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Fishnet stockings are hot and they evoke different memories and reactions from different people. For me, I do not remember much of dance music videos from Madonna, and scan almost anything and wearing sexy fishnet stockings. A video that I remember, in particular, where he acted as an exotic dancer at a peep-show!

In those days, you see the young generation, which takes in the Gothic style and the punk movement, black fishnet stockingswith the rest of their black cabinet and black makeup. Personally I think the only time I have fishnet stockings, which does not seem too sexy to see. The white faces with makeup seems to be that someone is dead as a vampire or simply not there for me.

Overall, with the exception that I mentioned above, fishnet stockings, it seems right, the woman even the most innocuous looking for an evil eye. My wife is quiet and reserved most of the time anyway, even in public! Become aother person behind closed doors and one of her favorite holiday is Halloween, when he dresses up as someone who is very sexy as last year, when she wore Naughty Nurse costume. I will not go into details, suffice to say that does not seem shy or innocent!

The exact origin of fishnet stockings and even, as some say they were introduced and worn by prostitutes and exotic dancers first discussed. I remember, because on some of the older playerslate 40s and early 50s. Where and when it is not always so important to me, all I know is that for the majority of women are very sexy and I know many men who are resisting.

If the expression lattice was popular in the 80s were flown by a mini-skirts, bright colors, and we started to see a rainbow of colors in clothes sexy. I remember a girl at school who wore a faded denim look with fishnet stockings seemed really hot! In the '90s they startedView shirts and skirts in the network model, which is very popular in nightclubs and the people who run in gangs because they are so cool.

Now, with so many different colors you can wear fishnet stockings with almost anything. Do not be afraid to try, I guarantee that attention! Be creative and experiment with different colors and settings and have fun.

It’s Viola’s birthday today, if you’re a www.abbywinters.com member remember to wish her a lovely day on her thread. Oh, and do ask her to post a few pictures of her gift from me… wearing it, preferably.

Dear Little Sister,

Thanks for being the best, most darling, friend a girl could ask for. I hope the new year brings even more sushi & cupcake dates, cheesy photo shoots, “omgyouneedtoreadthis!” book swapping and lots of happiness for the both of us.

Love,

Big Sister. xox

]]> http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/the-binomial-coefficient-of-a-bombshell/ Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:55:36 +0000 Cajsa Lilliehook http://cajsalilliehook.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/the-binomial-coefficient-of-a-bombshell/

The new Bombshell dress from Bijou is an entire wardrobe in and of itself. Well, okay, that’s a slight exaggeration. Nonetheless, exploring all the options will make you crazy. There’s at least three different ways of wearing the top: bra, blouse, blouse with white sash, not to even mention to wear or not to wear the collar or the little black shrug.  And there’s even more skirt options. Let’s just say that the following formula would just get you started.

But it’s Sunday and I am not going to dig out my calculator. Instead I dug out the old G.L.A.M. metallic leggings that are tintable. The color tint I chose was r=220, g=165 and b=85.  G.L.A.M. is now Viva La Glam and sadly not selling these particular tights, but there are many tintable tights options – including some lovely ones at fashionably dead. The shoes are Armidi.

Here are some long options.

Even more long options.

You could call these the hubba-hubba options

The lovely short cut is Noah from Truth.  Yes, boy’s hair. The earrings are the new Pearl Rose earrings from Dark Mouse and the skin is the wonderful group gift from Belleza – Alyson.

****STYLE NOTES******
Promotional Copies are denoted by a Bold R

• Poses: Reel Expression
• Skin: Belleza Alyson Pale Group Gift
• Eyes: PXL Creations Glow Yellow Green R
• Lashes: Lelutka Diva Prim Lashes
• Hair: Truth Noah
• Dress: Bijou Bombshell
• Shoes: Armidi Gisaci Dalia Pump
• Stockings: G.L.A.M. Metallic Lycra Tights (no longer available)
• Earrings: Dark Mouse Pearl Rose Earrings R

]]> http://roxiefox.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/tuesday-december-22nd-to-saturday-december-26th-2009-a-happy-christmas/ Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:11:29 +0000 roxiefox http://roxiefox.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/tuesday-december-22nd-to-saturday-december-26th-2009-a-happy-christmas/

Hectic is the only way to describe my day.  So much to do and so little time and with my wife now at home for school holidays, no chance this morning to do my regular depilation, exfoliation, moisturisation and general pampering of myself.  Time enough only to pull on a pair of pink lace panties and a matching bra beneath my male outer clothes.  With meetings in the city in the afternoon and much to work on in the office in the morning my day was full and then we had the office Christmas party in the evening.

