scrap.ti.cian:

com·plete

: brought to an end

I've been concentrating a lot on what the new year will bring to our family. And we are working on selecting our One Little Word, though both Chris and Dan think we should keep "embrace" (our 2008 word).

While we don't know for sure what our word will be, I am looking forward to beginning the process of implementing it into our daily family life. And as most beginnings begin, there is generally something that is brough to an end. For me, that something is this blog.

While I've enjoyed the creative process with this blog, the time required to do it properly becomes very challenging to find. And, since I don't believe I do it particularly well, the effort seems a bit of a waste. Your kindness in reading and leaving comments has meant so much to me, especially given the whole universe of blogs out there that are both more informative and entertaining than mine. For that, I thank you very much.

I am confident that my time is best spent interacting with my family and documenting the little things that make our story ours...something that have I have neglected in order to sit at the computer and type away at this blog. Therefore, this will be my last post.

So, from the bottom of my heart, please accept my thanks and my wishes for the most wonderful of new years... and new beginnings,

~Lisa

San·ta Claus

: a plump white-bearded and red-suited old man in modern folklore who delivers presents to good children at Christmastime —called also Santa

 

 

ho! ho! ho!

:what jolly ol' St. Nick says

Here we are near the end of Our Christmas Story.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and join me. Time is precious and I do appreciate yours. I'm so happy that you've told your Christmas story for you and your family this year. While elements of it are sure to be repeated in the years to come, this story is nearly over. So glad you captured it.

Christmas Eve - definitely one of my very favorite days of the year. Full of tradition, family, fellowship and memories.

What's Christmas Eve like at your house? Do you stay at home? Attend mass or a candlelight service? Go to a relative's house for dinner? Do you exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, or are you limited to opening the one pair of pajamas on the night before Christmas? Are you out shopping or wrapping gifts? Or are you sipping egg nog and watching your favorite Christmas movie?

In telling your Christmas Eve story, think about:

• What makes Christmas Eve special to you? Jot a bulleted list. Or, pick one of those things and spend the next few minutes writing about it.
• Take three photos during the course of today - things that catch your eye; moments that touch your heart. Include them in your album.
• Write a Christmas Eve wish for three people you love very much. You can do more - people or wishes - if you want.
• Is there a particular Christmas Eve that stands out in your memory? Write about it.

Until tomorrow, ho! ho! ho!~

ho·ly

: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness

Christmas is a deeply spiritual holiday for our family. At the heart of our Christmas celebration is the birth of Jesus Christ.

The presents, decorations, movies, music, family gatherings...they are wonderful and our Christmas is richer because of them. But if we stripped all that away, we'd still have the most precious gift we've ever been given.

 (2007 December Daily Album)   

Although it is imporatant to us, as a family, to implement the tenets of our faith in our daily lives, it is especially important to us that those around us see Jesus in our lives at Christmas.

Is Christmas a holy celebration to you? In telling this story today, think about:

• What does the spiritual significance of Christmas mean in your life today? In the past? Going into your future?
• How do you observe this? Church services? Prayer or fasting? Volunteering?
• How does the spiritual significance of Christmas differentiate your celebration from your holy observance?
• Consider photographing your church; cathedral; mass; worship service; prayer chapel; nativity set; etc. to include in your album.
• Is Christmas a secular observation for you? If so, what rituals do you associate to it each year?
• Is something missing in your life? Could faith be what you're searching for? What difference could it make to you, your family, those around you?

Until tomorrow, God bless~

 

grate·ful

: appreciative of benefits received

A friend and mentor, Bob Vieno, tells me over and over: "Keep your mind off the things you don't want, and on the things you do."

I find that when I have a positive mental attitude, it is invariably tied to being thankful for the blessings - both large and small - in my life. When I'm focused on "the things I don't want" - basically being ungrateful - I have a terribly negative attitude.

(2007 December Daily Album) 

What are you grateful for today? When telling your story, think about:

• Despite the gloom and doom in the news these days, there are things to be grateful for. Name three and why you're appreciative.
• How will you express gratitude this Christmas? How about going into the new year?
• Consider using some photos of things/people/places you are grateful for.
• Write a letter of gratitude to someone.
• Don't forget about our service men and women. Take some time to express gratitude to them. Here is one way.

Until tomorrow, thanks for stopping by~

tri·ple dog dare

 : means by which one's tongue may become frozen to a schoolyard flagpole

If you haven't seen this movie, you have to rent it:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3470328089/

In our home, this movie is an annual tradition at Christmas. We watch it several times. We say the lines along with the actors. We repeat the one-liners throughout the year in given situations. It's great!

Oh, and this one, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=decUIVkZ4GI

Also, I watch three different versions of "A Christmas Carol" every year.

What Christmas movies are in your movie library? In telling your story today, think about:

• Snapping a photo of yourself watching your favorite Christmas movie and including that in your album.
• Are the movies you watch now the same ones you watched when you were a kid? Why or why not?
• Don't watch movies? How about Christmas specials? Or those old animated Christmas shows?
• Do you Tivo or watch straight off the television?
• Are you adding any new titles to your collection this year? If so, what are they and why?

