OrganiSed Chaos » Christmas

Contentment

anonymum — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:00:19 +0000

Not exactly sure who looks the happiest here, Poppy or Zoe.
It’s hard to tell I think.
There is nothing quite like the bond between grandfather and granddaughter is there?
I must give credit to Kelly for the pic, which was taken at Christmas.
There were many more she took, but this is my favourite, if for nothing other than the happiness that is evident in both of them.

If that’s Christmas, we’ve had it

anonymum — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:07:36 +0000

So Christmas 2009 is done and dusted.
We had a good one.
Went and did Santa with the part of the family we weren’t spending it with before we left, and made 2 children very, very happy, plus delivered a very special teddy bear, to a very special little boy, from some very special friends.
On the plane the next day to see those we see far too little of in normal times.
Santa came to Mark and I throughout the year, so we didn’t do the present thing for each other.
Between a trip to America {which included a Christmas in July}, a new laptop and flights down south we figured we were out close to 20k, so we decided being together with family was enough for us this year.
Given we’re also going back to America this coming July as well, we thought that would add to the booty we already have/had!
Sounded like a plan to us anyway.

We will hold in our memories and hearts both the brilliant time we had in July and the wonderful time we had watching 5 of our 8 grandchildren rip open their presents on Christmas morning, and the priceless gift of being grandparents to those same 5, who we don’t get to spoil very often, and then of course there was a madcap Skype call!!

It was fabulous to see my Dad too.
I’ve not seen him in close to 3 years, so as you can well imagine I enjoyed the few short hours we had.
With Christmas out of the way, my mind turns to the New Year, and what awaits us.
First and foremost, for me anyway, will be a new blog name and tagline, plus a new theme to play with.
That will happen at midnight on December 31st.
The New year for me heralds a new beginning and a whole year to enjoy life and whatever it has to offer as I thank the stars I’m alive with a wonderful husband and family to share it with.
Work holds much before the end of February with 3 stock takes to be done, and all that after end of half year.
Hmmm. Thinking about it that way makes me wonder if I need to add another vitamin to my morning collection??
Could be an idea.
Before the end of December we have little miss Zoe’s birthday {tomorrow actually} Caleb is in early January, as is Isaac, and it also sees a good friend have a birthday, so I’m sure there will be some mayhem to create there!

February will see Mark and blondies birthday {on the same day} Wil’s, March has us into Sarah, Stella, Kelly’s and Steve’s birthday, April will bring Melissa’s, May is mine, our anniversary and Mother’s day all within a week of each other.
Mid June sees Lucas turn 1, then on top of that I’ll have end of financial year at the end of June, then we’ll be on the plane to Boston in mid July, so before we know it half the year will be gone again!
Scares the bejesus out of me when I think about it that way, but that’s life I guess?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.
Time is a predator.
It waits for nothing and noone.
It stalks us until it decides there is none left for us, one by one.
Other than the new blog name, I don’t think there will be another post before the new year, so I will take the opportunity to wish everyone the best for 2010, and I hope all your dreams come true.
I’ll try to do the rounds before then, however make no promises other than I will do my best.
I hope your Christmas was everything you wished for, and that Santa was good to you with nothing less than you all deserved.

Malarky Monday

anonymum — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:00:40 +0000

This week Malarky Monday is brought to you by the Christmas fairy.

He may not be a happy Christmas fairy, but he is a Christmas fairy all the same.
Also, we have a guest appearance for you to giggle over!
DILLIGAF has graciously agreed to join the mayhem that is MM, and has an absolute blinder for us!
I nearly bloody choked when I heard this, and it gives the 12 days of Christmas a whole new meaning, trust me!
Please be warned though.
This is strictly adult content.
Do NOT have your kids around when you play this video
As always we have the other contributors to MM in Mark, ~m, Grimm and {maybe} Muffy.
Onto my small contribution to the madness we all hope makes you at least smile, and if we’re extra lucky, we’ll hear a damned good belly laugh.
Given Christmas is almost upon us, I’ll stick with the seasonal snippets because there are just so many of them around.
Trying to pick the ones to post was my problem, and I can only hope you enjoy them.
To start with, the only word for this is awesome!
It’s bloody well done, so take the time to have a look.
{Thanks Pam!}

The obligatory funnies are next.

