Wrapping...UGH!

So most people who know me would say I'm creative....crafty.  I think I am too if I do say so myself.  When it comes to Christmas I like to decorate, drag my feet when it comes to decorating the trees but have fun once I get started but wrapping??  I really dislike doing it!  I was thinking, as I was using up the wrapping paper, ribbon and bows from last year, that I need a theme....buy only what goes with my theme and wrap everything the "same".  I laughed when my cousin Jennifer posted on FB today that her theme was red, black, white and silver (I think) for her gift wrapping this year and I'm sure she's been doing the themes for years.....she has beautiful wrapping!!  Wish she wasn't 2000 miles away!!!  She could do mine!  LOLOL!!  I have most everything wrapped...the stuff I have.....so I'm good now.  

Here are the trees for this year.  I bought the skinny tree on sale at Michaels this year.....I was worried about how I was going to decorate it but most of the primitive/country ornaments I used have wire and it worked well.  I love this tree! Both are terrible photos....taken on my cell phone.

This tree is totally opposite of anything I have done in the past.  Glass ornaments!!!!  LOL  The ribbon is still burlap (gotta keep the country!) with some sparkle.  I like it at night....during the day I see the missed spaces.  I don't really like this Costco tree.....hard to decorate and smells like plastic!  Maybe one day I will get a real tree for down there.....not far to haul in and out so the needles will be more or less contained! (is that possible?)

As I decorated the trees I thought about how this was the 2nd year of no cats and how much less stressful it is!  hahahaha!  They are likely un-decorating Daughter2s tree!  

Twelve more days until Christmas.  My family is arriving on the 23rd.  Wow...where did this year go?  Why do we say that every year??  :oD  

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Our Visitors

Last weekend we had visitors!!!!  Jenna and Jude came down for a visit!  How lucky we are to have a daughter-in-law (not official yet!) who is comfortable enough to come down to visit without our son.   These two had a couple of visits.  It's funny what a difference 5 months makes in that first year but they are both growing and changing sooooooo much!!!!! 

We all went to the 30th Annual Santa Claus Parade here in town!  Here is the big guy!!!  Jude slept through a lot of it (all tucked in and cozy warm in his stroller) but Lyla loved the lights and music!  The wind was chilly so we headed for home right after Santa passed by!  

This little girl was hamming it up for her Mommy!  Getting ready to go have pics done by a photographer.....she didn't smile much once she got there apparently!  hahaha  Typical!

And this little dude turned five months old this month!!!!!  He has smiles for everyone!!!

My friend Sue came over for a sewing day this week.  We both worked on the same pattern....a free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop  Jelly Roll Twist pattern

http://static.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/JellyRollTwist-Pattern.pdf

I finished mine today....I wanted to add borders to make it a bit larger.  SIMPLE FAST FUN!!  Especially when sewing with a friend!

Can you believe there are only two weeks until Christmas??  I don't have our trees up and decorated and I have nothing wrapped....I still have a couple of gifts to get too......it always gets done so I won't panic!  We've had cold temperatures here....all of Alberta actually....so staying inside at home where it's warm really appeals to me!  No excuse not to get the trees done or wrapping!  Ahhhh this coming week it will get done for sure!!  I will need some time to relax and have quiet time before our home is filled with family!!  <3 

Health update:  My Dr appointment with the radiology oncologist went well.  I am going to be part of a study.  My biopsy slides will be tested for something (??) and if the levels are low I will only have to be monitored twice a year for 2 years then annually for 3 years.  I would be part of the study for 10 years!  NO radiation!!  Whoo hoo!  If the levels are high I will need radiation but there are a few options.....1) the usual, whole breast radiation for 3 1/2 weeks.  2) Radiation that focuses on the area only for 5 days OR 3) day surgery where they implant radiation seeds.  The surgery appeals to me the most out of those options but NO radiation is what I am hoping for!!!  All because my cancer was caught quickly and was so tiny!   I haven't been contacted by the study group yet....hopefully soon.  Continued or new prayers and positive thoughts would be appreciated.  :o)  Thanks to all who have been along with me on this journey so far!!  Words cannot express how much you are appreciated.  <3

It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas!

The Fireplace channel is on the air!!  You know that's a sign Christmas is coming!!  I have done some Christmas decorating but the trees aren't up yet.  I have the radio station on that plays Christmas music all day....I am almost done my shopping but need to do my wrapping (yuck) and check my list again!  

Here is one of my winter volunteer jobs!  I play music and do the score sheet for Daughter2's hockey games.....this game didn't end well for her....lets just say we won't have to go to the teams game this coming weekend!  She needs to suppress her frustration with the officiating!  I think it must be hereditary...my Dad spent some time in the penalty box in his day!! 

