Tuesday, November 29, 2011

... but they didn't steal my JOY!

Ever have one of those days?

I woke up with a mission to begin the Christmasification of the old homestead... 

First, I couldn't find  the little apron I made to camouflage my simmer pot last year....


I looked for more of that wrapping paper to make a new one, 
but there was none to be found...  


In fact, there wasn't a single snowman left in the wrapping box. I had to use this one.   I'm calling those stripes candy canes. Don't debate me.



Then, I made my Christmas simmer scent with too much clove and forgot the cinnamon completely. For the record, simmer spices without cinnamon just make the house smell like a baked ham.


Baked ham does not make you feel Christmasy;
 it just makes you feel a little queasy. 


It gets worse. 

I headed to my least favorite Superstore for a few groceries but ended up with an entire load of  magical cart leapers.

The lines were long and the cashier was grumpy.  Then, I pushed that cart up and down three rows before I remembered that I had parked Ebenezer clear across the lot at the other entrance. When I opened the back to load him up, an autumn plate abiding there for who knows what reason fell to the asphalt and shattered into 400 pieces.

When I picked it up, I cut my finger. 

I had absolutely nothing to sop up the bleeding except the Walmart receipt so I pressed it between my fingers and loaded with my one good hand. That's when I discovered a rebellious little pair of scissors which had tried to escape the store without going through the scanner.

I headed back inside and got back in line to pay for the scissors where I waited behind a woman who  can't count.  Bless her heart...

Done.

I headed to Hobby Lobby for exactly three items and came out with a bag in each hand and three rolls of wrapping paper tucked under my arm.

My keys were cowering as usual in the corner of my purse so I rested one bag on the trash can to better retrieve them. I still couldn't find them so I sat down on the bench next to it.

It was a wet bench. You just can't make this stuff up, folks.

I found my keys and took my wet tail to the car.  I headed home and unpacked the goods.

That's when I discovered that those three things I had headed to Hobby Lobby to get in the first place were located in that little bag.

You know the one... the one I had left sitting on top of the trashcan.

I sort of cried a little; I admit it,
 but The Practical One is an optimist. 

They'll be there, she said.

 I really didn't believe her, but she's a pushy optimist 
so off we went to Hobby Lobby.

I was a good thirty yards away from the store
 when I saw it. 


 Wooohooo!


I unbuckled right there and made like a Leaping Lord through the parking lot. I didn't care who saw me. I didn't care who saw me take this picture, either, 'cause I'm a blogger.

Yes indeed. I might have had a lousy day, but they didn't steal my JOY.


See?


'Cause this is what was in that bag.  

Waiting to be decopaged 
with this wrapping paper...


...to hang over my old pine table...


...which is where I put my nativity scene.

The one with the Dollar Tree Jesus.

But wait!

There's already a part two to Sunday's story
 about the Dollar Tree Jesus, 
but it will have to wait for another day.
Maybe tomorrow...

So how's your decorating going?

44 comments:

Ann said...

God bless you Debbie! I know you are telling the truth, you just can't make this stuff up! LOL!

I'm glad you didn't lose your JOY. I stuck three shiny "joy"s on my living room window hoping the light sight see-ers would get the hint and dim their car lights. Well, dang it. My joy doesn't shine like I hoped it would. ; /

I do love your idea of decopauging the Joy though. Looks terrific!

Cheers!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Oh, Debbie, I soooo know what those days are like! Haven't had one that bad in a long time, thankfully, but I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I'm so glad you didn't let it steal your Joy!

How's my WHAT going? My Thanksgiving tablescape is still out on the table (since we celebrated w/ friends at their house), and I've been playing with Little Man, although he did help Poppa decorate the woodland tree in "Poppa's room." Next week I'll think about doing a little decorating! For now, I'm finding MY Joy elsewhere!

Gaby said...

At least those days make for good blog stories. Bless your heart! And how funny that JOY was in the bag. God has a sense of humor, I'm convinced. Have you heard the song by Francesca Battistelli called "This is the stuff"? That's what your story reminded me of.