Our inner child

anonymum — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:15:16 +0000

Someone made mention of their inner child recently.
Given the time of year, I thought it would be a good idea to explore the things our inner child could do during the festive season.
Who knows, you may find yourself actually enjoying the season rather than dreading it.
These are but a few of the activities which occurred to me.
Go look at the Christmas lights.
Not only is it free, but it will make the adult in you glad you don’t do it because you don’t have to pay the power bill.
Get a body board and head to the beach for some fun in the surf.
There is nothing makes you feel better than tumbling through the surf then screaming like a little kid when you get dumped.
Perchance you have snow, get a toboggan or sled and find the biggest hill you can, then throw caution to the wind and fly down it like the 7 devils are after you.
I’m sure you did it as a kid, why not now?
Eat the decorations off the tree when noone is looking, then deny, deny, deny!
It’s such fun.
The worst that can happen is you get busted and grounded, so then you don’t have to go to work. Bonus!
All the more time to work on those edible hangy thingies on the tree anyway!
String popcorn for the tree.
This was one of my favourite things to do when I was a kid.
Nothing has changed, I still love doing it.
Get a tin whistle then run up and down the street blowing it.
Go to the movies and spend the entire time giggling at the teenagers swapping spit in the back row.
Find a slide then go down it as many times as you can in the shortest possible time.
Play on a seesaw while you’re at it.
Go buy a yoyo and see if you can still walk the dog.
Preferably one of those crappy plastic ones you get in junk stockings.
Get a hula hoop and give it a go.
It will be a damned good cardio vascular work out at the same time!
Wander around the streets after the stores close and look at their displays.
Some of them are brilliant, and damned well done.
There are a million and one things you would do at Christmas when you were a kid, so why not now?
I guess my point is this.
Forget about the responsibility and hassles of Christmas and do what kids do best.
Embrace it, enjoy it and make the most of it.
Just for one day.
Try and see it through the eyes of a child.
Who knows, maybe it will hep you see things a little differently?
What did you used to do as a kid?

Malarkey Monday {for the Grinch in all of you}

anonymum — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:00:20 +0000

There are some who do the BAH HUMBUG! thing at Christmas.
Not mentioning any names though, you all know who you are.

So, in the spirit of the Grinch, for MM this week, I have a few little Christmassy notes you can jot down and refer to when you’re doing your shopping, a couple of jpegs that took my fancy, and are certainly not in the spirit of Christmas, plus a little surprise at the bottom.
Once you’re done here, don’t forget to visit my fellow funsters in Mark, ~m, Muffy and Grimm.
Now, without further ado, we’re off to the races!
Shopping list:
1. A bottle of wHine is a great last minute gift for those who are constantly at it
2. If you have a brain explosion and decide to buy that C class benz with the huge red ribbon for someone, get them the cute ribbon collared puppy as well. With a bit of luck it will shit on the drivers seat.
3. When people ask what you want for Christmas, tell them you want everyone to stop asking dumb arsed questions.
4. For the one relative who seems to always expect the perfect gift, a giant bottle of disappointment will be sure to have them crying in their wHine. After all, an expectation does invite a disappointment
5. The ultimate gift however is the huge meltdown that always seems to happen on Christmas eve because of the pressure. You can give that one to yourself! You’ve earned it after all the shit you’ve been through in the last 2 weeks.

These 2 pics had me chuckling to myself, and I can only hope they amuse you as well.

These final ones are for those people who think Christmas holds nothing but crap, cos neither of these are crap, trust me!

