1 Memory Until Christmas

One of my happiest Christmas memories is of playing "steal bingo" on Christmas Eve. You may have played a similar gift exchange game. We'd each buy or make a gift and they were piled together. We've played with as few as five people and as many as twenty. Numbers are written on a slip of paper and everybody draws a number. Number one selects a gift from the pile and opens it. Number two can then either steal that gift or open a new one. No one may steal a gift back directly from the person that took it from them. Each round ends when a new gift has been opened. The later rounds can take a very long time!

From Ghosts of Christmas Past

There always seem to gifts that everyone wants and of course something that everyone hopes someone else will steal from them. The look on our niece's face when she opened the car emergency kit with a shovel was priceless! She worked several rounds singing the praises of that gift in hopes that someone would take it off her hands. Sometimes a gift will fly around the room for several minutes before a new gift is opened. The first (and only) time John's step-mother played she was quite unhappy that someone stole the gift she had opened. We have been known to cheat to insure that neither my mother nor brother-in-law gets the highest number as they are certain to end the game early. We actually do a lot of cheating when we play. Couples will team up to obtain a certain desirable gift and the adults will always make trades to insure that the kids get something they want ;-) The best part of the game is that it is always full of laughter.

From Ghosts of Christmas Past

We no longer get together with family on Christmas Eve and this year no one wanted to play the game. Perhaps next year we'll be able to bring the game back.

2 Memories Until Christmas

New memories = new ornament. Almost four years ago I started writing under the name Apple. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree is an expression my sister and I use when we kid each other about becoming more and more like our Mom as we age. It seemed appropriate for a genealogy blog, which was my original intent. I planned to jot down some family history in the hopes that one day my kids would show some interest. It became something else. I was able to share ideas and get tips as I struggled to start a garden. I had an outlet for my work related thoughts and frustrations. Genealogy was lost in my day to day ramblings.

So when I discovered the COG, I started Apple's Tree just for genealogy and the dividends have been huge! I've made progress on my family tree but more importantly for me, I've made friends and have gotten to know many know so many of you through your writing.

I've been criticized for using Apple rather than my real name but I think it suits me. For anyone that really feels they need to know my real name, well, I've written enough here that it should be relatively easy for a genealogist to figure out.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

3 Memories Until Christmas

These were made by my kids at the dining room table in the first house that John and I shared. So many memories. Blending two families. Becoming a stay at home mom. Board games played at the table. Disastrous dinners and John teaching me how to cook. Orange shag carpet that he let me replace with white – I don’t know which was worse. lol. Fireworks in the backyard. My most memorable Christmas – the year Santa filled the living room with balloons so it wouldn’t look so empty under the tree.

This year I helped my four oldest grandchildren make these ornaments for their own trees and they were created at the same table their parents used.

4 Memories Until Christmas

Aruba. John and I had booked this trip months in advance. Most marriages run into trouble at some point and just before we were due to go we had some problems to deal with. I really didn’t want to go but in the end I did. Sure, I remember the flooding in Oranjestad and the touristy things we did, but what I remember most is long walks and long talks. I realized then how very much I loved him that I couldn’t picture life without him.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

5 Memories Until Christmas

Every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings.

It’s a Wonderful Life, my all time favorite Christmas movie. I’ve watched it with family, with friends and by myself. It wouldn’t be Christmas without it. There are several bells on my tree.

After watching the movie have you ever thought about how your life has affected others? I'd like to think that I've had a positive impact on the lives of those I am close to.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

6 Memories Until Christmas

I’ve received many homemade ornaments from students over the years. I remember each child as I hang them on the tree.

So how did I become a school bus driver? I started driving in Akron, NY. My neighbor retired, or at least tried to. She kept getting called to sub, so she asked me to consider replacing her and at the same time a woman in my Home Bureau chapter asked if I would drive. People weren't exactly lining up for a high stress job that paid $10 an hour but only gave you 5 to 15 hours a week. I looked on it as community service back then - my kids were walkers. LOL. I was fairly certain I'd never learn how to handle something that big but I surprised myself. Very shortly after I got my commercial license John was transferred back to Syracuse and my neighbor got called to sub again. After a few years John got transferred back to Buffalo and we moved back to Akron, so all the time they spent training me wasn't totally in vain. Once John retired we once again returned to CNY so we would be back near family but Akron was a wonderful place to live and I still miss all of my friends there.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

7 Memories Until Christmas

I have a mixed bag of memories of my Dad. He firmly believed that children should be seen but not heard. So my memory of the train set that he had in the basement is good one. There was no question that it was his train but he’d sometimes let us run it. He had built a very large table with a hole cut out in the center so you had to crawl under to get to the controls. Lots of track and switches and little toy buildings and trees. But most of all his time and attention.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

8 Memories Until Christmas - Happy Birthday B!

B was born just before Christmas and I never did get out and get him a baby's first Christmas ornament. Instead I purchased this one the following year. It's not much to look at, just a simple silk ball covered with a plastic picture. No matter how unattractive, it has had a place on my tree for a good many years now.

Dear B,
Where have the years gone? You were (still are!) the best birthday gift I ever received. Back when you were a teenager I was worried that I'd totally blown it as a parent. Who would have thought that the kid who ran away and didn't want to finish school would turn into the man that you've become? A hard working husband and devoted father. A phenomenal author - the agents that have turned you down will be kicking themselves in a year or two! I'm proud of you!

Happy Birthday!

