Every Grinch down in Grinchville disliked Christmas alot,
But the "Bells" who lived just south of Grinchville did NOT!
The "Bells" loved Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Oh, please do ask why, although you, yourself, are sure to know the reason.
It could be that their name is part of a song.
It could be that they think being a Grinch is being a "ding-dong".
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that their hearts were filled with such love as to keep them from being so small.

But,
Whatever the reason,
Their name or their heart,
They stood there on Christmas Eve, feeling sorry for the Grinchs,
Running about in their home on the hill, the "Bells" could not frown
At the warm lighted windows in their home far from town.
For they knew Paige (still up in Grinchville for half a day) would be rushing home to her family to stay.
A pizza for dinner, earlier called in,
Put an end to the day in Grinchville and then.....
Sock monkey pjs for lil' sis and big
Please don't forget brother, cute little kid.
Striped candy cane pjs for Mommy and Daddy
Couldn't forget them, or they'd think we'd been naughty.
"Santa Claus" filled the anxious silence of supper,
Eaten so early, it could have been a late"lupper".

For a moment everyone sat quietly on top of that hill,
For there were gifts to be opened this night still.
Soon gifts were passed around,
After Mrs. "Bells" camera finally no longer made a flashing sound.
Daddy with a scarf and Mommy with her topless mittens,
Perfect for crafting and sewing in the cold
They loved them as we have been told.
Mommy had one last gift- a new book to read.
Oh, yes, another one, indeed!

Then, sisters and brother began to tear in,
Having waited anxiously to begin.
A cameo brooch from sweet little brother,
Carefully picked out by his mother.
A few new dvds,
All favorites to be seen.
Old potholders, Santa mugs, an apron, and multi-colored tin cups,
Just made big sis want to shrill in delight then put her feet up.
Pearl earrings, high-heels, and warm flannel sheets
All to be worn and enjoyed- so I think.
The biggest could not be wrapped, so had to be hidden
In Mr. and Mrs. Bells closet- no, I'm not kiddin'!
What use to be white, but is now worn with age,
Trimmed in Turquise blue- an old suitcase!

After moments of tearing, and talking in glee,
It was then followed by an hour or so of playing by all three.
Then, finally off to bed they all slumped,
Warm and toasty in little sister's room, in a clump.
For tomorrow, they knew both "Bell" girl and boy would wake bright early.
They'd rush down to their stockings, then quietly shake their wrapped toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That is one thing to be stated!
The sweet gentle cheers and playful laughing that would all day fill the home,
Unlike any other they have known.
"I'm tired of waiting.", Little sister declared. "I am going to know what is in my stocking. I'm getting up."
Then little brother followed, then Paige, even little pup!
In the chilly Christmas morning, they all quietly waited.
Mommy and Daddy weren't up yet- what more can be stated.
Until then, they all studied,
A new toothbrush, some candy, and even CHERRY SOURS!
Then slowly waited, feeling as if the clock ticked for hours.
Then up came both Bells, with smiles on their faces,
Mommy making homemade hot chocolate before taking their spaces.
After gifts were opened, they all quietly sat.
Till' Daddy started the ham in the fryer, in fact.
Together they sat at the big dining room table.
The lights shining brightly outside on every gable.
The "Bells" dinner was good.
Their dinner was neat.
The Bells dinner was a perfect Christmas feast.

Late that night, they all cradled the thoughts of this year's Christmas time.
Little sister thinking her MP3 player to be one of a kind.
While little brother's race track being the neatest in everyone's mind.
Their lights had shone brightly when they said goodnite.
Christmas kisses had been stolen without mistletoe in sight.
Their love and excitement, good wishes, and cheer
Could not not in this night disappear,
Not this year, nor next, nor anytime near!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
-Paige

P.S. Due to safety precausions necessary today, let it be know the last name in the poem is fake.

My Favorite Christmas Gift Ever!

