and thanks to Susie for letting me store it at her house since then.

STAY TUNED! I will substitute a photo of Mark here after he opens his present. You never know he might actually look at one of my scrapbooks before Christmas and then my perfect present scenario would be ruined. Ha Ha Mark – no hints!

Gratitude @ Christmas

Here in the U.S. we tend to associate our time of gratitude for things with Thanksgiving and once that holiday is over we dive right into the excess that is Christmas. I am so glad Shimelle in her JYC prompt for today has asked all of us to stop and contemplate what we are grateful for at Christmas. I have so much to be thankful for - more than could ever be listed here or on a 6x9 sheet of paper. Here are just a few things. I need to remind myself everyday how much I have and how lucky I am.

Visitors or Company?

I just today made my reservations with the airport shuttle so it seems appropriate that this should be today's entry for my JYC. I did exactly what Shimelle suggested as far as keeping it simple. It felt good to be done early and if this checked off my "to do" list. Paper and ribbon are from American Crafts. The tree and the letters were cut with the Cricut and the airplane embellishment was from a pack of goodies I picked up ages ago on the Target clearance aisle. Journaling says: For the first time in 10 years we will be travelling away from San Diego for Christmas. The last time we travelled somewhere was to June Lake in 1998. Sadly, that was our last Christmas with Colleen. This year we are off on an airplane to Washougal, WA to spend Christmas with Amy, Kirk, Ian and Annabelle. We will be joined by my mom and Brian all the way from Washington, D.C. My family has travelled many times for Christmas by car but this is our first time to be part of the throngs of people getting on an airplane and flying somewhere for Christmas. We are really quite excited – just hope we remember to pack everything we need!

Carols & Gifts

Spent time yesterday getting caught up on JYC and it felt good to play with paper and glue. This time of the year I don't get to spend nearly enough time doing that!

This entry is all about one of my favorite topics Christmas music. Thanks to my friend Linda I found this cool web site that allows you to put in random words and then it randomly generates them into a mix. That's how I made the bottom half of the paper. Can you guess all of my favorite carols? There are a total of 10. The journaling reads: I just love Christmas Carols. I sometimes forget that not everyone likes them as much as I do. Like when it’s barely into November and I have the “all Christmas music” station dialed in on my car radio.
My favorite carol is “Adeste Fidelas” sung by Nat King Cole. It always reminds me of my dad singing in the choir at church.
I also forget that others aren’t as fond of my singing the Christmas carols as I am. When I was 9, the church choir director asked me to not sing so loudly. I smiled and said “but I know all the words?” She replied, politely, “Yes, dear but just because your daddy sings in the choir doesn’t mean you can!” I now torture my kids with the iPod on and singing carols as loud as I can. They know the pain the choir director felt but I just keep on singing!

It's getting closer to gift time! I spent a fair amount of the weekend working on gifts both buying and making. It relates right to this entry. Paper is part of an awesome pack of Christmas papers I picked up at Michael's yesterday from American Crafts. The embellishments are from Soft Spoken. The journaling reads: When we are at home our family opens the stockings first and the presents under the tree after we have breakfast. This year since we will be at the Palmers we will probably do the presents right after stockings since the twins will probably be so excited they won’t be able to wait.

A Christmas Tale

This is one of my favorite memories of a Christmas past. I used Scenic Route paper (garland) and the sticker in the bottom right corner is from a set of epoxy stickers I got at Target quite awhile ago. The lettering is done with the Doodlebug cartridge on the Cricut.

