Happy New Year!!!

Happy 2008!!! I always look forward to the beginning of a new year. I love the holidays and all that brings--happiness and excitement, but the beginning of a new year is EXCITING!!! I read a quote somewhere that said something like this..."it seems as a new year marks a new beginning, a time for us to start over, to leave the past behind and make ourselves and our lives better." Isn't that true? I guess, one thing about the beginning of a new year, you get to a fresh new start. If you know much about me, you know that I am driven by goals. I love to set goals, but most of all---I love the moment of completion. I have this thrill of drawing a line through that goal that has now been completed and accomplished. A weird 'thrill', but the feeling of accomplishment is SUPERB!!

As I ponder all the events that took place in 2007, the new friends that I met, the places that I visited--I would not trade any moment because these are the moments that create me. Even though sometimes days were hard and difficult, there were those days that were fun and new. So, as I look upon 2008--I am excited for the fresh new start. 2008 will be a great year!!!

a special Christmas gift from Mom

I am lucky to be apart of a family with lots of traditions. One particular tradition that I absolutely love is one that is a result of my Mom's love for me and my sister-in-laws. Each Thanksgiving, my sweet mother presents to me and my sister-in-law's a special Christmas gift. These gifts are something a long the line's of a Christmas decoration. She has been doing it for years and might I add....I LOVE IT!!! Each gift is from one of her many talents. She is probably the most talented person that I know. The gifts range from flower baskets, hand-sewn table runners, things that are tole painted...the list goes on and on. I have watched her create these amazing gifts. They are created with all her love. Oh, it is amazing.

Well, this year, she had been working on our gift for quite sometime. But, she did not complete it in time for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving came and went. Nothing was said of the special Christmas gift that we did not receive.

Side note: I knew that we would receive them--I was not about to let her put this project away.

A couple of weeks ago, my niece asked if her mom was going to get her special "Christmas Gift" this year. She said that her mom commented how sad she was that there was no special present for her on Thanksgiving. Then, my brother told Mom that his wife was feeling really sad that she did not receive her special gift,either. See, Mom, we do love your special Christmas gifts. In fact, if you happen to walk through my house--most of my decorations are those "Special Christmas Gifts"!

Finally, we now have received our gift. It is a hand-pieced pillow. Each square on this pillow is hand-sewn. These pillows took her hours and hours of stitching. Her stitches are amazing. It looks like each stitch is exactly the same. I know that they are a product of her love. See, my Mom suffers from severe arthritis in her hands. (I have arthritis in one finger and that about kills me on cold days--I can not imagine both hands and fingers!!).

Thanks Mom for ALL of the special Christmas Gifts. We all love them and wait eagerly for the next Thanksgiving!!!

The Christmas Card Competition!!!

Well, I have a huge secret and I would like to share it with whomever is reading this post. Each year, I secretly have a contest with my roommate. It really doesn't matter which roommate. The contest is with whomever I am living with at the time. This contest works because I am single and my mail comes to me in my name only. I have had this secret every year since my BYU days. I told one of my roommates about it one time and it backfired. So, since then, I have kept my secret to myself. It, definitely, works much better for me to SECRETLY WIN!!

The secret is a contest with whomever I am living with...it is all about Christmas Cards that we receive.

Side note: I love mail (snail mail)--oh, I do love email, too--I love letters, I love cards, and most of all I love receiving Christmas Cards.

So, I have a secret competition with whomever I live with to see who receives the MOST Christmas cards. I place each Christmas card on our refrigerator. One side is hers and the other side is MINE!!! This year was great!!! There is only 1 mail day left and I am winning the Christmas Card Competition. I am secretly screaming with delight inside.

Ok!! I know you are thinking that I am a tad bit bizarre--but sometimes, it feels good to win!!! Yes, I know that my current roommie does not have a clue--(she is not computer savvy--so needs for to be reading my blog), but I think that I can declare an official win!!! I am sad that she did not receive a lot, but I am ecstatic that I heard from a lot of friends. I do treasure my cards. I love to hear how everyone is doing. I love to see all the pictures-families are getting bigger and older!!! I love to read your letters!!! Isn't life just FABULOUS!! Thanks to all that sent me Christmas Cards this year (& secretly helped me become victorious!!! HA HA).

I received two more today--that had not made it on the refrigerator before I took this picture!! (They are on my desk at work!)

1st Annual Progressive Dinner & the beginning of a fun tradition

Tonight was our Annual Progressive Dinner. Actually, it was our 1st Annual Progressive Dinner. I decided that it would be fun to have "the girls" hang out together. I had a list a mile long to invite, but with it being so close to the holidays, I decide to rethink my list. I think 100 girls in a room would be quite festive--don't you think? So, we only ended up with 9 this year: Mom, Jessica, Melanie, Vieve, Janille, Maleen, Julie, Kaylie and me!!! We had a delightful time!!!

