12.14.2009

What if you woke up one morning and December was half over?


I think there was a moment when Scrooge was afraid he had missed Christmas. But luckily he woke up just in time. . .



Whew! Finally finished that project and happily handed it off to FedEx this morning. Now if I can just find my decorations in all this MESS . . . .

Hopefully everyone's been too busy to read blogs since I've been too busy to write them. If you haven't given up on our friendship, I appreciate your patience and loyalty and will be happy to reward you with an entry in

The Small Works Holiday
Spectacular Giveaway!


If you haven't emailed, commented (previous post) or otherwise made yourself known, you still have two days to enter.

And if you want to enter again and can think of a clever holiday-themed alias, go ahead and give that a shot as well.

The more the merrier . . .
that's my official company policy!



One of the fun things I was doing over the weekend was trying to pose for the photo that was required in the package I sent off. Hannah was more than happy to slather me with make-up and man the camera.

I wish, however, that she had told me she was putting the special

**add 25 years**

lens on the camera. Seriously!
I looked just like my mother looks, RIGHT NOW.

And she looks great, but just 25 years older than I am. It was a grueling process just getting a picture I could live with. We actually had to destroy them all (except this one) and try round two this morning, which went a little better.

(We switched cameras.
Might have been even more effective to switch subjects.)


We got a little goofy after awhile, as you can see.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just use cute kid pictures for the rest of your life?

I mean the pictures before you entered the awkward gnarly-teeth years (let alone the WHEN DID I GET SO OLD??? years) when almost every single kid in the world is cute?

Lindsay and I were looking through some Christmas photos the other day and I came across
A MASTERPIECE,



which was actually a few minutes past those really cute years (unfortunately) but which took me *sighing* down memory lane nonetheless.



Best. Christmas present. Ever.


I've talked here a time or two before about how much I always wanted to be a dancer, and this gift seemed at the time as if it would virtually guarantee my success, and in such a glamorous way!

And it matched those red Keds perfectly.

And note my natural sense of style, posing in front of the mirror in such a dramatic and artsy manner. I wonder if Aunt Lillie came up with that idea (her handwriting) or if I did? I'm going to take credit.

Wow.
What else can I say?


But now I'd like to hear about your best Christmas presents ever. Surely there's at least one that sticks out in your memory, burnished to an even deeper perfection with the passing of time.

(Even though there was absolutely no way
to remember that red tutu
better than it absolutely was.
Just look at it . . . )


14 comments:

Moonsilk Stitches said...

I absolutely love that red tutu. Mine was the year I got my 27" Mary doll (a generic doll, the name was from me) AND her bunk beds AND a bunch of great clothes for her (by mom). I said I must have really been good to get such great presents! I still have Mary and the bunk beds are in the garage. The clothing, sadly, is long gone. A close second was the genuine authentic American Airlines stewardess set with tray, dishes, napkins, hat and pin (from my uncle who worked for AA). I was bound for the skies!

susan m hinckley said...

I have some memorable doll memories as well -- Crissy and Velvet (C. for me, V. for my little sis) for instance, with the growing hair when you pushed a button on their stomachs.

But I think that stewardess set sounds absolutely fantastic! Back in the day when it was positively glamorous to be one! I'd have been in heaven with that. My big sister had the original Barbie stewardess outfit, and I loved it.

abi said...

I think for me the year of the car bumper (but really skis hidden in the box) will always be tops of course! So my question is - do you still have the tutu? I love it! I wish Lily would wear them. I made her one for her 1 year old picture, and that is about the ONLY time she has put it on. Maybe she will be more interested once she's past the "terrible twos".

Chelsea said...

it's got to be Brownie, my horse on springs.

I have never been so excited in my whole life!

Allie said...

I think you look adorable with that bird on your head, lol! Love the tutu. My best Christmas gift ever was the same year after year - stacks of Nancy Drew books! Nothing else made me so happy.

susan m hinckley said...

A woman after my own heart, Allie.

Alas, I did not have the foresight to hang on to the tutu, Abi. But I'm surprised Lily won't wear one -- I think Hannah wore ballet shoes nonstop for about 3 years -- but take heart! At age 3 or 4, Lily may rebel by demanding to ONLY wear a tutu everywhere she goes! Good thing you live in a warm climate.

One of my best Christmas memories, Chels, is when you refused to get off your horsie to open any of your presents.

Cami said...

I think one of the best Christmas surprises is when I opened my stocking and found a baby bottle with a note attached that I was going to be a big sister. I was nine and had been an only child. I adored Whitney until she about 7 and then it was UGLY. I now adore her more than ever and she is still one of my most treasured gifts. As far as toys go, it would have to be Baby Alive and my Easy Bake Oven.

Unknown said...

Funny you should ask about my best Christmas gift ever - I just blogged about that this morning on my blog - take a look (http://untieribbons.blogspot.com/) Love your red tutu - too cute!!!

stfrank said...

Love, love, love this post! Mine was a raggedy ann doll. My mom made Annie and I matching red and blue calico frocks with a white pinafores followed by the "little house on the prairie" books, I was thrilled. What's left of her hangs on our tree each year, I believe my dress ended up in a family quilt. My tutu was pink :) and a close second.

Amelia Poll said...

I think the gift I was most excited about was my 'Secret Treasures' bike. (I think that's what it was called). It had all sorts of little compartments EVERYWHERE on it. And it was pink and purple. It was so fun.

Of course, when I got older, I was extremely excited about my cell phone...sad, but true.

Diane Melms said...

I remember the year I threatened "I would just die" if I didn't get a horse for Christmas....... and of course I got al manner of toy horses including a blow up version that you could sit on and bounce around.

Judy said...

Hmmm... my Chatty Cathy doll? Or maybe my pink teddy bear Annabelle (who I finally retired just last year to The Great Teddy Bear Afterlife). It's a toss up.

VO said...

The babydoll that both my sister and I got one year when I was maybe 4? Or the Barbie Dreamhouse? Or the white canopy bed with lavendar swiss dotted beadspread, canopy and pillows? I can't choose from my childhood.

Bar none, as an adult it was my daughter born Dec 8th, 18 years ago. An early Christmas gift!

susan m hinckley said...

I had a December baby one year too, VO, and it was just wonderful. I've always been glad for it (and glad it was my first, actually, so there wasn't much to do but enjoy her!)

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