Monday, November 26, 2007

Back to Work

Thanksgiving week is over and I'm back to work today. Nothing like going back to work after a fun, fast 4 day weekend. I've decided that I never get enough time off - the more I have the more I want!

We had a great Thanksgiving day. My mom hosted our family at her house - there were 25 of us. Her house is small and we were very cozy! That evening my husband and I watched The African Queen before we went early to bed. I had talked him into joining me at the 6:00 a.m. sale at the fabric store. I DO NOT go early Christmas shopping on Black Friday at any other place. But I do go to the fabric store because they put their flannel on a 99cent sale. This is regular 5.99 fabric. 99 cents. Unheard of.

So we went. And it was fun. My husband didn't last long - he ended up at IHOP for breakfast. But mom and I persevered and we got a ton of fabric. It took us 3 hours to make it through the cutting line - but it was worth it.

That's a lot of shower gifts, Christmas gifts, blankets for the Argentine orphanage that my husband and daughter will be visiting in January, and of course things my new little grandbaby will be needing! I will tell you that crafters are the nicest people! In the 3 hour timeframe, everyone was helpful, generous, and kind. There was no selfishness, no greed. People willingly shared bolts of fabric with others and we got to spend lots of time knowing each other as we stood in line. Most people that buy fabric in bulk like that are making things for shelters and orphanages and people in need. It really is a beautiful spirit - I found it that way last year as well. It has become a tradition that I actually look forward to. But you will never ever find me in line at Target or Walmart on that morning. No sirree!

Jess and I spent Saturday decorating the house for Christmas and I must say it looks good this year! She did my village scene and it looks spectacular! I am a bit sore from climbing up and down the ladder a hundred times. But at night just before I go to bed, I love to turn off the lights in the house and stand in the doorway and just admire the beautiful decorations, the twinkling lights, and the stockings at the fireplace. It's such a good feeling. I'm looking forward to the Christmas Home Tour that Boo Mama is hosting on the 17th.

And speaking of good feelings - I had an opportunity Sunday afternoon to finish Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon. Oh. My. Goodness. I simply don't have the words to tell you what a delicious book this is. If you are a Mitford fan, run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and treat yourself for Christmas. You won't regret it. Charming is the best word I can come up with. And it falls way short.

This week will be spent working on Christmas crafts, finishing up the decorating, and some holiday baking. There is never any lack of things to do in my world!

9 comments:

Mrs. Julie Fink said...

So glad you enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving and that you were able to gather so much fabric for upcoming projects!

Unknown said...

I laughed at your story about dating the wedding album wrong. I don't feel so bad now :)

I wanted to say how neat it was to see that so many people were NOT in line to buy STUFF but in line to buy for doing for others. I love that spirit.

I do not do crowds, but I was at my craft store on Saturday morning at 7:00 to get some bargains. I don't do the Black Friday thing at all, but I used to when my kids were small.

Glad you had such a great holiday. I cannot believe how close we are to Christmas already.

Karen said...

African Queen! Another great movie! I think we have it on tape somewhere. There are few things that would have me standing in line for 3 hours, but fabric might just be one of them!

Karen said...

How wonderful that you experienced good will in a store! It's hard to find that these days. The spirit of Christmas is still alive and thriving despite what the media wants us to believe.
You're very blessed to have gotten the fabric for all your projects. I would love to see pictures of the finished pieces.
Have a blessed week!

gail@more than a song said...

I don't think we've ever seen African Queen all the way through, might need to add it to netflix!
And I love your stack of fabric! 99cents is awesome, 3 hrs is long....my hubby wouldn't have made it either.
Still working on my house and getting decorated. Hope you're having a good week so far Robin!

Queen of My Domain said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. To me it is unbelievable to stand in line 3 hrs. just to check out. But then again, I don't know how to sew.

Susan said...

Three hours in a cutting line. Now THAT is commitment. Great bargin though and like you say, lots of wonderful things for many.
Susan

Myrna said...

Your fabic store experience is uplifting! On TV we always the people who are pushing, shoving, and knocking others down in the rush to get the latest greatest toy or whatever. It is good to hear another side to the Black Friday story.

I agree with you about Jan Karon's latest. There are hardly words to describe it. Charming is good! "Surprising" and "endearing" also come to mind. She made those characters come to life! I can't wait for the next book. She has opened the door to many possibilities and left me with quite a few unanswered questions.

Dawn said...

I am getting into the book and I think I'm going to enjoy it. I have a bit of trouble jumping from present day to the past and keeping it straight. But her writing is wonderful. One blog friend didn't like it, but everyone else I've heard who read it love it. It's good to find out the history and where he came from and how far he's come. Of course, it's fiction, but he seems like a friend!

Three hours!! Wow, that's dedication. Wonderful to hear that it's kind of like being with friends, though.