Barbara F. said...

Oh Debbie, you write SO WELL I might have mentioned before that your style reminds me of Erma Bombeck. I am so glad you found your joy again! xo

Ruby Jean said...

Oh Yes!!! I have those days where you just know at every turn there is going to be a disaster... The worst is when you give into it and it Does still your JOY it is so much better when you just roll with it and know it will soon end and your JOY is still in tact... So happy to hear that yours is..:)

Karen said...

Oh, Debbie - you are sooo much fun! I've had days like that, but not quite that bad. But, what great inspiration you have given with the letters JOY. Just may have to head to Hobby Lobby myself this week, but it is an hour and a half away. Have fun decorating!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

Oh I'm so sorry about your day! I sure do know how you feel. My beloved "Ebeneezer" (a 2003 Toyota Camry) is acting like it wants to go the retirement home. And we absolutely cannot afford for it to retire yet.

This weekend the battery light came on, my husband took it to the auto parts store to replace it, and they told him it's a 2010 battery and there's nothing wrong with it. So hubby cleaned the cables and the light went off. Yesterday it came on and stayed on with me all day. So today, I took our Scottish Terrorist across town to the groomer, got in the car to go back and get him, and the "Check Engine" light came on. Hubby said "Don't drive it". So now he has to go by the groomer to pick up MacDuff after work. And I'm cancelling all my other appointments for the week. This has been one of those years (not weeks, but years).

So after that long littany of troubles, let me just say I'm so glad they didn't steal your JOY!!! Your idea for decoupage is lovely. Have a good rest of the week.

Denise

Renée said...

Your story as always brings me great J O Y...thanks Debbie. I'm so glad your fun letters were all waiting for you.

I'm in a new home and am going through stuff. It's been 5 years since I used my decorations, so I'm sifting through what works and doesn't. I'm decorating my 9' tree today, the mantel is done and the Christmas carols are blasting. I'm loving it, but truly wondering why I did not think about climbing ladders and 10 and 25' ceilings before I bought this house, it's crazy at my age. Maybe I'll post soon...no time or need to cook after last weeks feast.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Debbie! I can relate!
Your JOY looks wonderful. Someday I will find the perfect J,O,Y, letters and paint them gold.
I love that yours will be over your Dollar Tree Baby Jesus and His entourage. That is truly inspired.
I so enjoy reading your wonderful blog!

Renée said...

Your cheery header deserves it's own comment. You blog looks so HO! HO! HO! and I'm loving it!

Unknown said...

Debbie -- I totally am sorry to laugh at your misfortune but I have had those kinds of days -- so glad your JOY wasn't stolen! Thanks for the laugh -- does the soul good - like medicine :)

CHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail

P.S. I loved your Blonde Baby Jesus story..had to have the blonde daughter read it too -- she said, *AHHH, he is cute*. The Lord Jesus is cute, lol!

xinex said...

So sorry, Debbie for all these. When it rains, it pours, doesn't it? I have to admit,, your post is very entertaining. I hope you are having a better day today. As much as we have been doing here (visiting my children in FL), I am surprised everything's been going well.....Christine

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Bouncing with laughter as I read this! It sounds like 'a day in the life of Sonja!'... you are so funny and this was just the break I needed this afternoon!

xo

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

You went through a lot but you have a beautiful Joy to keep!

Denise said...

Well, what a day you endured. I can just picture you leaping across the parking lot to pick up your JOY. By any chance did you squeal when you spotted the bag? I thought so. So thankful that someone didn't literally steal your JOY. They look wonderful. I can't wait to hear about your baby Jesus adventure.

I have decorated a few rooms. I put up my first tree today. I would probably get a bit more finished if I weren't sewing between decorating.

Shug said...

Bless your heart...I too have had days like this and I must admit that it sounds like we must make this stuff up....but NOPE, life does happen and sometimes it tries to get the best of us...
So proud of you for being the true optimistic person that you are...
Don't forget, you've got JOY and tomorrow will be a better day..
shug

At The Picket Fence said...

