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

 

 



Do Not Be Afraid.......

 

 

Throughout our lives we are haunted by fear. Fear can be good. It can keep you from doing stupid, irresponsible things. It can give you an odd feeling when you are approaching a dangerous situation. When you are a child your parents can put fear in you really quick with discipline. I was never disciplined that I did not deserve it. And probably not disciplined as much as I should have been at times. That fear that accompanied discipline was to keep me safe from harm. So that I would learn what I should and should not do. I have repeated the same with my children. You want them to learn to not speak to strangers, look both ways when you cross the street, don't put things in your mouth that could harm you, etc. These are examples of good fear.

 

I am a God fearing woman. Do I sin? Of course I do. I am human like everyone else. However, I always have the fear of displeasing God. I grew up in a great church with an even better youth group and youth minister. You knew wrong from right. You knew the power of prayer. But most importantly you learned about the Bible and the importance of God's word. One example is below:

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

                                                                   Joshua 1:9

 

This is a very powerful verse. In reading this should we be afraid or frightened? This verse clearly says to not be, just trust that God is with you always. Fear can be crippling. If we did one thing each and every day that we are afraid of then our lives could be totally different. Maybe we would stand up more for what we believe and not worry so much about what someone else thinks. Maybe we would speak to that stranger that is just wanting someone to talk to. What if we let fear keep us from asking out our significant other the first time? One of the best quotes ever is from the movie

We Bought A Zoo-

 

 

"All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage and I promise you something great will come from it."

~Benjamin Mee

We Bought A Zoo

 

I love that. 20 seconds of insane courage could change your life! That could not be more true and really gives you a thought to ponder. I believe fear can be a gift in the right circumstances. I also believe that fear can hold you back from endless possibilities. So each and every day when you hold back from doing something you really want to do but fear takes over, remember Joshua 1:9 and quote from We Bought A Zoo. You will go further and see more than you ever imagined.

 

June

 

"It's better to look back on life and say: "I can't believe I did that." Than to look back and say: "I wish I did that."

                                                    ~Anonymous

 

 

BASKETBALL BAAABY!!!

 

 

As I said before I am from Kentucky. Kentucky is known for two things, horses and UK basketball. Our fans are crazy (including me) over their Wildcats!!! It has been that way all my life. When I was a preteen my mom would take me and a few friends and family over to Wildcat Lodge on UK campus. We would stand outside and wait for the team to come out after practice hoping that we could possibly meet them and get their autograph. March madness is true madness in Kentucky. When a game is on everything else is on hold. Some preachers at the churches even know that if a Kentucky game is going on around noon then the sermon needs to be quick! We also love our Coach Cal!!

 

 

We have our own little basketball star in our house. We think so anyway. Parker plays basketball for the sixth grade middle school team. He is a lefty and plays point guard. Basketball is his favorite sport. He also plays baseball in the spring, which is mine and his dad's favorite. I show up to his games usually in high fashion with my "bling" shirt on. That is when I am not wearing scrubs because I am rushing to the game after work. Parker is actually not old enough yet to be completely

appalled by his parents. In due time. I cannot believe he is a preteen. Soon he will be dating, driving and wanting very little to do with his parents. It seems like yesterday that his little newborn head was nestled under my chin. He was a mommas boy. Time certainly does go by way to fast:(.

 

Here he is under his UK blanket. What else???

 

Parker and his sister Alli and cousin Will @ Rupp Arena. We were there for a circus not a UK game but hey it is still RUPP ARENA!

 

Our future UK basketball player. We can dream.......

 

Actually no matter what sport Parker wants to play or not play is fine with us. We are just so proud of the young man that he has turned out to be, We could not be more proud. But in the event he becomes a UK basketball player, that would be OK too. We Love You Parker Douglas, and GO BIG BLUE!!

 

June

 

"Be quick but never in a hurry"

                          ~John Wooden

 

 



I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream!!

 

 

Ice Cream has always been one of my guilty pleasures. There is just something about the creamy, cold, delicious goodness in ice cream. When I was 4 years old my dad started a dairy bar named The Kwik Draw. I have so many fond memories of that restaurant. I distinctly remember the first items we taste tested in the new restaurant as it was being built. We tried out the hot dog warmer complete with bun warmer, ummmm. And we tried out a brand of ice cream to see if it was the brand that my family wanted to use. The flavor was Pralines and Cream and it was delicious!! That indeed was the ice cream company we would go with.

