First there is the overwhelming task of choosing which card design to use. So you have to choose a website and there are so many different ones to choose from. Which has the best deals? The best designs? The best envelopes - maybe one glue tastes better than the others? So you look through Snapfish, and Shutterfly, Vistaprint, Mpix, you name it and finally you settle. Years ago I went with Walmart and I've stuck with them because I don't want to have to look through other sites. I'm afraid of getting sucked into that black void of clicking through the options for days on end. I'm probably missing out - don't be like me.
Now that you've chosen a site, now you have to scroll through literally HUNDREDS of different designs. And everyone's sample pictures look so much cuter than anything you know you have waiting in your photo library. So you start to get photo envy and wonder if maybe, just maybe you should have scheduled the Christmas photo shoot with the professional that you saw advertised on your Facebook. Everyone all cute in their matching denim and plaid with the snowflakes all a flutter. Sigh. But pick a design you will, even with your "crappy" pictures.
Now you have a design. If you're like me, you start sifting through the THOUSANDS of pictures you have from the year. Do you use candids, or funny shots, serious accomplishments or just kids making faces? This one makes me look like I have a double chin, that one I look fat, what was I doing with my hair.... It's a real struggle. And you put the pictures in and then remove them, swap them or rearrange them before finally clicking "add to cart". This is where my anxiety kicks in overtime.
Because I've waited until the last minute, I have to have the number of cards right. Too many and I will have 20 extra collage photos of all of us laying around for years because I put too much time into the damn things just to throw them in the garbage. Too few and, OMG, someone might not get one. What to do, what to do? So I put in a number. Then I change it. Then I change it again and finally I press send.
While waiting for the cards to arrive, the next step of the annual Christmas card panic attack begins - what to write in the Christmas letter. The letter has been a tradition for a long time. And every year I try to write a letter that won't bore people to death, or worse - get tossed before it is even read. So I try. I try to be creative. Over the years I have had letters that I am proud of, but lately, I've been writing the same old same old paragraph after paragraph "blah blah - this person does this, blah blah - this person did that" year after year. Boring! So off I go to be inspired. And I came up with...
"blah blah - this person did this, blah blah -this person did that"
So I was frustrated. And I waited for the Christmas card muse to strike me with a dash of inspiration, but that bitch must have fallen down, collapsed or faded away or something. Because my next "creative attempt" got shot down by the family. Apparently I was trying too hard and it was "confusing and hard to follow". Jerks! I mean, "thanks for the feedback loving family."
So this is what you all get. Blah Blah - here you go. If you haven't gotten your official card yet, it's probably in the mail or on the way. I still have to mail some. Oops. Oh and I did attach the flop letter to those cards mailed out too. Two Christmas letters! Oh joy!
A Christmas Letter
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... That's because we are all so dang tired from running around every night, we are exhausted! Merry Christmas friends and family; it's annual Christmas letter time! I know you all cannot wait to hear what we've been up to this year, so without further ado...
It's Libby's senior year, her mother is not handling this whole idea of Libby graduating and leaving all that well. Everyone asks her what she's going to do at college and Melissa tells her to answer "It's a surprise", maybe not just for those inquiring, but for Libby as well. Truthfully she is looking into English with an emphasis on journalism. We are so incredibly proud of her hard work at school all these years, hard work does pay off. She has been accepted into Winona State with an academic scholarship for next fall. Go Warriors! Even with all of her schoolwork, Libby still finds time to work at Graham's Arena riding horses and rides her own as well. She had a few training projects over the summer and is going to be back to showing a POA in 2018. This year she accomplished a goal she had set for herself and won her first belt buckle. She had to steal Melissa's new pony to do it, and barely edged out Melissa in a tough open division, but she got her belt buckle! (Hey, I'm writing this letter, I can make sure to include what I want included.) Congrats, Libby!
Carter is already a sophomore. He continues to make us proud, going out for track and basketball and working his tail off at whatever jobs he can find. He spent his summer and fall helping his uncle and grandpa out at the farm and with the electrical business. He's a pretty handy kid to have around and it's tough to find a harder worker. Carter got his license this fall and has become a huge help that way as well. We are so thankful for Carter.
Sophie is in 8th grade already. When people ask "what are your plans", most days this can be answered with "going to one of Sophie's game". Sophie is active in volleyball, JO and school ball, basketball, track and summer softball. The spring was a real challenge with JO, track and softball all practicing, but we wouldn't trade a minute of it. As much as she hates hearing us say it over and over, we love watching her play. When she isn't practicing or competing she is working on her schoolwork and pushing herself to succeed with her schoolwork too. We are so proud of Sophie!
Taylin is enjoying her first year in high school. After competing in the Gladiolus Days Pageant this summer, Tay is also wowing the crowds in volleyball; JO and school ball. First year in high school brings with it all kinds of firsts and new things, but in typical Taylin style, she just rolls with the punches. She is helping Tim ref some tournaments this winter and talks about possibly going out for track come springtime. She keeps busy with babysitting and with her extended families, that can be a full time job! Way to go, Taylin!
Tim continues to milk, coach, and ref, oh and in his spare time he has that full time teaching career too. Melissa is still teaching at FC and serving at the Village Square in Harmony; serving pizza, fish, pie, ice cream and you name it, 3 out of the 4 seasons. This being the off season she's hoping to catch up on Grey's Anatomy and a few good books before the restaurant opens again in April.
We hope this holiday season finds you all happy and healthy and ready for a fabulous 2018!
~ The Andrings
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