Christmas Decorating

Is everyone asking if you're ready for Christmas? They're asking me and the honest answer is, the house is almost ready... and that's all I've focused on so far. The wreaths have been tricky.

Last year most of the windows wouldn't open and we discovered the latches needed to be adjusted on all of them. I was relieved because hanging wreaths sounded overwhelming so I had an excuse to forget it that year.

This year I had done my Pinterest research, so I was ready. Cheap, but lit (battery-powered) wreaths from Michael's. Ourdoor pre-made bows, also from Michael's. Lots of outdoor ribbon (that I'd already purchased last year.) And command strips made especially for windows.

Before Thanksgiving I hung three of the command strips on the windows to see if they worked and also figured out my plan of hanging upstairs wreaths from the inside of the top double-hung window. (Just close the window on the ribbon and wha-la, it's hung. Easy-peasy.)

The Command Strips on the glass didn't hold. But the one on the center rail of the 1st level window did. Courtney came home (before Thanksgiving) and was excited to see the wreaths being hung. No. I'm just practicing.

My solution for the casement windows!
Ribbon through the openings.
Wire hang the wreath from the ribbon outside.

After Thanksgiving I started hanging. I discovered that two of the double-hung windows were broken again. (Just the latches.) And one of the downstairs Command strips simply wouldn't stay. But the other three would. And then Thursday, the longest-lasting Command strip (the one I'd practiced with before Thanksgiving), gave out. Ugh. I had two wreaths upstairs and two downstairs.

Dan's partner walks by our house each morning with his wife and told Dan at work, "I can't figure out what's going on with your wreaths." Right. Us either.

The kid came to fix the upstairs windows on Friday (and taught me how to fix them in the future... I hope I remember!). And I figured out a solution that doesn't rely on Command Strips for the downstairs. And now our wreaths are hung, and we are ready for the Christmas season!

Another One's Home

Just as I was collecting the week's worth of mail from while we were gone over Thanksgiving and what had accrued during the rest of the week -- two armloads of catalogs and junk -- a car drove by and shouted my name. I could barely see in the dark, but as he pulled over, I realized it was Aldo! One of Marty's best friends since the first day of Kindergarten! He got home Tuesday from the Redlands, California Mission. It was so good to see him! We visited for a bit and he helped me carry the mail in. He shared with me a time after he'd decided to serve a mission and talked to Marty about serving, but Marty acknowledged he wasn't so sure. Aldo encouraged him to really consider his blessings and choose to serve.

Aldo's family are converts. Many years ago, Tania came to my house to pick up Aldo. I had left the new primary sharing time guide on the porch and she was flipping through it when I opened the door. "What's this?" she asked. I told her, but was a little perplexed. "Have you not seen this before? Are you not LDS?" She wasn't.

The missionaries came to ward council a few months later and gave us a 24-day challenge. 1) prayerfully consider 8 names to write on a list and 2) pray for those people daily and 3) read the scriptures daily. At the end of 24 days, we would be inspired to know who to share the gospel with. I added the Chipanas to my list. Over the course of those 24 days I had very special experiences with many of the people on that list. Even though I didn't sit down with them with the missionaries or give any of them a Book of Mormon, I knew I had been inspired to put them on my list and discovered many of them had needed prayers during that time. (My testimony that prayer blesses lives but I'm not sure how it works, is for a different post.) I was also inspired with ways to reach out to the Chipanas and friendship them even more than our normal friendship. This also included acting on promptings to act NOW on aspects of our friendship. We had them over for a BBQ with my dad and another member of our ward. We were about to leave on a trip and logically I could have put it off until later. But I felt it was important to do it right then. We did and it was lovely. I'll never know why it was important right that second, but from the urgency of the prompting, I knew it was.

A year or two later, I found out they were getting baptized. I didn't have anything to do with their conversion process. Or did I? I like knowing that I chose to do the 24-day challenge and I listened to inspiration of who to include, who to pray for and how to foster a friendship.  It didn't matter to me one way or the other if they were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were a special family to me regardless. I loved their son. They loved my son. We loved each other. And we have remained great friends. But they were so happy to be baptized and to be sealed in the temple with their family.

The beauty of the blessings we have on each other in life is not missed on me that many years later, their son was an important influence on my son to serve a mission.

***
Dan and I went to the Andrea Bocelli concert tonight. Beautiful!

We weren't supposed to take photos during the concert, so I didn't. But I wish had one that better represented the beauty!

Adrenaline

I made lists and lists on the flight home from New York. Lots and lots of planning for creating The Holidays. Things like: neighbor gift list, dinner ideas, and who to add to Christmas Card list. Then I made lists of what needed to get done and who I needed to call for home stuff and church stuff. Things like groceries, home maintenance and Young Women's responsibilities. Some lists were in my phone and others were on a re-order card from my magazine. (As long as I have a piece of scrap paper and a pen, I can keep myself busy for hours!)


I am three days home and have stayed busy non-stop for all of them. That's a huge accomplishment because sometimes I have big goals, but then I get a sinking spell in the early afternoon and suddenly I don't care about getting anything done. I just want a nap. But my adrenaline is rocking!

