I DID sleep a lot!

 Even with all the extra naps I told you about yesterday morning, I slept another two hours during the day!  And going to bed around 9PM last night - slept until 5AM or so this morning.  Good part was no sneezing or coughing during the night... but now that I've been up for a little bit, it has started.  But, I'm believing that God is just clearing out my sinus so that I can share His Word this morning up north.  That's what I'm praying for - no coughing or sneezing, no slimy snot... and yes, I'll take something before we leave so that it will help.  Three weeks this has hung on - from allergies to a sinus cold and it is annoying me a lot now.  I will be napping after we get home.  After we eat lunch, of course.  We always stop someplace for breakfast after we speak.  Hubby counts on it.

In fact, when I came out of my room yesterday, when hubby asked if he could take me to breakfast, I barely hesitated and said yes.  I figure why should I cook if he is offering to take me out?!  So I got dressed and we headed out to eat.  Interestingly, I got a small veggie skillet with two eggs, and toast, and I couldn't eat it all.  It's like my tummy says, "nope, we're full, nothing else is going in here."  I guess that is a good thing, right?  I got on the scales the other day after about staying off of them for about a month.  As little as I have been eating lately (although I have eaten cookies, etc.) - I haven't lost any weight.  Go figure.  I'm still trying to figure out how my little sister says she wears a size medium when I wear a large. Oh well... 'my weight does not determine who I am'. 

I mentioned 'farts' in yesterday's blog... and my son responded to 'ask his wife'.  For some reason I thought of a video I saw recently and it still cracks me up.  A man and woman were sitting at the airport terminal and he is farting.  She is fussing at him to go someplace else to do his 'stuff'.  So he walks over to an empty terminal desk and just stands there nonchalantly 'letting go'.  The sound resounds throughout the terminal and everyone is looking around to see where it is coming from.  The wife is trying to hide her head.  An airline desk 'host' walks over and pulls the speaker off the desk and turns it off.  I can see that happening.  And I saw another one where a guy was walking through KMart, I think it was, and as he walked by one of the speaker phones on the pole, he reached up and grabbed it, held it down and farted, then hung it back up and kept going.  Sorry, not sorry. It is funny.  And that last one I can definitely see my boys doing it!

Luke 1:37 (NKJV):  "For with God nothing will be impossible."

Sometimes one just has to hang on to a verse and this is the one that came to me this morning.  I have been struggling with this cold for nearly three weeks, as you have heard me complain off and on and about it.  Most times I just work through it; deal with it.  But the past few days it has been tough with me just wanting to sleep, which is really the best thing for my body.  Last night's sleep was the best I've had for awhile (didn't even wake up to walk down the hall!) but just sitting up in my chair has me sneezing and sniffling and blowing my nose again.  BUT, in spite of that, because I've asked God to help me because I am speaking His Word this morning, I am confident that He will hold back the sneezes, the running nose and the coughing, so that His Word can be brought forth without any distractions.  And I'm ok with that.  I can come home and go back to bed. :-)   I'm believing He will take care of me.  I was hoping for healing this morning, but block it out for a few hours; yeah, I'm ok with that.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV):  "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise."

That verse just popped into my mind.  I used to pray that over myself when I wasn't feeling well, and well, I honestly hadn't thought of it this time.  Just a simple cold, right?  Well, God can heal simple colds too, so why wasn't I praying for healing of my cold?  I have no idea.  I know that He can. 

So what is going on with you that you aren't praying about?  I know a lot of things I AM praying about, but for myself, I don't usually focus on me.  What about you?  Have you ever prayed that God would heal you and make you feel better?  I've been praying for relief of my symptoms, but why haven't I been praying for healing?  Maybe I should!  I just sneezed 4 times; maybe God is trying to clear my head?  He does work in mysterious ways!

I was totally lazy yesterday and didn't even make pickles.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  I think that after a nap today, I need to get some things done.  

Christmas is one week away!  The best part of Christmas - other than celebrating Jesus' birth - is having all my children and grandchildren over.  Some I have not seen since last Christmas.  Not anyone's fault; it's just busy lives - mine as well as theirs.  

