Dec 3, 2008

HE'S MAKING A LIST

SCENE: A peaceful home in Mishawaka, Indiana. A Spinster Stitcher has just entered the living room of her little house dressed in a robe a slippers. Her hair is wet from the shower. A little dog perches on the back of a loveseat.

SS: OK, Stewey. Mommie is all done with the decorations now, so she's going to sit down and enjoy the evening.

S: Done? What do you mean you're done? (The little dog looks around with obvious displeasure.)

SS: I decorated the mantle, put the decorations on the tree, and set up the long table with the nativity and the three wise men that you like so much.

S: What about all of the other stuff?

SS: Well, honey, Mommie is very tired this year and just doesn't seem to have as much Christmas spirit as she usually does. So she's decided to scale down all of the preparations and just enjoy this time of the year without any stress.

S: You're kidding me, right? I have to say, Mommie..I am extrememly disappointed to hear this from you. I spent hours and hours up in the studio looking through all of your old Martha magazines, clipping photos, arranging recipes, searching for things online.....and now you tell me you're TIRED? What the $(%*@#&, Mommie! (He gets up from the perch and comes to stand directly in front of her as she tries to relax in the Happy Chair.)

SS: Stewey! You know I don't like that kind of language! And you also know that Santa Claus will not come to see you if you're not a good boy and be nice to Mommie.

(A long silence ensues, in which the little dog glares angrily at his mommie and wishes all kinds of terrible things to befall her. He comtemplates biting her on the ankle. Then he looks at the stichy project she has resting on her lap and considers the damage his overbite would do to the lovely thread. Finally, in a fit of rage, he throws himself off of the ottoman, stomps into the bedroom and throws himself into his little bed with a heavy sigh. The Spinster Stitcher turns on more of "The Sopranos" videos that she's been watching and picks up her stitching. Bliss ensues.)


I'm not sure what's wrong with me this year. I confess to feeling a bit...BLAH HUMBUG over the whole idea of the holidays. And, if you knew anything about me, you would quickly realize that this is so totally not like me that you would call the authorities.

I did finish half-ass decorating the house last night, but I'm finding it all very unsatisfying. I usually Clark Griswold my way into a house that looks like it could be sitting in the North Pole its Very Self. An eight foot wreath over the garage, illuminated wreaths hanging in every window, lovely trees and white lights framing the doorway, and Christmas magic everywhere you look.

This, of course, usually takes me a week and a half to assemble and then I'm the only one that looks at it for the two and a half days that constitute Christmas, and then I'm left fretting in the Happy Chair that I won't take it all down and put it away until March again this year.

So I took a stand. I decided to do a bare minimum and to heck with what the neighbors think. (Now, I'm sure if you asked my neighbors what they think of Miss Coni J. Rich Her Very Self not hanging Christmas decorations this year they would probably say "Who? And which house does she live in? Does she normally put decorations up? Never heard of her.") So what's the point, really?

Stewey will just have to deal with it. I suspect that he will throw this major pout until February, but that's just too damn bad. In the words of my beloved mother: I EEES DE BOSS AND YOU EEES DE BOSSEEEE. Stupid dog.

I finished the inner motifs on LJP's "Christmas Quilt" last night. I'm still loving this and hope to get the background installed tonight. Then it's on to one of Laura's famous borders and we can call this another Christmas finish for the year. Woo Hoo!

In the meantime, please enjoy a few pics of Chez Spinster Scrooge....I figured after all that work SOMEBODY should get to see this stuff other than me and you-know-who.

21 comments:

  1. Well whatever Stewey thinks, I think it looks beautiful!! Well done. Love the Laura J too.

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  2. Just discovered your blog through a friend. :) I think your decorations are lovely and plenty to get in the spirit. Darned ole Stewey anyway. Perhaps you can bribe him with some other treat.

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  3. Your tree is lovely and love reading your blog. I have a wide silly grin on my face right now :-)

    Pierrette =^..^=

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  4. Stewie's crazy! Your house looks very festive! And so much room under the tree for oodles and oodles of pressies! As a spoiled only "child", he should be happy about that at the very least!

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  5. It looks lovely, and sometimes you just need a change and less stress...

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  6. Hi Coni,

    You've done a very nice job decorating! And if you are not in the mood this year, you aren't.

    By the way, you aren't the only one who has left decorations up for quite a while after the Holiday's. I don't want to think about the year we all got sick right after the Holidays! :-)

    Stewey will come around. If not, have him start planning the Spring decorations or what you will plant outside once it warms up! :-)

    Cynthia
    Windy Meadow

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  7. Hi Coni,

    Forgot to add I'm enjoying seeing your progress on "Christmas Quilt". :-)

    Cynthia
    Windy Meadow

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  8. I think that Christmas spirit has an ebb and flow. You just have to go with the flow. I think your place looks great!

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  9. Tell Stewey that LESS IS MORE!! I'm with you, sistah, I'm paring down this season too. And your home looks divine and oh, so chic!

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  10. It is lovely! Thanks for sharing! I also love the piece!

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  11. You've done a lovely job! Last year, I couldn't get any "manly" help with our B.A. Tree, so the tree skirt went over the oversized ottoman, presents on top of tree skirt! Some visitors didn't even notice. ;-D Marnie

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  12. For your Christmas colors on Laura J. Perin's Jewel Box, do you remember what colors and fibers you used? I absolutely love what you did.

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  13. I forgot to tell you that if you remember the Christmas colors you used you can contact me at blake@cfu.net

    Thanks.

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  14. Your Christmas Tree is so-so-so LOVELY! I only decorate for myself also....I don't even have a pet. Sometimes it just seems like why do it....but I would miss it terribly if I did not at least get the small tree up.

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  15. I love your decorations even if Stewey doesn't.

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  16. Your decorations look gorgeous, whatever Stewey thinks.

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  17. I find that it takes a few Christmas shows to get me in the spirit -- Rudolph, Grinch, Charlie Brown and A Christmas Story. Then, I listen to Christmas tunes -- the old fashioned ones.
    Cheers,
    SG

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  18. I too am feeling a little more stressed than usual this year, and not my usual christmassey self.

    I have not put up all the usual decorations either....

    But really enjoyed the photos of your home. It's lovely. Stewie should be proud.

    Also, your Laura J. is sooo pretty!

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  19. 2 words for that Stewey.....Simple Elegance! I am so envious....It loos absolutely beautiful....My haose is crap EVERYWHERE.......yours is festive and pretty.....

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