NOT A CREATURE IS STIRRING....NOT EVEN A MOUSE!

Merry Christmas! 

Ol' Santa has come and gone at our house and it's kinda spooky with everything so quiet....the presents are all gone....the food's all gone....the kids are all gone.  Only thing left is one tired ol' Kristyemac.  But, boy, did we have a good time!  Loulou breezed in with her daddy on Thursday and Christmas was on.  Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't have our baby around.  The eyes of children see things we adults seem to forget sometimes.  They find joy in the simplest of things....a certain ornament on the tree...a special song on the stereo...a stocking "re-hung" with the utmost care.

Thursday night was spent riding around looking at all of the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations here in Ocean Drive.  The best stop was here in our own neighborhood where a family puts on a live nativity scene every night the week of Christmas.  LouLou insisted that we get out of the car... leaving Daddy and Uncle Zack behind....to get as close as we possibly could so as to see the baby Jesus in the manger.  Don't know what gets in to me but I cried like a baby when I saw her looking at the wise men, the shepherds, the angel, Joseph and Mary and the little baby doll lying in their makeshift manger.  LouLou looked up at me and put her little finger to her lips and said "Sssshhhhhhhh, MeeMall..You'll wake the baby Jesus!".  I coulda just pinched her jaws off right then and there.

Yep...Christmas is a wondrous time for children.  LouLou has special ornaments on MeeMall's tree that she looks for every year.  Wasn't hard to find them this year, 'cause I had left my tree up since last year....Yes, you read that right.  But we didn't light it up until Christmastime!  We got the tree lit and she was all smiles when Uncle Zack's childhood choo choo train ornament started huffin' and puffin' and blowin' it's horn.  But her favorite ornament is a small church and she pushed a button so a choir inside starts singing old time Christmas hymns.  She played and played......and played...that ornament the rest of the night. 

MeeMall's tree has homemade ornaments that Daddy and Uncle Zack made when they were little, as well as some LouLou has added to the collection.  She loves to hear the stories of when they were little and how much fun they used to have at Christmas.

We decided to open her gifts early because she needed to be back at her home, in her bed, by Christmas Eve so Santa Claus would be able to find her.  The gifts were kinda slim at our house this year, but you wouldn't have known it.  LouLou opens every one of 'em like they were worth a million dollars.  She even got excited about her new toothbrush and toothpaste in her stocking!

And oh, Lordy.....that singing Santa Claus.  Now she's big enough to shag dance with him...he just didn't want to cooperate with his male lead the way he was supposed to!  The dancing didn't last long, but MANY songs were sung with him...over and over and over. :)

We had three days of laughter and fun and going out to eat.  MeeMall didn't cook anything this year...A little Christmas gift to myself.  We ate pretty good and there were lots of homemade cookies and fudge, thanks to wonderful friends!

LouLou departed on Saturday afternoon and there's just my oldest son left at the house with me.  We had a few visits from friends, watched a couple of movies and did a whole lot of Facebookin'. The evening was topped off with a steak dinner and sharing memories of bygone Christmas mornings.  Turned out to be a great evening...some quality time with a grown son who wanted to be Mama's little boy one more time. 

Now it's Christmas day...mid-afternoon.  My boys were up and at 'em early, opening gifts and checking out which one might have gotten more than the other.  We laughed...MeeMall cried a little bit...the youngest left for more holiday festivities...the oldest took my old pickup and car and washed 'em up for me....then he left, too.  I'm not sad...I'm happy with my memories and feeling blessed with grown children who still like to spend time with their old Ma....but it's mighty quiet!  Josey, my canine baby, seems quite content to have things back to normal...and quiet!  She's actually snoring.

While on my computer the past few days I have had one of those internet radio stations playing Christmas songs in the background while I "worked".  One artist kept getting my attention so I went to youtube and found some other songs by him.  Leon Redbone...I think I'm in love.  I can't believe I've never heard his music before and I absolutely love him!  Very different, but there's something about his voice and style that has relaxed me beyond my wildest dreams.  I have been a bit stressed lately and Mr. Redbone took it right outta me.  Check him out...to each his own...but I hope you find him as entertaining as I do!