Gotta get off... mind is thinking of 'Christmas pasts' and I have about 15 minutes I can close my eyes for a quick nap before I need to get up and get ready for church.

Have a blessed day - and be a blessing to others.  Sometimes they, too, need a kind word, a hug.  Be there for them.

Blessings!

Getting things done.....

 Christmas is quickly approaching and I'm finishing up with a few things that I want to cook/bake/get done.  I had a very light day yesterday so I checked the computer periodically and made 4 batches of salsa - finishing up all that I need to make for the grandchildren.  It sounds like I made a lot, but one batch is only about 1 quart and 1 pint.   I try to make each one a quart - whoever wants it.  At least I'm done with salsa right now - and even had a pint for hubby, for which made him very happy.  He was always asking 'did you make any for us?  did you save any for us?' - when in reality it was 'did you make any for me?'  LOL  

I also expanded my horizon and tried to make a mint cheesecake with a chocolate base out of my Junior's Cheesecake cookbook.  I will never, ever, ever, (I don't think) try to make this again.  Oh my goodness - what a lot of work - and I don't think it turned out.  The crust itself took over an hour to make (in between me checking the computer) cause it had to bake.  Then the real work started in making the cheesecake - oh my word.  Trust me, I will pay whatever it costs to buy a Junior's Cheesecake (New York) for it is well worth it.  It took a lot of work, and a lot of time, to make this cheesecake - and then had to put it in a 'water bath' and it was to bake for 85 minutes - seriously!  By the end of 25-30 minutes it was dark brown on top so I just took it out - I didn't want it to burn!  It's now in the freezer... not sure if I will attempt to bring it out or not.  I may for the first group over Christmas Eve night... if it's not good, then can get rid of it.  But I think it will be good.  I had a bit left over from the first batch and put in the 4" pan and it tastes ok.... but now I need to cover up the dark brown top.  Maybe if I could have given it all my attention, it would be better, but I don't have much confidence in it now.  Besides, I did order 18 of the Junrior's Cheesecake cupcakes and they are in the refrigerator for dessert.  As well as a chocolate creme pie, and a turtle pie.  I had planned to also make an apple cobbler in the crockpot, but will see.  There will be so much food for dinner, no one may want dessert.   I did find another recipe (not from the cookbook) for a blueberry cheesecake - which did not require baking - and made it as well.  It actually does taste pretty good!  In fact, hubby and I had some of it last night after dinner.  Will see how long that lasts!

I need to review my groceries to make sure I have everything I want to cook this weekend.  I'm in my 'seventh heaven' when I get to cook for everyone.  It's one of the joys I get.  I don't even mind the clean up cause I get to use my 'love gift' of creating dishes to give to others.  Thank goodness for dishwashers, though!  I did do online ordering at Fry's the other night and picked up everything I thought I needed.  I just need to confirm that I did get everything.  It would probably be a good idea to write out a menu - then I would know what I'm fixing.  I'm so excited to be able to cook for my children and grandchildren - and great-grandchildren!  

Everything (well, except for a couple little things) are wrapped and under the tree because I quit shopping for Christmas a week or so ago.  There are some packages that still come in occasionally - and I tell hubby these things have been either delayed or back-ordered.... I'm not going online and ordering Christmas gifts.  If I buy anything, it is for me, for now. :-)  And then it isn't much - usually a book or two.  LOL  I do love my books.  Trying to find a new Bible study to do on my own when I finish the one I'm doing.  I do have a confession.  After the first six verses, I quit memorizing.  I tried, I really did, but there were some issues going on and my heart just wouldn't let me retain it.  I do read the verses every day, and perhaps some of it will stick.  And then I tell myself that I need to memorize verses that will be meaningful to me for living life, not 'in her hand she holds the distaff and with her fingers holds the spindle' or something like that.   A Proverbs 31 woman I am probably not, but I did, and am, learning some things from the book.  Just finished day 73 today.  Right now it's talking about hospitality - something I enjoy doing; hubby not so much. 

