Susan R. Opel
At this very minute, I am in my home state of Michigan for Christmas, and I’m seriously giddy! There’s nothing like being surrounded by family and friends, you know?
Today I am getting together with my college roommate and suitemates for a little reunion. The four of us had some hilarious and fun times at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI, in the early 90’s jamming out to EMF and Vanilla Ice. Now 18 years later, it’ll be exciting to share our experiences since then.
Tomorrow, I’ll be gathering with all sorts of old friends from my alma mater, Valley Lutheran High School for a night of karaoke and reminiscing. We’re all a little older and grayer (underneath the hair color), but we still know how to rock!
And the rest of this week and into the weekend I’ll be basking in the Christmas joy with my sweet family. My brother Kurt and his family spent the last two Christmases in Istanbul, Turkey, so I’m awfully thrilled to spend time with my cute nephews (and my brother and sister-in-law, too, of course!). My brother Paul is coming from upstate New York, and my sister will arrive from Utah on Thursday. My adorable parents will have a houseful! We’ll spend time celebrating our Lord’s birth at one of my favorite places on the planet, St. John Lutheran Church.
Yes, spending time with family and reconnecting with friends is one of my all-time favorite parts of the Christmas season. One way that we can stay connected all throughout the year is to send handmade cards. That personal touch makes all the difference in saying, “You mean the world to me!”
I recently created this sparkly thank you card using the brand new L Letterpress from Lifestyle Crafts, and I think I just might send it to a fabulous friend in 2010 just to say thanks for being so awesome.
This year I’m particularly thankful for Facebook! Both my college and high school reunions came about because of our contacts there. And did you know that you can be connected to Paper Crafts magazine through our Facebook Fan Page? Become a fan and join in the rollicking good time!
So now I want to know, who are you looking forward to seeing during this festive time of year? Leave me a comment by Friday, December 25th at midnight MST, and you can win this stash of goodies to create your own cards for someone special. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, December 28th!
Festive goodies courtesy of TaDa Creative Studios and American Crafts.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with family and friends,
Susan
I am soo looking forward to spending this Christmas with my parents and getting to catch up with all of my high school friends. We alternate Christmas with my husband’s family so I cant wait to spend this year’s with mine
Totally looking forward to being with my husband and kids… we just don’t get enough time together every day!
I am looking forward to SEEING the look on my kids faces when they see their gifts! So neat. What is Christmas without kids?!
I’m just looking forward to having the family together again this year. With a couple members in bad health you never know from one year to the next if you’ll have another one to be together which makes them all special.
With a big snowstorm on the way, I am sure my husband and I will get lots of “quality” time with our two wonderful kids – opening all those packages that Santa Claus will bring!
I’ve gotten to spend time with the in-laws this year. It’s been fun! My SIL and MIL and me went to a really cool mall in DC and tried on “jeggings” (jeans that are legging). We all ended up with a pair…thought they were pretty cute
I’m so looking forward to seeing my parents and my nephew from California. Big snows are predicted for our neck of the woods, so we’ll have a white Christmas, but maybe our get-together will have to be rescheduled for Saturday. Sure hope not!
I can’t say I’m looking forward to “seeing” anyone, as our kids are all several States away, but thankfully we’ll have cell phone conversations & maybe DS & I can get our webcams working & “see” each other that way!!! He has to work on Christmas Day, but can always use the Holiday Overtime pay (who couldn’t this year?). It will be a quiet Christmas Eve with friends from the frozen North who just established a winter home nearby and phone calls from our 4 kids on Christmas Day! Hope everyone in the Paper Crafts world has a safe & wonderful Holiday!!!
I’m looking forward to going home and seeing my mom and brother. And I get to meet my brother’s new girlfriend!
I’m looking forward to seeing my hubby’s aunt and cousin. They both have a wonderful sense of humor and we always laugh a lot when we get together.
I am looking forward to seeing my family on New Year’s Day. Christmas will be just the hubby, kids & dogs. Should be semi-quiet & wonderful!
I am so looking forward to being with the love of my life. We have been apart for the last 6 weeks due to a family issue.
My mom will be here tomorrow, it makes me sad she lives so far away from me and her grandkids, but I’m thrilled she gets to spend the holidays with us!
I am looking forward to seeing all of my aunts, uncles & cousins and all their little kiddies on Christmas Eve…
I’m enjoying spending time with my family. Our son, Christopher, is home from grad school and spending 2 weeks at home with us while he’s on break. It’s so nice to have the older children home too….
I am most looking forward to seeing my three children all together at one time. They are all so busy and active that we hardly get time to be together. I am anxious to be a part of their holiday season.
I will be spending Christmas Day with my boyfriend’s large family!
I am looking forward to see my whole family together. This is going to be great!
Thanks.
I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and his family. We don’t see him as often as I would like.
I’m looking forward to spending the day with my family…though not everyone will be there this year. I was also looking forward to my uncle’s visit, but he had this year – then he came in early this month and surprised us all. It was a great time!
I’m looking forward to seeing my son, although it will be via web cam from Afghanistan. I’ll spend the day with my other son, dad and brothers
I look forward to seeing my family on Boxing day, it’ll be a wonderful day together.
I look forward to seeing family and friends.
I am very blessed to have all my family in the same area, but I look forward to spending quiet, quality time with them that doesn’t involve rushing around from one sporting event to another. Does looking forward to seeing Santa Clause count??
My mom, dad and younger brother just made it in town a couple of days ago! They are who I’m most excited to see this year. Besides my son and husband, of course!
I’m looking forward to seeing my parents, they’ve been out of the country for 2 months and will meet my new baby who was born last month for the first time tomorrow! It’ll be so special to meet their granddaughter on Christmas!
My sister. She lives 2 hours away and we just don’t get together enough!
I’m looking forward to getting together with local family members at my sister’s house this year, and early in the new year we usually see my brother at a joint celebration of Mom’s birthday combined with our Christmas with him!
My dad’s dog had puppies and I can’t wait to see them. I’m sure they’re so cute!
I am looking forward to seeing my nephew who has been in Iraq for the last two years. Merry Christmas
It’s going to be a quiet Christmas this year, just me and my husband. Hope to visit with a couple of friends and neighbors later in the day. Have a Blessed Christmas celebration!
Would be happy just to be able to spend Christmas with my family, all safe & cozy at home… Merry Christmas!
That is what the holidays are all about – family and friends!
The festivities are coming to an end and I am just enjoying sitting down and catching up on my blog reading for a few minutes.
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