Oh my goodness Debbie!! We have definitely all been there before! Last weekend we had everything go wrong that could go wrong including a broken furnace. Ugh! But, I'm so thrilled that you found your JOY in more ways than one and I think it looks perfect up there on the wall! :-)
Vanessa

Debbiedoos said...

OMG! Those are the kinda days you look back on and laugh at yourself! Funny JOY is the word this season for sure, I just did a similar project LOL...yours looks really cute!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Part one was one of those true things that happen and could NOT be made up. Too funny, too real. Imagine the letters were waiting where you left them !
-Joy

The Decorative Dreamer said...

I love it! OMG! You poor thing, you have had quite a day! I am so glad your JOY was still there. It would appear that your daughter also understands what it takes to have true joy as well. You know, when you put Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last then you will find true JOY. You have taught her well! I love what you did with the letters. They are a beautiful statement!

Babs said...

I'm loving it that your joy wasn't stolen... great story. LOL
The dollar store Jesus post made me think of the song by James Taylor...Some Children See Him. Great posts.
Hugs,
Babs

Chatty Crone said...

Debbie this was one of the best posts I've read! What a great example of how to live life.

Many things can happen - trials - struggles - but it is a choice if we let it rob us of our JOY!

And you didn't let it! For real.

Sorry for all your struggles and this was so funny too.

Sandie

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh Debbie, I believe you! I did not blog about it, but last summer I got a gallon can of paint out of the garage and just as I was going in the house I dropped it, it splashed all over me, up to my face. I ripped off my clothes and put them in the washing machine while I cleaned up the paint in my birthday suit. I got redressed and sat down to make a phone call......Hum, where is my cell phone...in the washer with my clothes! It went on too, hit my head on the car door going to get a new phone etc. etc. Why do you think that is that it goes on and on....????

Carol

Tanna said...

Tell me you haven't gotten the hair color out after Baby Jesus. LOL!!

Oh, Debbie, I'm sorry you had such a frustrating day and so proud that you didn't lose your JOY!! Love your project. It looks great! Worth all the trouble.

I'm ready to hear part II. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Kelli said...

What a day! ReJOICing that the joy you possess is from above and not contingent upon circumstances. PRaying tomorrow is better. BTW, I LOVE the JOY sign.

Sharlotte said...

Hi Debbie! This is such a great post...I read it at work earlier today and tried to comment immediately! However, our server would let my comment go through...so here I am rereading this evening. I'm sorry you had such a hard day, but as always you found the best out of it all! I love your new look too! The colors are great - very calming and festive. Great JOY too..it looks great in your home!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Do you realize God just steps off your words and into our hearts? Isn't it just like God to know the day would be hard, that you would cry and that He would show Himself strong...His strength not yours! So as you pour out His joy through your blog we are all blessed by His glory.

I send you a hug for the hard day...I have had so many myself...but then I stop and say, "Lord bless this precious one who points us all to you!"

My nativity is on a dresser in my entry way also...so there is no doubt who we celebrate.

Holly Lefevre said...

All of my days are like this...at least your bag was there...and I am happy they did not steal your JOY becasue I love it!

no spring chicken said...

You're right. You just can't MAKE this stuff up. Although you are quite adept at MAKING up words. You rarely use real words because real words just don't do justice to your stories. I know you are often encouraged to write a book. I hereby this day submit that it be a vocabulary book. My girls hate vocabulary and I'm just certain that something a bit more creative would do wonders for the subject! This is why I love home schooling... the girls can earn their vocabulary credit even if the words they learn aren't real words at all. Did I just scare anybody?

Blessings, Debbie

Debbie said...

Can't tell you how I enjoyed this...not because I would ever find pleasure in someone else's bad day of course, but just because it soooo sounds like sooo many of mine! I love it that you found the "joy" in it. And the humor....how wonderful the bag was STILL there, haha. My decorating?? All still looming over here....Have a GOOD day today!!

Shanee said...