This was my view this morning.....we have no snow (but we are expecting some and it is now clouding over) but it was -12C this morning and this is beautiful!  Of course the frost is now gone...but it was nice while it lasted.

Son1, Son2, Jenna and Jude are coming down this weekend!  Whoooo hooooo Grandson cuddles!!!!  Our town has it's BIG Santa Claus parade on Friday so he is coming for that.  It will be a fun weekend!

Then my consult appointment on Monday where I will finally find out what is next....maybe, just maybe I can plan my life....especially on the work front!  Fingers crossed!!!!

Last day today that our house is on the market....ONE viewing in 90 days!  We will try again in the new year.  Maybe then things will be better on the realty front.....who knows.  

What is meant to happen will.

Oh I see some tiny flakes coming down!!  Not that I want snow.......tee hee!

Beauty, Babies, and Taking Care of Business!

We have been having some beautiful sunrises.  This was one from a couple of days ago.  As usual, the picture does not do it justice!!

Baby Lyla having a funny hair day!  LOL  Her and her mommy have found their own place and will be moved out by tomorrow.  I have mixed feelings.....I am happy they are still going to be living in our town!

The big boy Jude already 4 months old!  I am hoping to get to see this little munchkin and give him cuddles in a couple/three weeks!

We will be celebrating our fifth Christmas here and have never put up lights.  I caught Hubby at the right moment and we went and bought some and put them up....on November 12th and it was so warm Hubby wore shorts!  We didn't do a lot but it will add to the festive feeling this year!

Today I finished the second stocking....they are all set to be filled!  Not perfect but made with love from Grandma.  :) 

Health update:  My lymph nodes are cancer free!!!  YaHoO!!  My surgeon even implied that maybe I won't need radiation.....but now I am a patient of the cancer clinic and have an appointment on December 5th to meet with the "cancer Doctor".  I was told it was for a consultation and it will be 1 to 2 hours long!  Please send prayers/positive thoughts....I am hoping my surgeon is right!  

FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!

I have amazing friends...I really do!  I'm posting this not because I need my friends to buy me things or make me things but man, oh man do I ever appreciate it all!!!!  We all lead busy lives so anytime someone makes the time to do something special it means so much.  

My friend Peggy lives in Exeter, Ontario and sent me my favourite chocolates made right there.  I swear I could smell them before I even opened the package!!!

My friend Sue made me this cuddle quilt.....she did some of the blocks on her new embroidery machine........this picture does not do this quilt justice....it's on my lap as I type!  

My friend and neighbour Deb made us supper for tonight....sheppards pie, biscuits and salad.  YUMMMO!

Complete with dessert.....this delicious, still warm lemon meringue pie!!!  (and cookies that I haven't had room to try yet!)

My neighbour Maureen brought me flowers....this isn't a great picture of them either.....they are very colourful!

My heart is full..............amazing!  This is in addition to all the text messages and messages from Facebook....it feels so nice to know people care.  :o)  <3

Start to Finish?????

Mammogram

 Ultrasound

 Biopsy

 Surgeon's visit

 Mapping

 Needle Localization

 Surgery

After surgery

  

Everything went well......I slept most of yesterday afternoon/evening.  A bit sleepy today but not bad....I haven't taken much for pain killers today even though the boob is getting a bit stiff and sore but not bad.  I have to remember to take it easy for a bit.  So that part is done....now to wait to hear the results of the lymph node biopsy on November 9th.....fingers crossed!...and see when radiation will start.  Waiting...........

A Finish, Some Mountains and a Cutie

I've been working on this project for a few years even though it's very simple......it's flannel (dog hair magnet) and I had the squares sewn together ages ago!  But I wanted to hand stitch the appliqué so that is what took me awhile......I'd stitch some and it would sit.  I was tired of having it hang around and I was close to being finished so I got it done!  (quilting is still needed)  None of the squares line up.....how hard is that Jane????  Well, it's done and the kit was a gift from Son2 one year for my birthday (He was working near Moosejaw, Sask and went to The Quilt Patch...it is one of their patterns).  I did finish another even older UFO but haven't taken a picture of it yet....a project started in 2010!  That will be saved for my next post.

I do love our view on a clear day....spring, summer, fall or winter.  Here was our view the other day......look at the snow on those mountains.  

Then there is this little cutie.....that giraffe was his Daddy's....a gift from his grandma so Jude's great grandma.....the perfect size to grab, hold and chew on!  I'm glad I kept things like that.  :o)

Surgery is this week.............the countdown is on!