On Wednesday though, i was up and out of bed before 5.00am and busy in the office finishing a little work but also putting my things together to go to Mistress Ana’s house and do Her cleaning.  i needed to get everything together in advance of others arriving to work and did so comfortably.  i also set up a number of jobs for my staff to get on with while i was out of the office, which was all day.  i left the office at 8.45am having delegated jobs and responsibilities and arrived at Mistress Ana’s just before 9.30am.  i had taken my dirty lingerie and a dress that also needed washing and put those into the washing machine the moment i arrived.  As i passed the downstairs bedroom, being used at the moment by Mistress Ana’s son and daughter in law, i noticed that the bed had been made but had since been lounged upon and so was untidy.  i could not resist going in and straightening it.

In the laundry, i noticed shoes that must belong to Mistress’ daughter in law.  i stopped briefly to admire two pairs of heels, thinking what good taste their owner had and wishing they had been my size for i admit that i liked them so much i doubt i could have resisted trying them on had they been anywhere near big enough!  i was surprised though, once in the laundry, to discover a small dog outside, whining at the door and wanting to get in and it yapped for a while once i had left and gone upstairs and changed into white lace bra and matching thong, white thigh high stockings, black patent leather stiletto heels, black mini skirt and black blouse, white apron and my long red wig.  For good measure, i added some lipstick and then set about my chores.

All of the curtains were drawn so i opened them up so as to get a good look at what might need doing and decided first that i would dust and wipe down all of the surfaces.  i worked systematically from Mistress’ en-suite bathroom, Her bedroom, then office and additional toilet before doing the kitchen and lounge followed by the staircase.  While doing so, i noticed that the bedroom and office windows really needed to be cleaned so i did them both inside and out.  While i was on the balcony outside the bedroom and office, i became conscious of a man from over the road being out in the front of his house doing some work in the garden.  i wondered what he was thinking for he must have noticed a mini-skirted maid busy on the balcony and i also wondered if he had noticed that i was bearded! These thoughts did not phase me though and i just worked on as quickly and as efficiently as i could.

Part way through cleaning the windows, i realised that my laundry would have finished washing so went back downstairs to hang it out to dry.  i kept the dog from gaining entry but did pat it and make friends with it before taking in washing on the line that had dried and hanging out my own.  Once i had done the windows and dusted and wiped all the surfaces i vaccuumed the carpets and swept the floors.  i wanted also to clean the tiled floors but was running out of time, having a business meeting scheduled for 1.30pm, so i quickly mopped over the worst areas so at least the floors looked reasonable – not as good as i would have wanted them to look but at least better than they were.

i so wished that i had had more time to have been able to clean the house more thoroughly and all the time i was cleaning there, knowing that Mistress’ daughter in law was living there, i was very conscious of the fact that in a way, i was essentially setting a standard by which someone else, other than Mistress, was going to judge my work.  Just as when Mistress’ youngest son was living there, i knew that he would see the results of my efforts, so too would Mistress’ daughter in law and i felt that she, being a woman, would be a far more severe judge of my efforts and i so wanted my work to be good enough to satisfy her for in a way, my performance reflected the control, influence and training i have received from Mistress Ana and for me to underperform would in a way reflect upon Her and any adverse criticism was the last thing i wanted.  Only time will tell whether i succeeded in my efforts to please all concerned.

Another strange feeling i had while working away at Mistress’ house was whether or not i might encounter either Her son or daughter in law in person.  i have said before that discovery, while humiliating, is something that i almost wish for because in my heart of hearts, i want people to know that i am a slave and belong to Mistress for in my opinion it could only add to Mistress’ already high esteem no matter what effect or how humiliating it might be for me and, as Her slave, the better i am in my work so too the greater the esteem reflects upon my Owner.  i do know of course that the true depth of my relationship with Mistress Ana has not been revealed to Her family and so would never do anything to change that but there is a certain part of me that truly wishes that it become general knowledge that i am owned by, belong to, am the slave of and gladly serve Mistress Ana, and that this is as much a function of my need to be known to be submissive as it is to raise the status of and aura that surrounds my Owner, Mistress Ana.