Christmas past

anonymum — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:07:57 +0000

As we hurtle towards Christmas, my mind, as it generally does, has gone into reflection mode.
It turns to times when all was well within my world, there were no family arguments, nor was the phrase “dysfunctional family” coined.
A time when family was first and foremost, no matter what.
Everyone was talking to everyone else, and whilst disagreements may have occurred throughout the year, we would always forgive and forget when Christmas rolled around.
In the true spirit of the season, anything from the previous 12 months was buried amidst our love for one another.
Goodwill abounded and, in the interests of seeing people we care about happy, forgiveness was rife.
Family came together as one, regardless of any perceived, or real, transgressions that had been visited upon one another since the previous year.
Slightly ashamed looks may be seen, heartfelt apologies made, and there were sometimes many, many tears, but there was not a recrimination to be seen. They were banished from the house.
I was bought up to believe that family must come first, and they must stick together.
I was also taught that whilst some things may seem unforgivable at the time, every dog deserves a second chance.
Maybe not a 3rd one, but absolutely a 2nd one.
As I grow older, I realise there is little point in carrying something on forever, because one day, the people involved {be it me, you or someone else} will be gone.
With their passing, also gone will be the opportunity to tell that person how much you loved them, regardless of how it may have seemed at times.
Without going into detail, know that I have first hand experience regarding these things.
Very close first hand experience.
I’ve been the one to make the first move when needed, and it’s quite the pleasant feeling to know I did the right thing.
Trust me on this.
Don’t let too many Christmas’s go past before you realise what someone means to you, and that whatever happened isn’t really that big a deal, no matter how bad you think it was.
You never know how many Christmas’s you have left to do it.
Besides, is Christmas not about a birth?
A birth is a new beginning, so there really is no better time, surely?

{Trying to} Ignore the madness

anonymum — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:25:28 +0000

It’s only the middle of November, and already the madness has begun.
Starts happening earlier every year, I know, but hey, when there’s a buck to be made, money grubbing retailers have no scruples, we all know that.
Ads are rife already.
They tell us what children need under the tree, and let me add, it was decided many months ago, what is in for Christmas this year.
Ordinarily, what’s in has a price tag that could feed a 3rd world country for 6 months.
Apparently kids have got to receive it under the tree, or their lives will be forever ruined and in post Christmas months, parents will be forking out for therapy bills the size of a national debt, because the children will feel ~~depraved~~ deprived.
Amidst the madness, why we actually have Christmas is lost, that’s the sad part.
I’m not an overly religious person, but the meaning behind Christmas is certainly not lost on me, not by anyone’s standards.
This year we’re going to Victoria.
We’ll spend 5 days with family we don’t see nearly enough of, we’ll eat, drink and be merry, but before we go I have things to do, and buy.
Yes, we’ll leave presents behind for those we’re not spending the holidays with, but there are other presents to buy as well.
For many, many years, I’ve bought gifts for people less fortunate than us, and I put them under the Wishing Tree, and in fact, until about 3 years ago, Mark didn’t even know I do it.
As our family has been blessed, and grown with grandchildren, the amount of gifts I put under the tree has also grown.
For every grandchild we have, I put a present under the tree.
This year there are 8 presents to be bought and wrapped.
Our grandchildren are lucky to have been born into a close knit {albeit somewhat disfunctional} family, and are surrounded by people who love and cherish them, but many are not so lucky as we all know.
Before we board our plane on December 23rd, I will have purchased the following gifts.
2 for 9 year old girls
1 for a 7 year old boy
2 for 6 year old boys
1 for an almost 3 year old boy
1 for an almost 2 year old girl
1 for a baby boy, a year or less old
I have no idea of who they will go to, but I’ll buy them all the same.
These gifts will be nothing like what’s in this year, nor will they cost a squillion dollars, but I can tell you this.
They will go to children far less fortunate than our grandchildren.
Children who don’t have the advantages every child should have.
Children who were born without the choices I know our grandchildren will have as they grow, and born to parents who are either unable, or unwilling, to do what should be done for every child born.
To me, it’s things like we do every year that Christmas is about.
Thinking of those less fortunate, and making an effort to brighten their lives just a little.
Whilst I detest the commercialisation of Christmas, the thought of any child having nothing on the day, breaks my heart.
Every child deserves at least one gift, even if it’s only a teddy bear.
I tell you this not to have people say “Good on you Maureen!!” but in the hope that they will remember what Christmas is about.
A celebration of life and family and a time to reflect on how lucky some {read Mark and I} are in comparison to many.
As uncharitable as it may be to say this, the retailers can go to hell and shove their what’s in this year gifts clean up their arse, because I want none of it.
I’m trying hard to ignore the madness and merely do what I’ve always done.
Enjoy our family and be bloody grateful for exactly how lucky we are with the family and friends we have, because it’s these people that make the day as good as it can get.
That’s what Christmas is about.
It’s got nothing to do with the garbage sprouted by slimey money grubbing retailers, nor has it got anything to do with how much you spend.
It’s about what you do, and appreciating what, and who, you have in your life, and being grateful for them.
I’m more blessed than I could ever have imagined I would be, and I appreciate it more than I can ever say.
I can but hope there are 8 kids who’s Christmas will be brightened just a little this year too.

