October 25, 2009
Hi.
My kids are puking. And feverish. Well, the older two are, I have kept the baby at arms length of the virus that is likely the much talked about H1N1. I am not the type to drag anyone to the doctor unless they really need it, and so far this is your typical flu, only very respiratory system involved.
Anyway. Kinda busy with the vomit and the two day migraine going on in my own body. So! Much! Fun!
Hmm so what is up at my place. . .
Air Force: has given us their FOURTH deadline on when they let us know if/where we move. This means that three times they have said they would do their job and didn’t. I am not holding my breath for the “by the 30th, at the latest!” Aw, heck, maybe they’ll surprise me. And then I can draw a winner!
I am re-evaluating my time and my work and my list of commitments. Going to make changes. I’m realizing that I no longer want the things I used to want, and that there are “fun” things that I don’t need any more. And I have decided this is not post partum depression or anxiety talking, it’s me, and I ought to listen. Change will be good.
I am also hyper focusing on Christmas. I did this last year as well, and think I need to chill just a wee bit. However, a broad fact has come to light over the past year. My family will be celebrating holidays on our own more often than not for the next many, many years. This has a lot to do with being military and is also personal choice. But this being the case, I really want to continue to develop the traditions that will be just ours, and not the larger family’s. I also want to make sure that I can provide the kind of pretty, festive, holidays that I grew up with, and that is hard! I grew up with a ton of extended family cooking and planning and baking and decorating- and this being alone means it’s all on me.
I know you can have a lovely Christmas with no presents or tree or table decor, but I am starting to make goals of investing in these decorations and traditions for my own little unit. I used to want to be with family. Now I want to be with MY little family (even if they’re all pukey and whiney right now). Which is good, because I am going to be with my family whether I like it or not ha!
So, last year we bought a few new Christmas items, and this year I am planning to do the same. As much as I am awestruck by the beauty that is a Pottery Barn catalog, I can’t just look at a table setting and buy the whole page. (Will I ever get to buy a page from that catalog? Can I put that on the bucket list? Right next to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon and See Norway?)
Anyway (boy I’m rambley tonight- so very sleep deprived, my readers, so tired) I’ve decided that since Gabe is here, we will get cute stockings this year. I also want to buy something to make my wonderfully pre-dinged table look like we could actually eat a holiday dinner there. . .some sort of centerpiece or table runner or ummm, placemats? Confession: I have almost no skill in the decor department. Confession #2: I have incredibly expensive taste. It has nothing to do with the price tag. Show me a room full of stuff and I will gravitate to the item with the largest price tag. Case in point? I was trying to find a tree skirt I like (I’ve tried for about four Christmases now). I was searching the web, and scrolling through page after page on Amazon when something finally caught my eye. It was a gorgeous tree skirt and a steal at only $1300. You can buy matching stockings for $300. Each. What do you put in a $300 stocking?
Like I said. Expensive taste.
It bites me in the butt.
Must tend to sick kid.
Have a good day, gentle readers.
oh Leah, what can I say? I feel for you. What came to mind as I read your entry today were the words of Peter in 1 Peter 5:7-10. I know you are a spiritual woman so I hope this brings you some comfort today. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you, and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever, and ever, Amen.” May His peace, His wisdom, and His strength be yours today my friend.
Comment by sherri — October 28, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I might make a tree skirt this year. We don’t even have a tree this year (our last flat had it’s own).
On a side note: we should go to Norway together.
Comment by Sanisi — October 28, 2009 @ 9:18 am
Okay, that tree skirt? Friggin’ gorgeous. You’re so right. But it’s funny that you say you don’t have decor skills, because you completely do! I think that decor of any sort is just an extension of your creative sensibilities in other areas. Since you’re talented in design, color and composition, you can simply apply those talents to a room (or a table, or a sofa, or a whole house!).
We’re too poor for expensive decor, too, but there are lots of simple ways around it. You’d be amazed at how far a pretty table cloth goes in brightening up a room (especially when you’re not allowed to paint the walls!)—and that’s just one piece of fabric. Maybe you focus on small, inexpensive or handmade accents for now, and build the “look” of your home gradually, just like your Christmas collection? That’s the tack I’m taking, anyway—until I can custom-build my dream studio (my major life-goal, and luckily the Tailor is supportive!), I’m just making small beautifications for now.
Just a thought.
Comment by Chandler — October 28, 2009 @ 11:55 am
I feel for ya, and you seem to have lots on your plate right now. I hope that doesn’t mean we’ll lose you at the Nook- it just wouldn’t be the same without you, so I don’t even want to think about that right now. I’m with you on the expensive tastes but I can’t justify spending so much on one thing- heck, I spend way too much on scrappy things already. It is nice to dream, though, isn’t it? Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today.
Comment by Becky Williams — October 28, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
I recommend a table runner, but instead of placemats get chargers. They wash off nicely, unlike placemats, and they don’t run into your table runner if your table is narrow. That is so the direction I am going this Christmas. And about the Pottery Barn catalog… the one time we could afford it we were overseas, and now that we are in San Diego it is Target for us. sigh… maybe someday…
Comment by Lara — October 28, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
hi i buy my kids each an ornament of their choice each year my kids all have their own collections and every year they pull them out and have great memories
one thing i do is also buy something special after xmas on the sales so i get a bit more each year.
Comment by janice — October 29, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
Oh Leah, you are not alone! I also know what it is like to be able to pick things out in a room and then come to find out it has the highest price tag, it happens to me ALL the time with everything. Decorating is not much different from scrapbooking, you pick your color pallet, follow the rule of thirds, and 60, 30, 10. 60% being your main color (walls, if you can’t paint use fabric or artwork), 30% your coordinating or contrasting color(can be a wood tone in shelves, furniture, or most of your pieces throughout the room), and 10% your accent(either pillows, frames, or a few vases). Kind of like a scrap page, 60 being your base paper, 30 being your coordinating papers, 10 being your embellies.
Oh how I know how nice being able to buy an enitre table setting with dishes, flatware, stemware, centerpiece, and all would be SO nice, I constantly wish I had stuff for the holidays even with me HOSTING Thanksgiving each year, I still have to barrow family’s dishes and stuff. Not always fun, but I guess as we learn in church Here a little there a little…. Eventually it will all come together but what is most important isn’t things and I constantly have to tell myself this. I am and probably will forever be plagued with this want for things I can’t have. Just know your not alone!
I would love to hear how it is going with you building your own traditions. I need to as my family is no longer going to keep the tradition of going to my Gma’s for Christmas Eve, and I am scrambling to try and figure something out to do with my hubby and kids that we can do each year on our own. For me it is scary to try and learn something new especially when that day is filled with so many memories and not completely understanding why we can no longer attend our past Eve tradition.
I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your family and the traditions that you are setting forth and starting with them. I wish you the best and hope that you can enjoy your time that you will have from the changes you are going to be making! I always love reading your blog as reading it helps me know that those same feelings your having, I am having too. Helps me know that I am not alone and I hope you know your not!
Comment by Casey Lu — October 30, 2009 @ 8:38 am
“What do you put in a $300 stocking?”
the reciept?
Comment by michele hamilton — October 30, 2009 @ 11:38 am
I have been to Norway - definitely worth the trip, I say DO IT!
Hope everyone feels better soon,
Pam Hoffman
http://myboyfriendsaysthedarnestthings.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/PamHoffman
Comment by Pam Hoffman — October 31, 2009 @ 9:30 am