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lizziebelle: (artsy me)
When I was growing up, I loved Christmas Eve as much as Christmas morning. In some ways, even more. We had our yearly rituals of getting out all the votive holders and lining them up on the mantel, and decorating the tree. Midnight mass, and when we were younger, the earlier service as well. My sister and I were in the choir. My favorite part was when the whole congregation lit their candles, they turned out the lights, and we sang "Silent Night" a capella. One year, I think it was when I was a senior in high school, it snowed while we were in church, and everyone oohed when they opened the doors.

When we were all grown up, we'd have a cheese-and-cracker platter with sparkling wine while we decorated the tree. Dad always played his Christmas tape that he put together from his favorite selections, complete with the record skip on one song.

While Christmas is no longer a religious holiday for me, we still get together and celebrate. It's really more of a secular, family holiday these days, anyway. Many of the traditions we follow have nothing to do with Christianity, and more to do with celebrating family and light. And that's OK with me.

If you celebrate, I hope your holiday is filled with love and light. And even if you don't, I wish you all a happy, healthy, prosperous year to come. Merry happy!
lizziebelle: (Default)

It's hard to believe Christmas is almost past already. That this year is almost over already. Not that I will be sorry to see it go, because it was a tough one to be sure. But good things happened too, and I am definitely much better off today than I was a year ago, or even ten months ago. A lot to be thankful for.

I went with my friend B to some friends' house in Dorchester (Boston) last night for some Christmas Eve cheer. And food, lots of food. It was a lovely evening, which went far too late: I got home at 2:00 a.m.! Way past my bedtime. And I had to get up this morning to go over to my mum's, because the fabulous niece had other family obligations this afternoon so that was the only time we could all get together. And it snowed! Just a dusting, just enough to make it pretty but not dangerous or annoying. We had a nice brunch (mum made peaches & cream bread pudding), exchanged simple gifts, mostly homemade or regifted items but heartfelt and appreciated. We Skyped with my brother and his lovely wife, and then off to various other holiday things. I came home, had a piece of mum's linzer torte for lunch, and went back to bed.

Woke up to the phone ringing, with B calling to tell me she was getting tickets to see Heart next month in Worcester. I have loved them since I first heard "Magic Man" when I was 14 or 15, and I'm very excited to finally get to see them live! Yay! Merry Christmas to me. :)

And Happy Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate! I hope you all are doing well.

I'm now waiting for the best part of Christmas: the Doctor Who special!

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPad.

lizziebelle: (fox)


I decided to stay home for Christmas this year, for a variety of reasons. It's been a nice, quiet weekend; just what I needed. It's so nice not to be on the road today.

I took a walk around the neighborhood last night, looking at the lights. I walked down to the park and the woods today, where I saw the above owl. Now I'm baking cookies and watching "A Christmas Story" on the telly. Since the holiday is on a Sunday, I also have tomorrow off. No snow, but that's OK.

Of course, the best part is tonight: the Doctor Who Christmas special!

I hope all of you had a lovely holiday weekend, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. :)
lizziebelle: (little me)

Canton viaduct, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Home, and Christmas is over for another year. I had a nice evening with my mom and niece last night, watching A Christmas Story of course, because we always do.

I was up early this morning, because I always am. Mom made waffles, and we watched Doctor Who all day. I went for a walk down to the viaduct and took some pictures, but otherwise it was a quiet and sedate day.

I went to the annual Yankee Swap at D&G's place, and ended up with the most awful of the awful gifts. It was something indescribable called "Sleepy the Shoe Elf," and it was truly horrible. I laughed so hard, my cheeks still hurt. The best part is, one of the kids asked if she could have it so she could terrorize her father with it, and I was more than happy to part with it. I win.

It was great to see everyone, and even though the crowd was on the small side this year, we all enjoyed the evening. I'm really happy to be back home, with my own bed, and lots of goodies from mom (including a linzer torte that she baked for me this morning!).

I hope you all have had a peaceful, pleasant holiday. They're predicting snow for tomorrow night, so I'm really glad I have nowhere to go. Just like the song says. :)

lizziebelle: (little me)

Canton viaduct, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Home, and Christmas is over for another year. I had a nice evening with my mom and niece last night, watching A Christmas Story of course, because we always do.

I was up early this morning, because I always am. Mom made waffles, and we watched Doctor Who all day. I went for a walk down to the viaduct and took some pictures, but otherwise it was a quiet and sedate day.

I went to the annual Yankee Swap at D&G's place, and ended up with the most awful of the awful gifts. It was something indescribable called "Sleepy the Shoe Elf," and it was truly horrible. I laughed so hard, my cheeks still hurt. The best part is, one of the kids asked if she could have it so she could terrorize her father with it, and I was more than happy to part with it. I win.

It was great to see everyone, and even though the crowd was on the small side this year, we all enjoyed the evening. I'm really happy to be back home, with my own bed, and lots of goodies from mom (including a linzer torte that she baked for me this morning!).

I hope you all have had a peaceful, pleasant holiday. They're predicting snow for tomorrow night, so I'm really glad I have nowhere to go. Just like the song says. :)

lizziebelle: (Default)

ornaments, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

It doesn't feel like Christmas Eve. I suppose it will when I get to my mom's, but right now it just feels like a day I have to get a lot done. I've already done a load of laundry, walked down to CVS and back, and wrapped up all the gifts I'm giving.

