Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tis The Season to be...??

Things have been a whirl wind for the past three weeks, my mother is not doing well and it's with a very heavy heart I tell you, she will be going into assisted living on Tuesday. I have been traveling back and forth to Virginia, with my last stay being over a week. It's so hard to have to make arrangements for something you just don't believe is happening to you or your mom and truly never thought would.

My family and friends will be spending Christmas Day with my mom in her "new home", hoping she will settle in and feel it's a bit like home. We are moving her things tomorrow and she will come on Tuesday, I would like to have everything in place and ready for her. She will be able to have her wonderful companion, Gus, her cat, who has been a true friend for the past 9-1/2 years, so I am hoping he will help her be more comfortable in her new surroundings. He will be there waiting for her at the door! This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life, but am thankful she is still here and can enjoy Christmas with us, once again and hope she will have many more holidays with us.

Remember what Christmas is all about. It's about family, friends, sharing, caring and loving each other every day, not just at Christmas time, but all year long!

May each of you have a wonderful Christmas!

Mimi

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Let's not forget our Troops this Holiday Season!


I received this poem in an email today and wanted to share it with everyone! Please feel free to copy and paste this into an email and forward it onto all of your family and friends and thank our troops for giving up every holiday, to keep us safe!

New Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine.

The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending
this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming
soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men,
women, and Canadian Forces for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we
owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and
dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your
small part to plant this small seed!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wishing you a "Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas"! It's Pinkalicious Christmas Party Time at Shabby Cottage Shops!


You're invited to celebrate with us tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd. This week's theme is "A Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas" for our "Pinkalicious Christmas Party". You'll find some wonderful new items this week, just in time for your holiday shopping! There's stunning new "wish boxes" at Debi Coules, twirl skirt sets and teacup lights at Nana Puddn' Designs and gorgeous handpainted kitchen accessories at Ribbons Roses and More!

Our shop owners are very busy adding new items to their boutiques on a daily basis, so make sure to stop by Shabby Cottage Shops tomorrow and enjoy our "Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas" party at Shabby Cottage Shops! If you are looking for shabby chic, one of a kind, children's boutique clothing, Paris Apartment Style, French Chic or romantic home decor? You'll find it all at Shabby Cottage Shops and our beautiful boutiques. Every shop has added some new items and has a wonderful selection of gifts for your holiday shopping, along with some great sales from our talented members. Be sure to stop by on Thursday, all day, you're sure to find "The Perfect Gift" at Shabby Cottage Shops.

Have a Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas!
Debie
Shabby Cottage Shops

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Who's the Lucky Winner of the "Pink Present" Holiday Blog Giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops??



We have a winner.....Congratulations to Chelsea S of New York! You have won our first "Pink Present" blog holiday giveaway valued at $400.00!! We hope you enjoy your beautiful products from all the participating boutiques at Shabby Cottage Shops!

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the "Pink Present" holiday blog giveaway and stay tuned for more details on our next fabulous blog giveaway coming very soon! Make sure to stop by Shabby Cottage Shops blog and see when the next giveaway starts! There'll be some "Sweet Treats" for you to enjoy from our wonderful boutiques! We'll be adding information on our "Sweet Treats" blog giveaway very soon!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique!

Mimi