Christmas Day Celebrations...

The Christmas prayer and blessing by the oldest - patriarch. Always a Christmas tradition before we open our presents. Keeping "Christ" in Christmas...

The other grandparents loving the special grandson... The handing out of the gifts and WAITING to open them...
Fun and gag gifts are always part of the exchange...
Sisters sharing their gifts with each other...
A new car...

uh oh car!
Final stages of breakfast preparation
More car time-taking everything possible for a ride...
First Christmas as husband and wife ....
Fun new toys ....and sharing and playing togetherChristmas outfit and yummy new books..
This says it all!
A great and wonderful Christmas with family and loved ones (and of course delicious food!)

We pray that you were blessed this year with love and joy and may the New Year bring blessings that abound exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think!

Merry Christmas!

We are off to see the grandchildren and Christmas! We have been staying in the home of son#2. He and his sweet wife and precious little girl have gone to Michigan for the holidays.
We spent time last night with son#1 and his expecting wife and her family. We have had a wonderful time already. Can hardly wait to get over to see the little ones and enjoy their Christmas day. Both daughters will be there.
I pray that this year you have a blessed Christmas and be with ones you love. And remember whose birthday it is as we celebrate.
Blessings and love!

It's Friday... almost Saturday musings

So, is this "fantastic Friday" or satisfying Saturday"?
They are predicting snow this weekend again. This is about the 4th weekend in a row of predicted snow. But THIS snow is supposed to be"blowing" snow. hummm, I'm learning new things. This week we had 3 days of 68 degree weather! What's up with that? How do our bodies ever get used to this strange weather?
Today was my last day of work for the year. Sounds sort of sad. I am not sad at all. I am looking forward to a couple of weeks off.
This has been the strangest Christmas season. I have not been very much in the "spirit". I think it is because I'm not really going out and buying presents this year. I love the hustle and bustle of shopping and finding just the right gift, wrapping it and putting it under the tree.
Giving a gift of money is always nice for the recipient. They get to decide how they want to spend it. It is always the right color and they can't complain about the size. Although it would always be nice if it were larger. It is just not fun to wrap and open and put under the tree. It doesn't make the tree look prettier. Oh well, I guess those are very selfish reasons.
I almost feel like Christmas has already come and gone. I had the huge build-up and after it was over, I felt like the whole season was over and wanted to pack up everything. I have resisted the urge and left everything out.
I am very excited to be heading north on Sunday. It will be a mixed emotional day. The celebration of Communion with Christmas - then dinner - then a funeral. It is always so sad to lose a loved one during the holidays. That is very often the case. I can't remember a single Christmas that we did not have at least one funeral...
Then after the funeral, we will be going to visit the kids. One son and his wife and daughter will be going to visit her family in Michigan. We will miss them. The other three will be in town and we get to visit with them, and watch grandchildren open presents.
After Christmas, we will head to visit my parents and family.
Life is good. Life is busy. Life is full.
Hope your life is happy and merry and bright!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen of my favorite Christmas Decorations (of the ones I have out this year)

1. My Santa Claus that says "Merry Christmas" that lights up is also a favorite of the children who come to visit.
2. Our very first Nativity Scene... the little lamb climbing the stairs is missing a front paw, thanks to a puppy who loves "lamb"... also, the donkey in the loft is mysteriously missing an ear and "nobody" ever knew what happened to it.
3. Another version of our oldest Nativity... this one was given to us in thanks for many MANY visits and prayers for a newborn son who was not supposed to live... he is now 4 years old and doing wonderfully. This is a testimony and reminder of God's love and healing power.
4. This is my hugsum's least favorite of everything I have. He hates it. I bought it almost 20 years ago with my $25 bonus from my part time job. It has several broken paddles that just barely hang on. I didn't find the candles this year. It tells the whole story of the birth of Jesus, complete with the angels, and shepherds and wise men... and it goes round and round.

5. This is my "newest" bought ornament. I got it at the local craft/antique store. It is a bright lime green in case you can't see... it glitters. It was just fun and I didn't have anything else like it. It was all of 75 cents... :)
6. This was given to us this year. It is a picture of the little white church in the snow, a sweet gift of love.
7. My Santa worshiping Jesus is precious to me. It was a gift from our youngest daughter many years ago. I have gotten lots of criticism from people because they don't think that Jesus and Santa should be together. I, obviously, disagree. St. Nick was a godly man who set the example of Christan love and generosity.
8. These are just some ceramic figures I got years ago that have a special place in my heart. One of them got cracked in the move, but, I just sat it out anyway. I also love the topiary...

9. The table decoration from our open house is still beautiful even though the candles and scrunched tablecloth are missing. I think it still looks pretty on the green place mat.

