Let's see how long THAT thought lasts! Already the thought has come to me that if I take hubby out to breakfast, he won't mind that I'm gone all morning. And if I don't, he would be ok, I'm sure - but he doesn't like to be alone. My giving him my complete (he thinks) attention, will set his day. His Bible study on Tuesdays has taken a break until after the holidays so he won't have that to keep him busy. I feel like a babysitter. Does that make sense? Or is it that I'm just being nice? I have So.Much.To.Do!
Yes, I took today off work with the hopes of completing my Christmas shopping in person. I've done it all online - and have spent way, way more than I intended to spend. But partially because some of the things I purchased were more expensive than I thought they were. And you know what, I don't care. I cannot take it with me - and I may as well spend it on those I love and enjoy while I can, right? I'm coming to a close, though, and will be finishing up soon. I know for some I've overbought; others I didn't do as much - and my one gift a person kind of fell through the cracks. Sigh. I just can't buy a game for one, and a plate of cookies for another, know what I mean? I love to give, regardless of what it costs. And I always try to find something that person has mentioned they want, or perhaps even something they need.
My granddaughters were over yesterday with their daughters (more on that later) to bake cookies and I got to ask questions as to gifts for their hubbies. Since I don't know either that well, and I don't like to get just generic gifts just to have a gift.... I got some great ideas. Last night I ordered for one... and this morning I thought of something for the other, and jumped on Amazon to get it. I think I'm done with both of them now. Although last week I got under the trees and sorted through things and verified packages, I'm already confused and at a total loss. I think in the future I just need to stack the gifts and then sort out and wrap all at the same time. Unless I get everything for one person and then wrap it and mark them done. HAH like that would work. Besides, the trees look so pretty with the gifts under them.
I enjoyed having my granddaughters and great granddaughters over yesterday to bake cookies. And no, they didn't leave the great granddaughters to me, they were very attentive in helping their daughters get things done - and I helped where I could. My kitchen is way too small and add a card table in the middle of it - well, it was tight. But we managed and even with one oven, we managed to get all the cookies baked. The little ones made 'coffee cups' - which is really cute - I showed them the one I had made. It's a flat cookie and using chocolate on the bottom of a large marshmallow, put it on the cookie. Then add the hook of a candy cane on the side of the marshmallow with chocolate, and then a bit of chocolate and peppermint on the top - and YUMMY! Well, we didn't eat it - but I think both little ones ate a big marshmallow. And then we did the traditional Christmas mice. It was so funny, we'd take out the cherries for the girls to wipe off with a paper towel before dipping in the melted chocolate - and they'd eat the cherry! Both of them! I enjoyed them all so much and I hope we made a good memory for them.
Hubby did fairly well most of the day, but the last couple hours he started getting grumpy. The girls were getting tired with baking and making the mice and coffee cups and were wanting to get some energy extended. They got a little loud at times and Opa would grumble at them. The granddaughters and I tried to keep the little ones quiet and busy, but after all, they are little ones. And the little ones were worn out when they left, so I hear.... both were asleep by the time they got to where they were going - or close to it. Treasured memory - check! Lots of fun - check! Do it again - Absolutely!!
Got another treasured memory coming today - later this afternoon two of the grandsons are coming over to bake cookies. I'm so looking forward to hanging out with them! I am pretty sure I have enough ingredients left - even without knowing what they plan to bake. I will do a quick 'looksee' before I leave today on the flour and sugar but I think I have enough. Plus I plan to do a bit of baking over the next couple of days as well. I think I can start getting salsa made this week - I don't even know how many jars to make anymore - I had too many last year and was giving to anyone who wanted it. I do need to get more stewed tomatoes - I think I'm down to six cans - which is only two batches - and only 4 jars at best. Rough count - 3+6+4+2 - I think I need to make 13 jars - some may get pints for I don't think I have enough quarts.
Plus, I need to sit down and figure out ingredients for the meals - most I can wait until Saturday to get - and no, I will not be going to the store. I do the pick up route. It saves me lots of time and money. I went to the store the other day to get a couple things - and spent over $100! If I order online, I may still spend that much, but I get what I need cause I am not looking at what is on sale. I need to do an expiration date check on things - some have been in the pantry for some time - I'll still use after the expiration date - but need to be realistic. Five years past may be a bit long to use an item. No, I really don't think I have any that old. But do need to do a pantry clean-out - and a refrigerator one as well. I can't ask hubby to do any clean-out of anything.... enough said.
John 1:14 (NKJV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
One week from today. Christmas. The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Well, most of us do. Some are only thinking about the gifts they will give and get. But there is so much more to what the day means! Stop and think about it! We are celebrating Jesus, who came to earth to save us, to redeem us from our sins - not just one or two - but all our sins as we confess them to Him. Even our unknown sins. He forgives us when we ask Him to, and He sets our feet on solid rock. We celebrate the Christ child - who came as a baby - not to a wealthy family in a castle and a custom-made rocker, but to a poor family (in money, but rich in faith) and born in a stable and laid in a manger.
The manger isn't even what people imagine it to be! The manger was a cold, hard, rock with a chiseled. dip to put hay and fodder in for the cattle. The baby was wrapped in pieces of cloth, and laid in this manger. And all glory broke loose! Oh the glorious appearing of our Lord - coming as a babe - enduring the same temptations we face daily - but not succumbing to them - loving, healing, forgiving, providing... and then going to the cross for us. This baby, laying in the manger, Christ our Lord.
My prayer is that you will take some time this week leading up to Christmas and think about the REASON we celebrate. Even those who do not follow Jesus, celebrate His birth by giving gifts to others, as the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. They may not know Him, but He knows them. Help them find their way to the Truth.
Blessings!
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