Well, it started out at my house (Michelle's Party Palace), then we braved the horrific snowstorm toVieve's home for appetizers. She made the most delicious mini quiches. Such a yummy appetizer--she needs to share the recipe. Then, we braved the snowstorm and went to Mom's Christmas Palace--aka. The Gren Home and ate delicious salad, french bread and lasagne. Thanks Mom, Jessica and Julie for the delectable dinner. We shared our most embarrassing moments and laughed and laughed. I think that Maleen topped us all on that one and then a close second was Jessica. Okay, maybe Julie would be in the top running on that one too. Ask them, they just might share...

Dinner was over and so was the snowstorm. So, back to Michelle's Party Palace for Peppermint ice cream and mint cookies. We shared our favorite Christmas traditions and then we played the "gift game". Of course, it was lots and lots of fun!!! We all ended up with fabulous presents!!!

Then, it was off to take pictures....One...Two...Three...SMILE!!! Okay, it was kind of difficult trying to figure out how many seconds I had to run to get into position from the start of the timer!! I swear that it was different each time....

We could not stop giggling!!! Thanks for a wonderful night. I do believe that the 1st Annual Progressive Dinner was a HUGE success!!! I know that it will return again next year....I hope you can make it!!

a warm feeling...

Each year, for the past 5 years, we have had the privilege and the pleasant opportunity of helping a family in need. So, tonight, Mom, Shad, Jessica, Brylie and I went shopping for our Sub4Santa family. There is definitely something to it--the warmness that comes through your whole body--the spirit of giving. That special smile that seems to warm the cold weather outside. Oh, I just love this type of feeling!!

As we shopped and shopped, laughed and laughed and had a great time--we could not help thinking of this particular family's expression on Christmas morning. One thing is great--is thinking of the family that thought that there was no hope--only to find out--that there is still hope. This has been one of the most peaceful traditions that we have been able to create. Oh, I love this time of year. The time when people share with others.

Sometimes we run into people that are being scrooge's, but maybe they are struggling or going through difficult times--hopefully, they can figure out what brings happiness to them. Sometimes, it is just a smile or a cheerful hello. I just love Christmas--Christmas time is a time of giving. I do wish that people would have this kind of spirit all year long.

I found it!!! The most desired Christmas Present EVER!!

I found it!!! I found the Christmas present that I absolutely want!!! So, if there is anyone out there possible that would LOVE to get me the present that I want so badly....I have found it. YES, I have found it!!! Let me share with you how I came upon this wonderful thing!!! I have been searching for the Christmas present that I really want. Since, I am not dating anyone seriously--at this time of year and there is no excitement for an awaited diamond, I have found the next best thing.

Mom and I went shopping, today. She was trying to help me be less stressed out about purchasing Christmas presents--until today, I have only purchased 2 out of the 40 presents that I am still trying to decide to buy. There are only a few days left and I am starting to really feel it. So, we shopped and shopped. I did purchase a gift (yes, 1), so my count is a little over 39. I feeling a little bit better--3 down, 39 to go!!! I was feeling a lot better at this point.

Anyway, getting back to the Christmas present that I found and want....Mom and I stopped at this place--I can not reveal the place--someone might be getting a present from that place. I looked to the left and gasped!!!! I screamed (yes, quite loudly), jumped out my car and ran over to the most desired Christmas present ever. This is what I saw...

Is this amazing or what? Does that not say "MICHELLE"? A yellow bug with flowers all over it. Look at the hubcaps? Aren't they the coolest ever? Oh, I just sat there and drooled!!! Mom told that I should probably stop hovering over it, someone might call the police. But, I just sat there and drooled!!! This is definitely what I want!!! So, if there is a Santa Claus--"Mr. Santa, if there is not a husband in the works....this is definitely what I want!!!"

Candy Day at Mom's

Today was declared as "CANDY DAY" at Mom's. Every year, my mom, dad and I get together and make candy. I have been responsible for making the divinity each year. I can not even remember the year that I started making the divinity--but since then, I have been in charge of it. Dad has been in charge of making the fudge each year and Mom is usually washing all the dishes that we dirty. (There is usually A LOT!!!)--Sorry MOM!!!

Well, this year, it was just Mom and me!! Dad had to work, so I took over the fudge making. I think it turned out nicely for never making it before. Actually, it was scrumptious!!! The divinity was superb!!! The Oreo cookies (a new added treat for this year) were simply delicious!!! So, after 2 batches of divinity, 2 batches of fudge and 2 batches of Oreo cookies, we decided to call it a day!!!! OK, we weren't finished until we packaged up all the neighbor gifts. Who knows what might happen when Dad and Shad show up to eat the treats!!!