Yes, Sketchy is just as much fun today as she was 37 years ago. Look at what came in the mail today. I still cannot believe my eyes. I am once again the proud owner of my favorite childhood doll. It just goes to show you if you believe in Santa magical moments happen at any age.

And YES… we still have our Christmas tree up (but it sure is a great photo op for the mini album I plan on creating). Once Christmas is over CHA kicks in and I never seem to get it down. I thought for SURE I would get it down before March this year since it was a much easier tree to decorate than last years. Oh well, I don’t turn the lights on like that makes it any better but the neighbors have come to realize this is me and they like me anyway.

Note to self… take the tree down before Spring Break!

I found this and thought I would share it with you. I think it would be great fun for both kids and adults. I do believe Ansley and I just might have to Grinch a few people in our neighborhood. Below is how it all works.

You’ve Just Been Grinched!

You’ve been selected as the recipient of this ornament. The Grinch made it just for you! And you don’t want to disappoint the Grinch!

The following are his demands… If you want to see any presents under your Christmas tree!

1. Hang up one copy of his festive face where all can see so you don’t get Grinched again!

2. Make or buy two ornaments.

3. Send them to two unsuspecting friends-you must include pictures of the Grinch and a copy of this letter so the next Grinchee can send off his/her ornament! Make photocopies if necessary.

4. Bring your package to your friend’s house. Ring the bell and take off! The Grinch would be extremely disappointed if you were to get caught.

5. Don’t break the chain if you want a Merry Christmas.

And my friend Patti sent me this link. She Elfed a group of us Fiskateers… we appear in this order… Me, Jane Hasty, Patti Church and Stephenie Hamen. I think it is so funny. They are all at a crop right now and I really do not like being geographically challenged. Because I am here and they are there! Have fun. I’m sure there will be lots of laughs. I miss you three a lot.

We are putting up the tree this evening. I have been cleaning the front room all day. This years tree will look totally different from last years. It is so easy and I love it! First time ever I have placed colored lights on my tree. Ansley is thrilled. I will show photos once we get it just right. Have a wonderful evening.

So this year Ansley REALLY wanted to have a pink forest. Thanks to my Mom and my Sister it is complete. They found what I believe is the only 4 ft. pink tinsel and pink lit tree out there. Mom paid more to ship the tree to Ansley than she did to purchase the tree. Ansley is still decorating it but as you can see it will have glittered snowflakes, white boa garland and snow on the branches… YEP, she is my child!

The one iridescent tree really bugs me in this photo but during the day and at night it looks so pretty and does not stand out as much as in this photo. I’m just going to have to cover it up with my finger when I look at this photo.

So yesterday was not starting out well with the tree. Major stressing over the lights not working… just two strands worked out of six. I do realize there are far more important things to worry about but I really want this Christmas to be magical for Alan’s family. They will all be here to celebrate Christmas with us. So the photo below shows my tree before my friend Connie did her magic.

Connie is amazing, you should see her house. It looks like it is ready for a magazine spread. That girl can decorate! As we were shopping at Hobby Lobby, Target and Wal-Mart Connie was grabbing stuff and I’m basically just nodding my head yes, I love it and pushing the cart. Really that is the extent of my help… totally clueless. So as I was putting on the ornament hangers, opening boxes of decorations and handing them to her she is putting everything in, around and on top of the tree. It is just the most perfect tree ever. I’m so happy to look at it as it just makes me smile. She even ran some twinkling lights in the tree that are so fun to watch. It really adds to the funkiness of the tree. I guess you would like to see the finished results so here ya go….

I’m just beside myself. Now all that is left is to decorate the piano, and den. I will post photos when this is completed.

Have a great day.

Sorry I don’t have any projects or layouts to share today. But here is a really cute photo of “Sonny” my golden retriever. He is wearing the Santa hat “Zeus” had his photo taken in a few days ago.

At the moment, I am working on several things for Maya Road and Cocoa Daisy but can’t share until Jan. 1st! I think this is the hardest part about being on a DT. I always want to share my creations as soon as I finish. The waiting just kills me. So, I found this really cute list of questions on the net and thought it would be fun to share them with you. I plan on making a mini album using all my families answers. On Christmas Eve I’m going to hand this out and have them fill in the answers. Then take a photo of each person and create a journal. I think it will be fun to have and reflect on in the future.

Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house?

4. Do you hang Mistletoe?

5. When do you put your decorations up?

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

12. Can you ice skate?

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

15. What tops your tree?

16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

18. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?

21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie?