:-( to :-)

It is now 2:30 pm on the first day that I am completely free of work obligations outside my home, since back in November. 

I had big plans for this day; I was going to pull out my Christmas tree and all the other trimmings, and at least get a start on decorating my home. Have I accomplished any of that? In a word:  NO. 

And I can tell you that I have just about as much motivation to start as I would to jump in the car and drive to California today (unless it meant seeing my old friend Sharon, or meeting my blog buddies,  Shephard and Naomi.)

Beside eating and dressing, all I have done today is clean the storm doors on the porch and the outside of my kitchen windows. The power washer who was here two weeks ago, prior to repainting parts of the house, didn't do such a hot job on the windows. I had hoped he would leave them pristine, but they had spots all over them, making them dirtier than they were before he came. Bah.

Mr. kenju says "Every one gets decorated (for Christmas) but us " which gets my dander up, since I outdid myself here last year, and plan to do  it in similar fashion next week. Somehow he forgets that. He is going to his Pipe club meeting tonight, and I was looking forward to being here alone, eating what I want for dinner, and relaxing in my recliner to catch some TV - and then I remembered another obligation I have - and there went my relaxing evening. 

Last night was our annual neighborhood pot-luck dinner, and 21 women gathered at the home of a very brave neighbor, who proffered her home for the evening. Despite arriving at 6:30 pm, we didn't leave until after 11 pm! It just goes to prove how much fun we were having. We talked, ate, chatted, ate, and talked some more - until it was time to start the gift exchange, always a lot of fun. The first person chooses a wrapped gift and the next person in the line can either "steal" yours, or choose a wrapped gift. On and on it goes, with people stealing gifts all evening. I had to open four gifts and every one of them got stolen! I was particularly miffed when the most darling set of hand-blown glass piggies (dressed to the nines) were taken. Of course, the next person in line stole those as well. I got lucky in the end, though, as two very cute  snowman trays came hope with me, and now grace my coffee table!

I always tell you about the food. We have a lot of excellent cooks who live here, and they all brought wonderful things last night. My contribution was a spinach/butter lettuce salad, with raspberries, glazed pecans and a home-made poppy seed dressing with everyone seemed to like. (Mr. kenju sure did!) The ham and beef tenderloin were all that you could want and the vegetables and other casseroles were wonderful. We helped our plates and staggered under the weight of them to our respective tables. We are all so lucky to live here, and it is amazing how well (seemingly) we all get along. 

It's Beginning to Look a Bit Like......

Christmas, 2011

Detail: I love this leopard ribbon!

He's sort of "Christmassy" too!

The NC Governor's Mansion 2011 Christmas Decor

More photos tomorrow. 

Too Pooped to Post (much)

Main tree in lobby Brier Creek (sorry,  it is blurry)

At Capital City Club (Governor's Room)

I have worked 20+ hours since Friday, and I am t.i.r.e.d. Tomorrow we start at our Governor's Mansion.  It allows for a somewhat slower pace, for which we are all thankful. I haven't taken as many photos this year; mainly because it all looks pretty much the same as last year, and I don't really have the time. 

Christmas Decor 2011 - Part One

The five foot wreath behind the reception desk at The Cardinal Club

The winding staircase

A six foot diameter wreath

Poinsettias at Sullivan's Steak House

Sullivan's Bar

Sullivan's kitchen viewing area

Sullivan's wine cellar

A pair of small trees flanking the entry to the bar.

A funny conversation was overheard today while decorating. Two sous chefs were talking and one said..."You aren't married, are you?" and upon hearing the other one say no, he asked..."Then, why do you wear a ring?" The guy said, "Because my girlfriend knows I won't marry her for a long time, and she asked me to wear the ring as a sign to other women to lay off." I was standing very close to them and couldn't help overhearing, nor could I help laughing. The guy continued...." We've been together for eight years, and it took me seven years to propose - so it might take seven more for me to actually get married." I laughed again and said "Good luck with that."  If I were that woman, I'd tell him to fish or cut bait!  He must think he is a very good catch, if he expects her to wait that long for him! Sheeeesh! Would you?

NOTE: all work is done with/for Dogwood Tree Floral (Mel Day)

Quotes of Note +

There are two kinds of truth: the truth that lights the way and the truth that warms the heart. The first of these is science, and the second is art. Neither is independent of the other or more important than the other. Without art science would be as useless as a pair of high forceps in the hands of a plumber. Without science art would become a crude mess of folklore and emotional quackery. The truth of art keeps science from becoming inhuman, and the truth of science keeps art from becoming ridiculous. 


Raymond Thornton Chandler, writer (1888-1959) 

*******

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. 


Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and philanthropist (b. 1954) 

*****

Mel (Dogwood Tree Florals),  the gang and I started Christmas decorating today; six trees and five wreaths at a local hotel. There were five of us (1-2 short from the usual crew) and we finished in three hours. Plus we had to change out the old lights this time. We are getting more proficient every year - too bad we are also getting older.   LOL  It doesn't seem to slow us down much, though. 

We start in earnest this Friday, and work 8-9 straight days.  We will decorate two city clubs, a country club, the Governor's Mansion, the State Capitol and a local restaurant. Budgets don't allow for much/any new merchandise to be bought this year, so we will work with all the previous years' decor, which can be a trial. Some of the stuff gets damaged every year and we end up with less and less with which to decorate. That's not true at the Mansion, however. They pack everything away in such good shape that each year, it seems to have multiplied (especially ribbon!)   As Martha would say..."That's a good thing."

If I don't get back here before Thursday, I hope that each and every one of you will have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and loved ones, and pause to give real thought about the people for whom you ought to show gratitude on a daily basis!