My Christmas Tree

Even though I love Christmas, I don't go all out with decorating.  I don't seem to have the energy.  Plus, our house is pretty small and too much decoration would look cluttered.

Here's my tree plus a few ornaments:

Tree at night:

Ornaments:

This is part of my snowglobe collection. They're on my roll-top desk...one of my favorite pieces of furniture:

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll post more picture of my holiday decorations (minimal though they are) on another day.

Favorite Christmas Song

Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon  (Click the link)

Dotcetera Sunday (for the love of all things polka dot)

Since life has knocked me to my knees lately, I've been complacent about doing my Sunday ode to all things polka dot!  Let's fix that!

I've been doing some browsing online and I wandered over to one of my favorite places to find gifts:  Etsy.com.  I don't have experience with any of these sellers personally, but all the items I'm featuring look well-made.

Here are some lovely holiday-related items I found.

Beautiful Christmas stocking

So, this Ribbon Initial Necklace isn't Christmasy exactly, but it would me a darling gift!

This Christmas bell ornament would go well with any decor.

Christmas Hair Bow

JOY Hand-Painted Wooden Letters

Picture Frame

Blown-Glass Ornament

The last item is also something that might make a cute, unique stocking stuffer...a handbag holder.

Finding My Way Back

For the past couple of months, I have been totally consumed by my job...and totally miserable.  I have faced major changes brought on through no fault of mine, and feeling some major pity for myself.  This week has been the pinnacle of hellishness.  I need to find a way to rise above all of this, because it's starting to take a toll on my health.

Let me acknowledge publicly how thankful I am for my blessings.  It's time to focus on something positive instead of the negativity I've been engulfed in.

I am eternally thankful for the day I first laid eyes on my wonderful husband of almost 26 years.  He has been my rock and has always supported and loved me, no matter how much of a tendency I have to be self-absorbed in my problems.  I am the luckiest woman alive because I have him.

I am equally grateful for the incredible, strong, kind, bright children God gave my husband and I the privilege of raising.  They amaze and delight me every day.

I cannot forget my wonderful, generous parents who have loved me unconditionally through thick and thin, as well and my kind, loving mother-in-law.

When I look at these awesome people who surround me, I have no choice but to let go of some of the pain, uncertainty, and fear I've been feeling over the last few months.

And of course, most importantly, the reason for the season.  The birth of our Savior all those many centuries ago.

I hope to get back to regular blog posts, because I really do enjoy them.  I've lost sight of so much that's important to me.  Thank you for reading this if you've made it this far.

I wish all of you joy, love, and peace now and always.