The story goes like this: It seems especially fitting that this year I write about this particular Christmas memory. Right now, so many people are losing their jobs and fighting to stay in their homes and keep food on the table. Although we both have good jobs now we remember a time not so long ago when times were tough at the Larsen house.
In 1992, the San Diego economy was in turmoil. Our area was dependent upon the Navy and other military outlets for jobs. Mark had worked in government defense contracts for over 10 years. He was laid off when defense contracts evaporated following the fall of the Berlin Wall. We call this time the “car selling years” in Mark’s career, a time he (as well as the rest of the family) would just as soon forget. That time meant long hours for Mark away from his young family for very little pay and no benefits. What little free time he had was spent pouring over want ads and sending out endless streams of resumes. There were very few employers interviewing for positions and even fewer that were hiring.
Very near Christmas of 1993, Mark went on an interview, his first in months. He seemed very quiet and unenthusiastic after it was over. Little did anyone, including me, know that he had not only been offered the job but had accepted the position and was to start right after Christmas. That sneaky devil waited all through Christmas until just before dinner on Christmas night. Our entire family had arrived as well as our good friends, the Stevenson family. As everyone was basking in the glow of the tree, Mark set the mood by quietly pouring champagne and sparkling cider for all and making sure, everyone had something to toast with, including the little kids. Very calmly and without a hint of excitement in his voice, he asked everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to the future. As everyone raised their glass, he couldn’t help but break out into the biggest smile as he announced that he had landed the job.

Moving Along Nicely

I was up early this morning (don't ask me why, it's San Diego cold here, 45 degrees, Brrrr). I managed to get a head start on today's entry about real vs. artificial Christmas trees plus put the finishing touches on the entries for the last two days.
I really struggled with the entry about traditions and almost gave up but then realized I have a pretty good tradition going. Over 50 years of always having Christmas morning with my mom (and this year will be no different). I never missed a Christmas morning with my dad or my sister when they were living and I think that's a pretty worthwhile tradition.
The paper is from a Daisy Ds kit collection I picked up awhile ago. I love the vintage feel to it. The lettering was done on my Cricut with the Opposites Attract cartridge.
The journaling says: One of my favorite traditions is that I have always had the opportunity to have Christmas with my family every year. I never really thought about what an awesome tradition this was until family members that I had always spent Christmas with were no longer here. I have passed this tradition on to my kids, hopefully, as they tell me all the time that they can’t imagine ever not spending Christmas together.
Family +Christmas = Tradition

Normally I'm all about gift wrapping. One of my favorite jobs in high school was wrapping gifts at a local department store on Christmas vacations. I've loved it ever since. This year I've yet to wrap a single present!

This paper is from last year's Figgy Pudding collection by Basic Grey. I love that collection so much. It's getting to the point where I'm starting to hoard all the little pieces because I know it will be gone soon!

And there's absolutely no debate in this house about real vs. fake trees. I will NEVER have an artificial tree in my house. There is nothing like the smell. Now that we've decided to forgo moving the table out of the living room and getting a smaller tree I don't even have the needle mess to worry about (not that I ever worried - that's why God made vacuum cleaners!)

Simple to the point and another excuse to use some of the Figgy Pudding collection of paper.

Wow, does it feel good to be caught up!

Trying To Catch Up!

I was all caught up in my mind with my JYC album and then when I got home last night and put the LO I had in mind together it really wasn't working for me. So now I'm still a day behind but I refuse to let this consume me. Here's where I am so far.



This is my take on the countdown aspect of the holiday season. The journaling reads: This year the countdown is not to Christmas but to when we get to be together with Amy, Kirk, Annabelle, Ian, Brian and Grannie in Washougal, WA! This will be the first time in over 10 years that we have all awakened together on Christmas morning in the same house. I made this Advent calendar for Annabelle and Ian so they could count off the days until we could all be together.