Oh, the horrors of lunchtime!

anonymum — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:46:12 +0000

Can
.
.
.
hardly
.
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.
type
.
.
.
nearly
.
.
.
unconscious
.
.
.
Christmas
.
.
.
decorations
.
.
.
in
.
.
.
local
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.
.
shopping
.
.
.
centre
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.
.
***faints clean away***

We already know

anonymum — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:38:44 +0000

The place {Cape Cod}
The time {Next week}
Christmas in July will be had
The food will be good
{Much} laughter will be long and loud
Tears will be shed
Hugs will be long
Words will be many
Emotion will run {very} high
Photos and videos will abound
Blogging will play a part {given it bought us together, it stands to reason}
Each memory will be like a snowflake. Unique
The people involved in creating this magical scenario.
Myself and Mark
Michael, Pamela, Sarah, Jenna and Hannah
Annie
Evyl and Joyce
Next week we begin this much anticipated holiday that has been 15 months in the planning.
In time it will end, yes, we know that too.
It will never be forgotten though.
As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, this very special holiday will never be forgotten.
We already know.
See you next week my friends….see you next week

Done and dusted

anonymum — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:25:07 +0000

Well, Christmas is done and dusted for another year.
I’ve had a wonderful day and it was topped off in the best possible way I could ever have wished for.
Suffice to say I received the one thing I wanted more than anything this year. It was only a simple little thing to many, but to me it was worth more than any material item money can buy.
A new beginning has been created, one which holds hope and promise for many things, all of which are very important to me.
Yes, this is cryptic to many, and there will be no explaination, but knowing you guys as I do, I’m sure you’re happy to celebrate with me all the same.
For those of you just starting Christmas day, if yours is but half as good as mine, then I’ll be pleased for every last one of you.
As you can see my theme has changed. The pictures in the header rotate, and are, at this point, the generic ones that came with the theme
I’ll try to find the time to replace them with more personal pics over the weekend .
I’ve also added, at the top of the left hand sidebar, a widget that is driven by a plugin, and it’s called a Wordpress Wall. It allows for little comments without the need for email insertion, going to a different screen or anything else, and it refreshes every 90 seconds, so if I’m around you’re more than likely to get an immediate response.
It’s a nifty little gadget that simply took my fancy. NFI whether it will be of any use, but it took my fancy all the same
I’m now off to bed with a satisfied smile on my face and in my heart.
Enjoy your Christmas day wherever you are.
I hope all your dreams come true.
Mine did.