I'm Finished!

I have really been purposeful this year about doing a little bit each day since Thanksgiving, so that I didn't end up in the pinch I was in last year - scrambling around at the last minute, not enjoying the Christmas season!
Well, I must say that this season has had it's moments - but, that's to be expected, I guess. But, here it is - the 17th - and I've done all the big things. My shopping is done, packages wrapped and under the tree, baking done and cards mailed out.
If you knew me really well, you would be rejoicing with me - because this is nothing short of a miracle. I am not a well organized person. I am the woman whose house looks clean enough, but don't dare open the cupboards to inspect, because you will be sorely disappointed at the lack of organization! I have a very busy life, and am juggling a whole lot of things all at once.
The only reason I was able to do this, I think, and I'm afraid to admit, is because I prayed that I could get a handle on all of my wrapping and baking (and, I had a Christmas Tea to run at SAMmy's yesterday...a big party...) and, do you know what happened? My internet went down? That post about my brother's birthday? I had prewritten it and set it to post the 16th because I was afraid he may read it and spoil the surprise! My internet wasn't even up and running the 16th. (The carpet layers came after I posted about them coming, and they jiggled the wires and that was the end of that!) It wasn't until late last night when my hubby came back from a 2 day meeting that he fixed it. So, while I missed you all, and it was frustrating and lonely as heck - I did get a lot of my stuff done.
Be careful what you pray for. :)
In the end, I am grateful for getting my stuff done, though. Really grateful. A load has been lifted from my shoulders.
See? All the presents for my nieces and nephews and our parents and siblings are out under the tree.

I love hanging the Christmas cards we get from the banister like this, next to the kids' stockings. That way, I can look at them every time I pass!

Oh! I am the most un-crafty person, but I MADE these angels! Aren't they cute? They're just folded up holiday kitchen towels - nothing to get too excited about...unless you're me and uncrafty! I also got in on this great sale at Target on Glade candles, so these angels are holding candles (tightly sealed in plastic bags because my hubby HATES scented things...) :) The angels are holding a poem I found on the internet.

"God bless my little kitchen,

I love its every nook.

And bless me as I do my work

Wash pots and pans and cook.

And may the meals that I prepare

Be seasoned from above,

With Thy great blessing

And Thy grace,

But most of all

Thy love."

Cute, hey? I kept the angels together with curling ribbon. They're a cute, inexpensive gift - go make some for teachers or your sisters or sisters-in-law! (I found towel sets with scrubbies for $5 at Wal-Mart!)

And, Mike's brothers are like him - they hate scented stuff, so for their wives I made angels with no candles - just the poem. :) (My mom and sisters get candles.)

I bought a group of 6 wash rags for $5 at Wal-Mart and used all the scrubbies from these towel sets for other gifts. I took a rag & scrubbie and tied them with lots of curling ribbon to a tiny loaf of Harvest bread, along with this poem. I gave them to the ladies in my small group at SAMmy's. So, for $10, plus the ingredients for breads, candles and cardstock and ribbons I got 12 really cute gifts. Not bad.

So, I'm grateful all of this Christmas stuff is done.

Now, it's on to all of my housework I've neglected this past week. Ugh...