Remedy for Homesickness...the Weepies

Let's go back a few years.

It was my first Christmas away from "home".  We had just moved away (for graduate school) 4 months earlier, I had just had baby #3 (Mini Rob) and I was homesick....terribly homesick.

That's when I heard THE song.  It played over and over again on TV (I think it was on a JC Penney commercial) and it was so bittersweet for me.  I fell in love with it instantly....it reminded me of "home" (who knows why)...but it made me excruciatingly sad at the same time (let's not forget the fact that I was severely chemically imbalanced (PPD) at the time).

I decided I had to have it...I don't remember how I discovered the name of it...but I searched and searched until I found it....and I did...on I-Tunes.

I cried as I wrote my sisters (I have four) an e-mail introducing them to my newest musical find and why it meant so much to me (it reminded me of them).

They all fell in love with it too.

Two days after Christmas, Roberto and I flew our little family "home" to Utah for a visit.  I was so glad to be home.  The warmth, love, and familiarity were just what I needed.  And I soaked it up.

Fast forward a few more days to New Years Eve.  The family is all gathered, enjoying one another's company, exchanging gifts, exchanging laughter (amidst a whole lot of noise).  An announcements is made...my sisters have a special gift for me.

Nat pulls out the guitar...the others gather close...and then she begins to play.

It's THE song.....MY song.  I was completely shocked...but not surprised...my sisters are just the BEST like that (not to mention, incredibly musically talented).  They had learned it....in such a short time....just for me.  To remind me of "home".  To remind me of how much I am loved and missed.  I cried.

I still cry, thinking about it.

My sisters are the BEST.  My family is the BEST.  I am truly blessed to come from such good folks.


This year...I'm not going "home" for the holidays....at all.  We were supposed to go for Thanksgiving.  But we didn't. 

I wish we had. 

I wish we could be there for Christmas, too.  But we can't.

So...to my family (all 37 of you (+2 on the way))....I say...

I LOVE YOU!  I MISS YOU!  THIS YEAR JUST WON'T FEEL THE SAME WITHOUT SEEING YOU!  

But....

for now....

At least we have The Weepies.

(can't tell you how many times I've listened to it already today...sniff, sniff).

Just one easy click!

Pause for breath, in the midst of projects...

HOLY MOLY! Is this time of year ever CRAZY!?!? (okay, it hasn't ALL been crazy)

I feel like there is so much to do...and so much to say.  But who has time for both?  I don't.  At least not without forgoing precious goodie devouring time.

I have a lot of things I want to post about...but I'm really busy trying to finish Christmas projects.

I don't know why, at every other time of the year, I am content to be non-crafty and non-artsy and non-anything to do with the word "project"...but then the holidays come and I feel the need to be all of these things....it's crazy....anyway...

here's a peek into the "chaos" that has become my every waking hour...

For the first project (aka Christmas present) I'm using my MyMemories.com software (for discount promo code see sidebar).  I'd love to show you a sample but the people I am giving it to read this blog (darn!).

Okay...maybe a hint of a sample.....

And...this year's "homemade sewing project" for the boys...

It may have a little something to do with this:

and these: 

(There is a story behind it....a good one...I'll explain...later!)

(and I'd show you the sewing projects from years past but I've deleted the posts...that's a whole other story.) 

I've been making some of these (and I'm gonna show you how, too....later):

 and lastly...

a project to remedy this:

 (and, although it is not a "Christmas" project, per se, it is one that NEEDS doing...like, three weeks ago)

So...as you can see...I've got a lot going on.

And...my shopping's not done yet...and I haven't started making "neighbor" treats (but I've been eating plenty of the ones brought to me)...and I haven't decided, yet, if I am going to hold my annual "attempt at fighting off homesickness (knowing that my extended family is all gathered together on Christmas Eve) Christmas Eve soup get together" (something I've done EVERY year (going on 5 now) since we moved away from "home" (my family).  I'm just not sure I can pull it all together this year.

Sigh....

So much to do....and only 10 days left!

Guess I better got off the computer then.  :)

Just one question...are you ready????


Just one easy click!

AND THE WINNER IS.....

REBECCA of A Mess of Musings!

(winner randomly generated by Rafflecopter)

Congratulations Rebecca!  And thanks everyone for entering.

Remember...you can still pick up the My Memories Suite Software for yourself, or someone on your Christmas list, at MyMemories.com ($39.97....except.....wait for it.......)

To make it even sweeter, you can use my special promotional code STMMMS10850 and get $10 off the software, making it ONLY $29.97. 

ALSO, each software download comes with a $10 coupon code to use on kits and other products at mymemories.com.

That's like a savings of $20!

Totally Awesome!  I know!  I can't get over it myself.  

Plus...stay tuned for some freebies!  (Oohh...I LOVE FREE!)

Just one easy click!  VOTE FOR ME!

I've been playin'...

Okay...so I have been a bit busy playin' around with my new found hobby (as in, I was in my flannel jammies until after 4:00PM yesterday. Whoops!) 

I'm quite enjoying myself (although I did tell Roberto LATE last night that, "I don't need a new hobby. I can't keep up with the ones I have." True story.)  But...sigh...it's too late.  I'm hooked.  (I got several Christmas gifts brewing up top.) 

All I need to do now is to exert a little restraint. 

I've been rehearsing some self-given commands..."MELANIE, STOP!"...."TAKE A SHOWER"..."FEED THE CRYING CHILDREN"..."USE THE BATHROOM", etc.  You know...just the basics. 

Sigh....

I'll get a handle on it.

So, for now, let's just forget about my compulsive behavior and self reprimands for a minute....

Look-y what I made.

(Remember...I'm a total novice at this. That's how easy MMS software is.)

Background paper is from North Pole Express Pack
embellishments were included in the My Memories Suite v3 software (Holiday Snows)

All page elements from kit Comfort and Joy, designed by Jenn of Dancing Princess Designs.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS KIT!

Aren't my kiddos so cute (and crazy)?

If you are interested in this digital scrapbook software, first, check out my GIVEAWAY (ends December 10, 2011) or visit you can visit MyMemories.com and check the software out HERE.  Use the code STMMMS10850 at checkout, giving you a $10 discount (making it ONLY $29.97).  Plus the software itself comes with a $10 coupon to use at the MyMemories.com store.  That's like a $20 savings.  Awesome, yes?

"I'm pretty sure we'd better like it!"

This was definitely the case at our house last night...

"What are we having?

We are having the result of the past three hours I've spent in this kitchen slaving over a hot stove in order to provide nourishment for my family!  

Not THAT again! 

Yeah, and I'm pretty sure we'd better like it."

Only I wish my kids were as wise resigned as theirs are (yes, I know it's a comic strip).

I tried a new recipe.   GASP!

Butternut squash soup (recipe found at Our Best Bites...my favorite cooking sight).

It was really good.  (Although IF I made it again, I would probably leave out the brown sugar....it was just a tad bit too sweet.)

Let's just say there were a lot of tears, and gagging...uncultured swine.  :)

At least we got some good use out of our "table manners behavior cards". 

I don't think I've posted about those yet....I will...soon.  

They are genius!

Anyway...for now, unfortunately, I don't think the squash recipe is going into our "go to" recipe pile.  It's too bad....it was cheap...and tasty.  :(

Just one easy click!