December

For the month of December, I chose to post a daily Christmas memory on Facebook. I just went back to copy all of them to post here:

 

CM1:
I've always loved to make Christmas ornaments and it's a tradition that I've carried on with my little family. The first ornaments I remember making were the white bisque figures that you painted. I wonder what ever became of them?!

CM2:
There were five us in my family. I remember one Christmas where there were so many gifts under the tree you couldn't get anywhere near it. It looked like a sea of presents.

CM3:
My Dad was always pulling pranks on my Mom. One year he gave her a gift that was wrapped in progressively smaller boxes. And some of the boxes were wrapped in tightly wound newspaper. Knowing his antics, she refused to go any further after the first few boxes. She just knew he hadn't even put anything in it and was just doing this to torture her. He assured her there was something in the last box. After about 20, she finally opened a beautiful cluster diamond ring. I guess her efforts were worth it

CM4:

Like my Dad, I’ve always been a prankster. Five years ago, we had 10 lab puppies. We were only going to keep one chocolate boy. I had a few clients that were going to take the remaining 9 puppies, but Cassidi fell in love with the yellow girl. I told her it was already given away. She pouted and asked me which was more important, her daughter’s feelings or my client’s. I told her my client’s since I had made a promise before she had changed her mind.

Fortunately for me, this client has a heart of gold. We conspired and she played along with my prank. On Christmas Eve, she came to pick up the puppies she requested. She was taking a chocolate boy, the yellow girl, and a white girl. We gathered them all up and headed for her truck.

I slipped Leslie the collar I had made with Daisy’s name on it. She put it on her and then trailed off in Cassidi’s direction who was sulking going back to the dog’s cage. She told her she thought something was wrong with the dog. Cass whipped around with the look of “What could possibly be wrong with the most perfect dog ever?!

She saw the name on the collar and burst into tears. I was crying right alongside of her. Of course my daughter’s feelings mattered the most and it was probably one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten to give someone. Sorry for the prank, Cass, but I know you still love Daisy more than anything. Well, other than Jen of course.

CM5:
When cell phones finally became affordable to the everyday person, I decided to get one for Tony for Christmas. I was so proud of myself in getting the perfect gift for him. I'm awful at surprises, but I had gotten it early, hid it to charge it, and kept the secret. One day when I got home from work and had gotten the mail, Tony for some odd reason was there that day going through it with me. We had gotten Christmas cards from all over and were looking at each as I opened them. I opened this one that didn't have a return address. It had a Santa Claus on the front talking on a cell phone. I was perplexed, and had no idea what the inside was going to hold or whom it was from. And dang it if it wasn't from the cell phone company thanking us for our purchase! I burst into tears and ran out of the room knowing that the wonderful surprise I had planned was foiled. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, Tony didn't have a clue what was going on. I had to explain my tears and he got his cell phone early. I called up the company and gave them a piece of my mind the next day. They didn't seem phased. But he did enjoy that cell phone anyway.

CM6:
For Cassidi’s first Christmas, she looked like a speckled puppy. She was two months shy of being a year old to get the chicken pox vaccine. That was one shot she didn’t have to get. She was still adorable.

CM7:
Everywhere I go, I get a Christmas ornament for my tree. When Tony’s and my Mom were still with us, I got one for them, too. For Mom’s last Christmas, she put a lot of the ornaments from our travels on her tree. Someone finally found them and they made their way back to me a few years back. We have a special container for each of them and every year we put them on the tree. It’s so special to have them and think of her as we’re decorating. Miss her much.

CM8:
I like animals, but those that live outside. The girls always wanted a dog. In 2000, we finally decided that with Tony working from home to help train an inside dog, it was time.

We did the research and found that chocolate lab males were basically foot warmers. Tony started to search for a puppy for Christmas. He found one that had been returned from a family that just wasn't as ready as they were for a dog.

We brought him home a couple of days before Christmas. After work, Tony met me with him and he was adorable. We knew the girls were going to be in Heaven.

We walked into the house and let him go. The girls came running and they asked whose dog it was. When we told them he was theirs, they didn’t believe us. Finally they understood and the three of them collapsed into a heap of kisses, slobbers, and smiles. And of course the excited puppy peed.

We still miss our Mo Man.
ey thought they were for a dog.

