What can I say?

I was planning to show you some photos on the 14th with my Christmas decorations in close ups and tell about each one where it came from.
Unfortunately the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy happened and I felt again I didn't want to blog as I didn't know what to say.
What can one say in front of such an unbelievable tragedy.
Then on the same day 20 poor people were drowned on the coast of Lesvos island trying to get illegally in my country. Then 10 little girls were killed by a mine in Afghanistan.
Why, oh why do these things happen?
On the other hand our lives go on as usual, thank God,and sad or happy things happen and I am not in the mood to talk about them as in comparison to all those tragedies they seem so minute and uninteresting.
So I decided to add the photos of the paintings that the pupils in my school painted and organised a bazaar to gather some money.
All paintings were lovely and they show how beautiful the world is through the eyes of children.

Do they know it's Christmas?

Dear friends and followers,
thank you so very much for all your comments and private e-mails about the recent tragic events happening in my circle. Your words of comfort and continuous support really uplifts my mood.
Such awful things happening to such great people like the families of friends that were hurt by those accidents is so much more painful when one thinks that it's Christmas time nearby and people are supposed to be happy and celebrating. But do these families know it's Christmas?
We were thinking of putting the tree up on Sunday but alas the funeral of my ex student came up!
Then I decided I wasn't going to put a tree up this year. I wasn't in the mood.There is so much sorrow around me.
But yesterday evening my son and hubby were both at home and it was a cozy, quiet evening. I was ready to sip some coffee and sit down to write some Christmas mail (of which unfortunately I am very late and really not in the mood to accomplish) when as a sparkle of hope in my mind I said "Get up and put the Christmas tree.You have a family to look after!You have to be strong!"
It took me a second to say it before having second thoughts and as soon as I announced it hubby and son obliged and did their best to put the tree up. It is in a big heavy box, it isn't an easy thing to do. But they were both great in helping out. Some Christmas music was playing on the CD player and the tree was made up.

Then I started decorating it. I wasn't really in a mood for that either. I have about ten boxes of Christmas ornaments, some old vintage from my parents, lots I bought every year because I love Christmas ornaments and lots I have made or cross stitched myself. Also lots that were gifted to me and some recent purchases.
I only managed to open two boxes and put those on the tree.

And hubby changed the sofa cover from the summer to the winter one(it's only been winter here for a week now!)
And that was that.I sat down and looked at it depressed, ready to cry for those gone recently and in previous years, beloved ones and even just acquaintances.For my father and grandmother and my father-in-law.For relatives,friends, neighbours,colleagues but also, most tragically, ex students! They are always with me!

Silence and tears...

...for our sweet Evangelia....her name means "bringing the good news"...
...but the news brought were bad...
my 18-year-old ex student, daughter of one of our friends, died last night at an awful unexplainable car accident...
...the cars, the rain, the speed, the end....
...yet another appointment with death...
...yet another funeral in the teachers' community of our city...
...let it be the last one, please God, please...

(the photos have nothing to do with the specific car accident, they were previous experiments of mine with my camera)

Showing friends' work

I have lots of friends around the world who are very creative. They make various things which I consider art.
At times and when my financial situation allows it I buy their work.
Here is a post about those people and their work.
So when Paula of otchipotchi introduced her new line of Christmas porcelain ornaments I bought a set. They are lovely and very affordable. I will also show a pic when I put them on my tree. You can buy them here.

 Also Sonia from Cozymemories introduced a new line of cardholders, lovely for little gifts and stocking fillers.You can find them here.

 Another person I really admire Margie from Resurrection Fern blog makes these lovely crocheted stones and takes photos of them. Here is my wall paper for December. Yes I know it is a bit summery but I prefer it that way.It reminds me of the sun and the sea and that's good for my mood and for the very rainy and cold weather we are having now.

Another sea glass friend Bev, just made a sea glass book. I haven't bought it yet but many sea glass friends have and they say it is very good. So you can find it here.

Photo by Bev Jacquemet.
I recently bought something from etsy from a seller I didn't know but they were very good so here is what I bought at a very good price from The Realm Collectibles.

Well and because as the Greek saying has it..."If you don't praise your house, it will fall on you!" I have to say a little bit about my etsy shop thalasseaglass. I am having a 20% discount on all items till December 21st.
Use coupon code XMAS2012.

