2013 Christmas Cards

Hey all,

It’s been over a month since I last posted. Wow! It doesn’t feel that long. This year, the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas was shorter than normal, but for me, Thanksgiving seems so long ago. Shortly after Turkey Day, my grandmother (mother’s mother) passed away. I flew to Oklahoma City to remember her life and be with that side of the family. Thankfully I was able to escape from work, which is not a given when working retail during the holiday season. I’m so grateful I got to be with my extended family during the holidays, even though the circumstances surrounding the occasion were somber.

In a way, I do feel like I got to “go home” for the holidays, even though my home is right here in CA. Being with my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and cousins for Thanksgiving in the Midwest is something we haven’t been able to do in probably close to ten years(!), and this may be as close as we get for a while.

Then, I returned home and hit the ground running when it came to work. The Holidays, people, when many retailers make three months’ worth of revenue in two weeks. Did you know that? It’s totally, absolutely, literally exhausting. Please be gentle on us for a little while. We are still trying to recover.

All this to say, I have been notably absent from the blog. Part of me has missed blogging, and another part of me forgot all about it since life has been so crazy. It is something I enjoy doing, and I’ll try to climb back on the horse (as they say) and come up with some fun and interesting stuff to populate this little corner of the interweb.

This year, amidst all the madness, I wanted to try to illustrate our little family for a card, instead of having our photo taken. It was more work than I anticipated, and that is why I’m getting them sent out today, on the 27th (sad trombone noise). Drawing the sketch was fun, and outlining it in sharpie was stressful. Doug managed to scan it into the computer and used Adobe Illustrator to clean it up (I’ll have to have him show me how to do it).

2013 Christmas Card

Since the photo and message on the back are all black and white, I tried to inject a little pizzaz to the card by using leftover envelopes from Stephanie’s wedding invites. I love how special they are. I’ll probably order metallic envelopes for all my holiday cards from now on!

Thank you all for reading, and especially for commenting throughout 2013. The year went by so fast! I am eager to see what 2014 will bring.

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All-American Style

“All-American.” Now that’s a crazy phrase if you think about it. First came the Native Americans, then the Puritans, westward expansion, not to mention the Spanish influence down here in the SouthWest, and in more modern times the influx of immigrants from all over the world. It’s the wonderful and sometimes strife-ful diversity that makes our country the land of opportunity! That said… Who’s to say that the preppy look of chinos and cardigans is “All-American?” Yet, that’s the look I’m drawn to this time of year. I just want to wear crisp whites, and if I had a pair of Sperry Topsiders you know I’d be rocking them!

4th of July

 

Eat this: I’ve had a lot of hot dogs in my day, from the classic American (ketchup and mustard) to a Los Angeles street dog (wrapped in bacon and served with onions and bell peppers) but I think the Chicago-style dog is my favorite. The garlic-poppyseed dusted bun and whole pickle slice? Yes please!

Wear this: If there was ever a time to wear Tommy Hilfiger, I think that summertime, right around 4th of July, is the best time. Bonus points if you’re on a sailboat somewhere.

Just a few of these: The last two years in Kansas, we were able to purchase our own fireworks and set them off in the driveway, which was fun but somehow felt very redneck (having grown up in areas with really strict rules about such things).

I’m not one to be overly patriotic, but I can appreciate a toned-down Independence Day shindig every year when it rolls around.

This year, Doug and I will both be working! I shouldn’t be surprised because he worked on Christmas too (I won’t complain about holiday bonus pay), but I’m a little surprised that my store will be open on the 4th. I guess we’ll see how busy it is. We’re celebrating early– this afternoon we’re going to my parents’ house to enjoy some hot dogs, and perhaps a hamburger or two, under their brand new patio cover, which is also wired with lights and a ceiling fan. Fancy indeed!

You got plans for tomorrow?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Staci, Doug, and Mosey

Merry Christmas from Staci, Doug, and Mosey

Squeeze your loved ones if they are near, call them and tell them you love them if they are far.
Here is wishing a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all.

Here’s one of my favorite Christmas songs! Have you ever really listened to the words?