Monday was laundry, buying groceries, cleaning out clutter and pulling out the Christmas decorations. I also bought my neighbor gifts (Amaryllis from Home Depot). While I was doing that a designer came and put up the "classy" Christmas tree, the garlands on the mantles and the garland on the stairs. It was luxurious to have them decorate while I unpacked from New York, did the laundry and ran my errands. That night we took Nick and some friends to a Jazz game. Mid-game I was exhausted. But so happy at having been so productive.

Tuesday I spent an hour organizing my office -- I've never actually finished putting all the shelves up and the books neatly put away. I had my personal trainer, then straight to a hair appointment, Clara right after, Nick's piano carpool, then took two YW to buy fabric for our blanket activity on Wednesday, and finally, an evening mammogram. After being smashed flat (I so wanted to take a picture, but obv I didn't), I was right by Costco, so I bought stuff from my Costco list, and then stopped by the grocery store where we like their fresh juice and cut fruit.

Today I decorated for Christmas all day long. It was actually really relaxing because I wasn't rushed at all. I also mailed Marty's Christmas package and had a very successful Young Women's Activity making fleece blankets for refugees in Jordan (the country) and coordinating a video we're making for a special surprise project. Tonight I designed and ordered our Christmas Cards.

Just clicking things off those lists, a little bit at a time.

To top off all the "getting stuff done" awesome-feeling-mojo, one of my kids was mad because even though I bought the specific just-for-him frozen meals he asked me to buy, I didn't read his mind and buy the kind of chips he wished I'd bought and so "we had nothing to eat." 

And "how was it so hard for me to buy 'anything good' when I don't do anything all day long?"

And that's what its like to be a mom of teenagers.

I Believe

We are home!

Dan wants to watch a Christmas movie every Sunday during Christmas Season. He chose Miracle on 34th Street for tonight. Fitting since we just watched the parade and were in New York.

We got the boys to agree to a movie, but they weren't too happy with the choice. Especially when they saw it was black and white. Dan pulled up the newer one (90's version?), but they still weren't too excited.

Guess what? They loved it. My turn to choose next week.

I Believe!

Photos, Shopping, Shows and Food

Late nights are fun when you have time to sleep in the next morning!

We met Courtney and Carine for... brunch... at Jacob's Pickles at 1:00 p.m.

Sweet Potato cornbread french toast, biscuits and gravy. With fried pickles for appetizers. 

Carine was willing to come to the park with us after lunch and take family photos.

(Got those taken in the nick of time! Thanks Carine!)

Can't wait to get our missing one back!

The boys and girls parted ways because I wanted to shop at the Union Square Christmas Market. 

Nick was interested in trying ice skating in Central Park and Dan and Chris were willing to go! 

I made them promise to take lots of photos.

Unfortunately when they got there the zamboni was about to clean the snow so they were closed for 45 minutes. The boys decided to go to Wreck it Ralph 2 instead.

The Christmas Market was just what I was hoping for. I found some fun gifts.

We had just enough time after the market and before dinner to walk to Madewell so 

Courtney's closet could benefit from having Mom and Dad in town!

We had reservations at Plataforma, a Brazilian steakhouse (a family favorite) then the show "Come From Away." Courtney, Dan and I had all seen it. But we loved it so much we were excited to see it again and have the boys see it. It's so inspirational and touching. I cried through the whole thing.

By the time we got out of the show, it was pouring rain. But that didn't stop us from going down to Greenwich Village for Big Gay's ice cream. It's so fun that Courtney knows so many fun new places to try. 

Soft serve dipped in dulce de leche and Vanilla Wafers. The Dorothy! Yum!

We started streaming the BYU/Utah game at dessert thinking the worst. 

BYU made their first touchdown while we were waiting for the train in the subway station. By the time we were back at our hotel they had two touchdowns. We all crowded into our bed and found the game on TV. When they were up by three touchdowns at halftime, we were actually cautiously optimistic. Excited even. And then it all fell apart and we lost and it sucks to have had such disappointing seasons for so long. I like Sitake. I wish he could get some success. I was really hopeful when he became coach. Ugh. 

Our last night was still fun prior to losing. And by 1:30 a.m. there wasn't much time to wallow. Everyone had to go to bed so we could catch our Uber at 8:30 the next morning.

It was a great vacation. I loved being in New York over Thanksgiving. Maybe next year?! We'll see what Marty wants to do. And its not so bad saying goodbye to Courtney when we're going to be seeing her in a month!

The Fun Goes On and On

Today wasn't as windy as yesterday, and the sun was shining again, but it was still COLD! 

I started my late morning with a walk in the park -- my favorite New York activity.

Everyone was happy to get a chance to sleep in. We switched hotels to save some $ since we splurged on the parade view room. Then walked over to breakfast and Radio City Music Hall for 

The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

It was Spectacular!!

I Love Rockefeller Center at Christmas!

We made it through the crowds to Zara and Uniqlo for Black Friday shopping for the kids.

Pizza always sounds good in New York -- especially after shopping! 

Dan took us to his favorite pizza joint on 49th between Lex and 

We started considering movies we could see tonight, but Courtney hoped we could do something other than a movie. The fun was just beginning.