I especially like his version of "Christmas Moon"...Think it might be the whistling...My mother used to whistle just a pretty as he does when she was happy.  I've always wished I could whistle like that!

Here's hoping all of you are enjoying (or have enjoyed) a wonderful Christmas!  Kristyemac here is planning to just chill for a little while....maybe even take a nap...while listening to some Leon Redbone...and I might be snoring just like Josey in a few!

In the meantime...Remember...If all else fails...Keep on dancin'!

Kristyemac

I'm tickled pink you stopped in...Now won't you TALK to me and leave a comment?



GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Wow...At 58 I have a lot of Christmas past memories! 

My first Christmas was in 1953...I was 6 months old.  We lived in a little tiny "flat top" house on Prison Camp Road in Lillington, NC.  My brother would have been 9 years old and it would have been his second Christmas with his new dad.  I'm sure he felt a little pushed back with the new bundle of joy in the family getting the most attention!  Oh well..it wasn't MY fault....and I WAS cute as a bug in a rug!

My brother and I shared many wonderful Christmas mornings and probably due to the age difference we never fought and had a great time together.  Of course I don't remember that first Christmas, but remember MANY more after that!  Tradition in our family was to go to bed on Christmas Eve with an undecorated tree...the PERFECT tree according to my daddy....and wake up Christmas morning to the most beautifully decorated tree I had ever seen!  It had bubble lights, old family ornaments and tinsel....Tinsel like you've never seen!  My parents would put 15 to 20 boxes of tinsel on that tree, one strand at the time...It had to be hung JUST right...only about an inch on the branch with the rest hanging down perfectly straight, over and over and over on each branch....It glittered like an icy wonderland with the bubble lights giving each strand a different color.  I thought we had the most beautiful Christmas tree in the whole world....and I may have been right!  And to think that Santa Claus decorated it made it even more special.

Memories of tricycles, banana bikes and Schwinn's....Betsy Wetsy dolls, Chatty Cathy, Thumbelina and Barbie...Lots and lots of games and gloves.  Sweet memories of growing up with a great family at Christmas!  I still remember the first presents that my brother picked out, bought and gave to me.  He was working at Kelly and Randall Drug Store and with his hard earned money he bought presents for everybody!  I got a green alpaca v-neck sweater and a bottle of White Shoulders perfume.  I wore that sweater til it was was just totally worn out and still think of Bobby when I put on my White Shoulders.  These two presents were probably the best ones I ever got because I worshipped the ground he walked on...and he had picked those our JUST FOR ME!

I guess the next big Christmas memory for me would be my first Christmas in my own home with a new husband and a new life.  Hang on to your hats...I got married my sophomore year in high school...to my BEST friend.  We had 11 fantastic Christmas' together....lots of laughter....making $50 turn into 50 gifts...Christmas Eve parties at my parents, Christmas morning at his parents...lots of pretty silly looking Christmas trees.  Oh and let's not forget Christmas Eve at my Aunt Leona's!  She always included us just like we were one of her children and laid out a spread of the BEST food in town, including her famous homemade ham and biscuits!  Miss Randy, my parents and my Aunt Leona...but still have fun holiday memories with all of them. 

