@Breezy_Carol, around where DH works, people are always stealing things for scrap metals because they can get money for them. On Mondays things are always torn apart. How awful. Stinks to have to deal with right before Christmas.
@Bianca and Bernard, where did you move from before you landed in FL? Your holidays sound nice!
@Snowysmom, sounds like you’re really making some progress in your house. Your boys sound very caring and loving!
QOTD: Yes, we always opened one present on XMas Eve when the kids were growing up, and even before we had kids. Our holidays tended to be unconventional a lot of the time, though, due to our work schedules. DH and I both had to work holidays over the years, so we made it work however we could, and the kids got used to it. Funny that they are now in the same boat, but none of us really mind, the important part is being together and we always manage to work it out when we can within our own family and with extended family. This year DD, DS and I are all working Christmas, so we’ll celebrate on the 26th. I don’t think we’ll open a present on Christmas Eve this year because we won’t all be home, but on Sunday we’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the day with a nice dinner and plenty of presents to open.
Today (well, yesterday now) was a whirlwind! In gathering all of our gifts to take inventory, we wound up doing a lot of sorting and cleaning in Mom’s apartment, where we had our presents stored. We literally went through everything in both the living room and bedroom, and I tackled some old supplies in the bedroom closet, though I had cleaned it out before so it felt good seeing that it was mostly under control. After the holidays I can fairly easily finish what needs to be done in there, I think, so that felt good.
Around mid-afternoon we had everything laid out and decided to wrap quickly. So we got that done in a couple of hours. (We cheated a little, but that’s ok, lol.) Once that was done, we heated up some leftovers, straightened up, and went out locally to pick up a few gifts we still needed. We were surprised that some of the stores we went to had closed at 7pm when they used to be open till 9pm, but we figured help might be a problem this year. Still, unbelievable two weeks before Christmas that stores would close early. We managed to find what we needed at one store that did stay open late, and then did a quick grocery order, came home and put everything away as well as wrapped the last few things we’d bought, changed, and poured that glass of wine I’d promised myself!
I think it was almost 10pm by the time we finally sat down. And then we promptly lost power!
So we sat in candlelight for a while and waited for DS to get home from work, it was actually pretty peaceful. Power came back on around midnight. I think there was a fire or something up the street from what DS saw coming home, so they must’ve shut it down on purpose.
I hope everyone has a nice Sunday.
We have some fun family things planned, I hope the weather cooperates.
It’s a medium grey, and has worked out really well. I would like to replace it some day with vinyl tile that looks like wood (since we have kids and dogs), it’s a project for the future. I did go with a darker color carpet before and regretted it as everything shows up on it. Lighter worked better. The dog I have now doesn’t shed much, so that’s been nice. We do get a lot of leaves and such in the house.
likes cookies extra at Christmas, for this year, it will be a perfect way to spread extra cheer to a good 10 friends. Terri will deliver them on Monday.
) But what I do remember from growing up is that people used to use Elmer’s glue to ”write” a name on the stocking, and while the glue was still wet, they would put glitter on it, so that when it dried, the name was written in glitter. Maybe that would be something you could try if you can’t find a sewing solution. If the glitter comes off year to year maybe you could just reinforce it or scrape it off and start again? Just a thought!
Much prayer you and your DH receive compensation for the damages! 
Snowysmom. I pray your Christmas Angel ornament will indeed bring you extra peace and joy of good memory for years to come, my friend. 
(And something I would totally do too!)
