Letting go of the stress......

This is me with Santa when I was 2 yrs. old.  It was so simple back in 1947.  When did it become such a huge thing!  We would start getting excited about a week before Christmas.  Our parents would bring home candy from our store & our big treat was a long stem of bananas.  That might sound like a lot but our family consisted of 6 girls, 2 boys & parents.  That's a lot of bananas!!!!

Our Christmas program at church was the social event of the season.  We went to a tiny baptist church down the road from our house.  There was always a potluck dinner with all kinds of desserts before the program.  No one stopped by the grocery store to pick up a dish to bring -- everything was homemade.

I've decided to quit stressing about everything and set my priorities.  I have several special orders for the shop that are promised so they'll get top priority.  Then comes the gifts that I'm wanting to make for people.  I also have 4 appliqued stockings to finish which are the most time-consuming but I love making them.  It's supposed to be very cold this weekend so it will be a good excuse to stay in. 

This is also a very special weekend because my g'son, Sage, will be 10 yrs. old.  Sunday, his birthday, is their program at church.  This is what Christmas is all about & I'm so aware of it when I'm in church.  My daughter & son-in-law are so determined that their children know the real meaning of Christmas and the importance of sharing with those who are less fortunate.

So tonight I'm staying home and starting my projects -- heating pads.  I've made a list & I'm checking it twice.  We'll see what happens but definitely, no more stressing.

Busy week......

This has been a crazy, busy week.  I've been working so hard to get things done for open house at Leola's.  My garage is bursting at the seams.  It will be nice to be able to park the car inside again.

Allison's cousin, Jenni, (my niece) & her 2 daughters have been here for a visit.  They live in Colorado so they don't get to see each other very often.  Thanks to their Moms, the kids have stayed really close & they were so excited to see each other.  Allison & Jenni have always been close & thanks to the Internet, it's much easier now.

We're finally having some cool, fall weather & it's a delight. Leaves are falling like crazy. It's been dry so not sure how pretty they'll be this year. We're lucky that we still haven't had a killing frost so flowers are still blooming and the garden is still producing. Had to take a drive through the countryside this morning so took a few pictures.

I've been making heating pads to sell at Leola's.  They are wonderful!  They're heated in the microwave & on cold winter nights they are the best.  When my g'kids stay with me & it's so cold, I love to heat them up & put them in their beds.  I've always thought that when they're old, they'll remember their G'ma Jan doing this.

There's so much work to be done & so little time.  I'll say it again, I need an assistant (or two).