9 Memories Until Christmas

Jamaica. Our first trip to an all inclusive and all the rum I couldn’t handle. The bar with swings instead of stools. The trip where they couldn’t find our reservation. Our first trip to a nude beach. The only trip we’ve taken where I didn’t feel safe leaving the resort. This was also our first trip with our best friends that was just the four of us, no kids, and miraculously, they’re still our best friends. After the trip they gave me a pillow that says "A friend knows all about you and still likes you"!






This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

10 Memories Until Christmas

When the kids were young I started down my volunteerism path as a Camp Fire Leader. All the kids in the neighborhood joined and this is one of the ornaments they made one year. I’m just crazy enough that I took 1st and 2nd graders overnight camping at Camp Talooli - twice. Biffies (out-houses), hikes, sing-a-longs, campfires and crafts - Good times!

Wo-He-Lo

Vesper Service c 1986

This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

11 Memories Until Christmas

For the mom who has everything you get an owl. I have a large collection of owls, some given to me as gifts and some purchased on vacations. I no longer add to the collection as I have no more room but they are all special including this one that I received as a gift.



This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

12 Memories Until Christmas

What do you give the dad who has everything? Over the years the kids have given John several Shultz and Dooley beer steins. Friends of ours saw this ornament while they were on vacation and bought it for us. It makes me think of them, past gifts given and received and the old Utica Club commercials.






This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

13 Memories Until Christmas

I used to always have a cross stitch project that I was working on. Other than these ornaments the only piece I made for myself was the Irish blessing sampler that hangs by my front door. Most of the items I stitched were Christmas gifts and I think about those other projects as I hang these on my tree.

One of those gifts was made for my father and step-mother many years ago. After he died it was returned to me and even though it was made as a Christmas decoration, it now is displayed year-round in my bookcase.



This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

14 Memories Until Christmas

Our house was built into the side of a hill and when we were very little we went sledding right in the side yard. After the blizzard of '66 it was a big hill! We'd often sled down Bigsby's Hill in the neighborhood, Westcott reservoir in Geddes or Woodland reservoir near my grandparent's house. We used sleds with metal runners or some of the kids had toboggans. One year I got a plastic flying saucer for Christmas and that became my favorite. My brother would start me spinning just before he shoved me down the hill.

The first time I took my kids to the "res" sledding, Bean wasn't quite ready and I had to take her to my mom's because BJ loved it and PJ couldn't get back to the top fast enough! They have now fenced off the top of both reservoirs off so my grandkids will never know the joy of flying down one of the really big hills.

Side yard Hill c 1967

As children sledding was pure joy!
This picture of a childhood friend is a favorite of mine.

Westcott Reservoir c. 1984

c 1982

This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

15 Memories Until Christmas

John was transferred in 1989 and I found myself in Akron, NY, a couple of hours away from family for the first time in my life. The local Home Bureau chapter published an open invitation for new members and having been a member here, I went. Most of the ladies were seniors and all were at least 15 years older than me. I felt quite out of place at first but they welcomed me and became my local family.

One of the members had the same first name as me and crocheted this bell for me because despite years of trying she could never teach me to make them for myself. She and many members of the group have passed on now but I remember them all each Christmas.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

16 Memories Until Christmas

My sister and brother-in-law bought an old farm house and have been working hard at renovating it. The first year that they hosted the annual family Christmas Eve dinner, she was mortified that a swam of ladybugs suddenly appeared in the house. We all had a great time and it was a memorable Christmas.

I’ve always thought of ladybugs as lucky and purchased these ornaments for both of our trees so we’d always remember that special Christmas.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

17 Memories Until Christmas

When we were dating I learned to like SU sports.

Ok, so I only pretended to like football but I loved to watch the basketball games. It did take me quite awhile to figure out all of the rules.

Even our wedding was planned around the SU hoops schedule!

In all honesty this ornament does not make it onto the tree every year. Orange is not a Christmas color. This year when we were decorating the tree Nikki saw it in the pile of ornaments I had set aside and pitched a fit until I let her hang it on the tree but not before she had shown it to the other three like it was some special prize!


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

18 Memories Until Christmas

I love to snorkel. Several places in Hawaii come to mind, swimming with colorful fish and huge sea turtles. Kealakekua Bay is my favorite spot. A trip to the Bahamas with good friends. A family cruise. A catamaran trip in the Dominican Republic.





This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

19 Memories Until Christmas

My Mom has always loved hot air balloons. We always looked for gifts with a balloon theme when her birthday rolled around. When we were kids, in the car with Mom, if we saw a balloon she’d chase it and we’d watch it land. I found myself chasing a balloon with my kids in the car one time!

Years ago we had a camp at Sylvan Beach and one year they had tethered balloon rides set up right where we could watch from the front porch. Mom was visiting for her birthday and finally got to take a ride. She must have been in her sixties then and her health was just starting to decline. She was just so tickled and I am so glad that she got to do something she had always wanted to do.

The last time Mom was able to travel to her brother’s in Michigan, I took her. When we started for home I got on the highway in the wrong direction and just down the road were two balloons which she was able to watch for quite awhile before I could turn around. When we got to Cleveland, you guessed it - I got on the wrong highway again. The highway ended shortly afterward and we traveled for miles on a two lane road along Lake Erie. And again there were balloons before I made my way back to the highway. That was the only trip that Mom and I ever took, just the two of us.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.

20 Memories Until Christmas

In 2001 I decorated the tree in Red, White and Blue lights and a huge Red, White and Blue bow for a tree topper. I’ve added more patriotic ornaments in the years since. I still remember clearly the small group of us gathered around the TV in the office and our shock and disbelief.


This series originally appeared in 2006 at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree. Some posts have been updated, others replaced.