All You Ever Wanted to Know About My Christmas Habits and More!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire message and paste onto your blog.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? My favorite is brown paper bags. I cut them apart, to use as paper. Then I put ribbon on them. They look beautiful under the tree. Very country, but I like country. And you can't get any cheaper than that. The ribbon is only $2 for 500 yards. That will last a looong time.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It is cheaper in the long run. Plus I can't see cutting down a tree for using only a month. People need to use a potted tree if they want a real tree. Then plant it in the yard.

3. When do you put up the tree? Shortly after Thanksgiving. If I put up a tree. I haven't the past few years. No one to see it now that the girls are gone. It is too much work for just David and I. Plus we don't have room for it in our clubhouse. :(

4. When do you take the tree down? January. If I put one up.

5. Do you like eggnog? Not at all.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? It would be a toss between my bike or the Barbie doll house that my mother made. It was awesome. We loved it. My granddaughter, Abigail, has it now.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Everyone. I am too practical. It takes me awhile to get inspired.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Grandchildren. But even then I ask, because seeing that I am practical, I don't want to buy them something that their parents really don't want them to have, or need. They too are practical.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Lots. I have no idea how many I have. Getting a new one this year from David. :)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. If I do any. Maybe I should try email.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Motorcycle. It was for Cleaburn and I. It never worked. It was horrible. It was an old fixer-upper.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I shop all the time. I usually give the gifts early so I don't have to mail them.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I recall. But I may have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar cookies?

16. Lights on the tree? Definitely. And I prefer clear lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I agree with Leslie. Silver Bells and Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains are great songs. I am not a music person, but I know it is not one of the "commercial" songs. It would be a Christmas hymn.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I prefer to stay at home, but the girls can't come here, so I would definitely go to one of their homes instead. I love it when we can all be together. Last year (2007) was great because we were all together at Leslie's house. (Minus Nick. He doesn't like to fly.)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Usually an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? PJs on Christmas Eve. Everything else is on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Driving in the snow.

23. Favorite thing to do? Drink hot chocolate and visit family and friends.

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? Turkey and cranberry relish.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To be with my children and their families.

Iris Garden 2009

Some of my irises. I will try to identify them. Hope you enjoy. What are your favorites?

Lucky Draw

Spectral Challenge

Ruffles Supreme

Sunray Reflection

O'Brien's Choice

Paradise Found

Siener Heirloom

Sheer Bliss

Dusky Challenger

Rite of Spring

Ruffled Ballet

Dawn of Change

Clear Morning Sky

Rapture in Blue

Honky Tonk Blues

Fair Dinkum

Blue Staccato

Proud Tradition

Dutch Iris

Before the Storm

Forge Fire

Inferno

Supreme Sultan

Spring Tidings

Celestial Flame

Skating Party

Kittens Update

Here are a few pictures of the kittens. They were taken May 11, 2009. They were 6 1/2 weeks old. They are fun to play with. Flo is on her way to her new parents as I type. Her new parents will be Erin and Spencer. They are excited!!!

Flo, Floppy and Little Bit
They were having fun with my toes.

Flo & Floppy
Being a good sister and brother.

Floppy
He likes to explore.

Flo
David calls her Funny Face.

Little Bit
Playing in the grass.

Little Bit
He has a short tail. AKA Stubby.

Lucky Blue Iris

One of my pretty irises. This one is unique. I think this is Rapture in Blue. What do you like about it?

Kittens & Khaki

Our cat, Kitty, or now Mama Kitty, had kittens on March 28, 2009. She had five but two died. We do not know the sex of the kittens yet. Will need to look. But I did name the kittens. Not sure yet which kitten gets which name but... Their names will be Flo, Floppy, and Little Bit. I named them after David's mother, Florence. Mom's birthday was on the 28th so I thought it would be appropriate to name them after her. I think she would be tickled. I need to tell her about her namesakes. I thought of the names after I talked to Mom on her birthday. Here are a few pictures. Will need to get more later. Also including a picture of Khaki for Erin & Spencer.

Anniversary

Well, today is our 34th anniversary. We had a good day even though our daughters have all forgotten it is our anniversary. I wonder if they will remember when it is our 50th? Daughter #3 did call, but it was just to tell us how things were going for getting their home and furnishings for it. She was excited about it. So were we. We are happy for her. But it would be nice if at least one of them had remembered. Oh well. Maybe next year. After we drilled Daughter #3 about expecting all the girls to have called us today, then she remembered it was our anniversary. So she did tell us "Happy Anniversary". We love them all. I hope I remember when it is their anniversary seeing I am making a "big deal" about them not remembering ours. :)

All Star Grandchildren