I am working today and tomorrow, getting December 24th off.  But although my two big bosses are working, their meetings are light and I will rarely hear from them.  I do have a meeting with one to go over his calendar this morning for next week.  But other than that - I can get a lot of other things done, like I did yesterday.   Both are totally blocked tomorrow with no meetings so I will have pretty much all day to do whatever - but I do need to read about timecards and how to approve them.  I have to do it this Monday and the person I am taking it on from - she signed off and turned in her computer last Friday without even telling me 'bye' or showing me how to do it.  We had briefly gone over some things, but I'm still uncertain how to do it.  Then I found out another admin is leaving and yes - I am getting her people to approve timecards for too!  I've had to take on three more leaders in addition to the two chiefs I support... and then there are their direct reports.  Yeah, I'm busy.  And I don't mind busy, but not knowing how to do things often makes me wish I didn't have to - that I wasn't working.

But I am glad I am working.  We got notification the other day - the 'soft re-opening' that had been planned for leaders to start coming back in to the office has been halted due to this new strain of virus - indefinitely.  So if I'm at home, working in jeans and t-shirt, it's the life, right?  As long as I don't have to do board meetings it is!  I've gotten lazy since I haven't had to take minutes for awhile.  I don't know these people and without having them face to face, it's hard to do minutes of who said what.  It sure has been easier for us with not having gas expenses and clothing expenses.  Especially since I have gained some weight since I've been home.  Got to get refocused on eating better and less of it.  In other words, stay out of the cheesecake!  

January 2nd we will start our 21 day fast for the year.  I've been thinking about what I will give up - and I like the BBCD I usually do.  No beef, bread, chocolate, or dessert.  Sometimes it is hard, it really is!  Usually I will just eat chicken and fish with vegetables, which is good for me.  I sometimes leave out the pasta as I consider it a bread product, but it really isn't.  It does have flour in it though; just not bread flour.  Last time I did something different - which I can't remember what it was now - but I recall it was harder to stay focused on not doing it.  I have beef, bread, chocolate and dessert under the acronymn BBCD so it's easier to remember.  And trust me, it is hard to give up my bread!

The point isn't for us to just 'give up something we enjoy' for 21 days each year.  It is giving our attention to God during that time versus focusing on food.  Some people go without any food, or eat only one meal a day, during the 21 days.  Several churches have taken it up now.  I enjoy doing it 'with others' even though we aren't with them physically.  I have seen the blessings God has given us because we choose to give up some food that we enjoy as a tithe to Him part of the first month of the year.  I'll probably talk more about this on January 1.

God has been good, and He has been faithful to us.  I've noticed it more so this year, I think, than in years past.  Yeah, we still go through some things, but overall, when we release things to Him, He gets us through it.

Goals to think about for the new year?  Haven't gotten that far yet in my thinking.  Perhaps after Christmas I will ponder that.  My son made a comment a few years back about resolutions versus goals... I don't remember exactly what it was now, but it makes more sense.  So I choose goals versus resolutions.  What about you?

Need to jump off and sign on the computer - then get dressed for the day.  Oh what shall I wear?  Oh yeah - jeans and t-shirt will work!  And a sweatshirt or hoodie... I sometimes get chilly when I stay back in this room.  I may bake cookies today... not sure what I'll do.  I NEED to review timecards and how to do them... but that's Monday, right?  UGH.  I don't like this part of the job!  I've never had to do it before so why should I do it for other people?!  

Have an awesome day!  Are you on the nice or naughty list this year?

Blessings!

Off the hook for today.....

 Today is Sunday and we have been talking about trying this new church today.  We know a few people who go there and they have recommended it to us.  Last Sunday we watched it online.... weren't that sure about it.  But we thought we would try it after a friend contacted me this week and invited us to go...that she had felt led to ask us.  Yesterday I was thinking about it.... and I felt things coming against me physically that I could use as an excuse.  I also am not real sure I want to go there, even with my friends going, but I also don't want to go here and there and never settling.  I chose not to share my thoughts with hubby and the day went by.  I really would just like to watch it live stream again, and stay home this week.  I'm not quite ready to 'join' anywhere.  For some reason, my heart isn't feeling it.  Am I just being lazy?  I really do enjoy staying home and watching it on the computer, and I am more focused and listening intently.