Last year I had no trouble thinking of the "Best and Worst" Christmas since they had happened so recently and one right after the other with the lost wedding ring in the cookie dough. Truth is there never was a bad Christmas memory for me until Colleen passed away which coincidentally happened at Christmas time. I still even 9 years later cannot write about this but I felt this year I am getting closer



.
The journaling reads: I miss you so much. I am so thankful that we never ever did not spend a Christmas morning together for my entire life. You were the perfect big sister and I miss you every day and even more so at this time of year. I see you everywhere at this time of year but most especially in the eyes of this little girl. I am so thrilled that Annabelle and I can share Christmas together this year. I will have plenty of Grannie Colleen Christmas stories to share with her. You will definitely be a part of our Christmas this year and every year!
The question of being organized makes me laugh every year. My family thinks I am over the to anal about organization and I have to laugh, especially this year. Only one present has been purchased, nothing is under the tree and I couldn't be in a better mood. Oh and I'm still not using the Holiday Planner I made for myself but it looks so darn pretty on the bookshelf and fakes everyone out that sees it!



My most important items to get done this holiday season are listed on this entry:1. Have Fun
2. Celebrate Miss Peggy’s 60th Birthday!
3. Fly to Washougal to celebrate Christmas with family 4. Enjoy Larsen Movie night 5. Party with our friends 6. Bake lots of cookies 7. Wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! This year the name of the game is to have FUN! I’m not so concerned with buying presents or stressing to make sure everything is perfect. My main thing I want to do this Christmas is to enjoy the season.



I really had fun with the camera on this entry. No journaling - just a few shots of the Christmas sights at the Larsen house.

Off to figure out which traditions I want to write about since the one I had in mind is not making me happy at the moment (or is it the LO?) Such is the dilemma of the type A personality trying to relax!

All I Need To Say

about what my perfect Christmas is can be found right here. The journaling reads:

• Anytime we can be together, laughing, giggling and just enjoying each other’s company is a PERFECT day in my book. This year’s tree decorating time was just that. These folks rock my world and are the reason I get up every day. I absolutely love that we all enjoy each other’s company so much. Too me that is perfection!
  

85 & Counting

It's Christmas card time! Actually one of my favorite things about Christmas. Here's the journaling for today's JYC # 3 entry:

That’s how many cards will be going out this year. I love getting them and I really love making them. This year was a real first – I typed the annual Larsen Christmas letter in one sitting took it home and not one objection from the crowd at home. Can’t beat that! I’m trying not to stress about the photo (we’ve never not had one). If we can get one when we decorate the tree that would be awesome but if we don’t I can always make a Photoshop montage! The cards will be out in plenty of time to make the Postal Service Dec 10th deadline. Postage is now up to 42¢ per card. A small price to pay to send all my friends and family a little cheer. The worst part of all – we’ve yet to get a single card this year!

The journaling is on top of an excerpt from this year's family Christmas letter.

Journaling My Christmas Adventure

Once again having great fun in Shimelle's class. http://www.shimelle.com/forum. I'm pretty excited that I have been able to keep up with te first two days. This class has a great way of keeping me focused on the holidays and out of the craziness that seems to envelope all of usso easily. I really want to take the time each day to think about the season and rejoice in all I have to be thankful for.

I just realized that the scan on the LOs is so small that the journaling is impossible to read. The Day 1 journaling reads:

It’s the beginning of the Christmas season and I couldn’t be more excited! All the sights, smells and anticipation of the SEASON – bring it on! This season I vow to enjoy every moment to its fullest. This will be a season of firsts for our family:
· first time we’ve ever had all of the decorating done by December 1st
· first time we will travel by airplane for Christmas
· first time we have said we will truly limit what we spend
I hope to continue the excitement each day throughout the season. Nothing gives me more pleasure than enjoying the holidays with my family and friends.
Here’s to a Joyful Holiday!

Day 2 says:

Only in San Diego can you put your Christmas lights up in a tank top and shorts and then two days later have drizzle and want to put on your heaviest flannel jammies to snuggle under a Christmas throw and watch a roaring fire. The roaring fire is probably a stretch this year as we have yet even to turn the heat on yet. We’ve had a couple of chilly mornings but for the most part, we need a calendar in San Diego to know when it is time for Christmas because we can’t count on the weather changing as a sign. This year I think we had cooler weather in June than we’ve had so far in these first two days of December.