Now I think that every gift my parents have ever given me has brought me pleasure, excitement, and fun. They have made me feel grown, allowed me to play, and some even letting me feel pretty at times. Thinking about it, however, there is one that ranks above all the rest as making me feel the most excited, the most grown, and allowing me to have the most fun ever- my doll house. I can still remember that Christmas morning. We lived in a little two bedroom home. It was so pretty, all yellow with a white porch in the front. I was four at the time. It would be our last Christmas in the home, seeing as my sister would come along the next year! I remember quietly crawling out of my bed and making my way into the living room. The room was dark, and I could barely see from the light just beginning to come up outside. Daddy had had to work the night before, and so I knew to be quiet. As my eyes adjusted to the dark room, I saw it. There in the dark, sat the most wonderful thing I could imagine- a Barbie doll house. At age four my Barbie collection had already been growing for some time. Even with no furniture or a roof to put over their heads, I had played happily for some time. Now, sitting on the living room floor, I sat to examine what little I could of the home. Inside, arranged perfectly, sat Barbie furniture as well. Five rooms total- three small rooms were upstairs and two large rooms fixed downstairs. One room was set up as a dressing room. It included a purple chaise, which opened to hold clothes. A vanity attached to a large mirror, which attached to a fold out dressing area. In another room sat a waser and dryer, which actually spun the clothes, while the washer looked as though it filled with water. The bed that I had asked for more than any other toy just the year before, soon found a home as well. It was a canopy bed with all lace bedding. A light at the top of the bed could be spun after closing the curtains. Downstairs, a kitchen was all arranged. The large stove included an oven which opened. A small bit of counter hung over each side where shelves were built in underneath and two bar stools sat. The refrigerator included an ice machine and the long counter attached to the sink held a dishwasher with pull out drawers. The bathroom was huge with medicine cabinet behind the mirror and shelf to hold towels. The sink pumped out water when filled up! No, I didn't see all of this at first. It took some time to make out all the furniture. Still, I snuck back to bed happier and more curious than ever. Later that day, my mother helped me set up a grocery store set as well. It was so cute. The freezer section attached at the bottom of the boxed food section. It came with shopping cart and basket. The checkout lane came with a register and moving belt for the groceries. Years later, I would receive a living room set, which my mother also help me set up. Over the years, my doll house became one of the most important toys to me. Even when cds came into play, never did playing Barbies leave my mind. When my sister received hers (at age four, also) it was if the playing increased. In that house, I was allowed to create my own home, filled with all the characters I wanted. I changed the home around more times than can be counted. It wasn't until sometime later that I found out that Daddy had built it himself. Of course, it has been some time since I've played Barbies. Today I caught "Comfort and Joy" on tv. There is a scene where she and her husband are setting up a Barbie doll house for their little girl and I couldn't help but think of my old doll house and how I can't wait to do the same for my little girl. As said before, every year I receive gifts that are heartfelt and that I love very much. My Barbie doll house was by far my favorite however. What is so funny is that Daddy seemed surprised to hear years later that I had loved my Barbie doll house as much as I did. I could not believe it. I will always think about my doll house with the happiest of thoughts. The fun that it brought me was better than anyother toy ever gave me.

Christmas Baby!

