MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve service last night reminds me of so many other services I've attended over the years. Growing up in the Lutheran church and school, I remember practicing the carols and our various parts in the pageant for the big night. Those were very special times. A new dress and the anticipation of the Christ Child's coming. The swishes and swirls as we were all about to go "on" up in front of the church's congregation. Then afterwards all the good feelings one felt throughout the church and the brown paper bag gifts of fruits and nuts from the congregation to us, the children.

That was many years ago. My parents didn't go to church but they did send me to the Lutheran school. Looking back, I guess it was something of a sacrifice for my parents as they had to pay extra for me to go to that school and would have paid nothing for me to go to the public school. But they'd started me out in the Lutheran school before we moved to Roselle from Maywood and I wanted to continue.

Later, we did something similar. We rarely went to church and when our children came along, although we tried to give them something of a religious education, we fell somewhat short as could be summed up in the words of our youngest son. He was probably around 5 or 6 and had recently attended the school holiday program his brother had been in. I selected a church that had an early candlelight service so the kids wouldn't have to stay up too late. Jordan's eyes got big as saucers as he accepted his very own candle upon entering the church and even bigger as the flames were passed from candle to candle during the lighting ceremony.

As we passed by the minister to shake his hand, the man eargerly reached out to Jordan and asked him what he thought of the service. To that Jordan replied, "I really liked my Hannakah candle and I thought the Prime Minister did a really good job!".

Last night Benjamin, our 5 yr. old grandson, attended what was perhaps his first church service and his first Christmas Eve service and he was very good and attentive. But those words of wisdom didn't come out of his mouth (although he did tell us a gross story about all the snot that had come out of his nose and all over his pillow the night before due to his allergies!). Such is the stuff of which our lives are made!

Peace and Good Will to All!

Carol

A MERRY TEXAS CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

This is a view of Santa's Wonderland's drive through lights. If you can't make it out, those are Texas sized boots on either side of the arch and you're looking at a car in front of us as they go through the lights.

Lloyd took these pictures. The display is truly spectacular and better than anything I've seen in Illinois for a paid showing.

We've seen our share of lights this season and are looking forward to seeing lights in the Portland area.

Just about ready for the holidays. Doing laundry today and last minute gift-wrapping and then, of course, packing! Animal care has been arranged but we'll miss our critters.

Plan to go to a Christmas Eve service tonight with the kids. It's been a while and am looking forward to singing the old hymns and hearing the message once again. The true meaning of Christmas--not just all the commercial hustle and bustle. Brings back memories of when I was a kid getting ready for the pageant wearing my Christmas clothes and feeling the fullness of the holidays. That's a feeling that's hard to come by these days--nothing quite like it.

Of course, here in Texas, it's not quite the same with the temps often being around 80! Still, the people are the same and the "reason for the season" still comes through.

So, Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men! Wish all the governments of the world would follow this axiom! I remember peace and it wasn't that long ago and sure wish we could have it back.

Meanwhile, in my own back yard I'll try to practice these principals in all my affairs.

To all who read this blog, my very best to you and yours and may you enjoy a wonderful Christmas season!

Peace and Love,

Carol

Lloyd left yesterday and we already miss him! He helped us out so much and we learned so much from him! Chloe and Jake are better dogs for his visit! In the picture you can see Chloe in the background and little Claire (the dog we rescued earlier this year and gave to our neighbor, Linda Hale) is asking me to pick her up!

I made a little outfit for Claire to keep her warm during the colder months. Sweet little dog! Yesterday she wanted to come to our house!

Inadvertently missed Benjamin's Christmas program yesterday and really feel bad about that. Misunderstood the time and by the time we knew, it was too late. But it did give us more time with Lloyd and we walked the pasture before he left trailing animals behind us as they pestered us for treats. It's always good to be out there with them.

This morning Jeff and Benjamin will come over for breakfast and then Dad and I will go to our meetings. Still some last minute things to do for Christmas. Kids from the University are gone so traffic is lighter in town and the stores shouldn't be as crowded.

Contacted Tina Dumser and looks like they'll be free over the week end we'll be in Washington and we are welcome to visit. Denise has asked me to check out the nursery for her.

Now we can get ready for our trip. I was under the impression that we couldn't take wrapped gifts but apparently that's not so so that gives me a little more leeway and we'll bring gifts in our checked luggage.

Can't wait to see my little girls in their Christmas dresses! And it will be good to get back home and start cleaning up some of this clutter! And to get back into some kind of routine! Will miss my animals while I'm gone but looking forward to the trip!

Peace!

Carol

It's been a busy time with Lloyd here! We're seeing lots of Christmas lights and he's taken lots of pictures of them!

