SHOP TILL YOU DROP, literally!



 

OK. So my husband and I are fixing to head out for last minute Christmas shopping. I know I have mentioned the fact that I hate to shop and I hate crowds, but I feel it is better to wait until the crowd is the largest and craziest it can be.........(sarcasm).

 

 

We normally end up in a huge fight and by the time we arrive home we are not speaking. I will keep you posted on how this goes. I may even include some pics. We are planning on starting the day of at the Windy Corner Market and Cafe. I have heard a lot of great things about it. I will keep you posted on that as well.

 

Usually a shopping trip ends with a threaten of divorce, we will see. We have been married for 15 going on 16 years. The threat of divorce is immeasurable. That is what makes us stronger, HA! Seriously, he is my best friend we are just so opposite. But that is the recipe for success.

 

Wish me the best of luck and I hope everyone has a very happy Saturday! Just a few days left till Christmas. Make as many wonderful memories with your family possible. This year for Santa Alli and I will be making the "original recipe" Nestle Toll house Cookies like my momma use to make. Should be interesting. I will keep ya posted on that too!

 

Happy Shopping Everyone!!!!!

 

June

 



2013 HERE I COME!!!

 

 

Well here it is December 20th, 2012. Do you know what that means? IT IS ALMOST NEW YEARS!! It is almost 2013. Which means it is almost time to make a New Year's resolution. I have made many of them. However, I am not sure that I have ever followed through with any of them. But this time, this time I have started this blog. It will hold me accountable. If I fail I want each of you to let me have it!! Well, don't yell at me cause I have never liked that so take your caps lock off. NO, NO leave your caps lock ON! I can handle it.

 

OK. So here it goes. My 2013 New Year's Resolutions are:

 

1.) Live a healthier lifestyle.

This means eat well, exercise, take more time for myself and my health. (original resolution huh? I am sure nobody has used that one).

 

2.) Each week do at least one thing from all of my pins on Pinterest. Whether it be a recipe, craft, decor, etc.

I have probably 3000 pins and have actually completed 2. But you just wait. I will be completely honest about the turnout of each pin, like a Pinterest FBI agent. Hmmmmm, impressive. Now how would that look on a resume?

 

 

 All of this is pending whether I survive the Apocalypse or not. I will know by day after tomorrow if there is a day after tomorrow.

 

To sum it up, I am going to eat ANYTHING I want through Christmas. I mean come on, should anyone diet through Christmas? And I am going to continue to pin on Pinterest like a mad woman without completing one project. Then come 1/1/2013 look out world here I come. Now if I fail don't judge me:(. This should be a lot of fun and hopefully my body and house will look fantastic! I will post pic's.........of my Pinterest projects that is, not my body:). If any of you have any suggestions for either of my resolutions please share. I need the help! Oh and if you want to follow me on Pinterest it is under June Hix-McCreary.

 

June

 

"If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you."

~Fred Devito

 

 

 

Let's Talk!!!

 

 

As I sit here tonight I am reading many views of people, friends on face book about gun control. Of course this has come from the tragic events of 12/14/2012 where a man, no a boy took 27 lives, not counting his own, which in deed was a life on that fateful day. Yes I did a blog on this the other night but with a different purpose.

 

I do not like to blog on the negative. However, there is a lot of negative in America as well as the rest of the world at this time. It is my opinion, my view. Do you have to agree with me? NO. But if you are reading this then I hope you may take my view into consideration.

 

I am a mother. I would at any point of any day lay my life down for my children. We as parents want to protect our children in every aspect. From bullying, to their choices in life, to the clothes they wear. unfortunately we cannot be there at all times in their lives. All we as parents can do is try to set a foundation for them to know how to handle certain situations and completely trust in the Lord that they will be safe.

 

The tragic events of 12/14/2012 have turned from sympathy and grief across America to many other topics like gun control and what schools should and should not do to protect our children. I am an American, and I value my rights as an American, but do I believe that maybe GOD himself is trying to wake us Americans up? Do I believe that bad things, huge things happen to try to get our attention so that maybe changes will be made? I believe that God gives us many wake up calls and it is up to us to wake up or stay asleep in our own belief. I want to believe this is the United States of America however, this is the DIVIDED states of America. This saddens me beyond belief. If it is this bad now then what is it going to be like for my children as adults?