When hubby brought my coffee in to me this morning about 5:30AM, he has this look on his face and I knew what it was.  I let him speak it.  "Would you mind if we stay home and watch it live-stream this morning?  I'd like to watch it again before we think about going."   I felt it was an answer to my prayer that we wouldn't go this morning.  I'm feeling much better than I was yesterday physically, and I can't tell you what this feeling is on just wanting to stay home.  (Thanks, Father!)

Is it because we have stayed home for over a year?  We have still watched church services - sometimes two-three on Sundays!  I miss the fellowship, I miss being with those I worship with, and yet, I'm reluctant to physically attend.  And I don't understand that feeling.   Regardless, we are staying home this morning and will watch Jentezen Franklin at 8AM and then this new service at 10AM.  We are called to fellowship with one another and that is the part that I'm struggling with.  I like staying home on Sunday mornings and watching services on the computer, and yes, I sing along with the worship.  So that is what I'm praying about specifically today.  That we will be lead to the right church where we can fellowship with other believers and worship the Lord.

I actually walked on the treadmill for one and a half hours yesterday (slow pace; I was watching a movie on prime via my kindle).  Ended up with over 14,000 steps for the day.  I'm a little stiff in the joints this morning but once I start moving they will loosen up.  I'm hoping to get back out there to walk today.  Oh - and this is even more exciting - I emptied two more boxes!  I actually have a few more boxes stuck in the cabinets in the garage - some are actually 'bins' that I have things in.  I need to go through these and dispose of some things.  I got rid of alot yesterday.  I have a couple bags to go a thrift store - perhaps Salvation Army instead of Savers or Goodwill.  Salvation Army gives more back to those in need than anyone else from the research I've done.  There is a Salvation Army not far from us plus I've shopped at the one near our old church.  

I still need to see about getting this picture framed by my boss.  I meant to go yesterday, but I didn't make it.  Don't know if I will go today or not, but I might.  If not, then I'll go on a lunch hour tomorrow.  I want it framed right - it may be valuable at some time.  Besides, if I go to Michaels, I might find myself in the yarn section.  And JoAnn Fabrics is having a big sale on yarn.  sigh.  I'm working hard on getting my yarn collection down.....but it keeps growing!   

I may defrost our freezer today.... it doesn't take long and it gives me an opportunity to see what I have in there and what I need to replenish.  More often than not I keep buying frozen veggies thinking I'm out... and I have plenty.  I have two boxes of chicken that I bought from Schwans.... there are probably 10-12 pieces in each.... don't think I need any more chicken either.  Other than that, I'm not sure what is in there.  Then I can go online with Frys and place my order... schedule a time... get there and pop open the trunk for them to load it in.  I've found it much cheaper to order things online and just pick up.  I'm not doing the 'supermarket stroll' and having the 'I think I want to try that...' attacks.  AND, can you believe it, WE did not go out to eat at all this week!  Of course we had pizza two nights (taken from the freezer), but still!  Hubby, of course, did go out with his friends a couple times - and that's ok.  I can schedule lunches with my friends during the week; I'm just reluctant to go out.  I don't usually put makeup on during the week and if I go out, feel I need to at least clean up.  I am easily becoming a hermit and content with staying home.  Only drawback to that is I have to cook any meals here.  I did fix breakfast yesterday and today I can probably just get hubby to eat cereal.  I'll probably fix a shake; if I cook myself anything, he expects me to cook for him too.  I usually skip lunch most days and hubby fixes whatever he wants.  Dinner, I'm expected to cook and that's when we go out more often than not.  But, not at all this past week.  Nothing sounds good anyway.  I'd rather fix a meat and a vegetable and let that be dinner.  