Until tomorrow, I triple dog dare you~

 

 

doc·u·ment

: an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something

No doubt your mailbox has been flooded with mail over the last couple of weeks. I'm betting that amid those sales flyers, catalogs, time share offers, bills and other stuff, there have been some Season's Greetings!

(2007 December Daily Album) 

Another simple story prompt for you today. Document some of those greetings!

When telling your story today, think about:

• Using a square punch to create Christmas Card snapshots. Here I not only punched the cards, but the envelopes, too.
• Creating a pocket that can hold some - or all - of your Christmas cards.
• Including a photograph of your cards as you display them in your home.
• How do you feel when you open Christmas cards? Do you appreciate that someone has taken the time to send you a card?
• Have you been exchaning cards with the same person for a number of years? Highlight that relationship. Include some of the older cards, if you've saved them.
• Do you recycle Christmas cards in some way? Tell that story. Take a photo to share in our flickr group.

Until tomorrow, from our house to yours~

fam·i·ly

1: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head;                2 a: a group of persons of common ancestry;   b: a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common tribe                                                                        3 a: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation

However you define it, there's no doubt that our family defines much about us, including our Christmas celebration.

When my husband and I were first married, we'd travel back to Virginia to spend Christmas with our families. This meant juggling the entire three days and spreading our time between three sets of parents, two sets of grandparents, one brother and sister-in-law and avoiding, at all costs, certain people on both sides of my family.

Many years later, it is our privildege to host much of our families' celebration.

(2007 December Daily Album)

Much has changed since those early Christmases. My mom has been gone for way too many years. My mother-in-law has Alzheimer's, and I wonder if this is the last Christmas she'll remember us. My sons are older, and it won't be long before "Christmas vacation" turns into "college break" + short visits between times with friends and then back to college for the next semester.

Perhaps because time marches on, perhaps in spite of that fact, I cherish my Christmas time with my family. I've learned all too well that those who are here this year may not be next. And even if they are, time will have painted them a new face, or in a different place, or new priorities. I've even learned to appreciate some of those family members I avoided...at least until the pumpkin pie is served.

What is your family togetherness story this year? Are you in a place of new beginnings, like marriage or the birth of a new family member? Are you transitory, maybe with a move or new job? Or will there be an empty spot at the dinner table this year?

When telling your story today, think about:

• Where your family will gather. Does this place hold special significance for you or other members of your family?
• Does your family have a matriarch or partriarch? If so, consider telling their story. Or, ask them to tell it and record it in your album in their own words, or in interview format, or in your words.
• Consider taking a photo today of where your family will gather. If that's not possible, take a photo of where your family gathers in your home - to share meals, open gifts, family activities, etc.
• Set your camera on timer mode and get in the photo with your family doing every day kind of stuff together.

Until tomorrow, group hugs~

 

 

pres·ent

: something presented : gift

Attention holiday shoppers! There are only 9 shopping days left until Christmas!

Today your story is a breeze! What are you getting those people on your list?!

Like me, last year, you can simply jot down some names and what you bought (or are going to buy). Or, you can:

• Tell about a particular person and the gift you bought for them and why.
• Take a photo of the stuff you've bought to include in your album.
• Tell about the thought/struggle/joy/frustration of Christmas shopping.
• Why you shop the way you shop, i.e. - internet only; retail or discount only; a combination of the two.
• Do you shop all year long, or are you a last minute shopper?
• Lots of thought into the gifts you buy, gift cards or whatever is handy?
• Re-gifter?!?

Until tomorrow, attention Christmas shoppers, there are only 8...

ev·er·green

1: an evergreen plant ; also : conifer;   2 plural : twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for decoration;    3: something that retains its freshness, interest, or popularity

There is just something about a Christmas tree that I love. From the aluminum tree my grandparents had in the 60's, to the Charlie Brown trees my brother and I cut down in our fields, to the artificial tree my own family uses each year, the magical glow of those trees has warmed my heart each Christmas.

  (2007 December Daily Album) 

Last year I made a decision to use only one tree~ previous years we'd had at least two (I said I loved Christmas trees!). It's a choice I'm continuing with this year. And while I reserve the right to change my mind next year, so far this simpler way of celebrating Christmas is just really working for our family.

Do you have a similar evergreen love affair? Or do you dread the whole ordeal? Do you light multiple trees or only one? Are you a fresh or artificial tree connoisseur? Do you have ornaments that have been passed down from past generations, or do you collect your own? Do you color coordinate your tree, or do you prefer a touch of whimsicality?

When telling your Christmas tree story, think about:

• The rituals surrounding decorating your tree. Is there a favorite CD you play, or do you sip hot chocolate or tea? Or do you just toss on the ornaments and hope like heck they stick?
• Are your decorations hand made, store bought, or a combination of the two?
• Do you wander the field looking for "the" tree, visit a Christmas tree farm, or pull the box out of the garage? Why?
• Does everyone pitch in to help decorate, or is it strictly a solo act? Does the same person of honor put on the topper every year, or does the job fall to whoever has the longest arms?
• Do you have a favorite Christmas tree memory?
• What, if anything, makes this year's tree different from others?

Until tomorrow, glitter balls and colored lights~