Lloyd has gotten involved in lots of things here including dog training. Chloe is a better dog for it! He's been working in the garage with Dad as well and intends to work on the greenhouse too.

Sure wish we could have been there for Hannah's birthday but it was good to talk to her on the phone. She talks so grown up now!

About to finish a project for Evelyn. Paella tonight with the kids after a trip to the George Bush Memorial Library.

We're doing well and looking forward to our trip to WA!

Peace!

Carol

Lloyd Helping Out in the Kitchen

Bowling today so I will be busy. So will Dad and Lloyd as they have a directive to get hay for the horses.

It's so nice having Lloyd around! So good to laugh together! And we can't stop talking! He helps out in any way he can and he and Dad are making great strides in the garage.

Packages are in the mail! Still lots to do but that's ok. Enjoying my life! Hope everyone out there is too!

Wish we could be there for Hannah's birthday but we can't. But we will be there Christmas night and maybe Santa will stop in on the plane while we're flying!

Gotta run!

Peace!

Carol

I caved and went to bed early last night while the guys worked out in the garage. Don't know when they got to bed but suspect it was pretty late. Lloyd is so easy to talk to it's hard to stop talking!

Showed him around to some places yesterday including the miniature horse farm and Martha's Bloomers and then where Jeff lives. Then he pitched in with supper last night and made a wonderful sauce for the noodles that we had with salmon and fresh broccoli.

I'm up alone right now after doing Yee which I left out in case anyone else wants to do that today. About to start some coffee. Don't know if we'll be able to walk today. Looks like rain all around and it's cool at 50 with the high only 55 today. And yesterday we had the A/C on! Think I'll release the "guys" out to continue work on the garage and work on finishing Christmas projects inside today!

Am beginning to relax some and feel pretty good.

Peace!

Carol

Blue-eyed Sky. Such a pretty little pony! Sweet and shy!

The weather here is so crazy! One minute we have the a/c on! The next we turn on the heat! Yesterday was dreary all day and today it's supposed to get up to 78! But still dreary.

Lloyd came in last night after a slight flight delay in Dallas. So good to see him! Gave him an outside tour but it was in the dark. Charlie surprised me by being on top of the compost bin! Why he prefers that to the safety of his littl chicken house is beyond me! But then maybe he knows that we can't always be relied on to close it up at night! Just glad he didn't fall into the compost!

Stayed up until 1 this AM so am tired. But good to talk to Lloyd. Got 90% the packaged out. Now we concentrate on cards and finishing touches on home made gifts. Dogs accepted Lloyd right away and he seems to have bonded with everyone here. Wonder if Delilah slept with him last night?

Yesterday was spent getting ready and trying to live with the excitement of seeing my brother for the first time in a couple of years. So good to see him!

More later!

Peace!

Carol

It's Getting Done!

Merry Christmas! The spirit is beginning to set in as things are accomplished! The card is virtually done. Perhaps a little tweaking but hope to run it off today while other things are accomplished! (Like a Christmas dress and some stockings and getting ready for Uncle Lloyd's visit!)

Weather is unusally warm! at 4:30 AM it's still 72! But it looks like Lloyd will be bringing San Francisco weather with him so he should feel right at home!

Dogs barking this AM woke me up--Jake very anxious! The windows are open so they hear all kinds of things! But hate to close up the house any more than is necessary!

Made only one meeting yesterday and was glad to accomplish what I did by not making that meeting. We'll see what happens while Lloyd is here. His visit will be a priority.

Already beginning to think of goals for next year: MORE SERENITY! Really need to work on that!

Ready to go back to bed! Maybe get in a couple hrs. before Dad wakes up!

Peace!

Carol

Packaging, packaging, packaging!

Why do we do this?! Each year I make up a ton of cookies and candy and then try to assemble it all into Christmas packages. It is so much work! I can't believe it! Worked on it all day yesterday and there is still more to do! More than 10 pkgs. to send out--maybe that's the problem--each with multiple packages in it. Thank goodness Dad is helping! Now I know why Harry and David and Figi's charge so much! Just hope they all arrive safely.

Too hot! 71 at 6 AM on 12/8! Incredible! but it's better than what it is other places and guess I'll take the warm over the cold.

Meetings today. Should go to a meeting tonight but won't because there's still so much to do. At least we got Hannha's birthday gift off to her. There'll be a little something for Iris too but want to mail that separately and want Hannah to get her's first. Also need to package things up for the family but that can be done next week even while Lloyd is here.

Very tired--maybe that's why I'm so grouchy. And Chloe barks way too much! May be another reason to close up and turn on the a/c???