Hey everyone! Today is my sister's 14th birthday. As happy as I am for her, I am sad, too. I guess because she is in no way a baby anymore. Even though I will always see her as my baby sister, I can no longer think her a baby. She is far from it. She has gone from cute to pretty. She smiles sweetly and mischievously (leave it to her). She has a laugh which is contagious. She has no problem saying what needs to be said. She is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and she will give anything to anyone without thinking anymore about it. She loves to play and joke, but can be super serious sometimes. (That might come in handy if she becomes a detective one day, after all!) She is such an outside girl. She will be a wonderful mother one day. She loves children, except the bad ones, she says. She is definitely a take charge kind of girl, believe me! Today, she dressed up, wearing her first thing of mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick! We all met up at Cracker Barrel after work and enjoyed a delicious dinner. We are fixing to have cake, although I don't know if I'll make it- chocolate cake with strawberry icing. When we got home, my brother and I passed out our gifts. He had built her a chair for her doll in Daddy's workshop- painted it and all. He had me make a cushion for it yesterday. It is really nice and quite sturdy I might add. When she opened the gift I bought her, she had the reaction I imagined. You know, the "Are you serious? This is what you got me?" look. I knew it. A Barbie ornament seemed immature to her, I'm sure, but after reading my very long card, she admitted it to be the best birthday gift I have given her yet. She loves it and the crazy look she had given it at first has now vanished, replaced with a very thoughtful, sentimental look. My sister is most definitely my best friend. She always has been. I remember praying for a little sister when I was little and asking Mommy if she was going to have a baby right after she herself had found out. Those months seemed too long to me, but were definitely exciting. My parents continued to encourage my excitement and while I tried to prepare myself for a boy, just in case, I prayed and wanted a sister. My excitement in hearing the news that day 14 years ago, still comes to mind. I saw my mother being taken back to her room, and Daddy walking into the nursery with her. I saw her sweet little face and remember thinking her mine- all mine. My very own sister and my very best friend. My sister has exceeded every hope I could have ever had. She is super sweet to me, and also the worst at teasing me. Nevertheless, she will have me cracking up every time. She is also honest with me, even if she knows the truth isn't exactly what I want to hear. She doesn't seem to worry about me taking it the wrong way, although I'm sure she does, you'd never guess it. She is so strong. She never seems afraid to do anything or meet anybody. I am so opposite. I love her so much, and know that I am so blessed to have her as my sister. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

-Paige

P.S. If you have a couple of minutes, take a listen to the first song on my playlist. I heard it on the radio the other day and found it so fitting. I just had to find it!

Christmas Lights

You know, there are just certain things we have to do at Christmas time in order for it to feel like Christmas. Watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, our annual trips, secretly wrapping gifts, and baking cookies, all being the very traditions we have come to love during this time of year. Movies like Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street, even Santa Claus, all reminding me of when I was younger. When bows were worn in my hair and Barbies ruled the imagination, a time filled with "Merry Christmas" and rushing to bed before Santa came.


A must on the checklist is Christmas lights, of course. Daddy finished ours not too long ago. They are beautiful. Just as he has done on every house before, he set to work this year on lighting placement. Untying knots and replacing a fuse, or two, or twenty, he battled to make it all shine. Oh boy, does it! Driving closer to our house, you can see the outline of the bright lights through the trees. It is actually more lit up now than in these pictures because I haven't taken any more pictures.

Then this wekend, we made it to our three favorite towns. Every year, since before my parents were married, they have gone to Natchitoches. Jefferson was another spot for my parents, with Marshall following not too far behind it. Anyway, starting with Natchitoches and ever since then, we have gone to all three spots at Christmas time. Saturday after work, I ran home to join my family for a trip to Marshall and Jefferson. In Jefferson, I found an old 1950s mixer. The top actually detaches and it just so happens that it once held a juicer. It was $40, coming with the original instruction booklet as well. We saw a couple just married rushing up to skating rink in Marshall for pictures. How neat to get married at Christmas time! This is my favorite shop in Marshall- "Charlie-Bella's". They have the most beautiful window displays and I am such a sucker for window displays. Their items are too pretty, but too expensive. Still, it is nice to go in and look. Across the street is another gorgeous store. While their window displays are not as grand, the store itself is amazing. Staircases line the middle of the bottom floor and go up two floors. The original wood decor just takes you back to the days when the store was new. You can imagine the women dressed up, walking about the store and all its many departments. This was the first year I remember going in. It seems that I have always gazed inside just imagining what it must have been like.




Sunday, we went to Natchitoches. While most of the stores were closed, their window displays still shone cheerfully. See the picture of the magnolia? "Steel Magnolias" was filmed in that town. The lights were lit brightly throughout the town. They have been lighting the town up for 82 years now. We drove through an old neighborhood, looking about the old homes we have always admired. My parents bought us a funnel cake, just as they always have. Although, in reality, both places on both days, were oddly quiet, it seemed even more peaceful than that. I believe it was the effect caused every year by memories. Our family traditions mean quite alot to us and are looked forward to all year long.