Oh girl I just love reading your posts. I had a version of this day yesterday and (hanging my head in shame) they did steal my joy for a bit. I hate that you had such an ordeal but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I hope you enJOY your day today and that it is less challenging.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Sweet Debbie, I like the ending of your story. What a day, but, oh JOY, it ended well.

Kathleen said...

I love a story with a happy ending! I've had a heck of a day too. I also went shopping but spent more time sat in the car in traffic jams than actually shopping! Very frustrating. However, it's been a JOY to read this post today.

Unknown said...

Oh, DEBBIE.
What can I say except you have my utmost sympathy and thank you for giving me a much needed laugh. I LOVE that you took a picture of your bag sitting on the trash can. Yes ma'm. Say it loud and proud. I AM a BLOGGER. I love the end result of your JOY.
I haven't even begun the act of Christmasification. Nope, not me. I think I might attempt it this Saturday. Maybe.
Please, please come by the blog this week. I'm trying a linky party to encourage all of us proud bloggers through the month of December. You would be a special addition to it.
xoxo
lynn

Christine said...

You could make this into a movie!
It was very entertaining, even though it had some sad parts. Some people would be put off by the blood, but it's a major part of the story.
But like any good movie, it ended happily.

Angel said...

Debbie, Debbie, Debbie...
What can I say? I have had days like that but they didn't seem nearly as comical as yours. Thanks for the laughs (of course I'm laughing WITH you, not AT you.) :) I'm glad they didn't steal your joy and you decided to share it with your friends in Blogland. Blessings!

Crickit said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! That was a wonderful blog! I am so glad that you got your JOY back. That was my mother's name and now my daughter's middle name. Can't wait for part 2! :)

Sue said...

Well, This sounds like one of my days, Debbie,especially having a plate fall out and shatter, happened to me two weeks ago. As a matter of fact, I have had many days like this, having said that your Joy, sign was worth it all. Great post as always.
Sue

FrouFrouBritches said...

Love, love, love your stories. Bless your heart. It was beginning to remind me of an unlucky version of "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" because it just kept coming. So sorry, but I'm so glad they didn't steal your joy! Love what you made! It looks fantastic!!!

Also lovin' the new pictures up top! I finally got some of my decorating done. WOO HOO!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Your bad day made for a "joyous" blog post for all of us! So glad you didn't lose your JOY! Great story.

Thanksgiving night I had a catastrophe - was putting some canned drinks in the bottom of the fridge and dropped one on the ceramic tile floor. That popped a seam open (only about 1/4 inch) and it sprayed all over me, all over the kitchen in four directions and UP, all over the white cabinets, plus the floor! Couldn't believe so much came out of that tiny opening! I was already exhausted from the busy day and didn't feel like cleaning the cabinets, mopping the floors, etc. The good side is that it was a diet Pepsi and it wasn't sticky like a sugar drink would have been.

I'm slowly doing a little decorating - very little, but hey, it's early yet!

Katherine

Nikki (Sarah) said...

You're too funny...I'm sorry all that stuff happened to you but the way you tell it sort of makes me smile. And your creativity makes me want to dash out and pick up some bits and pieces of stuff and dash home and make something. Except...I'm totally no good at that so for now...I'll just read your adventures and smile. Hugs to you Debby. You're the best.

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Hey girl,
Thanks for the smile this morning and I'm so glad you still have your joy!

Always Nesting said...

I'm trying to stop laughing at all your misfortune but it's soooo funny. Thanks for making even the bad day turn good and letting the yuk just roll off. :) :) :)

Sharon said...

You know what a crazy week this has been for me - and there have been moments of real joy, and real aggravation. However, reading your delightfully humorous "take" on a typical frustrating day just made me chuckle. I felt guilty about that - kinda like I was laughing at someone who fell down - but you have such a way of tickling my funny bone.

I love that your JOY didn't end up stolen or dumped in the trash!

It looks just perfect celebrating in your home.

Thanks for the uplift - this tired old woman needed that today!

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