We brought him home a couple of days before Christmas. After work, Tony met me with him and he was adorable. We knew the girls were going to be in Heaven.

We walked into the house and let him go. The girls came running and they asked who's dog it was. When we told them he was theirs, they didn't believe us. Finally they understood and the three of them collapsed into a heap of kisses, slobbers, and smiles. And of course the excited puppy peed.

We still miss our Mo Man.
CM9:
One year Santa wrote Jennifer a letter and left it Christmas morning. She insists it was my handwriting and on my stationary. I told her he didn't have any paper of his own and had to borrow mine. And if she could actually read it, it wasn't possibly my handwriting as mine is horrible!!! To this day, she still doesn't believe me :(

CM10:
When Cassidi McCann was twoish, we got the movie Frosty for her to watch. We started playing it around Thanksgiving and it played no less than five times a day until the day after Christmas. This went on for two years. Each and every time, she cried when Frosty melted. Unfortunately she doesn't remember any of this and how entirely adorable it was. But the three of us do and wish that somehow it would get rid of her current Grinch Christmas ways :)

CM11:
Not having a lot of money herself growing up that continued into her marriage with five children, Mom always baked goodies to give away at Christmas. Cookies, pecan tarts, fudge, peanut butter balls, you name it! Sitting at the table with sugar cookies, icing, and sprinkles helping her will always be a fond memory.

I've carried on her baking tradition each of the 28 years I've been married. I have the bowl she used when making her famous sour dough bread. It's a wonderful way to include her in our holiday. I'll never be the cook or baker that she was, but I continue to give it my best shot.

CM12:
Christmas always equaled cousin time. I remember getting together with my cousins and having the best time. We'd argue and fight, take sides, and play until the wee hours. Those were the days :)

CM13:
I can remember counting down the days and then the hours until my sister Debbie Pittman would come home for Christmas. That was always better than any gift I could get. I would kick her husband out of bed and sleep with her so we could have girl talk time. Sorry Bill Pittman!CM14:
In honor of honeymoon, empty nest weekend, I'll share my memory of the first Christmas with Tony. We were seniors and had just started dating the week before. We were having a really bad snow storm but he insisted on coming to see me at the house before he went home from work. He brought me a stuffed animal of a white, fluffy dog and a necklace. Pretty daggone sweet. That was 29 years ago. Three months later, we were married!! A pretty amazing love story if you ask me!!

CM14: In honor of honeymoon, empty nest weekend, I'll share my memory of the first Christmas with Tony. We were seniors and had just started dating the week before. We were having a really bad snow storm but he insisted on coming to see me at the house before he went home from work. He brought me a stuffed animal of a white, fluffy dog and a necklace. Pretty daggone sweet. That was 29 years ago. Three months later, we were married!! A pretty amazing love story if you ask me!!

CM15:
The last time I saw my Mom was Christmas of 2005. We had gone in for the holiday. I asked what she wanted and she gave me a list to choose from, the first time ever. I ended up getting everything on it as she never asked for something specific. I still have the sapphire earrings we got her.

A big snow storm blew in and we had to leave earlier than we expected for fear of getting snowed in. We had a snowball fight in they're front yard. Mom and Dad watched from the front door smiling at our silliness. Tony whizzed a snowball at her at the front door. She didn't get it shut in time and they got wet.

I'm so glad her smile is the last picture I have in my mind.

CM16:
Today was my Mom's Mom's birthday. We called her Mamaw Mae. She was a feisty, independent women. She raised six children in the back woods of West Virginia on her own.

She worked in a machine plant at one time and would get steel splinters in her hands. When I'd go visit, she ask me to dig them out with a needle. When I was really little, she worked in a restaurant, the Hob Nob. I always wanted coffee, and she told me I’d get black knees.

When she got older and ill, she was in a nursing home in Clay WV. When I was home for the holidays, I’d go visit. It broke my heart to see her in that place knowing how fiercely independent she was.

She couldn’t talk, and I don’t know if she ever really knew me. But Mom would always remind her of the tomatoes she’d put in her purse to bring to me that I’d eat like an apple. I always ended up in a puddle of tears.

I know I get my fierce independence from her side of the family. She came from Cherokee blood. When I look in the mirror these days and see my Mom, I also see Mamaw, as they looked so much alike. I miss them both.

Happy birthday Mamaw!nted coffee, and she told me I'd get black knees.