 

This evening I had an eye opening event. I was scrolling on face book and on my news feed was Emilie Parker's parents in an interview with Katie Couric. I had watched Emilie's father in a press conference the day after the shootings which was amazing, but this interview for me was life changing. These parents that lost their precious little girl, when asked by Katie Couric if they are mad at the shooter said NO!! They said no. Not only did they say no but they also stated how they could not imagine the place that he, the shooter, must of been in. The dark place that drove him to do this. They are not walling in self pity, they have compassion for the being that took their child's life. That is GOD'S work. That is faith. What would God do??? I as well as you know what God would do and these parents of this precious angel know what God would do and are able to feel empathy for the boy that took their daughters life.

 

To be honest that was almost to much to bare. How shallow am I? How selfish are we as Americans? As I have said in a previous blog, I generally am not a grudge holder. I don't even like the person I become when I am holding a grudge. To put it simply we cannot change anyone. All we can change is ourselves and how we react. I am now holding a grudge with someone. I feel she wronged me over and over. Finally I said enough! As the old saying goes, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Then I hear the Parker family speak. This boy has killed mercilessly their little girl, and they are not mad at him and even ask for prayer for him and his family. Suddenly everything came into perspective. These parents have faced the worst thing imaginable and can have forgiveness and empathy for this boy, and I cannot have the same over a petty situation?

 

Let me just end by saying again this has been a life changing event. Do I believe all of you should agree with me? NO! Do I believe that we all should have more of an open mind about things? YES! Do I believe in gun control? YES. I believe that we all should have the right to bare arms to protect ourselves, but I do not believe that anyone other than military has the right to assault weapons. Again that is my opinion and I know a lot disagree. However, please ask yourselves, "if this were your child that was killed by this type of gun in this setting would you still be for your guns?" I am not saying we are not entitled a reasonable gun that can protect you and your family. But to me there is no place for those types of assault weapons in a general household. I am so disappointed in people that I thought would totally change their views since this tragedy but have taken this opportunity to give their political stances. What would GOD want you to do??? We should ask ourselves.

 

June

 

"Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others."

~Jacob M. Braude

 

 

 

 

I Believe There Are Angels Among Us.

 

 

As I sit here today writing this post I, same as many others have all kinds of emotions rushing through me. This past Thursday and Friday I filled in for a OBGYN within our organization. My plan was to blog about being a part of some peoples most joyous times of their life. I am still going to do that but with a somewhat different purpose.

 

This OBGYN office is located in an adjoining building as my OBGYN office. I have to go to these buildings several times a week as it is part of my job. Each time I walk across the catwalk and into these buildings same as I did several times 11 and 7 years ago during the pregnancies of my babies. Seems like yesterday. The buildings look and smell the same. I had horrible pregnancies and felt just awful but I would go back and relive them in a minute. The overwhelming excitement you feel in anticipation of the birth of your baby. You just cannot wait till you can hear your babies heartbeat or possibly get a glimpse of them through ultrasound.

 

Parker

Alli

 

This week I got to witness a lot of soon to be mommies and daddy's. You can just see the excitement and fear in their eyes. The moms generally are grinning from ear to ear and the dads are nervous. I got to be in on the first ultrasounds of two couples that got to find out the sex of their baby. Again I was overcome with the memories of these very moments with my own. These couples are just getting started.

Parker and I in the hospital.

 

 

 At the same time as I was filling in on Friday 12/14/12 for this doctor and being with women that were bringing new life into this world, a evil being was taking several innocent children in Connecticut out of this world. It is so hard to even wrap my mind around this horrific tragedy that has unfolded. One 20 year old man forever changed the lives of 20 children's families and 6 adults families. He single handily took these innocent lives in a school where children go to learn and socially grow. Where teachers and administrators are working diligently to give these children an education and safe learning environment. Not to mention taking his own mothers life and then turning the gun on himself. It has since been a fog and everyone you meet seems to be in shock. Everyone with the same question, WHY??? How can anyone do this? What happened to this person that could cause him to do something so unimaginable? When I decided to do a blog I did it with the intent of being able to chronicle different events in my families lives so that memories would not be lost. Unfortunately this is not a memory that any of us want to have, but it is indeed one that will forever change our lives in some way. What is this world coming to?