Then comes parenthood and having children of my own to start our own Christmas traditions!  How sweet is that?  There can't possibly be better memories than your own babies growing up and being able to play Santa Claus.  Our Christmas Eves were spent at my parent's house where their annual Open House would be held.  Friends, old and new, gathered at their house for fun, music, holiday cheer (if you know what I mean) and lots of good food.  This was my father's favorite night of the year.  There were people that came year after year from my first Christmas til it was now my boy's waiting for St. Nick.  Sometimes Tommy Brown would show up in his Santa suit....some couples would bring their children who were now grown and home for the holiday..and there was always a dog or two in the mix.  Many, many fond memories of Christmas Eve at Paul and Dolores McDonald's!  Then it was back home to get the boys in bed so Santa could come.  Believe me, they were always passed out within minutes after the party at Grandaddy and MeeMa's!  I'd be up the rest of the night putting Santa Claus together and getting food ready for Christmas morning brunch.  The boys always got up and were allowed to see and play with their Santa Claus goodies but we had to wait for the others before the gifts were unwrapped.  Granny Ann, PaPa Eldon, Meema, Grandaddy, usually Johnny Todd and Aunt Bea from across the street....what a great crowd to enjoy presents and then the adults had a Christmas morning casserole with fresh ambrosia and ham/biscuits while the kids played with their new toys.    I sure do miss the look on their little faces when they'd come out of their bedroom to see what Santa had left!  We'd have the early afternoon for ol' Ma to relax, then head up on the hill to Meema's for gifts and dinner with the whole family.  We had some wonderful Christmas day's up on that hill!

I guess the most out of the ordinary Christmas memory we have is the year my son Zack and I decided to just get outta dodge for the holidays.  My parents had passed away.  My other son was not going to be available for Christmas...and there was just the two of us.  At the last minute we decided to heck with sitting around during the holidays with our lips poked out.....So we booked a cruise and off we went.  Definitely a different holiday for us, but we had a ball....A one time event, as we now know that no matter how small the family Christmas needs to be at HOME!  Home is the magic word.

Now I've got LouLou.  My boys are grown...My parents and grandparents are gone...I'm the old one and the festivities have gotten a whole lot smaller....But we still have a fun Christmas...with family and friends.  I have continued the tradition of the Christmas Eve party, but this year that's been put on hold.  Just not enough time with the new job to get everything in order.  LouLou is what will make THIS Christmas so special.  I get another chance to see the excitement of Christmas through the eyes of a child...and LouLou does the bestest job of entertaining MeeMaw!



Looking forward to making more memories in years to come...Wish I could get all of my photos on here, but alas, the old scanner has conked out on me as I work on this project.  I guess the purpose of this particular blog is to remind us ALL that Christmas is a time for family...as we grow older our families change...as do our traditions....but Christmas still comes and Christmas still goes...and it's in our hands what we choose to do with it.  I choose to cherish every minute of it!

Merry CHRISTmas to you all...and don't forget...keep on dancin'!

Kristyemac

I'm tickled PINK you've read my blog...Now won't you PLEASE talk to me...and leave a comment?

AN OCEAN DRIVE CHRISTMAS

Being raised in a small North Carolina town I feel right at home when Christmastime arrives here at Ocean Drive.  Driving down Main Street OD it's hard to tell the difference between here and Lillington, where I grew up.  There's the same lighted decorations and Christmas flags on every other light pole and the store fronts are all cheerfully decorated by the owners and their staff.  We have some great shops that SHOULD be bustling with holiday shoppers but everybody has headed for the malls.  I'm gonna do my shopping downtown. 

Beach Memories, owned by local artist Becky Stowe, has something for everybody on your list that loves Beach Music and it's history.  From Williams Lake to Pawley's Island, there are books, prints and framed artwork depicting memories of our youth.  You can spend $5 or $500, depending on your budget and your shopping list.  If you've never stopped in at Becky's shop plan to spend at least an hour. You'll still leave without seeing everything she has.

The new Clothes Center, owned and operated by Richard Taylor,  has some really good buys on designer clothes for men and women.  He has new merchandise every time I go in there.  My favorite thing he's carrying this season are his Tommy Bahama style silk camp shirts with Santas and other Christmas embroidery.  I LOVE them!  Richard is a likeable guy and takes the time to get to know his new customers.  You're not gonna get that at the mall!

Need something for that person who has everything?  How many of you folks that live in this area have never stepped into Two Blonds On The Beach?  These gals have some fun gift items, as well as clothing.  Never fails to put a smile on my face when I go in there.  Great prices, too!



