Christmas Is Coming

So it's been a couple months since I've posted, so here I go.  The fires are over, they were totally devastating.  Between here in Ukiah, Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, there was such devastation, but thankfully I didn't know anyone personally who lost their home.  All my family in Napa are all safe, friends in Sonoma are all safe, though some evacuated for a few days.  I've taken drives up to Willits and seen the results on the side of the freeway, on Hwy 128 when I went to Napa for Thanksgiving, many lost structures back in there close to Calistoga, and on a recent trip to Santa Rosa.  It is right there, on the side of the freeway, so sad for all these people and business that lost their homes.  We've all made donations to various organizations, and will continue to do so for a bit.

Christmas is getting close.  I had told my sis-in-law recently that we probably would not be down to Martinez for Christmas Eve this year, as it is just too much to go and come back the same evening, but Nettie decided she wants to take the girls and go with me to Rick's for Christmas Eve (Scott will be on call and cannot leave), then drive back that evening so we can all be home for Christmas morning with the kids.  So I have most of my shopping done already (whoa), only need to get a couple more gifts for kids and the white elephant exchange. Other than that, am trying to decide on a Christmas card design to make and send out to friends and family...it seems to be a difficult task this year.  I'm not "feeling it" when it comes to creativeness.  I need to make a decision this week and get started, as I need to make about 25 (or so) cards.  Then I need to start some decorating.

I will, of course, buy a real tree again this year.  I just cannot abide by fake trees yet, though at some point in the future I'm sure I will defer to a fake tree.  There is nothing like the smell of pine in December.  Nettie has decided that they will come over Christmas morning and open all the "Santa" presents.  They will open their stockings at their house, then Santa presents here (I am thrilled by this revelation).  I had told Nettie we could go over there, but she wants it here.  So I will make a nice "smell-good" breakfast to go along with present openings.  Then of course I will make dinner that day also, so it will be a nice family day.  Can't wait.

I joined a monthly charm swap on FB, and the picture below shows the "key swap" I participated in, and the keys I got as a result.  Everyone did a beautiful job, and I'm going to put them on the tree.  They all turned out beautifully.  That is the only swap I belong to, but they have something going every month.  Then I have decided to get back into my "wet" art, my journaling, painting, etc.  I am joining Wanderlust 2018 (again) this year...I joined 2017 but only did a few of the classes, what with moving, unpacking, etc.  I've copied them all to flash drive, so can still take all the classes, but have decided that come January I'm doing something "wet" almost every day during the week.  I really have missed it, and keeping my "wet" desk clear of "stuff" seems to be the problem.  So I'm clearing off the desk, keeping it that way so I can be creative like I want to be.  There, enough said.