Dan got us tickets to the Knicks game much to everyone's delight. 

But first we visited Grand Central Station and caught the subway from there.

It was a close game and the Knicks pulled it off in the end. Great game!

But we had more sports to enjoy. UW and Wash U were playing in the Apple Bowl.

We headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for tater tots, wings and to watch the game.

UW pulled off the win in the driving snow!

And finally, at midnight, we walked over to Junior's for cheesecake and ice cream!

We loved that our night turned out so fun and spontaneous!

Thanksgiving in New York City

We arrived in New York, dropped our bags off at our hotel, and headed up to see Courtney's new apartment. We got to meet her roommate, Megan and then all of us went to Celeste's for dinner (Italian.) (I feel like I should keep track of these things because it's good to have restaurant ideas for New York.) (It was delicious, cozy and the owner was chatty. Quintessential New York. Or Italian. Or both.)

After dinner we walked over to the Natural History Museum where they were blowing up balloons for the parade. Things are different now than they were 20 years ago when we went. We got to 81st and Central Park West, but they sent us to 70th and Columbus to get in line. First red flag.

It was raining, so the line wasn't too long... until we got to Central Park West. Then it was a jam-packed wind-your-way-through-barriers Disneyland-style gate set-up. And from what we could see as we passed the park on our way to get in line, there were only 5 of 6 balloons set up. 

The kids were wanting to bail long before, but Dan and I stood united. Until I saw this mash of people as wide as the street and 10 blocks long. No way.

Dan was disappointed but he survived. 

We went to see "The Crimes of Gindelwald" instead. Good, but confusing.

It was freezing cold in New York! Good thing we were all bundled in hats, scarves, coats, boots, wool socks and long johns!

We got back to our hotel and had 30 minutes to shop at Whole Foods for snacks for the Thanksgiving day parade. And then because it was only 11:00 p.m., we all snuggled in mine and Dan's bed and watched the movie Crazy, Rich Asians.

At 9:00 everyone came to our room to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Courtney's friends Carine, Stephanie and Megan joined us too.

The hotel ballroom was hosting a viewing party with brunch and games for children. 

The view from our room wasn't as crowded so we didn't stay long, but it was festive!

Dan and I bundled up and went to the street to watch up close! 

Very, very, very cold!

Post parade, our guests went home and we napped and watched Uncle Drew (at Nicholas' request).

The kids ran out and brought home pizza for all of us and we also did some online shopping looking for coats and ski pants for the boys.

But at 4:30, we gathered again for the strongest Shaeffer family tradition. 

Passed down from generation to generation.

Dallas Cowboys Football. Dallas got the win!

Courtney had made us reservations for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (family-style) at Carmine's.

18 lb turkey with potatoes, yams, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for dessert.

The restaurant was bustling with Christmas music playing. 

Lots and lots of leftovers for Courtney and Megan to take home.

Roomies: Courtney & Megan

After dinner we went to Creed 2 (Christopher's request). How many movies was this already? Courtney had never seen Rocky, but she was game in spite of the boxing theme. We assured her it had a lot of heart. And a very catchy theme song. We all loved it! It's been a memorable family day!

Errands with Courtney

Would you laugh if I told you that all this shopping (in the photo) took place at Harmon's? (A grocery store!) Amazing that we could find toys and even clothes along with food and treats. (The Target bag is a red herring -- just a reusable bag filled with Harmon's treats for Marty.)

Errands with Courtney: New retainer scan (and fun to visit with Bart -- our ortho and Jenny's husband.)
Harmon's to buy stuff for Marty's Christmas package. (And making ourselves laugh and laugh!) Dave's Health and Wellness "horoscope" and hopefully healing appointment. Shoes and lunch at Nordstroms and lotion at Bath and Body works. Snacking on honey mustard Snyder's pretzels in the car.

Courtney had plans with Taylor that night and Dan and a business dinner. So Nick and I ordered Uber Eats. I'm on vacation already.

Gathering

Young Women temple trip yesterday to Oquirrh Mountain. We didn't have an appointment and arrived at 8:00 a.m. A 2 hour wait, but everyone was patient. I got to work handing out baptismal clothing -- kind of fun to have a job.

One of the girls recognized after that although she was frustrated having to wait that long, it made her think of the people who are waiting to have their work done. And she was glad to sacrifice only a couple hours of her time for them. What a beautiful perspective.

Which one is Courtney?

It was fun to have something to keep me busy because all day (and all week) I've been counting down the days until Courtney comes home! And to add to the fun, EC came too.

People keep saying at church all day, "How fun that Courtney is home for Thanksgiving!" And we get to tell the funny story that we're actually going to New York for Thanksgiving. Had the trip planned for a year. And then Courtney's friend got engaged and getting married Tuesday. So Courtney came home, then we're all flying to NYC together on Wednesday. Hilarious.

So we had Courtney and Gram for Sunday dinner. And Courtney's friend, Arianne, came as well. And so did Kory, because he was coming up to Salt Lake to take Gram back to Jo's. Loved getting a chance to catch up with Arianne. And being with Kory is a riot. He's so witty and kept us laughing throughout dinner!