 

 

The Kwik Draw had a bunch of different food items to choose from. We had our famous Double Decker or as some would call it The Country Boy. This was a double burger divided by a bun with all the fixins', complete with our homemade cole slaw on the burger. Every morning my dad would make our secret coney sauce, homemade chili, and cake for the hot fudge cake sundaes. My father along with my grandmother Elsie worked so hard. I did not. I got to just indulge in all that Kwik Draw had to offer. Mostly the 30+ flavors of ICE CREAM!!

 

 

We had all kinds of flavors. The classics, Chocolate Chip, Mint Chocolate Chip, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, etc. We also had the originals. Smurf, Superman, Bubblegum, Strawberry Cheesecake, Smores, and I could go on and on. We also had soft serve ice cream and yogurt. They were delicious as well, but I was all about the hard dipped ice cream on a cone of course!

My family sold the Kwik Draw when I was eleven. Mine and my older sisters hand prints are still in the concrete outside of the old building. We often gather around and talk of the good ole Kwik Draw days. Complete with my dad telling how he would call every night to see if any of us girls wanted anything. My older sister and mother always had reasonable request. Me on the other hand, I wanted a triple scoop cone of three different flavors, just like the one pictured above. My dad, not one to disappoint would make me my triple scoop cone and balance it as he drove all the way home to my little anxious hands.

 

My taste buds have changed over the years, but my love of ice cream remains. I think we all have that one comfort food and mine is indeed ice cream. Maybe it is the taste? Or maybe it is the rush of happy memories that accompany every bite. The sweet memories of my childhood. So yes I will diet, deprive myself of foods that I love, but there will always be a place for ice cream!

 

 

June

 

"You can't buy happiness. But you can buy ice cream and that's kind of the same thing."

                              ~Anonymous



Sunday. A time to worship, a time to rest.

 

 

Sundays are always bittersweet for me. They are a great day to spend with family, go to church and have fellowship, maybe even curl up under a blanket on the couch and watch a movie. But there is always the dreading of MONDAY. I try to be thankful for each and every day that God has given me however, Mondays can be a little difficult. Well enough about that M word and lets get back to today, SUNDAY!

 

 

Coming off of this long holiday weekend I am feeling a little more rested than most Sundays. The sad part is even though I have had four days off of work I have not gotten a thing accomplished around this house:(. Of course in June fashion I have said, "I will do that tomorrow". Well time is up! I must get up and get this house half way clean so that I can start the week off without that looming over my head.

 

 

This morning our family went to my childhood church. It is always like going home. We changed churches a couple of years back so that my children could have more youth to fellowship with. My previous church has unfortunately slowed in growth over the years, so there are very few youth there. However, my grandparents still attend that church. My daughter is 7 years old and does not have a shy bone in her body. Give her a microphone and an audience and it is on! She was invited to sing this morning at church and she was all for it! She sang "Down To The River To Pray" by Alison Krauss. She did really well and a lot of family had come to watch the big performance. Right before she went up to sing, the pastor had the morning prayer of which always ends in The Lord's Prayer. As we all started to speak in unison my little outgoing songbird Alli looks up at me and says loudly,

"They stole this from our church!" speaking of The Lord's Prayer. Never a dull moment with that one! She went on to sing beautifully and I am just a little proud. After church we went with some of the family that had come to watch the performance to lunch.

 

Now I am here again not doing what I need to be doing. But this is so much more fun! I guess I will get to work. The moral of my blog today is, 1.) enjoy your Sundays and don't waste them dreading Monday, 2.) don't put of till tomorrow what can be done today, 3.) The Lord's Prayer is used in a lot of churches, and 4.) no matter who, what, when or where you are asked to sing, SING!! Sing your heart out! It just may make some ones day. Happy Sunday friends!!!



 

June

 

 

"As much as you want to plan your life, it has a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than you originally planned.That's what you call GOD'S WILL."

                                                                                                    Anonymous