Below are Joyce's questions and my responses to them.
1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.
Our stockings are hung on the snack bar that divides the kitchen and living room. When my kids were little Santa would use his magic key to unlock the door and leave a small surprise, (some sort of candy, a hot wheel car, lottery scratch off ticket or some other type of small item) in their stockings each day the whole month of December. The closer it got to Christmas the bigger the surprise. On Christmas morning they would awake to find their stockings filled with candy, socks, lottery scratch offs, small toys and gift cards.
Now that the kids are grown, Santa fills the stockings on Christmas Eve only. Usually with socks, candy, razors, chap stick, gift cards and lottery scratch offs.
2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough?
I do not sleep much and rarely have uninterrupted sleep. While I may be in bed for 6 to 8 hours, I am not sleeping all of that time. Some nights I awake every two to three hours and usually have problems getting back to sleep. Is it enough....NO!
3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?
Well if I had to give up something for health reasons I suppose I could, especially since it is only a few weeks. If I had to choose what to give up, I think I would choose something like eating out.
4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?
If I see or hear their names in the news I will read or listen to the story. I do not seek out information on them.
5. For me, the sound of childhood is__________________.
Laughter. From those uncontrollable baby laughs, the sounds of a game of tag, the giggling of girls or the horse play of boys. There is nothing like the sounds of happy children.
6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
Fruitcake....Boo!! Never had one that I liked. As for fruity desserts, Apple Pie or Strawberry Cobbler would be my favorites.
7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
No real goal for the remaining portion of the year. Just want to get through the holiday season.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last week we spent most of our time at the office working on an Estate. The deadline for filing a tax return for the estate was Friday. (Was sure glad to get that thing completed). It is a substantial estate and has been very complicated. The wife choose to deny the will, the other heirs are scattered about with some even in another country, stock accounts, real estate, personal items, each heir receiving different percentages. Other than the wife, none of the heirs have seen or spoken to the decedent in several years.
But, today we finally were able to locate and speak to one of the heirs and inform her that she will be inheriting several thousand dollars. She was able to give us contact information for the other heirs. A short time after speaking to her I received an email telling me how this is going to change her life. It it sad from where it comes, but it makes me happy to be a part of fulfilling our client's wishes and making life a little better for his heirs.
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For the last 15 years, my stocking always came with my favorite perfume. A couple years ago, my stocking was devoid of said perfume. I mentioned it to my mom later and she said she didn't know I was nearly out. She went back to her bedroom and brought back a few bottles - she always stocks up when they're on sale (and yes we often wear the same perfume). Since then, there's always bottles in my stocking. lol
ReplyDeleteChildren's laughter make me laugh as well. There is something so refreshing about it.
ReplyDeleteI love your tradition for when your kids were younger! But I'm sure that wasn't always easy to come with something every single day. Still, I bet your kids loved it. I know I would've. :) The laughter of children is so wonderful. Makes me smile every time.
ReplyDeleteworking on an estate would be a grueling task I'm sure. As for your stockings........that's a LOT of stockings!! I count 7 in the picture? Yes, I agree, the sound of laughter from children is always the sound of childhood. Too bad we adults outgrow that need. We'd be a happier lot.
ReplyDeleteYour stocking tradition is really cute!! Hope your holiday season is stress-free!
ReplyDeleteThat has to feel good to make someone happy... what a bittersweet thing, but to have someone's life changed? awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour post has really filled me with the spirit of Christmas. Children's laughter is one of the best things. Take care.
ReplyDeleteenjoyed this post...your stocking are beautiful...as and so is the sound of laughter!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat stocking tradition for the kids! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to finally work out things with the estate. It always seems sad to me that such help can come through a death, but I suppose that's also a nice message of love to send someone.
I sometimes think my girls enjoy opening up their stockings more than their actual gifts!
ReplyDeletegreat stocking tradition...
ReplyDeletewe had to close my father-in-law's law office after he died...boy, what a job that is.
congrats on finding the heirs
I said laughter too, I love to hear children giggle! I handled my Aunt & Uncles estate after they passed. It was soooooooo much work.
ReplyDeleteCan't help but smile at just the thought of children's laughter. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a complicated process settling the estate. I think we'll just bury ours in the backyard and tell the kids where to find it : ) Your stocking tradition is fun...I've enjoyed reading how everyone does theirs just a little bit differently.
ReplyDeleteI had laughter for my answer too :) That seems to be a popular answer.
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