Septic people came by yesterday and claimed our system needed cleaning AND that they'd been here before--NOT. Guess because of our location, we're easy targets--they seem to stop here and I don't see them going to other houses. We ended up calling the guy who did do our system a couple of years ago and it really did need cleaning but there could be a bigger problem--our lines could be blocked and it may be partially my fault for using the wrong kind of bathroom cleaners! Oh well! Bad me! He put in extra enzymes to shock the system to the tune of $325. Between that and driveway sealing that's an extra $700+ put out this month not counted on! Guess these people need Christmas money!

Feel like all I'm doing is complaining and that's not good but guess I needed to vent and that's kinda what this blog is all about.

Hope to finish the card today--took a look at more pictures yesterday and we have some stuff written down but think it will be simplified and cleaned up a bit compared to some years. Visits from people and seeing our grandchildren are what it's all about!

Dad just brought me coffee and I think a good shower will put me in a better mood but think I'm turning on the a/c==going up to 85 today! It's very "close" in here. Still need to finish stockings and have an entire dress to make! Would be nice if I could get those things done before Lloyd came!

Peace!

Carol

Should I send Rum Balls to WA?

Just wondering, should I send rum balls (if there are any left!) to Washington?

Carol

Stress, Stress, and More Stress!

Got a lot done yesterday--very hectic! But did find a place to put up the small lighted tree in the playroom and got down ornaments for Benjamin and Anna to decorate with. Later, Anna, John and Benjamin removed the wrappers for the candy kiss cookies while I went to the dentist.

The dentist took way too long! My one hour appt. ran over to 1-1/2 hrs.! By the time I got home, there wasn't time to call Anna back to help put the candy on the cookies--it was 5 PM by the time I was ready for that! Then still had to make dinner! And by then, Benjamin's mood had gone sour.

But did get the rest of the house fairly well decorated--at least as much as it's going to get! And some things are put away and the house is fairly straightened. Vaccuum cleaner not working well! And it's new! Bummer! Also worked on laundry but am still working on it this AM.

Good visit with Jeff and Jenn--especially Jenn. She tickles me! Snuck in some toffee to take home even though that wasn't on the list of things offered! But before she left, she did say how glad she was to be a member of this family! What a wonderful thing to say! Makes me feel like maybe we're doing something right!

Realize that with Millie and Lloyd's visits within the 6 wks. before Christmas, I'm trying to do 6 wks. of Christmas in 2 weeks and so the stress is understandable. Dad is beginning to help more. He'll pick up dog and cat food today so that will be off my list.

Bowling today. Then to bring June home and go back into town to shop and do some spying on the shop that's closing then report back to Jenn. Sales are down because the woman is closing out at deep discounts. In the end, Jenn and Jeff will prevail, but meanwhile it does put a crimp in things. I made up some of the earring kits she sells last night and hope to sell them today at Bowling.

Still working on stockings! They may be the last things in the mail. Hope to work on packaging things up and getting them in the mail tomorrow; if not tomorrow then certainly by Monday. Still have the card to do! Know I'll be able to work on some things while Lloyd is here but need to get the essentials done!

There's a Christmas party tonight but I'll miss it in favor of a good TV night. I suppose now would be a good time to have TIVO but then I probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to operate it anyway!

Gotta run!

Peace!

Carol

Stubbed my toe big time yesterday! Really hurts like heck! Did Yee this AM but am canceling the walk. I can get around but the walk might irritate it even more and I need to feel better for bowling tomorrow!

One dress down; one to go! Am particularly pleased because I was a bit creative with this one (Hannah's) and jumbled up the pattern and did my own thing. The logistics of sewing have always been a challenge to me but if I can do my own thing, it might become more fun! Even made a slip without a pattern! Wow! I could be dangerous!

Still so much to do! Will pick up Benjamin today from school and he and a little friend will help me make the last of the cookies--the peanut butter kisses! Friday may well be a packing day!

The house is a wreck! Hope to work on it this AM--another reason not to walk--save my foot for what has to be done in the house! So little decorating in the house! Not like me. I love this house but it is not condusive to a Christmas tree and I feel bad about that! Have no idea where to put it!

Heard from Lloyd and everything is good. Wants to play in the kitchen which is great! I made up some pot roast (4 roasts!) and pork ribs yesterday to freeze and have on hand. Good thing I did as Jeff was looking for supper and had no idea as I hadn't heard from him! At least I had things made up!

Charlie really crowed up a storm this morning but still have no idea where he roosts at night! We set up the omelet but he wasn't in there!

Dad seems to be feeling better and I'm glad of that. I worry that he is aging too fast.

So much on my mind! So many directions to go! Gotta go!

