Knock, knock . . .

It's a little early for Santa, so I'm not sure exactly where this little guy and his candy stick appeared from. But Dave discovered him on the front porch, glowing in all his glory, about 11:30pm. Hummm . . . somebody's pretty sneaky!

Now, if I was Katie, my little prego sis, I would think God himself stopped by with this gift . . . she does love penguins ever so much!!

Very cute . . . very sweet . . . could only be one culprit . . .

Black Friday

I don't know what has gotten into Dave but he wanted to go out and check out the deals today. Whoa! I mean he does the grocery shopping and all, but we went to Toys 'R Us, Sears, Marshalls, Ross, etc . . . that is so unlike him. He doesn't even like to go to those establishments on a "good" day, let alone on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year!! Guess with all his recent coupon clipping, he's getting addicted to the savings?!

I think it's the first time I've gone shopping on Black Friday, ever, or as far as I can remember! (confession: I, who loves shopping, cannot stand the crowds or getting up on the crack of dawn on my day off!)

Though we didn't buy any Christmas presents, it was fun to get out as a family and check it all out. And having that change was the greatest deal I found today!! Who knows, maybe by next year we'll be among those early, early risers waiting in lines before the stores open . . . I highly doubt it though!!

A Day of Blessing

Hope you enjoyed your

Turkey . . Gravy . . Stuffing . . Hash Brown Casserole . . Green Bean Casserole . . Corn . . Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole . . Cranberry Sauce . . Rolls

Apple Pie . . Butterscotch Pecan Pie . . Ginger Streusel Pumpkin Pie . . . and a whole lot of ice cream!!

. . . well, that's what we had. Hope what ever your feast included, you enjoyed it and all those you shared it with!

Charity demonstrating what to do with a napkin.

Flat Stanley enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with us.

Our Thanksgiving parade! Love this mild weather in Middle Tennessee. We took advantage of it and tried to walk off some of the many calories.

Some Fall decor to savor . . . a day or two and I'll be pulling out all the Christmas deco. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Floral Brights

They came out so beautiful and very colorful, I had to snap some shots. Luckily Stacey knew what she was doing, the table settings looked great . . . the client was happy. Mission accomplished!!

Guess I've got to go work on our own festivities now!

Getting Ready!

Trying to get back on the blog wagon . . . will be putting together arrangements for a client's Thanksgiving tables this morning (fun, fun!). Love my job on days like these. We'll see if they look like anything.

Then it's back home to get my own table ready and my pies baked and a little house work done! More fun! I do think Thanksgiving is becoming my favorite holiday. The big meal, the beautiful decorations, friends and family, all without all the commercialization. Yes, I love Thanksgiving. What's your favorite holiday?

The Sale of the Week

We did all our grocery shopping and I think we're all set for our Thanksgiving holiday!! We're planning on staying in and not going out too far after tomorrow, when I have to work for a couple hours in the morning. Needless to say after I finish the 3 pies I'm planning on making and our little freezer stash, we may not fit out the door to go out!! Hey, we couldn't resist at $1.50 a box at your local Kroger!!!

Happy feasting to you and yours!!

A Vegetarian Turkey?

They've thought of everything haven't they?!? Working today, we did a little shopping for a client's Thanksgiving dinner and found this cake:

Yes, it's a yellow cake! Isn't it cute? I guess . . . if you fill up on turkey for your main course, do you want "turkey" for dessert? Hummm . . .

For Charity from Mom

My friend, Allison, mentioned that she had written her children notes this week. We've both been working so hard at Christmas Village and it's no doubt our poor families feel the effects of all our labor. I could tell how she talked she wrote sweet, little love notes to J & S, reminding them that life would be back to normal soon. Such a good mom she is.

Well, I too had written Charity a little note this week, at the very beginning of the week. Me, being the neat freak mom I am, here's my note for Charity:

Now, this may seem a little mean. But there actually was a method to my madness . . .