That kitty was in the window again, and this time she woke up and posed for me.

kitty! )



She's a real sweetie, isn't she? According to the sign on the door, the two cats are named Ethel and Louise. I wonder which one she is?

If you celebrate, I hope you have a very lovely holiday!

lizziebelle: (Default)

ornaments, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

It doesn't feel like Christmas Eve. I suppose it will when I get to my mom's, but right now it just feels like a day I have to get a lot done. I've already done a load of laundry, walked down to CVS and back, and wrapped up all the gifts I'm giving.

That kitty was in the window again, and this time she woke up and posed for me.

kitty! )



She's a real sweetie, isn't she? According to the sign on the door, the two cats are named Ethel and Louise. I wonder which one she is?

If you celebrate, I hope you have a very lovely holiday!

lizziebelle: (elizabeth)
I'm making progress on all I have to do today. Because, yes, I left much to the last minute. It is my way. *g*

Finished the spell kit for the covenmate whose name I drew (all I had left to do was write out the instructions and assemble the pieces); started the laundry (just waiting for a neighbor to take their clothes out of the dryer so I can finish); charged the cell phone; started assembling all the things I need to pack; somewhere in there, had breakfast. What I still need to get done: pack for the weekend; finish wrapping the gifts for the family; decide what I'm bringing for the feast tonight (besides cookies) and prepare that; shower; finish laundry. Probably one or two other miscellaneous tasks as well. *deep breath*

I'm going to be spending three nights away, in three different places. Oy. Unless that snowstorm decides to come on Tuesday after all, and then I'll most likely drive home Monday night. But I'm hoping it goes south or something. I'll try to make phone posts while I'm away, because it's fun. Still undecided whether I'll go to church with the family tomorrow night. *sigh*

To all of you who celebrate it, a very Merry Christmas! Safe travels, and see you on the flipside.
lizziebelle: (elizabeth)
I'm making progress on all I have to do today. Because, yes, I left much to the last minute. It is my way. *g*

Finished the spell kit for the covenmate whose name I drew (all I had left to do was write out the instructions and assemble the pieces); started the laundry (just waiting for a neighbor to take their clothes out of the dryer so I can finish); charged the cell phone; started assembling all the things I need to pack; somewhere in there, had breakfast. What I still need to get done: pack for the weekend; finish wrapping the gifts for the family; decide what I'm bringing for the feast tonight (besides cookies) and prepare that; shower; finish laundry. Probably one or two other miscellaneous tasks as well. *deep breath*

I'm going to be spending three nights away, in three different places. Oy. Unless that snowstorm decides to come on Tuesday after all, and then I'll most likely drive home Monday night. But I'm hoping it goes south or something. I'll try to make phone posts while I'm away, because it's fun. Still undecided whether I'll go to church with the family tomorrow night. *sigh*

To all of you who celebrate it, a very Merry Christmas! Safe travels, and see you on the flipside.
lizziebelle: (mermaid)
Today has been just packed, packed I tell ya. Very busy all day, for the first time in a while. I like it. Right now, there's a bit of a lull, so I have a breather.

I got a Christmas card from one of my customers today; a nice little Polish man named Krzysztof who has a cleaning service. He calls me every month to see what his bill for the next month will be, and I get a check a day or two later. It's so nice to have a customer that I don't have to call for money! I have a few who need a reminder every coupla months, but Krzysztof always pays in advance. What a nice guy. And he always signs off with "bye-bye" in his cute Polish accent. :)

Today was warm; about 50 degrees. Tonight we're supposed to get some snow. New England weather is so weird! Where I grew up in NY, you could pretty much count on cold & snow from November through March. I don't remember it ever being warm in December.

We got our Christmas bonuses today, and I was pleasantly surprised. I can actually pay bills on time this month! What a novelty. I might even be able to buy gifts, too! I'm making most of my gifts this year, but I have to buy something for the kid. I don't think fourteen-year-olds appreciate homemade gifts. I'm thinking maybe an iTunes gift certificate. She was so much easier to buy for when she was little!
lizziebelle: (mermaid)
Today has been just packed, packed I tell ya. Very busy all day, for the first time in a while. I like it. Right now, there's a bit of a lull, so I have a breather.

I got a Christmas card from one of my customers today; a nice little Polish man named Krzysztof who has a cleaning service. He calls me every month to see what his bill for the next month will be, and I get a check a day or two later. It's so nice to have a customer that I don't have to call for money! I have a few who need a reminder every coupla months, but Krzysztof always pays in advance. What a nice guy. And he always signs off with "bye-bye" in his cute Polish accent. :)

Today was warm; about 50 degrees. Tonight we're supposed to get some snow. New England weather is so weird! Where I grew up in NY, you could pretty much count on cold & snow from November through March. I don't remember it ever being warm in December.

We got our Christmas bonuses today, and I was pleasantly surprised. I can actually pay bills on time this month! What a novelty. I might even be able to buy gifts, too! I'm making most of my gifts this year, but I have to buy something for the kid. I don't think fourteen-year-olds appreciate homemade gifts. I'm thinking maybe an iTunes gift certificate. She was so much easier to buy for when she was little!

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