Christmas Eve was of course like a mad house.  i tried hard to complete outstanding work and send out new quotations and proposals for more work but didn’t quite get everything finished.  my children and grandchildren began arriving mid day but i had also to spend most of the morning running errands for my Wife – shopping for last minute things for dinner, lunch etc. as well as a couple of extra stocking fillers for my Wife.  The afternoon and evening was spent with family and we all enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve dinner of roast turkey with all of the trimmings.

Christmas Day began with early Mass at the local church followed by our traditional full breakfast outside by the swimming pool, cooked by myself on the barbeque and washed down with champagne.  We then spent a delightful morning exchanging gifts with most eyes of course on my grandson of 15 months.  By early afternoon all guests had gone and my Wife and i were left to our own devices – time to check out my own gifts and quietly relax and recover from the hectic last few days.  On the excuse of needing to download pictures from my camera, i was able to get over to my office late in the afternoon where i opened the gifts given to me by Mistress Ana.  She gave me a lovely “baby love” pamper pack and some chocolates making me feel very feminine and much loved.  i do have a gift for Mistress of course but She will not be able to receive it until we meet up again.

Boxing Day is a big sports day in Australia and also a major shopping day in the sales.  The female in me would have loved to go shopping but not in the mad crazy rush of the sales so it was a quiet day watching sport on TV and entertaining occasional visitors.  Both yesterday and today i wore the same pink lace bra beneath my male clothes with pink lace panties to match.  No real opportunities to go online but i did find out why “My Virtual Model” is not working – they are re-vamping the site and it will be back on line on January 4th.  By then i will be in England and staying with my mother in law.  Not much chance to be femme in that environment and it will be difficult enough to wear even panties beneath my male clothes to say nothing of keeping the CB-2000 chastity device secret.  However, i am almost at the point where i would like it to be discovered by my wife.  It would take some explaining but i have an idea of the approach i will take as and when it happens and somehow i want Her to know that deep inside i need such control on my sexual function and also need to express my feminine side.  She need not know about Mistress Ana but it would open up an opportunity for Her to take advantage of the situation and take control, something i have longed for all of our married life.  However, i seriously doubt that She would change Her approach to me and my ways but it would take away the need for me to be so secretive about wearing female lingerie and of course the chastity device if She would only accept that it is something i need to do.

After much preparation…

including sewing new Christmas stockings…

Christmas finally comes

with treats for the boy

and treats for my man

all manner of silliness

and kitty treats too

a family photo

and me, playing with my new camera

as the moon rises above the trees

There’s an awesome reading of Night Before Christmas in Hemingway style as written by James Thurber on this podcast about 2/3 of the way through:
www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=9911210

Another year has come and is almost done and with it another fun Christmas day within our family. Gisselle was gifted with tons of cool toys and Alma and I are off the same day without anything to do. Even Spooky had a stocking under the tree from Santa with plenty of toys and catnip to wear her out for the night. We also had a GREAT pre Christmas dinner with the Merritts.

Our pre Christmas shot of the Merritts who were kind enough to take us to dinner:

The girls before grubbing down:

The tree and Spooky:

Gisselle’s fun:

And my KICK ASS SAN DIEGO CHARGERS GEAR FROM MY AUNT AND MOM!!!!!

Thanks for checking out my blog for the day. I hope you got everything you wanted for Christmas whether it was Toys, Apparel, Electronics, or just enjoying family for the holidays. I hope you have a great New Year and may it bring you a prosperous growth in whatever you desire.

from:
http://www.twinklebulbs.com/trivia.htm
http://www.holidayinsights.com/
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20091224/APF/912241360

HOLDAY FUN FACTS!!!

The idea for using electric Christmas lights came from an American named Ralph E. Morris in 1895.  The new lights proved safer than the traditional candles, which often started fires by falling in the dry Christmas trees.

Candy canes began as straight white sticks of sugar candy used to decorated the Christmas trees. A choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral decided have the ends bent to depict a shepherd’s crook and he would pass them out to the children to keep them quiet during the services. It wasn’t until about the 20th century that candy canes acquired their red stripes.During the Christmas/Hanukkah season, more than 1.76 billion candy canes are made.

Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Druids used mistletoe to celebrate the coming of winter. They would gather this evergreen plant that is parasitic upon other trees and used it to decorate their homes. They believed the plant had special healing powers for everything from female infertility to poison ingestion. Scandinavians also thought of mistletoe as a plant of peace and harmony. They associated mistletoe with their goddess of love, Frigga. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe probably derived from this belief. The early church banned the use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations because of its pagan origins. Instead, church fathers suggested the use of holly as an appropriate substitute for Christmas greenery.

The tradition of gifts seems to have started with the gifts that the wise men (the Magi) brought to Jesus. As recounted in the Bible’s book of Matthew, “On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

In 1836, Alabama was the first state in the USA to declare Christmas a legal holiday.In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorates the first White House Christmas tree.

In 1907, Oklahoma became the last USA state to declare Christmas a legal holiday.

Due to the time zones, Santa has 31 hours to deliver gifts? This means that he would have to visit 832 homes each second!

Kwanzaa is a African-American holiday celebrating history, culture, family and community. It was started in California in 1966. It was created by scholar-activist Dr. Maulana Karenga. Kwanzaa is now celebrated all over the world, but primarily in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean.

Focusing on values, culture and history, Kwanzaa encourages people to learn more about their roots and to focus upon their values.

SPENDING: Holiday shoppers have brought retailers a mildly positive season.

Spending through Dec. 19 is tracking a little below the 1.6 percent growth forecast by ShopperTrak, a research firm that monitors sales and traffic at more than 50,000 outlets.

Merry Christmas!!
I found this LONG but neat poem of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas but it’s a Twilight version of it. Check it out here, or read below! Please comment! Thank you!

But be careful! This poem spoils Breaking Dawn – the fourth book in the Twilight Saga!

‘Twas the night before Christmas in the house of Cullen,
All were quite busy, no one was sullen.
Emmet downed a pine with just one blow,
Which Alice had decorated so grand, don’t you know!
Only one stocking was hung up tonight,
For a child named Renesmee, who squealed with delight!
For this celebration was made for one cause;
The arrival of none other than Santa Claus.

Back at the cottage, with paper and bows, Bella wrapped presents for Nessie…with Rose.
Delighted, that now, they were sisters, so dear;
It’s amazing what happened in just one short year.
Charlie and Sue, engaged, now, to marry,
Were also quite busy, no time to tarry.
Charlie cursed quietly under his breath.
They still couldn’t leave. Where were Leah and Seth?
When, finally, Sue’s two kids did arrive,
With the car fully loaded, they pulled out of the drive.
It seemed kind of silly to leave break of dawn,
But he wouldn’t argue, no, not Charlie Swan.

Carlisle and Esme were cooking up stuff,
But with werewolves coming, would there be quite enough!
Folks soon would arrive, but one thing to do first;
Go on a hunt to make sure there’s no thirst.
Alice could see that they still had one hour,
Which was plenty of time for some deer to devour.

Edward drove up with wrapped presents galore,
Brought some in the house, then went back for more.
“This time,” he thought, “she’ll accept what I give…
She’s my Bella, my wife, for as long as we live.”
On the back porch, Nessie did what she oughta,
For the reindeer, she put a big bowl of water.
Next to the tree, on a cloth made of silk,
For Santa, some cookies and a tall glass of milk.

Candles were lit and the tables were set
For a Christmas morning none would forget.
The music was playing. There were lights on the trees.
The house would be found with the greatest of ease.
The guests were arriving. All Cullens were there
To greet their new friends and wish holiday cheer.
People were laughing and eating the food.
Even Leah was in a good mood.
If one looked at Jasper, they’d see a broad smile;
He’d keep Leah happy, at least for awhile!

Only one person seemed very sad.
Renesmee said, “Mama, I must have been bad.
Santa should be here, but where is his sled?
Has he gone to see other children instead?”
“Hey, Renesmee,” said Emmet, “what’s all that noise?
Could that be Santa Claus, bringing you toys?”
Nessie ran to the window. All talking did pause.
For there in the yard was dear old Santa Claus.
Instead of reindeer, eight wolves pulled the sled.
By a ninth wolf, in front, the others were led.
“It’s Rudolph, Mama!” and Bella smiled back.
For the wolf, with the red nose, was Jacob Black.
With tears in her eyes, she thought, “Oh, that boy!
He’d do just about anything to bring Nessie joy.”
Suddenly, Santa was gone…that was weird.
He was now in the house with red suit and beard.
His eyes, how they twinkled. He carried a sack.
If you looked very closely, you’d see Billy Black.
Then Paul and Embry and others were there.
Soon, Quil arrived, carrying Clare.