I am hoping to add more items during the holidays.

Tragedy

Just last night I was saying in my previous blogpost that I won't allow anything to spoil my mood...
unfortunately when a tragedy happens and a young person dies you can't possibly still keep your good mood.
Today a 40-year-old Art teacher, mother of two, plunged to death from the top of her school in our area, while trying to decorate it for the Christmas festivities.
She landed among her beloved students and colleagues and died instantly.
We are offering our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, students and colleagues.

Finding beauty everywhere....

that's my motto...
if I don't think in this way the ugliness around me, the cruelty, the hatred, the indifference, the injustice will hurt me deeply for sure. And I am not going to allow that.
So here are some pictures from the beautiful mosaics that adorn the barber shop opposite my school. The owner, a young man trying to start a business in such difficult times, was very kind to allow me to take pictures of his father's art.
Musicians and dancer

 Mermaid

 Dove

And some beautiful delicious gifts from Turkey.

And two night photos from the semi-marathon that took place in the city again for the 100 years of the liberation of our city.

No matter how cold or how dirty this city is you can still see its beauty!

Life is full of happy moments and sad moments....

I know I haven't blogged for some time but as the title says life is like that, filled with all kinds of moments....
and I am starting with the most recent and unfortunately the saddest moment.
On Saturday my son was the witness of the death of a young man at a motorcycle accident at his dad's village. He and his friends were playing football when a motorcycle roared by and in a flash they heard the awful sound of the accident. They immediately ran to the spot and they saw the young man die on the street.
For a teenager to witness the death of a young person is shocking.I know he will never forget it in his life as I have never forgotten the deaths I have witnessed in mine. But that is how life is and maybe he will grow more mature through this.
Sorry I made you sad at the beginning of my blogpost today but I wanted to share this with all of you old and new readers and followers.
To happier things...
December, which came rushing in with sunshine, then torrential rain and then cold and sunshine (today), is leading us fast to Christmas and I am not ready, not ready at all.
I haven't decorated yet or cleaned up or put the carpets.
I haven't written Christmas cards or made parcels.
And I really don't know when I will as there are so many things happening here.
For example last Wednesday 28th hubby and I spent hours outside the courthouse supporting our friend teacher who was on trial unfairly accused for assault against the German delegate. Fortunately he and the co-accused where found innocent which made us really really happy!We were all crying outside the courthouse that day!
Here is a video of the short speech our friend made after the trial.
"...I fight for my children , my grandchild to be and my students..." he said in court and everyone applauded.

Edited on the same day: Unfortunately the three accused are going to be in court again for the same accusations as the Public Prosecutor of the area decided that the result of the trial was false!

On the other hand school goes on as usual with all the things we have to do before Christmas!!! Tests and grades and songs and lots more! I am ready with the tests and the grades,that's good!So I will be spending all the next weeks singing all kinds of Christmas songs at all levels!
It was hubby's birthday last week and at last I told him what my gift for him is. At first he was shocked because I told him "I will give you your present in six months although I got it three months ago!" I don't know why but he thought I was pregnant and wasn't happy at all.LOL! That wasn't intentional I assure you!
Well his gift is a painting he admired very much some time ago at an exhibition but could not buy as he thought it was rather expensive. I made a secret arrangement with the painter Konstantinos Kougioumtzis and the painting will be with us in six months after travelling around Greece and abroad to various exhibitions! Themis was absolutely thrilled with the news!
Here's a photo of the painting showing Karaghiozis as a soldier at the war for the liberation of Macedonia.

A couple of shadow puppet performances will be given by hubby this month to benefit various causes. It is this time around Christmas we do such things.
Finally an announcement....
We are rehearsing heavily to prepare for a performance with the Teachers' Association Drama Club to present our play Koutornithia at the State Theatre to benefit children with cancer and their society Lampsi.
So whoever from my local friends wants to attend and contribute  this will take place on December 16th at 11 in the morning at the State Theatre ( Θέατρο Εταιρείας Μακεδονικών Σπουδών) with a ticket of 7 euros, all procceeds go to Lampsi. We are so happy and proud with this collaboration!