I've already starting buying gifts for Christmas and had two more arrive yesterday.  I need to start a spreadsheet like I did last year so that I don't forget what I've purchased since I am starting early and putting in my closet.  I hope to be around my kids more as the months go by cause that is where I pick up on things they may want for Christmas.  Sometimes it is just a comment or a remark, but I try to make a mental note of it and if possible, get it for them for Christmas.  Sometimes I think others will get it too, but.... I try to find unique and fun things they will use, versus something that will just sit around.  I am very conscious my middle child and daughter in law prefer I don't buy a lot for them, so want what I do get to be unique and useful.

In my study of Elijah, Friday's study was titled STOP THE FRENZY.  It is an interesting study of Elijah and I find I am a lot like him in many ways.  One quote says "A frenzied life is not a faith-filled life".  We're so busy, stretched, and the rat race has swallowed most of us whole.  We often get overwhelmed with just thinking about all we want - or need - to accomplish the days ahead of us.  AND we haven't even factored in the things that happen unexpectedly.  All of this causes us to become weary and frenzied.    But what do you think is the answer?  How can we get past all the busyness, all the craziness, that we put ourselves through on mostly a daily basis?

Our God has given us His Son, who has declared us His own beloved children, and who has demonstrated His utter willingness and capacity to give us everything we need - beyond what we could ask or think - we should be able to rest, and enjoy a sense of inner (and external) contentment in every situation.  Our God doesn't need constant stroking.  All He asks is that we allow Him to guide us in our everyday decisions.  When we choose Him, our lives will be fulfilled and good.

I choose fulfilment and good things.  What about you?  I choose God.  Only He can satisfy your deepest longing, calm your greatest fear, and bring you peace.

Blessings!

My favorite time of year....

Yes, I know there is a lot of pushing and shoving, grabbing and totally being rude and arrogant at this time of year too, but I love the Christmas season.  I love getting the grandchildren over to bake cookies and make Christmas mice and sometimes even to play games, if there is time.  I love going shopping (although I really do NOT like to shop) and trying to find that 'something special' for my hubby or for one of the children or grandchildren.  I love the Christmas carols (although some make me cry) and I love the celebration of Jesus' birth. I love this season!  I know some of my family members do not love it as much as I do, but even though I don't have a lot of childhood Christmas memories, I love being with those I love during this time, and I hope that we are making memories that will last long after I am gone.

Since I have been 'retired' these 6-7 weeks (is that all?) I have gotten to spend an afternoon with my youngest son (on Veteran's Day), a day Christmas shopping with my middle child, and he came over to just visit last week one morning and helped some when I made bread and butter pickles, and yesterday I got to spend the entire day with my first born, my daughter.  We started our day with breakfast and then hit the stores to get her shopping done.  We shopped, stopped for lunch, and shopped some more.  It was so fun - and so good for both of us, I think.  We haven't had much time alone together in a long, long time.  Actually, it has been hard in the past for me to have quality time with any of my children in a long, long time.  This has been way overdue and I am grateful to God to allow me this time to make memories.

Today Tom wants us to do some things together.  Of course we are always together, but one or the other is running here and there.  Today is my day, I guess. :-)  Not sure what we will do; I don't care that much about going to the movies.  I've thought about a couple stores we could go to.  Not that he likes shopping - and actually, I am through with the Christmas shopping - (not only bought, but all but one or two items are wrapped!)   It looks gray out - may be a day to watch the Santa Clause movies - all three of them. :-)

I probably ought to see if I can get Tom out for a walk prior to settling in for the day.  Then again, knowing him, shopping/walking will be all the walking he will want to do.  My brother, bless his heart, has really issued a challenge this time by sending my little sister and I the link to a mini-marathon in Indianapolis next May.  The impression I clearly read in his challenge was either to ---- on the pot or get off it.  :-p   In other words, either start walking/training or just shut up that you are going/wanting to do it.  I had confessed to him recently that inside of me I want to do it really bad - but the outside gets in the way and doesn't do anything to train for it.  Well, it sounds like I need to step up to the challenge and 'just do it'.  I love to walk - that's the easy part.  I need to register today because I read on the link last night by 12/28/10 (for the 2011 mini-marathon) all spaces were taken.  Tom just let me know he was checking airfare.... guess I need to check the registration.