When she got older and ill, she was in a nursing home in Clay WV. When I was home for the holidays, I'd go visit. It broke my heart to see her in that place knowing how fiercely independent she was.

She couldn't talk, and I don't know if she ever really knew me. But Mom would always remind her of the tomatoes she'd put in her purse to bring to me that I'd eat like an apple. I always ended up in a puddle of tears.

I know I get my fierce independence from her side of the family. She came from Cherokee blood. When I look in the mirror these days and see my Mom, I also see Mamaw, as they looked so much alike. I miss them both.

Happy birthday Mamaw!

CM17:
When I was a kid, it seemed we got more snow around Christmas. One year it snowed so much we built tunnels through it. The years of our sledding days off the monster hill behind our house always bring a smile to my face. The cow patties we flew over, the ramps we built, the creek we ran into, and the crashes we survived. Those were the days.

The layers of clothes that we'd peel off to warm by the fire and eat warm soup and drink hot chocolate to thaw out. I can still feel that frozen to the core feeling. And the shiver of snow getting into your boots, up your sleeve, or down your neck. BBBRRRRR…

And snowball fights were always required. Nailing someone in the face was the best. However being the someone nailed in the face wasn’t. I was one of the youngest in the neighborhood, so I was more often on the receiving end of the nailing.

Snowmen and snow angels were also part of the routine. We had snow mobiles and going for long rides over the hills are special memories, too. I’d wrap my arms around Dad’s waist and hold on for dear life. Every time I smell gas exhaust in the winter, I think of that.

I’ve always had a love affair with snow. It’s amazing stuff. I’d love a white Christmas this year, but that doesn’t look likely. I’ll just close my eyes and think of those I’ve had before.e fire and eat warm soup and drink hot chocolate to thaw out. I can still feel that frozen to the core feeling. And the shiver of snow getting into your boots, up your sleeve, or down your neck. BBBRRRRR...

And snowball fights were always required. Nailing someone in the face was the best. However being the someone nailed in the face wasn't. I was one of the youngest in the neighborhood, so I was more often on the receiving end of the nailing.

Snowmen and snow angels were also part of the routine. We had snow mobiles and going for long rides over the hills are special memories, too. I'd wrap my arms around Dad's waist and hold on for dear life. Every time I smell gas exhaust in the winter, I think of that.

I've always had a love affair with snow. It's amazing stuff. I'd love a white Christmas this year, but that doesn't look likely. I'll just close my eyes and think of those I've had before.the fire and eat warm soup and drink hot chocolate to thaw out. I can still feel that frozen to the core feeling. And the shiver of snow getting into your boots, up your sleeve, or down your neck. BBBRRRRR...

And snowball fights were always required. Nailing someone in the face was the best. However being the someone nailed in the face wasn't. I was one of the youngest in the neighborhood, so I was more often on the receiving end of the nailing.

Snowmen and snow angels were also part of the routine. We had snow mobiles and going for long rides over the hills are special memories, too. I'd wrap my arms around Dad's waist and hold on for dear life. Every time I smell gas exhaust in the winter, I think of that.

I've always had a love affair with snow. It's amazing stuff. I'd love a white Christmas this year, but that doesn't look likely. I'll just close my eyes and think of those I've had before.the fire and eat warm soup and drink hot chocolate to thaw out. I can still feel that frozen to the core feeling. And the shiver of snow getting into your boots, up your sleeve, or down your neck. BBBRRRRR...

And snowball fights were always required. Nailing someone in the face was the best. However being the someone nailed in the face wasn't. I was one of the youngest in the neighborhood, so I was more often on the receiving end of the nailing.

Snowmen and snow angels were also part of the routine. We had snow mobiles and going for long rides over the hills are special memories, too. I'd wrap my arms around Dad's waist and hold on for dear life. Every time I smell gas exhaust in the winter, I think of that.

I've always had a love affair with snow. It's amazing stuff. I'd love a white Christmas this year, but that doesn't look likely. I'll just close my eyes and think of those I've had before.by the fire and eat warm soup and drink hot chocolate to thaw out. I can still feel that frozen to the core feeling. And the shiver of snow getting into your boots, up your sleeve, or down your neck. BBBRRRRR...

And snowball fights were always required. Nailing someone in the face was the best. However being the someone nailed in the face wasn't. I was one of the youngest in the neighborhood, so I was more often on the receiving end of the nailing.