Christmas lights are just a small part of the Christmas season for us. They are beautiful in the dark night that so surrounds us in the mid afternoon now. Long sigh as I think! Merry Christmas everyone and just in case you are curious- the next post will be about my sister and her birthday coming up Monday!

-Paige

Twas the Month Before Christmas.....

Twas the month before Christmas and all through my mind ran visions for Christmas projects and plans! I gave great thought to my sister's Christmas gift and found just the thing on Amazon! Awaiting her gifts to arrive, I began to think of my brother. In despair I spoke of the search for his Christmas gift. Should it be cooking or hunting, fishing or toys, movies or cds? With several suggestions and great help from Daddy I ran to the store with more info than I was actually capable of comprehending. The gentleman who helped me was irritated at first by my ignorance, but thankfully softened as he realized I came in full attempt to be of the least trouble to him. Now under my tree sit quite a few gifts wrapped in my favorite wrapping paper. Some are wrapped in "A Christmas Story" wrapping paper, while others in new Santa paper, but all with "Christmas Story" gift tags! Their ribbons are curled to the best of my ability, though not to the perfection I would like them. Before taping the last corner of paper, I had already bought, strung lights, and hung all ornaments I have collected over the past few years on my tree. With bubble lights bubbling all over the branches, the bright red, blue, and clear strands shine just as cheerfully. Polka dots, Santas, and large candy sit pleasantly among the tree, while glittered balls, trees, and personally detailed Christmas balls hang as well. My very first ornaments that I ever bought were glass ornaments in the shape of a diner, a jukebox, an ice cream float, and two cupcakes and ice cream cones.A ballerina hangs in one spot, something my parents bought me when I was much younger. On a trip to Shreveport, we went to our favorite Christmas Store (/pool place)- Splash. They had some of the neatest ornaments and after walking around for some time, my parents decided to buy my sister and I each our own ballerina. We must have gone through six baskets at least, deciding which ballerina ornament we liked the most. Ever since, I have been allowed to hang her on the tree. I've laid out Christmas stationary on my desk with a red pen slanted to the side. A nutcracker sits on my window sill, while a Grinch tray that I made a few years ago sits on top of my hope chest. A frame I decorated last year sits beside my tv, while an apron I sewed lays across my desk chair. I hung four Christmas handkerchiefs on top of my curtain rod, which I had gotten at Antique Alley earlier last year. Old Christmas cards, bought in antique stores hang on my bulletin board. One of them is from 1948! My copies of "Christmas with the Kranks" and, my favorite, "A Christmas Story" lay out on the desk. I still plan on painting a few portraits of elves to hang somewhere one day, and I need to finish my parents gifts. I also need to work on my sister and brother's gifts that I am making them. Oh, did I mention- I set out a set of dishes and mugs that I found in a really cute kitchen store in Jefferson last year. They look like they are from the 1940s! I couldnt resist. I actually felt horrible the night we went last year, but leaving with my big brown bag filled with the packages, I felt slightly better. I can not explain in full detail the excitement that I have in setting out all these items that I have collected in the years past. I still look forward to the day when I can set out all these things in my own home, with my husband and I and our family and friends to enjoy them. Alright, so I admit it- I am an idealist. I am a crazy, over the top, perfectionist of an idealist. Who's shocked?!?!?!? :) I have already bought fabric for stockings I hope to make one day and I already have two stocking holders. (I figure if nothing else, my husband and I will have matching stocking holders and stockings.) Okay, so enough writing. I am sure y'all are ready for the pictures and I have plenty. The red Christmas balls are the cheaper, more fun version of Christmas balls I found last year for five dollars a piece. I bought a box of balls, a paint pen, and then got to work. *Note- You will get addicted to the paint pen. Too Fun!

Daddy's put up our lights, by the way. I'll post pics of that as well. So have fun looking and Ihope you like the new blog!

-Paige

(P.S. I forgot to mention the fact that all of this was done in November. The only Christmas related project I have done this month is this blog!)