10. A very special chip and dip dish that I have not had the courage to use yet. I can't imagine trying to get the dip out of all the detail crevices all over it. It usually sits on my mantle, but this year, we don't have a mantle, so it just sits on my counter (or stove top as it is now - since I don't cook much)
11. My Jim Shore nativity set and ceramic tree that lights up. The tree is special because hugsum loves it. He literally stopped mid street to show me one in someones window because he loved it so much. When I found this one at a church bazaar for 50 cents I grabbed it up one July.
12. These are the Jim Shore wise men. The entire story of the birth of Christ is carved into them. They are so pretty to me and quite large. They stand on the floor. I'd love to have the entire Nativity set, but am thrilled to have these!
13. The Jim Shore Santa... he has the 12 days of Christmas carved on him. I didn't realize that until just the other day when I had an opportunity to sit and stare at him.
Merrie Christmas!

Open House Ready!

Well, the big day is here! I can now breath.... almost!

My day started early so that I can make sure that I have everything in place. I'm doing a "first" for me. We have a covered dish lunch today after church and I did not fix anything! I just ran out of time.

God had mercy on us with the weather and our snow was all blown away before noon. It is still cold, but we didn't have ice and snow to deal with on top of that. I am very thankful.

Now, we have 2 church services, a children's program and Christmas party,a covered dish meal (which I'm praying for an abundance since I am not doing my part ... which is to carry dishes and bring them back home almost untouched). Then there is the band concert and the church across the street is having an open house and then our open house and then another Christmas party at our other church.... yeah, a busy day, but a blessed and happy one!

Here are some pictures of my humble attempts at decorating.

This is a picture of my kitchen table. A friend came over and decorated it for me. Those little green dishes were my mother's and they have tea lights in them, which I HOPE to remember to light!

This is the den/kitchen... you can see I have the bar set up and ready for the food... also, Andy is in his favorite spot on the back of my chair.
The living room with my skinny tree and a few presents so it doesn't look so bare.
The master bedroom
The corner of living room with my flute - which I even played when I took it out of it's case. Of course, it was not a song I played... only some flute sounds - not exactly notes.
This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad IN it, (and when it is over!)

Merrie Christmas!!!!

So THIS is 9 inches???

We had our big snow storm last night! I can't believe it! Here are a few pictures I took first thing this morning...

So, this proves it... trampolines collect snow before pavement...

My backyard... what you see on the patio is paint, not snow.
The view from my front door...
View of the church's roof from the living room.
View from my den... probably the only snowman I'll see...
Merrie Christmas ...

Snow??? I don't think so!

Well, today all day "they" were talking about all the bad weather we are expecting. Everyone seemed to be excited because it had been predicted that we would be getting 9 inches of snow!!!! Well, some people said that it would only be 6 inches, but the general consensus was 9 inches.

There was all kinds of talk about it. The basketball games were even canceled because the other team didn't think they would be able to get back home after the game.

Okay, so it is after 10 tonight. We have had rain, rain and more rain. No snow.

I'll post pictures tomorrow of all our snow!

Goodnight, I'm going to bed because I'm tired of waiting for it and I have LOTS to do tomorrow to tie up all the lose ends before the OPEN HOUSE! (insert much panic here)...

I'll apply my favorite scripture at this point... "this too, shall PASS"...

Ice!

Okay, so we have had an ice storm here. It started on Sunday. Sprinkle, slush, slide.... (sorry no pictures - I just forgot my camera when I braved the elements!)

The first sign that we were having weather was that I lost my internet connection. That was very disconcerting for me since I could not check my email, or blog. Talk about interrupting my world! Let's get real here! What is most important? Shouldn't it be the internet?

Oh well, to make matters worse, when I got to work, we were not able to get on line there either! Customers wanted their balances... printouts of their accounts, we needed to know if they had money in their accounts before we cashed the checks... Well, it wasn't that big a deal, all 5 of the customers all day were very understanding. After all, they had bundled up and braved in the elements JUST for that purpose.

Our daughter #3 called early Monday to tell me that she was feeling horrible and their power went off about 2 that morning. The kids were in the bed with them and they were all COLD. The almost 2 year old did not understand the concept of staying under the covers to be warm. He wanted to get up and play!

They ALMOST came down here to stay. But, the roads were much too icy between them and me. I was disappointed.

But after trying to get into the motel where they had made reservations, and finding it closed because they didn't have power either, daughter #4 opened her home to them to stay.

Well, I could go on and on about the fact that all the kids lost the power... except the youngest. It does me proud that they were staying in each other's homes. Son #1 lost his power on Sunday night and went to stay with son #2. ... who lost his electricity Monday afternoon... but, thankfully, they have a working fireplace AND wood, so they stayed warm.

