A Merry Little Christmas

Hey there.
Thought I would pop in this morning to share some pictures of our  Christmas festivities from the last week or so.
It was a busy, full week-- and now it's over, until next year.
Today we are staying in our pajamas all day, watching some new movies and being as LAZY as possible-- that won't be hard.
Four days of celebrating has me worn down.

This was not a story book Christmas, I'm not gonna pretend like it was.

They can't all be, right?

 But it was good nonetheless, very good.

 And as always, I am reminded how truly blessed we are; for our families and friends, 

for healthy kids that we get to watch come down the stairs on Christmas morning and tuck

 in on Christmas night...

for having more than we could ever want or need.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Are you sad when Christmas is over? ....Ready for it? ....Already have your tree down?

To be honest, I'm a little relieved and ready to enjoy the long break from school with the kids.

Thanks for stopping by this little place of mine.... have a great day!

All Dressed Up For Christmas

So, it's no secret, I admitted it right here,  I have really struggled with finding my holiday spirit

this year.

I know, I know.

I just couldn't get into it, like at all.

I wanted to have it, I really did... I just hadn't found mine yet.

But, But, But....

I just knew I was gonna find my holiday spirit any minute.... and then we all got sick.

Every one of us.

13 days ago.

Thirteen.

Fever, cough, headache, lethargic, head colds, ear infections for both kids...

and then the stomach flu hit hard; Charlotte, Eric and I.

True story.

And yes, I do know that Wyatt will most likely still get it right before Christmas, I know this.

Our ornaments and decorations are a mix of vintage, new and childhood favorites.

Some of my Shiny Brite ornaments are my most favorites, all of them were thrifted-- many I got at

 one rummage sale a couple of years ago for pennies.

Like literally, just pennies.
I love that.

Out of pure laziness, I kept the mantle super simple this year; just jars of some

 of my favorite ornaments, lights that we keep up year round anyway, and then 

some more jars and candle holders. 

I love how the jars look with the lights behind them, so soft and pretty.

Oh you guys, Charlie Brown ain't got nothin' on the Bramer Family's Christmas tree this year!

Our tree is so puny that it won't even hold most of our ornaments... and that's okay.

A couple of weeks ago Eric was down at the cabin and I asked him to look for a tree to cut

 down and bring home... he did. I'm not complaining, it works.

So there's a little bit of our home all dressed up for Christmas, now you know I am not

 a complete Scrooge anyway.

Last night I watched White Christmas, made a list of everything I still need to do

and even managed to get stuff to make gingerbread cookies with the kids after school today.

******

Happy Thursday.

5 days and counting....

Cough Drops & Miller Lite

First off--
TGIF.
I mean, seriously. TGIF.
I have never been happier for a Friday to get here.

So last night I decided I had to make an escape out of this germ-infested house, had to...  as in I did
not even have a choice.
It was a matter of my sanity.
My sanity won this time.
Hallelujah.
I met my friend out for a birthday drink when I probably should have been home in my pajamas recovering the rest of the way....
watching a movie on the couch with my cough drops and hot tea.
But upon re-evaluation,  I decided feeling 75% better and sitting in a booth at my favorite little bar with my friend and drinking
Miller Lite instead of hot tea, was EXACTLY what I  needed.
And guess what?
I was right!

Sometimes that's all it takes.
A few hours, a few drinks, playing the jukebox, bar pizza and lots of laughs.
Some people need massages, shopping trips or bubble baths--- this is just what I needed.

******
We have finally started decorating for Christmas... you know, 11 whole days ahead of time.
Ehem.
But we're gonna get there.
We are!!!

Thanks for all the sweet comments and love on my last post, I so appreciate it.
And brace yourself for Christmas posts from here on out... I'm nearly in the holiday spirit now :)
Have a great Friday and a happy, happy weekend y'all.

{Virtual Coffee}

Hey there.
Happy Tuesday to ya.
Ready for a cup of coffee?

I'm thinking this might be a two-cup day for me, really pretty sure it will be.
Since last Thursday night someone has not been feeling good or has been flat out sick in this house.
My poor Charlotte is home sick again today and now I have it, too... so it will be another day of movies in our pajamas on the couch.
Which sounds kinda fun for a day but not for days and days....


If we were really meeting for coffee this morning you would be glad that it was a virtual date, no one
wants to step a foot in this house of germs right now.
And speaking of stepping foot in my house, if you really did I think you might be like;
wait? why haven't you decorated for Christmas yet?
Uhhh, yeah, It's true folks.
If you could see me right now you would see that I am hanging my head in shame.

I promised myself I was heading up to the attic Sunday morning and was going to start bringing all
of the stuff down but instead I woke up Sunday morning feeling like I had been run over by a semi truck.
Believe me, I would have rather been getting all of the Christmas stuff out.
And Eric was out of town all weekend(does that always happen to you, too?)... so our poor little house
sits un-decorated and not even the least bit festive.
Sigh.
I am really hoping that by tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest,  I am feeling up to it.

But reality is.... the house is a mess, laundry is piled up, dishes are stacked up in the sink and all of
the medicine is just sitting out on the counter because someone is going to need it really soon.
Kleenexes everywhere, humidifiers running and messes I do not have the energy to pick up.

Enough of that though.
Tell me, Are you ready for Christmas?
If you tell me you are finished shopping we may not be able to be friends anymore though, just sayin'.
As soon as I am back to normal(ha) I am on it.
I swear, all of it. I can do this... right?
Right?

Sorry I am not much of a coffee date this morning.
Tell me what's going on with you-- you get extra points for a messy house, a dirty kitchen and not
being ready for  Christmas, by the way ; )
Have a great day everyone-- thanks for stopping by.