I hope my sissy comes through and starts training as well.  She said last night she was 'in' but we will see.  She is moving pretty good - in spite of her hip still being extremely swollen from her fall last month.  She can still walk some and work it up.  It will be so fun to actually DO a mini marathon (13.1 miles) with family members.  Perhaps I will look up some for Phoenix and see what is available.  I know my daughter would love to get in one.

Hope that you are enjoying this Christmas season with all the busyness of it.  Instead of focusing on the rudeness of people, focus instead on being nice to them - obviously they need someone to be kind to them.

Blessings!

DONE!..... well, almost.....

I believe I have completed my Christmas shopping.  And, not only completed it, I have it all wrapped and under the tree!  Well, except for Tom's things.  I mean, what I have for him has been wrapped, but not under the tree.  We usually just put the others under the tree and keep ours out - and bring them out Christmas morning along with our stockings for each other.    Tom has been a difficult one to buy for this year.  Come to think about it, most everyone has been difficult to buy for this year!  I would much rather look at things to buy that they 'want' or 'need' - but except for the few lists I received, it has been a guessing game.  Tom gave me a verbal list - but they weren't 'fun' things.  There is nothing  he nor I need and although I have some 'wants' - they are not in the Christmas budget.   Still, I know that whatever I receive I will love.  I always do.

I baked nearly all day yesterday.  Made only one batch of cookies and made several breads, muffins and tiny bite-size muffins of my cranberry pumpkin nut 'bread'.  I love this bread, and if you heat it in the microwave for about ten seconds before eating a slice - yum, the cranberries will burst open with flavor.   Sent some with Tom to give to Ralph as they are meeting for breakfast this morning.  The rest went in the freezer. Today I want to make my bread and butter pickles.  Got the cucumbers and onions setting on the counter, waiting for me to get started.  Need to put the jars on to boil yet.  I enjoy doing this too. Plus the pickles are soooo good!

I probably won't make my salsa this year to give away... unless I can think of someone who would want it.  One son still has some of when his daughter was here and made some.  I can't believe he still has it.  We go through our salsa within a very short time.  Still, Tom likes it so perhaps I need to go ahead and make it.  I will try to can some of it.... I have before, but I'm always leery of doing that.  My salsa, after about 3-4 weeks, will begin to ferment in the jar.  Bubbles will form on the inside of the jar, and if you open it, this bubbling 'stuff' will begin to foam and flow over the top of the jar.  LOL  Needless to say, by then we just throw it away.  Doesn't usually get to that stage anymore - only one time when I forgot a jar in the back of the refrigerator.

So - today will be bread and butter pickle day - and once that is completed, will decide what I want to do.  So - technically, I am 'done' with Christmas preparations.  Until I decide to bake some more.  I mentioned making snickerdoodles this afternoon.  Mmmmm.  Very few places can make snickerdoodles like mine.  I still need to get the grandchildren over here to make Christmas mice and cookies.  I still have lots of cookie dough and pretzels and chocolate and all the things needed for a fun time.  I need to contact the parents and see if I can't get them in the evening for a couple hours - perhaps right after school. 

My brother has issued the challenge for a half marathon walking our canal come March.  My little sissy and I said we were 'in'.   But, in talking with her later, she has things going on at the time he suggested, so I suggested perhaps making it June and us going to Indy.  Will have to check that out with bro and see what he wants to do.  

Of course my 'free' time for vacations will depend on if and when I get a job.  I must admit, I haven't looked that hard just yet.  When I made the decision to 'retire early', I really wanted to take November and December off to play and just regain my life.  And, I feel I have been able to do just that.  I feel my time off has helped me physically (although I still need to go to the gym), emotionally (I'm a lot less crabby, I think) and spiritually (I get to spend what I call 'Quality' time with God each morning).  It has also helped relationally in that Tom has learned to give me some space (as I have him) and because I am here all the time, he doesn't have to fight for time with me. 