If you live in Ocean Drive....or just come here for SOS...EVERYBODY has to visit Judy Collins at Judy's House of Oldies.  There's something there for anybody who loves our music.  If Judy doesn't have a CD or 45 that you're looking for she will get it and ship it to you.  Great selection of dance shoes and other dance memorabilia from yard flags to glassware.

I can't go in Hope Taylor & Company and leave empty-handed.  This shop has some beautiful items and also carries the Tyler Candles that I love so much.  The perfect place to shop for the ladies on your shopping list..and she has some good sale items all the time! 

North Myrtle Beach has a good variety of shops...all downtown...and we need to shop LOCAL and SMALL BUSINESS to keep our downtown alive and prospering.  It's not ALL about the clubs and restaurants.  Please consider shopping local, whether you live here or in another town.

Well, now....I guess I'm through with my "Chamber of Commerce" rant...Let's get back to why I love Ocean Drive at Christmas! 

Christmas kicks off here every Saturday following Thanksgiving with our annual Intracoastal Christmas Regatta!  How can you NOT get into the spirit of the holidays by bundling up.....joining friends old and new...whether at Captain Poo's...on the deck at Filet's...on the bank at the old swingbridge...or from the deck of a good friend's waterway home....sipping on hot chocolate or adult beverages...and watching the hard work these boat owners go to providing a wondrous light display on the waterway?  Kinda gets me all tingly inside every time I see it! My favorite memories of the Regatta are when my mother was still alive and living in a condo on the waterway.  We'd gather our chairs and flashlights....traipse out to the water's edge...and anxiously await the first boat coming down the waterway...always late, of course!  Flashlights are VERY important during this boat parade...whether showing your approval by madly swinging the  beam onto your favorite boat(s)....or shining the light onto your face while hollering to friends on the boats going by to show 'em it's really you hollerin' at 'em.  Mother always loved the Regatta and usually had a house full of folks partaking of her warm hospitality, cocktails and FOOD before and after. 

We still have an old fashioned Christmas Tree lighting and I am always amazed at how many folks come out for this.  Gets you in the real spirit of Christmas!  The town of North Myrtle Beach does an awesome job putting this together.  They have Santa Claus for the kids and complimentary hot chocolate for everybody.  This is usually the kid's first visit of the year with Santa and it's always fun to watch their eyes and smiles.  I always find myself singing Christmas carols to myself on the way home. 

Then it's time for the Parade!  We have one of the BEST small town Christmas parades....hasn't changed much in many, many years...other than getting larger.  We still have girl and boy scout troops... local churches with pickup trucks loaded down with kids...lots of fire trucks...local high school marching bands...small business homemade floats...lots and LOTS of golf carts...and of course, Santa bringing up the rear!  Beauty queens riding in convertibles...clowns...rescue squads beep-beep-beeping their horns..and local TV personalities!  Bring it on, Ocean Drive!  You just can't beat a small town parade where you know just about everybody in it.  I LOVE a parade!  Can you tell?

Usually by this time I have all of my decorations up and running...presents bought and wrapped...plenty of holiday food in the fridge and pantry...and nothing to worry about except which Christmas party to go to and what to wear.   Gonna be some disappointed folks this year, especially LouLou.  Luckily, if you've read my previous blog posts, I never took my tree down from last year...Yep...it's still up.  I plugged the lights back in last night and I think that's all I'm gonna get done this year.  No big parties planned...no time for shopping...and I just can't seem to find the energy to get the yard decorated or the rest of the house.  I am SO glad I left my tree up..and ya'll thought I was crazy!  Smart, if you ask me!  Tree looks just as pretty as it did last year when LouLou and Misty decorated it for me....thank goodness. All I had to do was knock the dust off of the bow at the top...Hehehehehehe!

Yessirree...Can't beat Christmas in Ocean Drive...I think I'll put on some boogie woogie Christmas music and chill out.

Remember the reason for the season, my friends..and until next time, dance on!

Kristyemac

I'm tickled pink you've read my blog...Now, won't you TALK to me?  Please leave a comment!