It was a time full of happiness…no one was sad.
A celebration that good triumphed bad.
A time to put old issues to rest,
As each saw the other for their very best.
Then, Carlisle and Billy looked very mysterious.
“We have something to say, and it’s really quite serious.
Loyalty proven…It wasn’t an act.
And the time is right for a brand new pact.
Quileutes and Cullens exist hand in hand,
Free to walk on the other’s land.
If ever we’re threatened, with death, by others,
We’ll all stand together…sisters and brothers.”

With emotion filled comments and tears in some eyes,
People were hugging and saying goodbyes.
Cars, loaded with gifts, food, and holiday cheer,
All promised to be on hand next year.
“Renesmee is snoring, so we’d better go;
But Carlisle and Esme, I want you to know
I love you so much.” Bella said, so sincere.
“Before we go, let me make this quite clear.
The decision to change was mine from the start,
No need for another…your son IS my heart.”

Hands clasped together, Bella and Ed
Carried Nessie home, and put her to bed
“She’s perfect,” he said, “but then, so are you.
Who would have guessed, after all I’ve been through,
That I would have love and a life filled with bliss.”
Then he hugged her and gave her the most tender kiss.
Of course, there was more…’twas a night full of passion.
But, I’ll tell you the rest in Stephenie fashion.
The love that they shared was honest and true.
Having said that, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

Ken, my printmaking teacher, used to stock up on canned goods in early December, so he could lay low until the holiday frenzy blew over. I thought it was brilliant. Exposure to Adbusters, anti-consumerist punk ethos and St. Nicholas’ makeover at formative ages made sitting out of Christmas feel cool (and at least a little morally superior).

This year, though, I went for it—and I ended up engaging in the kind of crafty, modest home projects that I think accounts for part of Christmas’ appeal: to get excited and make things, to be creative, to express generosity and gratitude. Projects included stockings (two people can be a family, too!) and preparators’ mini tool aprons for some of the outstanding colleagues I’ve had the pleasure of learning from this year.

I also finished the poster for Southern Exposure’s upcoming exhibition, a series of four solo projects by Mike Lai, Genevive Quick, Lacey Jane Roberts and Andy Vogt. I had a great time exploring typography and printing with fluorescent inks in collaboration with SoEx, and am quite pleased with the result. Most importantly, SoEx liked it, and two of the artists have told me they were happy with it as well.

Something about really bad people doing the same ordinary things we “regular” folk do, but with their own unique spin on it, fascinates us. At one point in time, surely even the most sinister among us celebrated some version of Christmas as children. But you know there was that final time when the wheels came off. The year Hitler got his first paint set, Jeffery Dahmer’s first junior biologist kit or Jerry Falwell got his first Bible mark a few. Here we look into the colorful youth of Vlad the Impaler….and this one’s in color. Call it a Christmas miracle…just for you, our loyal fan.

Whether you celebrate the holiday by giving gifts, lighting candles, feats of strength or hoisting the bodies of those that cross you on the ends of large pointy sticks, have a great holiday season!

christmas at vlad's house

How many Christmas stockings does a person need?

A new one each year?  Probably not.

Each year, I give my family a “stocking” of sorts.  This year I decided to make it something a little more useful than just another stocking.  This year it was a small (8″ x 9″) drawstring bag.  A bag filled with chocolate “coins”.  Each bag was personalized with a quote to reflect the the interest of the person receiving it.

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For the women in my life, a Coco Chanel quote. 

“There are people who have money and people who are rich.”

After the goodies are all gone it can be used as a jewelry bag, a makeup bag, to collect spare change or just to hold her precious “treasures”.

As a bonus, the lucky recipients of these bags can tell everyone they got a “Chanel” bag for Christmas.

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For the martial arts aficionado, could anything be more appropriate than a Bruce Lee quote?

“The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be.”

Not large enough to store nunchucks; it can be used to store cufflinks, other jewelry, coins or other treasures that might be collected.

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For the aspiring actor, a quote from Winston Churchill.

“It is better to be making the news than taking it, to be an actor rather than a critic.”

