Where Does the Time Go?

Good morning and hurry in where it is warm. The fireplace is on and so is the coffee. You know where the mugs are, so help yourself.  If you would like a piece of stack cake help yourself. You have been coming Through My Back Door long enough, I now consider you family, so make yourself at home.
Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday I was planning my decorations and activities, and now they are over. I have to admit, I am one who has always put them away the day after. Probably because they are put up so early. This week the house is going to the realtor and it needs to look less cluttered. I did cut back on decorations this year and loved it. It was so easy to put away too. I not only enjoyed the decorations, I enjoyed the whole season. It was so peaceful, Christ filled, and spent with the dearest of friends and family.
Christmas started for us on Friday, at Debs. It was her immediate family, as Curt and Lindsey spent this Christmas in Mo with her family.

Mollie in her Cinderella dress-up clothes.

Deb will get me for this one, but the kids went in together and had all the old VHS movies put on DVD for her. The tag said, "Memories from Home." She was so happy she cried. Later that day, then on Saturday we watched them. Oh they were bittersweet. So many no longer with us and we all laughed and cried. Michael's Mother saying grace, my Mother laughing, Curtis, it was just tear jerking but happy at the same time. Where does the time go?

Doug, Dodd,and Renda. Doug always comes early and helps cook. He likes to add a surprise and this year it was frog legs, he had ordered. They were good, but some of the younger ones were shocked! We were down 8 at my house this year. Quite unusual. 4 were sick and 4 were out of town. They were missed, but we had a good time, as we always do. My kids are all so funny and we do a lot of laughing. Oh yes, there are a few tears shed, as we remember those we don't have anymore. Where does the time go?

I was thrilled to finally get this progressive Christmas gift from Dodd and Renda. Two years ago they found this pump for me. Dodd  volunteered, was coerced into building something to put it on. He did it this Christmas. I was so happy to get it. I have a dipper he gave me about the same time as the pump. Yesterday I told him I was going to hang the dipper on it. He said,"I had one to give you but I can't find it." I explained he did give it to me 2 years ago.Where does the time go?
Amanda & Clay, Beth & Ryan,and Curt & Lindsey went in together and got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I was THRILLED! I had planned on getting one after Christmas. My kids were so good to me I just had an awesome Christmas, gift wise,(which is not the most important thing at all) but just spending so much time together. Christmas eve we spent at my sister in laws with her family. We were missing some there this year too. I still can't believe that Christmas is over for 2012. Where does the time go?
I redid my mantle yesterday. The goose was one of Michaels first carvings. It and the shorebirds have been on top of the corner cupboard for years. I think they are probably wondering where on earth they are!

I have such a hard time with my mantle. I always thought I would be good at decorating one, but uh uh! I am not.lol I have packed a lot away for a while. Hopefully the house will sell and I can find one and get out of limbo.
I am looking forward to a visit from a friend next week. She is coming to stay a few days. Maybe she will have some suggestions.
There will be lots of coffee drinking, laughing and decorating issues solved, that is for sure.

I wanted to share my beautiful door box. Sharon and Johnny Stinson, (The Speckled Hen) made it for me. Sharon put the most gorgeous finish on it. It doesn't show in this picture. Deb said it looked 300 years old. I LOVE it. They made this one to go between the door and the storm door. They sell these at the Hen.
I worked very hard yesterday, so went to bed a bit before 10. I was awake at 6 this morning. Finally got up around 6:30 and have  drunk a pot of coffee. I am so glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: I am so going to miss this beautiful header my blog fairy created for me. I don't know what I ever did to deserve her,(nothing, I am sure) but I am so thankful for her and her creativity. I tell her, she makes me look good.lol
PSS: I will be back to share the most wonderful gift. Amanda had Andrew and Mollie make me a calendar. The children did all the art work. It is pictures using their foot and hand prints. It is priceless, and Andrew, very seriously told me it took him a long time to do this and he worked very hard on it. I absolutely will treasure it for the rest of my life. I will share it next time.
PSSS: I know a lot of you have lots of snow. We had rain. The only snow I have seen is on my header!