I remember your pictures from last year. Absolutely gorgeous. Way beyond what I do. I love to donate some toys to children who would get very little if anything without the generosity of others. That is what Christmas means to my husband and to me. But I very much enjoy what others do to decorate. Can you see the huge smile on my face remembering the gorgeous display you put on. And BTW, it is ok to give yourself a break. Surgery is stressful.

This is just sooo lovely. Just don't stress too much about the surgery. Everything will go just fine and you will soon be back home and hopefully back in a Christmas spirit as well. Just take thing easy and calmly. I will pray for you and your family.

Your village is amazing. I put my rather small one up and it looks nice in the daylight and lite up. Maybe you could find just a couple favorite pieces to set up on a small scale, Messing with something that you like to do might help take some of the up coming surgery apprehension away and keep you busy.

Karen is right- give yourself permission to take a break. Sometimes, it is just too overwhelming. Do what you have to, and stop and remember the reason that we celebrate. ;)

I think this is beautiful Thank you sew much for sharing it with us! As for the spirit well try to think of each day as a gift & remember to enjoy it & not to stress about it! Life is hard enough without putting extra pressure on yourself! My prayers are with you & your surgeon! Put your faith in God, & you can't loose! hugs Loralye

Michelle,
Life overwhelms us all at times, and it is difficult then to rise above our anxieties of life, but that only makes us human! I, too, have been through a lot this year, and am not as interested in Christmas festivities, as I normally would be. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, thus, I miss the excited feeling I can't seem to muster this year! But, the Lord knows our hearts, and loves us anyway!
I wish you a most successful surgery, and that you will feel on top of things soon!
Hugs, Angel

Hi Michelle,
Don't worry about your beautiful Village this year. Just relax so your blood pressure remains calm for upcoming surgery. May the New Year bring you a fast recovery.
Hugs,
Linda aka Bumblebee

Dear Michelle, I do pray that your surgery will go well and you will return home renewed. Maybe once you are feeling better you might like to put up just a few pieces as Anita (capoodle) has suggested. I think this Christmas has come upon so fast and I know I'm not the only one who thinks this! May God bless you as you prepare for the surgery. Love and blessings Chris

Michelle, I also think you should put up a miniature village square and by doing so it will take your mind off the surgery for a little while and make you feel better.
I think most of us are, "all or nothing", I know I am and since we will be spending Christmas day and Boxing day away from home, I have no reason to decorate our house, so I too am sadly lacking in Christmas spirit right now.
Whatever your surgery is for, I wish you great success and pain free, speedy healing.
Hugs and blessings, Meg

Beautiful pictures. I pray that your surgery goes well and you are feeling more in the Spirit of Christmas. I too feel overwelmed by Christmas this year. It just seems like the meaning of Christmas is gone. Not about family and friends getting together, but how much money you should spend. Christmas used to be my favourite holiday and now I just seem to be glad when its over. I was just talking about this to my kids and said I sometimes think it would be better to go and help feed the homeless. I am not sending out cards this year, and told everyone that I am donating what I would have spent to a charity.
Thank you for letting me express my feelings. I love to watch all the wonderful Christmas movies and have a box of kleenex beside me. Too bad its not like it was when we all were little ones.

Michelle, all I have to do is read Luke, chapters 1 and 2 . Christmas is not about us but about him whose birthday we are celebrating. His love permeates or very being and gives us joy and hope 2 words we see so much at Christmas. This is why Christmas is so special to me/Lillian

Since you can't go "all out" this year like you want - do something different. Let your family do things for you. I know you much rather be the one doing and not the one receiving, but you deserve it. Concentrate on how much better you will feel after you heal from the surgery and think of all the fantastic things you can do for next year because you will fill so much better (and of course - you will want to try and make up for this year.) As Karen said - it is OK, to give yourself a break and it is OK to let someone else do something for you for a change. Your family loves you too.

Remember GOD is the Reason for the Season. God has seen what you have done in the past, and he knows what is in your heart - so give it all over to Him and let Him spread the joy this year. May He also guide your surgeons hands so you can be back to your old self next year. Keep us posted on how you are doing. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.