Well, it is a ways after Christmas, and have not added to this for quite awhile, but Christmas was ... different, but it was OK after all the fretting. Didn't get everything done that I thought needed doing, and didn't always feel like I thought I should feel, but things turned out OK...

The scene change creation is such a disappointment! It falls over, and looks pretty tacky--although the director was very kind and encouraging. Still have some time tonight, after work, but still not any great ideas. And nearly out of time. AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH!

Saturday

Just a quick update. Caroling tonight from church is on the calendar, and tomorrow evening, the choir Christmas cantata +, with an hour of warm-up/practice before and a special coffee hour afterwards. Somehow, between the end of library today and the singing tonight I must needs come up with a simple sort of scene change for the DCS Christmas musical (Tuesday night performance date) that I have only a vague sort of notion how to create. Should be interesting. And offered to bring some sort of food tonight and have an idea but it will require a trip to the store, which will cut into the backdrop time....
but I'm set I think for ornaments --except for some that need a repainting and that I'm loath to bring back to the painter--black stars! That I'd asked to be dark blue (went a little too far). Which is an odd enough color for a star I guess, so maybe should leave well enough alone...and consider it a happy accident rife with creative possibilities. Worked on all the others last evening finishing up--watched 4 episodes from season 2 of All Creatures Great and Small (from the library!) and an old movie called Since You Went Away, which was a sweet old thing... have any of you seen it? If not, try for it--Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotton...you'll like these people, even though some of them smoke....

Ice Storm Day

I'm at Doug's office--no library work this afternoon due to what is threatened to be a real doozie of a storm -- freezing rain, snow, a half inch of ice on everything, and colder tomorrow so it will stay. But so far, it has been mostly rain and not building up on anything to speak of yet. Stopped here for computer access and a smile (Doug always pops right up when the front door opens and closes--should always clue him it's only me and he can stay seated at his computer, but I don't always remember, and didn't today. Started working on ornaments last evening and am glad there will be extra time today, although the thought of 7 1/2 hours of work time lost and not paid is a little bothering--but have had extra time working and will next week a little too due to one staffer having to cut back on hours, so I think it will all even out in the end.
Will have to at least string some lights around the living room picture window and among the geraniums (no tree so far) as it will be a cloudy soggy day outside, and the lights will be cheery. We had a little candle lit and on the supper table last night and that was pretty.

Finally had enough brain function to let the family know about the existence of this blog. This is progress!
The cookie exchange and the open house are history--except for the cookies that grace our kitchen and my car, and the leftover strawberry mystery salad in the 'fridge, and the memories of warmth and lights and color, and talk, and being with people known and new. Nice parties....
And this week we're talking ornaments, backdroppettes, and work on Thursday evening and Saturday at the library, the latter followed later by caroling in the neighborhood near church and a warm-up after at friend Laurie's (with a food contribution offered and yet to be determined). So need to make the most of what home time there is--have a stack of DVD's left from Thanksgiving unwatched, so hope to set up shop in the living room and watch, or at least listen to some while working on ornaments. Maybe some hot cocoa somewhere nearby....

I have no clue what anyone in the family has on their Christmas lists/personal wants and needs lists this year. There has been no sharing of such information nor any requests for same, except in one case--thanks Kathy : ). Have next week pegged as an artwork/ornament personalizing/creative week. Hope to make a start at least on your requests.

Spent last evening from 8PMto 2AM making a realllly big batch of cookies for a cookie exchange tonight. Went to bed thinking they were nothing special and feeling really foolish for having waited until the last minute and then spending so much time and effort creating something not so great to share with the group. Mom was so encouraging--she thought they tasted good. And when I tried one today, I agreed. Sigh! So we're GO for tonight. Hope everyone else was at least as successful : ).