 

Parker and Alli

 

One thing I know for sure is I am sitting here right now with my little7 year old daughters head in my lap while she is sleeping and listening to my son giggling in his room while he is playing a game. None of us know why this tragedy unfolded but I do know that I am so very blessed. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. All we have is now! Unfortunately it can take something so awful to make you stop and realize how truly lucky you are. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those families that will not be able to have these moments with their loved ones again. May God give them comfort and peace. We all need to remind ourselves regularly to slow down and take nothing for granted for in a second it can all be taken away.

Alli's little feet (above) and little hands.

 

June

 

"Children are precious gifts sent from heaven."

 



A McCreary Christmas!!

 

 

 

 

 

Well here it is December 11th and I just completed MOST of my Christmas decorations last night. Let me start by saying I love the holidays. Thanksgiving is quite relaxing for me as I do not cook (thank goodness for everyone else sake) therefore, I can just go to my in-laws then my mom's and eventually my dad's and enjoy! Each house brings a completely different atmosphere but each house is wonderful. Delicious food, laughter, children playing all around, some tension I mean it can't all be perfect. All in all it is great.

 

Then there is Christmas. The music, the excitement on the children's faces in anticipation of Santa, the baked goods, warm fires and cold winter days with occasional snow, (well Kentucky has been more like Florida the past couple of winters) but you get the picture. Then there is the shopping and the decorations. Those to words make me CRINGE!!!!! Those of you that think you know me probably did not know that I despise shopping. I do not like crowds. I do not like lines because I am way too impatient......that last part will not shock anyone that knows me. I do not like standing there thinking, "Will she like this? Or will she like this better? Or maybe she needs this or that." I mean seriously I turn into the GRINCH!! Give me one day, a computer, a credit card, and enough money in my bank account to cover the cost and BAM it is done! No stores no crowds just me in my pajamas shopping away with a smile on my face! Black Friday, NO WAY!!!!! Cyber Monday, YES!!!!

 

Now that we have covered the shopping, on to the decorations. When I was a little girl my parents

would take us children to a Christmas tree farm in a neighboring county. We would sing Christmas carols and walk and walk looking for the perfect tree and eventually we would find it! My dad would cut it down and drag it out and tie it to the top of the car. We could not wait to get home and trim the tree. Those fond memories will stick with me forever. Well my children are DOOMED!! In my adult life I have never bought a real tree. I have a 6ft artificial Dollar General Charlie Brown tree. At one time it was pre-lit which was wonderful! You just put the two pieces together and plug it in and voila the tree is up! But no, the lights have now gone out. I loathe Christmas tree lights. I huff and puff and untangle and sling them on the tree (literally) and then half work and half don't! That is when I lose it. The bigger problem is when you go to the store and they are out of lights so you go to another and another and another. NO LIGHTS!! I try to take my lights that are currently working and stretch them throughout the tree. I mean there are ornaments for those holes, right? Finally it is time to put the decorations on and by this time I am so frustrated and the kids are just over it, so I usually end up trimming it myself. Just long enough for our precious boxer Mason to come each and every day and pull one ornament or more off and chew them up.

 

 

 

Here is an example of the half lit half not strand. Gotta love it!

 

And so it begins!

 

Tree #1

 

Tree #2

This is not my taste now necessarily, but it holds the most precious memories. Our first angel and tree skirt as newly weds. Priceless!

 

My mantle adorned with Christmas pictures of Park and Alli.

 

I think we all lose the meaning of Christmas from time to time. Who cares if you don't get the perfect gift for someone? Who cares if your tree is half lit? It is about the birth of Jesus. It is about being with the ones you hold dear and being thankful that you have yet another year to spend with them. Don't sweat the small stuff.  Remember the reason for the season. But if you happen to drive by my house and see a Christmas tree laying out in the front yard, no worries. It is just part of the McCreary Christmas. Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

 

June

 

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

                 ~ Maya Angelou

 



What is it about that little elf???

 

 

 

What is it about that little elf? Those of you that don't have an elf on your shelf are missing out! I am sure most of you have heard of Elf on the Shelf. My mother bought my family the Elf on the Shelf a few years ago. Now for those of you that are not familiar with it I will give you a quick explanation of how it works. The elf comes with a book. You read the book after Thanksgiving to your children. In the book it talks about naming your elf and the fact that each night the elf will fly to the North Pole to report to Santa on the children's behavior. Each morning when the kids get up they search for the elf. He will move to a different location where he has been to the North Pole and back. It is a tricky little elf.

