It’s weird that this is my second to last blog in my “25 Days of Christmas” project. I have been getting lots of sweet twitter messages from you all to keep it up after Christmas. I’m thinking about it…I’m figuring I will take a break for sure starting the 26th, and see if maybe Keely can give me a crash course on actually posting these things on my own. Maybe starting January the 1st. Any thoughts on what I could call it? I could just call it “25 Days of Christmas for the Rest of My Life”. And the everyday thing, that’s hard. What about every other day?
I like doing it. I figure it will be a cool scrapbook someday for Caroline, too. So, we’ll see. I’m twirling some stuff around in my head.
Today I have to wrap David’s presents and one for my mom from my dad. He doesn’t do wrapping. And tomorrow, I really want to take a picture of some of the gifts that David wrapped before they are opened to show ya’ll. I made him help me with some and they are HILARIOUS. Wrapping not his strong point either.
Last night we drove an hour to Hot Springs to this place called Garven Gardens to take the kids to look at some Christmas lights. This is us waiting in line. Long line. No VIP Priority Pass for Shelley Belly. This is Arkansas.
Wait!
This is ARKANSAS!
Where is my VIP PASS???
I have a stone in the Hot Springs Walk of Fame for goodness sake.
So where was my PASS??
Instead I was downgraded to minion picture taker.
If I want to be in one, I must take it of myself.
Like my make-up?
No make up till Christmas Eve. Oh wait that’s tonight.
And only because I’m singing in church.
It was crazy crowded, and most people walk through the display, which takes an hour MINIMUM, probably longer…we had my nephews with us, one of which should have been in bed about the time we pulled in. He was actually really good, but we decided we would ask if we could do the tour on golf carts. All the signs said that golf carts were reserved for the elderly or people who had a hard time walking long distances.
We met both criteria, so we paid the extra five bucks a head and hopped on our golf carts.
My dad, David and my brother in law, Kyle rode on one…I called this the “Cart of a Million Sarcastic Comments”.
I couldn’t actually HEAR their commentary as we rode through the display, but I’m sure my cart description was right on target.
The lights were really pretty. The kids liked it a lot, and now we can check Garven Gardens off our bucket list.
Below is Caroline and I in the back of our cart. Robyn took this one. I made her take it three times because my nose kept looking big.
Maybe because it was bright red as it was 30 degrees.
Here is Grant and Robyn. She looked good on my first take because she weighs like 120 pounds. MAYBE.
Here is one of Caroline. I put it in because I thought she looked so cute…
So that was our trip last night chronicled for your enjoyment.
Two more things about what’s going on right at this minute, then I must go buy stocking stuffers pronto….
1.I feel like I’m at home because Caroline has two of our neighbors, Ben and Sarah, on speaker phone cranked as LOUD as it will go. See, since they NEVER see each other, they are playing Club Penguin together while simultaneously talking on the phone. True love.
2.My mom has our Christmas album cranked right now and it’s making me have the cold sweats because it reminds me of work and being exhausted….
good times.
Merry Christmas Eve to each and every one of you sweet people..
and Marcel, (one of my faithful readers) I WILL post that Red Velvet Brownie recipe….maybe tomorrow…for your Christmas present…
shelley
25 days of Christmas! 
Shelley – Merry Christmas to you and your family!
It’s so fun to see your Arkansas chronicles Shelly! I will have to search for your stone the next time I’m in Hot Springs 🙂
So, so, sooooooo happy to hear you’re thinking of continuing your blog in the new year. It’s become a nightly routine…I sit in my daughter’s bedroom while she’s falling asleep (she’s afraid to be alone so I have to sit here until she falls asleep…and I mean out cold, snoring), check my email and read your AWESOME blog. You always bring a smile to my face, which isn’t something that’s been happening lately…so thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Wishing you and your family (and Denise & Leigh and their families) an enjoyable Christmas day. May God bless you with love, laughter and happiness in the new year! I may not be around to see you in concert again, so please know that you guys have been an inspiration over the past 15 or so years, and I thank you for all that your music and words have provided to me. Have a blessed night!! ❤
Awesome! I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting for the recipe. It’s always nice to get food as a Christmas present…even if I’m gonna have to be the one doing the cooking! 🙂
Merry Christmas Eve to you and your family! I Hope that you’re enjoying the time with your family! I have so enjoyed your blog and am so HAPPY that you are thinking of continuing ! You are so good with words and it is just so super fun to read 🙂 Thanks for the time you’ve taken doing it and the pictures you’ve taken for it! BTW you are too gorgeous without makeup-that’s not fair!
love ya
Shelley, this was my favorite one so far! I loved it! And definitely hoping you still do a blog next year 🙂 We definitely wouldn’t expect something every day, or even every other day, cuz that’s still a lot.
And for the record, I never wear make-up. I try to pretend it’s for feminist reasons sometimes, lol, but really it is because I’m lazy.
Thanks again for sharing Shelley… it’s SO GOOD to see a ‘White and Cold’ Christmas, while we are at this warm and (sometimes) gray Christmas here in Brazil! (sometimes gray because of the rain… ‘Global Warming’ effects!)
But…….. it was a great post, specially because you are really thinking of blogging in the next year! YAY!!! Good news!! I’m really excited about that! And my mom too, as she has been reading it day by day with me! (I translate for her, but even though, she loves it!)
And finally, Merry Christmas Shelley! You ROCK as a blogger, girl!
glad to know we are missed. well, the kids, not me. your candy canes are still standing in the snow… wish you were here to sled and throw snowballs at – happy new year too!