I love Christmas decorations, but sometimes getting them all in from the garage and up is a bit overwhelming, even more so when the house is a disaster, as it usually is following Christmas Village. But last weekend we (mostly I) cleaned and cleaned, so the house would be a clean sanctuary I could come home to every night this week to relax for the chaotic mess of Wonderland Closet. (Yes, I know I have psychological issues with order and cleanliness!) Somehow, which I'll never understand, it can take just one day for an entire weekend of cleaning to become undone. . . . or does that only happen at this house? . . .

In order to promote Charity to keep home my orderly haven, I offered a little bonus, bribe you might call it. If she were to "help" keep the house clean this week (for her not creating gigantic messes that only Mommy can clean is helping) we would put up a tree this weekend, thus the note to remind her of this prize. Though at first she didn't know what it said, once I read it to her, I knew it would serve as a reminder. And you know what . . . it worked!!

Thank you Bro. Becton for cancelling the evening service this evening at First Church, so we Christmas Village workers can rest or better yet, spend much-needed time with our "neglected" children!!

And for my poor Charity, probably mentally destroyed by her mom's regnant notes, hopefully our little tree trimming party healed her wounds!!

Until Next Year

We made through. Christmas Village 2008 is behind us! Hallelujah! It's always a whole lot of work, but soooo very rewarding. All together our church made over $17,000 for missions and other causes, over $1000 of that from our little Wonderland Closet area!! Our best year yet!

It was a busy week, not much time for blogging. But here's some of the shots from this week:

Some of our faithful workers (Lisa, Jodi, and Sherry). We couldn't do it without them!! Thanks, gals and even a few guys that helped us out!!












Allison, starting to set up the Tie Table.












Allison's hard work . . . Beautiful! Unfortunately, it never lasts long!












Especially when people use it as a dog bed! Hello! That really is a dog in the middle of our tie table!!












Allison, picking up our nearly 30 balloons from Wal*Mart, almost flawlessly. I'm rather proud we remained very Christian despite a slight hitch, but it all worked out! Yay!
















Whoville's, a.k.a. Kid's Korner, booth and costumes looked so good! I loved their creative hair! We tied with them for Best Decorated Booth contest this year. Kudos to them for all their hard work . . . we know your pain!! :-P












Lampon Nhotshiri (our Asian pastor's wife) and I. Her hair was unbelievable. She's so clever!!
















The First Lady of First Church (Cheryl Becton), Allison and I.












I hadn't been in the door 5 minutes when Charity took all my "props" and made them hers, including my boots. Always, a little mommy!! She's a cutie!!

25th Annual Holida Flea Market

. . . has finally arrived!! And Allison and I are still standing!!

We made it through our first day and have made more $ today than our first day last year . . . the All-for-a-Dollar sale is really working, and makes the transaction process so much easier. Yay!!

All the worked paid off . . .

And speaking of work, I am so not convinced Allison hasn't been fasting and praying about me not getting a job until after Christmas Village, because would you believe, after 5pm on Friday evening, as I had just walked in the door, a lady called me about a job!! I'm praying, it's sounds perfect, close to home, the amount of money will work, Charity would be able to stay at Christian school!! etc. . . She's going to call tomorrow to schedule an interview. She actually wanted me to interview tomorrow, of course, the day of Christmas Village! But God knows, doesn't He? Allison!!! Just kidding!!

Just when you think God's forgotten about you . . . I'll keep you posted.

Off to bed now, have to up again very early to pick up our balloons at Wally World, fun stuff!!

I'm missing you . . .

I know, it's been a long week already . . . but we're getting there in Christmas Village land. Actually got everything we had hung up yesterday. So today Allison and I worked on some of our deco. Tomorrow's going to be a loooooong day. Stopped by our area after church and we're loaded up again. Uuuuggg!! But we should be able to get through it and we've got lots of help coming, Hallelujah!!

Since tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I'm already tired and fighting off a cold, I'm headed to bed now. Just had to make a quick stop on the computer (dave's desktop). My poor laptop is sooooo neglected. I haven't applied for one job, sent Stacey my time for last week, checked myspace, my inbox had 95 emails today!! . . . it's sad.