Peace!

Carol

Anyway

Pretty good day, yesterday. Got the toffee made. Started work on Hannah's dress. Interesting because the material is such it's hard to tell the right side from the wrong side. The dress will reflect that.

Nadja was very depressed and depressing last night. She just doesn't expect and feel anything good will ever happen to her again since her recovery from her addiction. The whole group was doing everything in it's power to cheer her but she blatantly said there was nothing anyone could do make her happy--she was determined to feel bad! How sad! What a terrible way to live your life!

I'm reprinting something here that I have as a magnet on my ventilation hood over my cook top. Most of the time I don't even notice that it's there but yesterday I read it and it made me feel so good. I hope the author doesn't mind my reprinting it here. If so, I apologize and will make a donation to whatever cause you designate!

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered. - Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. - Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. - Succeed anyway!

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. - Be honest and frank anyway!

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. - Build anyway!

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. - Be happy anyway!

The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow. - Do good anyway!

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. - Give the world the best you have anyway!

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. - It was never between you and them anyway!

From a sign on the way of Shishu Bhavan, the children's home in Calcutta. Mother Teresa: A Simple Path. Copyright 1995 compiled by Lucinda Vardey (8 Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith, 1968 copyright 2001.

That's all for now!

Peace!

Carol

Well, I've started my day by "releasing my inner groins" per Mr. Yee's instructions! (Love that phrase!) Dad and I did look at another AM Yoga tape by Lilias yesterday. He liked it and it is good but so slow! She spends most of her time giving instructions which is great the first time you go through it but I see no place where you just simply go through the routine! It took an hour! Way too long for me to spend in the AM. Yee's exercise stretches each joint gently in 15 minutes--20 if you do the relaxation first. It really starts my day off right!

Finished Project 3--just finishing touches now. This is the last week before Lloyd gets here and hope to begin finishing things up and mailing things out! Lots to do. Thinking of making the toffee today. I'll wait until Wednesday to make the Kissed cookies w/Benjamin and then I'll start packing things up for shipping.

House needs cleaning and the decorating needs to be finished inside. The outside looks pretty good. Want to take a picture but it was pretty windy last night! Can't believe we actually had the a/c on yesterday! 41 at 7 AM today with a high in the 60s. But it's back in the 70s in the next few days! Crazy!

Feel pretty good although a little tense about getting things done and falling behind. Oh well, will do what can be done and that will be it.

Lots on my mind and need to act on some of it! Looking for a productive day!

Peace!

Carol

We picked up Benjamin from school and took him to Cici's pizza for lunch. That boy sure likes his desserts! Amazing that he is so skinny!

Afterwards, we brought him home to help us put up Christmas decorations and he was such a big help! He cheerfully got the toy soldiers out of the shed and really wanted the angel out as well which I hadn't planned on doing but am glad we did. I have to say that his visit was a real joy! Loved how he picked out things and where he wanted to put them--some times good choices and some times not but was very understanding and willing to make changes. Anyway, the outside of the house looks pretty good--the inside still needs lots of work!

Later we took him to his tai kwon do class--sure I've misspelled that! How interesting. He is one of three Tiny Tigers. The class is 1/2 hr. long and the teacher is very interesting. With these young ones, he teaches kindness, respect, and manners as well as self-defense. There is a tenderness and caring about this man as well that was quite evident as he gently disciplined. I'd say that although Mr. Pak's class is expensive, it is probably very worth it and have noticed much improvement in Benjamin.

Later we went out to eat with Jeff & Jenn and then went to the city park for a hayride and Christmas lights. It was a full day!

Yesterday involved with meetings and a little shopping. Trying to round up gifts. Tired when I got home and after resting mixed up 4 more batches of cookies--a double batch of biscotti, maccaroons that did not come off the foil well--probably should have buttered it first!--lemon drop cookies that will be made today and made some ginger snaps that turned out pretty tastey--actually made with bacon grease!

Today I'll try to finish Project 3 and try to get on to making Christmas dresses as well as baking the lemon drops and making the toffee. I've requested that we pick up Benjamin (another first!) for help in making the "kissed" cookies on Wednesday so he'll be here when his parent's come over for supper. That will probably be the end of the cookie baking and and I can start packing them up for shipping! That would be great! Meanwhile, there's a lot of work to be done on the Christmas card.

Weather here is awful--too warm! 72 at 6AM! I'm in shorts the 2nd of December! And humid too--might actually turn on the a/c when I make the toffee later! Bring on the cold! And the forecast isn't much better! Yuck! But it is better than the ice and snow they've experienced in Chicago! Guess I shouldn't complain!

Peace!

Carol