Today, it warmed up to about 40, so the ice melted where we are. But, the internet still was not working at work and so I just got the day off! Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! I loved it! I got some of the deep cleaning done in preparation for the open house on Sunday and I got to go town and shop. I actually got some Christmas shopping done... the first!

I have heard from people "back home in Georgia". My dear friend shared with me yesterday that it was 82 degrees!!!! Do you understand that was over 50 degrees difference!!!!! That is just wrong! I'm sorry, but just wrong! Here I am freezing and they are fighting off gnats and sweat. The good thing is, though - I am finally getting to really wear my Christmas sweaters and enjoy them!

Hope your world is going great... I'm working on peace and contentment in the midst of sloppy slush!
Merry Christmas!

Is it POSSIBLE?

Could this really have been 55 years ago???? My how time flies. I'm sure that I got exactly what I wanted that year, whether I asked for it or not.
May your Days be Merrie and Bright!

...and panic sets in!

The last line of my last post said something about me decorating faster "IF" someone would come and visit... hint, hint!

Famous last words.... ahhhhhh

This morning as I was walking into work, my sweet hugsum called and said, "we are having an open house on Saturday, Dec 15"...

ummm - again... PANIC!!!!

So, I have already confessed my lack of enthusiasm for decorating this year and the shortcomings and hindrances.

Yesterday when I got home from work, my sweet hugsum was sweeping out the garage and had hung wreaths outside on the front windows. I guess I should have known something was in the works.

So, now I tackle my filthy house and get it spotless and decorate... and fix refreshments. Now, I'm sure that the special someone who scheduled the open house is thinking that all I have to do is announce it and open the doors and show people around. He is not aware of all that goes into it. Especially does he not even consider the fact of FOOD... somehow that always manages to magically show up at certain times of the day with no preparation or explanation.

So, I need your prayers... your inspiration, your suggestions for quick, easy, simple, cheap refreshments that will make a huge bang and impression!
Thanks!

Decorating

Well, the Christmas season is here! I am finally in the middle of decorating. I know that I have said earlier that it was not certain that I would decorate this year. I LOVE Christmas and I love to decorate. When we moved out here, we moved about 20 big plastic bins of Christmas decorations along with 6 trees and several other boxes. They all went to the storage unit.

A couple of weeks ago I went garage sale-ing and bought a 6 foot trim line tree with lights on it. I only paid $10. I figured that would satisfy me and the need to decorate. I didn't know if I would be able to get my decorations here, especially the big tree because I can't pick it up. Besides, I knew that my big tree just would be too tall and too wide - well, just too big! So, I thought at least I would have a tree to show in the window.

Then last weekend, my sweet husband brought some of my bins to the house. He said all he left was the Christmas china and the linens.

This gets long so bear with me... I am used to a HUGE tree with literally thousands of lights and ornaments. I decorate for a week and then it takes me 2 weeks to get it all packed back up. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Chistmas and love to decorate for it???

When I was at my parents a few Christmases ago Mama asked if I wanted any of her ornaments. I was thrilled to acquire some precious old ornaments and decorations from my childhood. She had not put up any decorations for years and didn't plan to again. It was sad to me because she also loves Christmas, but I understand the overwhelming task of getting out, putting up and then repacking.

I have lovingly put Mama's decorations on my tree every year since then, along with ornaments that I have collected through the years from places we have lived and people have blessed me with beautiful decorations.

Here, my house and living room is not the same size, so my nice big tree just won't fit even though it is now in the box in my garage. So... I put the small tree up.

Much to my dismay - it was short, VERY thin, and had ORANGE lights. and well, very UGLY! I had to cut off the lights. They were so tightly wound around the branches that they would not come off otherwise. Thankfully, they were not the ones that are made on the tree, but were strings of lights. I got the tree from a divorced lady and as I was cutting off the strands of lights, I had a thought that THIS could be the reason for divorce! Someone wound and wound and WOUND the lights around over and over ... binding up the branches so tightly... well, enough said!

So, I added my lights and some ornaments. I used maybe a 5th of what I normally put on the tree and it is covered. There are only a few hundred lights instead of thousands. There are few spots left empty and I still don't have anything on top. My topper is way too big and overpowers the tree - so, I need to find something a little smaller.

Here are a couple of pictures - so far of the decoration process... much more to be done!

This is one when you squinch your eyes together and make the lights all fuzzy... at least that is the explanation of why the lights are not clear. Surely it has nothing to do with the photographer moving the camera!
I'll show more decorations as I get them up and in place... I'm working on it and getting more and more in the Christmas mood. I would work faster if someone was coming to visit. HINT HINT!

Thankful Weekend...

Here are a few pictures from the holiday and family... Thanks especially to Jenny for taking lots and LOTS of fun pictures...