I'll be happy to get back to my little routine, for sure, sometime after next week, since it already looks like I have to work everyday. Or maybe the routine's changing for good. Maybe, better yet, I'll get a job . . . or at least one I get paid for!! :-P

Clothes, clothes and more stinky clothes!!

So we made it through the first day of clothes hanging. Yay! It's not looking too bad in our little "area" we call Wonderland Closets, but there's lots still to be done. We're got a good plan: a little decorating and a lot of clothes hanging everyday and by Friday, when the sale begins, we'll be ready . . . hopefully!

Charity's in the bath and just thought I'd blog a second, since I was absent yesterday. 'Tis life. And I'm so excited . . . when she gets out, we're (both of us, her and I!!!) are going to bed to sleep!!! I'm so excited!! Yay!! SLEEP!! . . . you know you need it when a friend sends you an email titled: "12 Tips for Surviving Christmas Village" . . . and #12 is: Seek professional help if you need it!!! Maybe First Church should offer free counseling services during this time!!!! Ha!! :o)

The First Thanksgiving

This morning I dropped Charity off at school and later this afternoon I picked up Red Bird.

Introducing . . .

the newest member of the Bridgham family!!
Here's my little sister, Katie, and my little Niec-phew (niece or nephew), we don't know, not until January when she pops!! Can't wait. I'm very happy for her!

Man, I wish I looked like that at 29 weeks. I was showing Charity the picture and explained to her that if I glued her to me now at 5 years-old weighing about 40 pounds, the two of us together still wouldn't be the weight I was the day I deliver her. I was one big mama! 60 pounds in 6 months folks, believe me, I have the stretch marks to prove it!!! I can't believe I just admitted that . . . oh dear, the lack of sleep is getting to me!! I need to go to bed!!! Anyway . . .

Congratulations Katie and company!! We 3 cookies love you lots!!

Intuitive

101st use for dental floss:

Line to hang to-be-decorated Christmas bulbs! (Thanks for the idea Allison!)

Still working intently on Christmas Village "stuff", just had to stop for a breather! Oh, soooo much work, but it's going to look awesome!! Ran around a lot this morning doing errands for Stacey, then had to get Charity from school (while Dave took a nap, eewwww, sore subject!! :( . . .), so I got a later start this evening. Looks like it's going to be another late one or should I say early (as in 2am-ish). But the list is getting shorter!!

I see it . . .

. . . finally, the light at the end of the tunnel, (better yet, the forest through the trees!) is approaching! Christmas Village now just 8, no 7, days away . . . it's already Friday morning.

I don't think I've gotten to bed before midnight any night this week. I've been doing okay, until this afternoon it caught up with me. After working all morning for Stacey, going right straight the entire 5 hours. Not to mention I was rearranging the workout room of all places, which required countless lifting of various weights. Hellooo! I don't do this on a good day, let alone today! Well, after I finished that project I began polishing more silver things, so that was a little more my speed today.

Was very, very upset'ed that the original date Nashville Christian had posted for Kindergarten graduation has been changed. Messing up our once-in-a-lifetime Florida vacation with my family. Uuuuugggg! Yeah, that ruined my whooooole day. And I guess I ruined Dave's too, since I wasn't being very kind about this kink in all our plans. His thoughts: skip graduation. Uuuugggg!! Why can't life just be a little easier?

Picked up Charity from school, and really needed to go out and get more "things", but crashed on the couch. Don't remember too much, until Gramma came up stairs to tell me something. Whoa! What happened? Had my little nap, got up and ate some food and drank a big cup of sweet tea . . . and the rest is history. It's 2 am and I'm still doing good! :D

The bags are complete! Hallelujah! . . . and well, that's about it. Oh dear! Well, the remaining tasks, I'm praying, begging God will go by quickly and without a hitch.

Here's what's left (to clean my head, because I do need to go to bed at some point!):

~ Cut out 25's (16 black/14 white) & glue to "Tomato Cage" trees.

~ Cut out 12 White Poster board stars for Allison to make tree toppers.

~ Paint bulbs white.

~ Throw some white and black glitter on our white and black bulbs.

~ Make flower arrangement.