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And finally a quote from Peter Parker for the young comic fan, this bag lined with images of his favorite superhero.  After the goodies are gone, it can be used to store many of his childhood treasures.

“Who am I?  You sure you want to know?  The story of my life is not for the faint of heart.”

Tomorrow is Christmas Day

Hi! I’m Ginger, and I’m looking for ways to make it feel like Christmas all year long.

I’m so excited!
It’s Christmas Eve, and tonight is the night Santa Claus comes to fill the stockings with toys and fruit and candy.
I’m determined that I’m going to stay up all night until Santa arrives, so I can meet him and tell him thank you for his gifts.

I’ve been waiting for this special night all year long, and I am so excited!
I think if we can feel the thrill and the anticipation of Santa’s visit whenever something important is happening, we will have the spirit of Christmas all year round.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day! See you tomorrow! – Ginger

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!  What a magical night it is!  After all these weeks of preparation, the long awaited moment is finally here.  I can still so clearly remember the excitement I felt on this night as a child.  I dreamed of seeing Santa Claus in person and insisted on sleeping out under the Christmas tree every year in hopes of catching a glimpse……but I never did.  And now this year, my little Nik tells me she is going to sleep on the couch so she can see Santa.  How hard I tried to stay awake all those long years ago, how heavy my eyelids would become, how I would tell myself I could close my eyes as long as I stayed awake listening………how it makes me smile to think of my daughter carrying on the tradition.

I have a few last Christmas things to share tonight.  My last Christmas card of the season.

Making Memories Mistletoe paper, K&Co. die-cut and rub, Webster’s Pages Ivory & Cream trim from the Elegant Trim Collection.

An early Christmas present I received from my sweet mom.  A gorgeous white feather tree to add to my tree collection.

This tree holds most of the hand-made ornaments that both the kiddos and I have made over the years. It holds their tiny fingerprint reindeer and wooden stick framed photos, clay cut-out snowmen, fun-foam creations and my scrapbooking ornaments from years past.  Treasures, each and every one of them.

And here are a few of my favorite handmade ornaments that I made back in 2005.  I enjoy these so much, I might have to make a few more next year.

Thrift store spoons turned into cute little snowpeople.  This is the pair I made for my kids.  They look pretty spiffy in their striped scarves and touches of Stickles bling.

These snowmen were made from acrylic paints and Stickles glitter.  No special treatment is needed to paint on the metal, nor is it necessary to seal the paints afterward. I just made two ball shapes from white paint, and after drying, I created the dots for the faces and buttons using the back of my small paintbrush.  Let dry between each stage as you add the rest of your finishing details.  Once the paint was completely dry, I applied brown chalk pastel to the edges with a Q-Tip.

I also made some country cousins to my city slicker snowmen.

Here is another Christmas present I got from my friend yesterday.  I became familiar with these Lori C. Mitchell figurines for the first time this Halloween, and I now have 3 Halloween pieces and this fun Christmas guy.   This is Tinker Twinkle, new for 2009.

I think he’s shocked to find himself stuck under glass.  Look at the expression on his little face.

And before I go tonight, I have one final project to share.  My brown paper bag gingerbread man Nik and I made together in an art class when she was 2.

Trace a gingerbread shape onto two flatted grocery bags.  Cut out, stuff with newspaper, and hot glue together. Paint and decorate and love forever.

Thank you so much for spending part of your Christmas Eve with me.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas day tomorrow with the special people in your lives.  Merry Christmas everyone!

2009 Christmas Poem for Carter Household written on Christmas Eve

For family and friends

All Things Christmas

Last night the reindeer hoofs

Were beating a sweet tattoo on our roof.

Santa came with his bag of gifts

And, now today through them we will sift.

On this Christmas day, folks sit around Christmas trees

Piled around with gifts as high as the eye can see.

Each gift a warm thought for family or friends

An expression of a love without end.

It is commonly believed that our Savior Christ

was born

about this time of the year.

And, we rejoice on this day, for his birth did take away our fears.

So, we, like the shepherds, bring gifts to those we love

And gently place them under the tree, remembering Christ above

and his great love.

Santa Claus is the patron Saint of many a country,

And he is a traditional part of our Christmas holiday.

Santa has a Ho-Ho laugh, a round belly, a broad face,

And with gifts, Santa does little children’s sadness erase.

Through the windows of homes throughout our land

You will see lighted Christmas trees displayed on their stands.