I have applied for one position a few weeks ago and need to follow up on it today.  I have checked the want ads in the paper.  I see a few out there I could apply for, but I truly want to stay in my 'home area' so that I don't have to spend all my time on the road each morning.  I still have one lead I have not followed up on yet, from a medical director whom I used to work with.   I am facing a little over two weeks when I will not have medical insurance for me.  Need to find something to cover me, so am checking into single insurance until I get a job.  Praise God I am healthy and do not need constant medical care.  Tom already has medicare and has his supplement plan all set up for January 1 so he is taken care of.  I'm still too young for medicare!  :-)

So, how are you doing on your Christmas shopping and baking?   You still have plenty of time, yes, but don't wait until the last minute so that your Christmas is filled with rushing about and no time for reflection

Blessings!

No, I still do not have favorites.....

but, I sure did enjoy spending the day with my middle child today.  We did a lot of walking and a lot of shopping and I enjoyed it a lot.  He even took me to lunch at a place he liked and I had not been to before.  All in all, this is a day I will treasure.  Thank you, Ralph!

I had hubby bring in ALL the Christmas items and boxes we had stored out in the shed - and I cleaned out the storage closet.  We have LOTS going to Savers tomorrow.  I decided I needed to get rid of some clutter - even though it comes out only once a year.  I don't put everything out - and if I'm not using it - why keep it!  So, the Christmas tree is up and all our ornaments are on it.  I thought I had given all the grandchildren their ornaments last year from all the years we have given them. (will explain below)  But - to my surprise, I found several bags of ornaments with the grandchildren's name on it.  Guess I will need to get them sent out so that they can put on their own tree.

Ok - the Christmas ornaments for the grandchildren.  Years ago, when my children were born, my in-laws started the tradition of giving each child an ornament every year - so that when they got married or moved out and had their very own tree, they would have their very own ornaments to put on it.  I started that tradition when each of my grandchildren were born.  Obviously the 20 years old has more than the 5 years old, but it is still a start.  Yes, I'm still giving an ornament out - but since we don't put up a 'grandchildren tree' anymore, they may as well put on their own tree.  Yeah, we used to have two trees.  (Actually at one time we had five)  The smaller tree was the 'grandchildren tree' and they would hang their ornaments on it every year.  Then we would make gifts for their parents, wrap and put under that tree for their parents to open on Christmas morning when they came over.  We stopped doing that a few years back as I had run out of ideas for the grandchildren to make for their parents.  So - now when they come over we bake cookies, make Christmas mice, or I find some other treat for them to make - and take home.

Ironically, we also found the container that has the grandchildren's Christmas tree in it.  I wonder if anyone needs it - if not, it will go to Savers as well.  Will have to check with everyone.  I have wreaths and a few other little things - I just can't put everything out anymore.  Still, I do have lots of things setting out.  Precious memories on several ones, like the Santa sitting on a train that I bought the year after my brother, who loved trains, died.  I have the Santa sleeping in the bed - and snoring - that my mama had put out every year.  I have a stuffed animal I named 'Aspen' that gets put out - a gift from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law when we did a late November trip to Lake of the Woods.  Have a Santa that won't stop laughing that my sissy sent me last year.  Another dog on a sleigh that sings and barks from the in-laws.  I love Christmas, I love the TRUE meaning of Christmas, and I love the celebration of the holiday.  Christmas is my favorite time of year.

I hope to finish up my shopping this week so that I can start my baking and canning next week.  Have picked up cucumbers and onions to make my bread and butter pickles.  I don't have to make as many this year I guess with not working.  Oh, I did find a 'white elephant' gift to take for the Finance Christmas party that I was invited to later this month.  I hope everything will work out so that I can go.

So how are things coming along with your Christmas shopping?  Are you caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - and have you stopped to take time to put Christ back into Christmas?  What are your plans up until then?  Lots of shopping yet to do?   Whatever you decide to do - keep in mind what the REAL reason for this season is.  Celebrate Jesus!

Blessings!