Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Renew With the New Year

I love the Holidays and November and December are my favorite months, BUT --- I'm glad it's over!  I enjoy the decorations, the songs, the snow, the food, all my family, the house filled with five grandchildren,

travelling to Cincinnati to visit the relatives living there, sitting by the blazing fireplace with the Christmas tree lights on in the evenings, the whole nine yards!  BUT --- I'm glad it's over!  When it's over, I'm done.  I don't want to hear one more Christmas carol or look at the big Christmas tree and stockings over the fireplace for one more minute.

I made my favorite New Year's meal of pork, sauerkraut, corn and applesauce on New Year's Eve instead of the customary New Year's Day since Brandon and Dee would be leaving on New Year's Day.

 I just love that meal.  Dee made the best desert, too.  It was an ice cream cake with layers of vanilla ice cream, crushed Oreos and Butterfingers, with caramel sauce.  Oh My! It was so good!

  Once the New Year hits, I'm ready to clean, organize and start new.  I was so tired on Saturday after all the family had left and Hubby was gone for the day to take Brandon and family to Pittsburgh.  Brandon was catching  the plane back to Spokane and Diana and the kids are staying the week with her family in Pittsburgh.  She and the kids will be back here next week.   I was tired and the house was quiet so you would think I would rest or nap all day, but I just couldn't bring myself  to do that.  I could not look at that tree any longer and if I would have tried to take a nap I wouldn't have been able to sleep knowing that tree was still standing.

Here's the before and after.


Awww!  That feels better!  I loved the "before" up until December 31.  Now I sit at night in my big comfy chair and knit.  
I spent Sunday getting out my new calendars and making sure I had all the birthdays written in.



 This last calendar was a Christmas gift from my kids.  My DIL Melissa put it together.  Each month features different pictures of my grandchildren and highlights the grandchild whose birthday it may be for that particular month.  I just love it.  I've requested that she do this each year for me with the current pictures of the kids each year.  Won't this be so fun to look back on in 20 years?

We were so fortunate this year to have all my kids home for Christmas.  I know that it's not going to happen every year, so I will treasure these memories in pictures.  2010 was a very emotional roller coaster year for us.  I lost my mother-in-law, my grandmother and my grandfather all within six months.  I gained two new beautiful grandchildren; Leanna, now 6 months old and Heath, now 4 months old.  No one can predict what 2011 will present, but I think I could go for a  little smoother ride this year.  

Happy and Good New Year to all!!

12 comments:

Theresa said...

Smooth ride sounds good to me for 2011! I pray that your year is MUCH easier! I am getting a new Grandbaby in June... I can't wait:) The more the merrier! Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

DJan said...

The difference between the "before" and the "after" picture just tired me out, thinking of all the work you did! But then again, you are always busy and going strong. Glad you will take a day or two for yourself while your hands make more beautiful treasures...

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

You did a lot of work before, during, and after the holidays! Hope you get some time to relax... and that you do have a smooth 2011.

Denise said...

The after picture looks nice and comfy, wishing you and wonderful and blessed New Year!

Grandma Lizzie's House said...

I think it's going to take me another week to get my decorations down. I love them but it's always nice to get the house back to normal.

Snooty Primadona said...

I seriously did not need to hear about your D-I-L's dessert. If it were in front of me at this moment, I'd probably jump right in & bathe in it. So glad we didn't have it at our house!

I'm with you on Christmas being over. I worked my patootie off this year & the *putting away* of said Christmas has been like 2 weeks of hard labor. It's always so fun getting everything out & decorating. It's a huge drag to have to put it all away (in an organized manner, of course).

Wishing you all the best for this new year, 2011!

Valerie said...

You had a marvellous time with your family, now relax a while. Fill your mind with memories and plans and enjoy! Happy New Year.

Marie said...

I liked the before and after pictures. i am like you, when Christmas is over, I am ready for things to get back to normal. Sound like you had a great Christmas. Our family was together for the first time in three year.
Happy New Year.
Love,
Marie

Toyin O. said...

Very nice picture, wishing you a restful and happy year!

Julie said...

Nina,

You don't look like a grandma...what precious babies in your pictures and in your life! I am expecting my first grandson the end of February...can't wait.

Thanks for following me as well!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nina,
I so understand. I was so ready for 2010 to over with. I was ready to get my house back in order and things back to a turtle's pace.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Yaya' s Home said...

Oh, I am so sorry for your several losses. It's hard to lose someone you care about. An' even harder when it happens more than once, close together.

An' I am THRILLED for the new additions in your family. How exciting to have new little grandies to love. Aren't grandies jus' the most fun?

Your pictures are awesome. I truly enjoyed 'em. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
~ Yaya

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