Each tree a lighted symbol and reminder

Of Christ, our loving and caring Savior.

According to legend, Saint Nickolas once rescued

three young girls through action bold

By throwing down a chimney into their

stockings three bags of gold.

True to tradition, we hang our stockings on the night before

Praying that Christmas Day will find them sagging

with goodies galore.

Mistletoe was used by Druid priests hundreds of years ago

And those who kiss under the mistletoe have the

promise of happiness that overflows.

So, family and friends today stand under mistletoe

and seal their love with a kiss and an embrace

For the mistletoe is a symbol of peace and love

that does unhappiness displace.

Holly,

Ivy, and greenery,

Poinsettias with their green branches

And red leaves,

And candy canes

With their red stripes,

And Rudolph with his nose so red

All greet us on this Christmas day when we rise from our bed.

Our minds are filled with loving thoughts

for cherished ones

gone on before.

And, our hearts overflow with warm feelings for absent family

and friends whom we adore.

We give thanks to God for his goodness on this special day,

December 25, 2009

For to our mind, this Christmas Day is most fine.

By

 Tom Carter

(Adsom)

If my daughter was alive – just turned one and growing up – we would have given her presents this Christmas.  We would have had two stockings to fill and she would very much have been a central part of our Christmas celebrations.

Since that is not our reality, I wanted to share a few of the things we have done in memory of our daughter instead.  It is true, that in time it is possible to find beauty through the loss.  It is not enough to compensate for missing my baby Abigail, but it is special to do the most that I can do as her Father.  To do things that are worthy of the loss I feel.  I think others think some of the things we do are morbid but they are not.  The fact that she died is sad but I am celebrating her life not reliving her death.  People don’t always get that which is a shame as it distances them from me.

I have already posted about the money we raised in memory of Abigail and the picture of Abigail we have put in an engraved photo frame in our lounge.  Here are some of the other things we have done in memory of Abigail.

In Loving Memory - Abigail Joy

This is the Christmas decoration we had made for the first Christmas after Abigail died.  We have had a tradition since we got married of buying a new decoration each year.  This was the one for 2008.  It says “In loving memory – Abigail Joy, 2008″ on the front and “Always in our hearts” on the back.  The pink snowflake is one that someone sent us a couple of days ago in memory of Abigail.  Very kind of them.

Baby Peach Tree

Last summer we bought this baby peach tree for the garden.  It should have bright pink flowers in the spring/summer.  It got sick when we first bought it but we enjoyed nursing it back to life.

Orchids

We also have an orchid in the house which we bought on Abigail’s first anniversary.  I like the fact that this may flower at random times and surprise us.  In my head pink is Abigail’s colour as I think (only because I want to) that she would have been a pink princess kind of a girl.

Footprint

I wrote a poem for the funeral service we had for Abigail.  We have put this up in our kitchen along with her name, footprint and date of birth.

Poem

This was one of the first things we put up visibly in our house and it resulted in quite a few conversations with people who didn’t even know about Abigail.  Some helpful, some not so helpful.

Photo of Abigail's hill

The hill where we scattered Abigail’s ashes is near our house – about a 20 minute walk to the place where I took this picture.  It is a beautiful spot.  My wife and I go here regularly together and alone -  to reflect, pray, cry.

I have taken quite a few pictures of the place and from the place (like this one here) which we have above the stairs in our home. If ever we moved away, these photos would be even more special to us.  But for now we have the real thing within a short work.

Daddy's necklace

Mum's teardrop bracelet

with Abigail's footprint

This Christmas, my wife and I bought each other a gift to remember Abigail from Alexandra’s Angel Gifts.  Mine is this necklace which says her name with birth date on the front around a copy of her footprint.  On the back it just says “Father’s Joy” which is what her name means.  My wife has got a similar bracelet in the shape of a teardrop.  The footprint on them was made from the original print of her foot taken in the hospital.

So these are some of the things we have done in memory of Abigail.  We are currently working on a mosaic pot too and I will post about that when it is nearer completion.

I would love to hear about some of the things you have done in memory of your baby.

Well, almost.

"Stockings Were Hung" (Holiday Fireplace Scene) Nikon D300, 17mm, F/22, 8s, ISO 400, SB900 Speedlight with Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud, -1.7EV

The fireplace candles will most certainly NOT be lit so Santa can safely make his way down the chimney!