 

 

 

Alli left her elf little pieces of cookie for Santa and the elves.

 

My kids were so excited. One wanted to name him Leroy and the other wanted to name him Corduroy. So his name was born, "Leroy Corduroy". At first I did not know what to think about the elf because it came with a lot of responsibility. What if I forget to move Leroy Corduroy (of which I did a few times) then what? Did that mean that the kids had been bad and therefore Leroy did not leave? OH NO! The first Christmas with Leroy Corduroy stressed me out, but then it came to me. This little elf is magical! It is like having a personal sitter. You can use him to threaten your children that if they are not good at school or home then Leroy will tell Santa and we all know what that means.......Coal in your stocking!! It even helps them get out of bed in the mornings with the game of finding him. You can also come up with clever ways for him to be found. He toiler papers the tree, rides around with Barbie in her Corvette, Zip lines through the den, and hangs out in the freezer because after all he is from the North Pole.

 

 

Leroy likes to read his book.

 

My son is now 11 and no longer believes in Santa. My daughter is still holding on. This may be the last year and I am cherishing each and every day of it. Christmas just is not the same without the belief in Santa. The magic is gone. The first week or so after Leroy appeared Alli left him all kinds of things to take back to Santa. Letters of her Christmas wishes and apology notes for when she thought she may have disappointed him. Oh to have a child's imagination again. Not a worry in the world. The only worry she has is if Leroy Corduroy is going to give Santa a good report or not.

 

 

 

 

I am sure I will continue to do the Elf on the Shelf until the kids are grown and on their own. It is now a tradition. And even though my son does not believe in Santa anymore he still likes to hunt for Leroy Corduroy. One day I hope to have grand kids that will enjoy Leroy just the same and maybe even have one of their own. If you do not have an elf you must get it. Just remember to move him or her every night!

 

June

 

" Believe in the magic of Christmas"

 

 

 

 

 



Can't we all just get along???

 

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

 

Have you heard those words or said those words before? I know I sure have. These words are said often in many different scenarios. When your children fight, when you and your spouse don't quite see eye to eye, in politics between Republicans and Democrats trying to make a decision. I could go on and on with examples. However; will this ever happen? Do we want it to happen? My answer is no and I will explain why.

 

It seems a lot of hurt feelings have been in the McCreary household lately. Not just with the children, but the adults as well. I am really not a grudge holder. I tend to take and take, forgive and forgive and then all of the sudden one more thing happens and that is it! I don't know why people feel the need to bring others down. Is it their own unhappiness? Their insecurity? What is it? Have you ever had those friends, family, etc. that no matter how hard you try they will never like you? This use to bother me a lot. But not anymore. Because we cannot change the way someone else feels, or what someone else does. We can only change ourselves and our perception of things. We are the only things that we have control over. You know how I have admitted to being a quote-a-holic and there are certainly a lot that I could use right now for my feelings but there is one in particular that comes to mind, The Serenity Prayer:

 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

 

Those are some very powerful and true words. My little Alli is seven and looks like she is twelve. Often people think that she should act a lot older than she actually is because of her appearance. She is also very intelligent. She was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Alli has always been one to dance to the beat of her own drum. She is who she is and it is your decision rather you take it or leave it. She can be very hard to handle at times. Very demanding with her friends because she is the leader and not the follower. She is also hilarious and you certainly never know what she is going to say or when or where she is going to say it. She has friends that love her just the way she is, with all her little unique quirks. But then there are girls that cannot understand her and can say very cruel things. Generally Alli let's things go which I admire about her. But every now and then the tears start and her little heart is broken. She feels left out. And has even said, "Mom why am I different, why can't I be like everyone else?". My response, "Because you are unique. God chose you to be special. It is easy to be like everyone else but it is very hard to be your own person. One day you are going to make your mark on this world. We don't know how but you will. And I love you for that and would not change a thing about you ever!".

 

 

 

 

 

 Look at Einstein. People thought he was crazy. He was definitely different. But where would we be today without his brilliant mind and his quirks? Do I think this is going to be easy on Alli or me? Nope. Do I think it is worth the fight? Absolutely! I wish I was as secure as she is, as witty, as free willed, carefree, accepting and loving. We could all learn a lesson from her. I know I do each and every day. I just thank God that he chose me to be her mother and share with her all of the good things coming her way. Look out world here she comes!

 

June

 

"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

                             ~Proverbs 31:25