I Go To Collage. Again.
So it's one week until Christmas and what am I doing?
Well, I'm sneezing, for one thing. That's because I am coming down with a cold.
Condolences appreciated. As always, timing is everything.
The other thing I'm doing is re-doing our dining table.
You may recall, it's a giant collage of black-and-white family photos, the vast majority of which have been taken by me.
This all started many years ago. The collage table in its present form has been redesigned twice, the last time in late 2014 to add Dagny. But it needed a near-total overhaul because photos and tablecloths fade.
Also, to our great delight, Chad and Brittany have joined our ranks.
So, a couple of weeks back I began curating the new pictures that will populate the table surface. I combed all of my galleries and assembled a dedicated table gallery of about one hundred fifty photos.
Then I had to edit them all to black-and-white, if they weren't already.
Next came uploading them to the site of the vendor who made the prints, and ordering all of the photos.
Then I had to order a new tablecloth.
As I mentioned, the black tablecloth that provides the canvas upon which the pictures are arranged had become faded on the ends, from the sun streaming through nearby windows.
The new cloth is a black-on-black plaid whereas the old one was a shadow stripe.
I'll have to run a warm iron over the hang-down part all around, once I'm finished and the glass is put back on top.
For now, the glass is sitting off to the side on a utility mat that TG brought in for me.
And the photos -- approximately one hundred sixty-five of them -- are now lying willy-nilly all over the table. I haven't started placing and taping them yet.
Burning question: Can she get it done within this calendar day?
It remains to be seen. TG and I are finishing up our shopping tonight. If I have to complete the table collage tomorrow between sneezes and utilization of dozens of Puffs Plus, so be it.
The family are all gathering on Thursday for Melanie's thirteenth birthday pawty.
After burgers and fries at Freddy's in Lexington, we're coming back to the house for homemade Coca Cola cake with vanilla ice cream, and presents.
We'll also have a fifties-diner photo booth backdrop with colorful cat-eye glasses to wear as props.
I know you can't wait to see those pictures. Never fear; I shall share.
At the conclusion of Thursday night's birthday party, I'll whip off the plastic black-and-white checked retro-theme table cover, say ta-daaaaa, and we'll have a family gawk-fest at all of the new photos.
On Friday we'll have partial Christmas -- and a spaghetti dinner -- with the branch of the family tree that won't be with us on the day. Actually it will be the second time we've done that this year; the first was yesterday. Not spaghetti, but opening of Christmas presents.
I'll stop before I confuse both myself and you.
What are you doing in the final days before Christmas?
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Happy Monday :: Happy Christmas Week
Reader Comments (7)
awwww, Jenny, I hear ya - started the sneezing yesterday, and woke up with chopped liveried throat. I've always wondered why some people say 'I have a bad cold'; I mean really? A cold is a cold and in my experience they are always bad. LOL I hope you get to feeling better; those plans of yours need to be done.
Jase birthday is Thursday also. I'll be scooting to St Aug that morning, coming home Friday. Then, going back on Sunday to spend the Christmas Eve. I'm as ready as I'll be; have one more thing to purchase.
Your picture table is such a great idea, and I know y'all have enjoyed so much over the years. And, yes we want pictures when you get it back together. :)
xoxo
I'm so sorry you have a cold. That's awful timing! I'll be praying you get over it quickly.
I love your photo table, but I can see that it's a lot of work.
Tonight I am busy packaging up small gifts for all the aides and nurses I work with. I made caramel corn and a chex type mix, got some cute smowmen magnets and am putting them in cute packages. We have a party with our small group from church tomorrow, then nothing until Christmas Eve when the girls and families will come. We'll be skyping with Andy. On Christmas day my whole family (25 in all) will be coming!
Merry, Merry Christmas to all the Weber's!
@Sally ... uh oh, sorry you're under the weather too. Every time I hear someone say "bad cold," I think of you! I've never had a good one either. And I meant to comment on your post, that Jase shares the "shortest day" birthday with our Melly. Those babies sure bring lots of sunshine to that short dark day, and to every other day too. Love you, friend! Merry Christmas. xoxo
@Mari ... I'm not surprised that you're busy preparing treats and goodies for others. I hope you have a great week and the best Christmas ever. xoxo
Oh, Jenny, I am sorry that the cold germ got to you. I was at the cardiologist today and the receptionist was wiping her nose and sneezing. I thought, "What are you doing here?" I hope and pray that I do not get sick because I am getting ready for surgery. (I think) He has ordered a heart echo.
Happy Birthday to Melly! Children do bring in a lot of light to our lives. The phone rang Sunday night and Cody (the youngest grandson) said, "Hi Gramma! This is Cody, Dylan and Wyatt." They all proceeded with their greetings. When Wyatt said, "Hi Gramma, this is Wyatt." I could not believe my ears. I think he could sing bass!!!!! He is only 13 years old and almost 6 ft. tall. They are growing up so fast!
What am I doing? I get one good answer to prayer then I get knocked down with something else. You would not believe it, Jenny! It is too much to discuss here but I am determined to trust the Lord and to not let it get me down. God has a purpose and where I am and what is happening is exactly where and what I am to be experiencing. It is a trial of my faith which is much more precious than fine gold. God knows where I am. He will not leave me lonely. He didn't leave me here to worry. He didn't leave me here to fear. He left me here to worship Him daily and I am going to leave it all right here. (That is a song and I am claiming it.) I wrote all of this for me. I needed to read this tonight. Ha! Ha!
May you all have a very special Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will pray for your cold to go away and that Greg will not get it. Hugs
@Cheryl ... I know this season of health issues is a trial for you and I remember you often in prayer and as I go through my days. A cold is nothing but a few days' nuisance and I'm just glad I'm caught up and I can rest today. Tomorrow I'll have to make the birthday cake and put finishing touches on everything for the party but I'm sure I'll feel much better by then. As you say, the children are so amazing and keep us young, if only by their own youth and ebullience. Growing by leaps and bounds too, such an amazing thing. I'll be checking on your blog to see the results of your procedure, and meanwhile I wish you and Alan and Chad the happiest Christmas ever. xoxo
I'm so sorry you're having a time of it sneezing and such...here, as well! No fun!
LOVE the photo table...How fun to sit and look at all those memories.
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas girlfriend!!!
hughugs
And now...Happy New Year sweet friend! Hope you're all better!
hughugs