Snowmen and snow angels were also part of the routine. We had snow mobiles and going for long rides over the hills are special memories, too. I'd wrap my arms around Dad's waist and hold on for dear life. Every time I smell gas exhaust in the winter, I think of that.

I've always had a love affair with snow. It's amazing stuff. I'd love a white Christmas this year, but that doesn't look likely. I'll just close my eyes and think of those I've had before.

CM18:
When we were first married, we didn't have much money. I have a ton of nieces and nephews and always wanted to do something for them at Christmas. Many years I made things for them. I miss those days.

I always love getting hand made gifts or goodies as presents for any occasion, as it's so much more meaningful and special. I wish we'd go back to those kinds of traditions as opposed to gift certificates, money, or expensive gadgets and store bought things.

CM19:
Last year's Christmas will hold a special place in our hearts forever. When Eleanor was diagnosed with Leukemia, she had to slow down. We convinced her to let us celebrate Christmas at Robin and Andy's the last few years. But last yea...r she said it MUST be at her house again. We tried to argue with her, but she insisted!

She cooked the turkey and at least let us we bring the rest. All her children and grandchildren made it in. She loved having the house full of laughter and love again. She was in pain, but hid it well. None of us knew how seriously ill she was, but I'm convinced she did.

She always despised having her picture taken. But last year she asked us to go outside and take pictures of all the kids and families with her and Jay. We later found out that Aunt Debbie did a photo shoot of just her when she visited at Eleanor's request. That should have been our warning, but we were all in denial then.

After the gift exchange, Eleanor went missing. I asked what had happened to her, and we found her in the bath tub soaking her aching muscles. She had pushed too far.

Cassidi cried nearly all the way home thinking it was Grandma's last Christmas. I assured her Grandma was a fighter and she'd be here for many more to come. Famous last words, huh?!

While we've soldiered on in her absence, there are times where we are selfish and want her here with us. This is one of those times.See More — with Tony McCann.

CM20:
When Jennifer was about 6 or 7, I decided we would video a tour of our house for my siblings and their families as they had not gotten to see it. We dressed up in our best Christmas attire and sang Christmas carols at the end. I have no idea where Tony was, but he got to avoid the entire shoot.

It was quite hilarious!! I wish I could find the tape to watch again. It just might contain an America's Funniest Videos moment or two — with Jennifer McCann.

CM21:
Having grown up in the depression era, my Mom was always giving gifts that she got the most bang for her buck. Having so many children and grandchildren, we made her set a limit for each. She shopped at the Dollar Tree a lot. The girls loved getting their Mamaw goodie bags. It was amazing what she could cram in those bags for $25. Socks, underwear, ornaments, knick knacks, candy, stuffed animals, doll babies, McDonalds bucks, you name it! I think they enjoyed her gifts more than any other! — with Jennifer McCann and Cassidi McCann.

CM22:
The girls had rituals around preparing for Christmas that have now all gone by the wayside. Jennifer McCann had a stuffed reindeer she loved on all month. Cassidi McCann had a tiny tree she had to put up in her room. We also had a countdown to Christmas calendar that HAD to be hung. I miss the days of their youthful excitement.

CM23:
As we make our way back home from Florida to see Dad for Christmas, it reminds me of the many trips we've made over the years to see family for the holidays. We've done some crazy trips before, but this year probably takes the cake. Driving close to 24 hours to visit for about 12. I know it will be a special memory going forward, and I'm so glad we came.

CM24:
It's been a day filled with preparations to hang out, eat, and enjoy family time. I've always insisted we be home for Christmas Eve as a family. We used to have a a formal sit down dinner in Charlotte. Now we usually just eat whatever's made up and laze around. This togetherness is what makes my world go round. I hope each of you have your definition of Christmas warming your heart! Merry Christmas

CM25:
When the girls were little, as soon as the sun came up they were awake and ready to see what Santa had brought. Now we have to wake Cass up.

The excitement that once made the holiday so much fun is gone. But that doesn't diminish the true meaning of this wondrous season. Having my little family here in our warm cabin in the woods is all the present I'll ever need.

Hug those you love, send loving thoughts to those you can't be with, and thank the guardian angels that have gone before us. Love is what's it's all about. I hope your heart is spilling over with Christmas love!!! Merry Christmas!!