~ Sew 2 Aprons (One for Allison, One for Me . . . obviously).

Friday (this) afternoon I'll finish Christmas Village stuff and into the evening, hopefully not Saturday morning!

Saturday will be clean the house, iron clothes for next week, prepare ahead meals (lasagna/soup) all in preparation for crazy next week.

Dave will be in classes everyday to become TN licensed insurance agent. And though I'm thoroughly excited about this for him . . . I sure wish it would have fallen on a different week. We'll all be glad when this week is over, I assure you.

A little sneak peak and for Allison, too. I love how everything is looking so "party-ish"! Next Friday and Saturday will be fun, but I'm always so tired from the week's work, that I'm only half there in body and mind. Who knows? Maybe it will be different this year? But at least half my mind and body will be enjoying that party @ Wonderland Closet!

Gotta' laugh!

I'm laughing about what Jay Leno said concerning Starbuck's recent profit loss of 97%: "Who would've thought people out of work wouldn't pay 5 bucks for a coffee?!?! . . . No, interesting, Analysts think what happened was that somehow people apparently figured out they could make coffee at home for free."

Ha! I can relate . . . unfortunately. But at least it gave me a chuckle!!

I'm afraid here's all I'll be having at Starbucks for the time being!

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Thank you to all who served. What they endured, sacrificed, fought, even gave their lives for our country and our freedom. I can't imagine being in their shoes, then or now.

Just in my immediate family my dad, Gary (Coast Guard), my mom Elena (Navy), my brother, Travis (Army), and my sister, Sara (Army), tried (hey, that counts in my book!). As well as grandfathers, uncles, numerous friends, everyone and all . . . amazing people!! Thank you for your service!!

10 days to go . . .

Okay, the painting wasn't the hurdle. The cutting and coloring was. 2 am, 3 bags done. 9 more to go. Getting there, but still a trillion more things to do. Right now I'm off to do some errands for Ms. Stacey. Gotta' get to work . . . better take some coffee with me!!

It's here . . . then it's gone.

I whipped up a little cheese ball yesterday afternoon. We didn't even break into it until after church last night, but I guess we took quite a chunk out of it. Here's all that's left today . . . almost gone-zo!! Charity loved it some much, she begged for some for breakfast this morning! Guess I'll be making another one again soon!

More Spray Paint and MARY JEAN!?!?!

Finally after the 4th can of spray paint and 2 trips to Wal*Mart . . . my bags are done!! Definitely didn't think it was going to take this long. But the spray paint worked way better than painting them. Hope that was the hardest hurdle, but I don't think it is. 13 days and counting . . .






On our second trip to Wal*Mart, we had a very pleasant surprise. We were so happy to bump into Charity's bestest friend from Preschool, Mary Jean. We haven't seen her since July. At first we didn't recognize her, because she was playing with her brother, making one of her classic silly faces. When we reconnect, for the entire time we visited, the two just hugged and hugged. They miss each other soooo much. Us moms agreed we get together over Christmas break. Definitely, for Charity, I have to make this a priority. They are such special friends. I had tears in my eyes as the two girls quickly caught up, I know her mom must of thought I lost it!! (She's right!) But there's just something so sweet about that special bond between friends. And that Charity knows this awesome feeling, just tickles me!

Unwind

Took a little break from it all on a Fall family walk. Found a little path we've never been on before. Very serene and relaxing.

We're getting ready . . .

Christmas Village (Holiday Flea Market) just a couple weeks away . . . Uuuuggg! Allison and I met today and we're getting started. It does feel good to get the ball rolling, wish I could report it's all done though. Kinda' wish it was already December 1st. I guess, got to be REAListic and not wish time away.

Our theme should be pretty cool. I'm excited to see it all pull together. And you just never know what we use to obtain our booth's coolness! Last year it was milk jug street lights and a cardboard New York City. The year before that it was a slathering of snowflakes and the larger-than-life snowman my boss, at the time, donated.

What will it be this year? I assure you, whatever it is, it will be economical!! Stay tuned . . . I'm sure I'll be posting pics in the weeks to come . . . if I make it through!