Christmas pictures and More.....

I have been working the better part of the evening to figure out how to post pictures on the blog. To all you bloggers out there who have these fantastic blogs with lots of pictures and links and anything else you can think of, God Bless you. You must not have any kids or a husband or even a life. Doing this is interesting and fun but is also a real time sucker.

My girlfriend ask me to post some of the christmas pictures on the blog so she could see them. I never dreamed it would take all night. The position and placement of the pictures aren't quite what I expected but I will get better at it with practice.

We are so blessed to have family members who love and care for us enough to want to make gifts for us or spend time looking for just the right gift. Our family is that kind of family. We all spend hours shopping for or making that special gift that will reach in and hold the heart of the receiver. I love to watch the expression on their faces, for a look is worth a million words.

The first picture is the tree after everyone got there. Makes the big tree look small. They say big things come in small packages but the saying also is little things come in big packages.

The second picture is of me opening a cordless weed eater. The great idea of my son-in-law. I needed one really bad but would never have ask for one because they are so expensive and money was tight for all this year.

The next picture is of my grandson and his dad. The little guy is the most appreciative three year old I have ever known. No matter what it is he stops to really look at the gift and then turns to the giver and thanks them before moving on. I think there is something to be said for that in a child these days.








The last two picture are of gifts I made for them. My granddaughter liked the sweater so much she ask if she could put it on right out of the box. We (her and I)have a thing for snowmen. Well, I have a thing for snowmen that seems to have rubbed off on my granddaughter. My grandson has a thing for sports. He is young to be getting a lamp but I couldn't resist. I think the lamp will be a nice addition to his room. Maybe on his desk.

In watching the family. I wish we could all come together more and be as happy and contented everyday. Too bad life keeps up moving at a pace we find difficult to keep up with. Making the time, is the secret. We never know what life holds for any of us. We need to make the most of it.

Most of us are so relieved to get Christmas behind us that we often forget how nice the actual holiday really was.

Well, there are only two more days left of this year and we can start all over again. I hope next year is a little easier and kinder than this year was. Change is important to keep us focused and grounded but this year has been a bit much.

My hopes for the new year is to spend more time with the grandchildren, become more involved in my community, eat healthier, lose some weight, get organized, and love the people around me more. Life is too short.

And to close this post, let us all say a prayer for the service men and women. My nephew will be deployed in January. Even though we are aware that this war has taken it tole on too many families. When it reaches out to your own family, the impack is quite different. God Bless the service men and women. God be with you. God Bless America.

A walk through our holiday season

Well, it's the 28th and we can officially say Christmas is behind us, right? That sound good but your aren't the one with two Christmas trees to take down and a heap of decoration to get down, or maybe you do. At least we can say the rush is over, well unless you enjoy the after Christmas shopping in the crowds. Not me! Bargains or not, I don't go.

My Christmas Party this was especially nice. I had it earlier than usual and the weather could not have been better. I (We)invited 20 of our friends and 12 not counting my daughter and me, came. I consider that a pretty good turnout. Everyone seemed to have a great time. And no birthday surprises this year. The treats were made by my daughter. She is a Pampered Chef rep and did a great job.

My Birthday was a quiet one this year. I spent the entire day with all the people I love, my family. A little eating and gifts, a little shopping for Christmas, a little socializing and a little relaxing. What more is there?

My friend's B-day. Spent a lovely evening with my friend. We've known each other for at least 21 years. Our daughter were friends in school. I spent a lot of time with her. Kinda like a sister. I like that. Her husband comes with the package, as did her son. They made a great dinner and provided some awesome company. I have miss socializing with them. I hope we can be close again like we used to be.

The daughters have come back together and have a lot in common. They talk regularly. I'm glad for that. They used to be quite close. When they got tired of each other they would play with the younger brother. He always though he was older then they were, or a least he wouldn't be outdone. Wow! They are all married and have children of their own. I feel old!

Christmas party for work was a bust. I went in hopes of meeting other people that work at the same company that you don't get to see any other time. I sat at a table by my self for at least an hour. I didn't know anyone, except the person I turned the invitation to. No one from my department came. Several PCA's showed up about the time I had decided to leave. I ended up staying for another hour. I may not go next year. The only entertainment was very loud music and dancing. Neither of which I enjoy.

I finally finished the sweater for my granddaughter. Turned out well. She loved it.
I finished the baseball and glove lamp. My grandson is still quite young. Not sure he liked it. I know he liked the cars movie blanket I made the and Cars movie. That's all he talked about. He got a really cool baseball game from the other grandparents. I think they both got so much, apreciation is difficult at best to see at times. They are both so blessed to have so many people around them that love them.

Christmas Eve was really nice. We came together for some more good family time. If someone told me I could have no Christmas gift and could only have family time, I would be perfectly happy. The jewel of time often slips away from us too quickly, especially the children. They are babies, 5th graders and then before you know it they are grown. Seize the moment and they say. The in-laws, my friend too, prepared a really nice dinner. Followed by Christmas eve service at church. They all went back to the in-laws, I went to see my brother across town.

The visit with my brother was a good one. I think he really needed a friend. With a new job and a new apartment and issues with his car, he had very little money to spend on Christmas presents. Pride made him stay home. I couldn't allow that to happen. Besides, he called me and knew I would come. We watched a movie and talked a little and I was off to the other side of town again. I had lots to do. Everyone was coming to my house for Christmas. Cooking, Cleaning, Wrapping those last minute gifts, More cooking.

Christmas was lovely. Lots of socializing and quality time. My favorite part. Dinner turned out well. Lots of choices. Ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, suckatash, sweet potato casserole, greenbean casserole, and Fran's great jello. Something for everyone. Topped of with pumpkin pie and cherry pie and even homemade chocolate chip cookies. Not much left when all was said and done. Then the gift. A great part of our Christmas. Everyone spent a lot of time thinking about each other, finding treasures, homemade and others bought, trying to please their family members. I love that part too. I wanted to post some pictures but I couldn't get it to work for me. Guess I need a tutorial from my daughter. She's pretty good at this stuff.

A few quiet days alone. The family is off to see the other family members on the other side for a few days. Grandma is waiting to see them. A safe journey to all. Another visit with my brother the day after Christmas. He sure has a way with movies. We watched two this time. I took leftovers from the Christmas meal. He loved them, as I knew he would.

And If we could only get through the holidays without the sad notes.....The memories of loved one gone....The ones God finds necessary to take home during the holiday season. Pray for my friend Grova's daughters. My friend Grova died last year during the holidays. This year her daughters are trying to get through yet another trudge. Vicki's love died of self inflicted notions.....sad.....very sad.

And last, A moment of prayer for a couple of dear souls....

Just got a call from the Prayer Chain from my church about a long time member in the hospital who is very ill and may not make it through the night. Death is a hardship at any time of the year but at Christmas time. Say a prayer for his wife, a really sweet lady who could use a prayer right now.

Christmas Memories

I found this on Big Moma's Blog and thought it was cool. Hope you enjoy it.....

Christmas Memories

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog. I like them both but rarely have either.

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them. Santa only comes to the immediate families house. Grandma's can do what they want.

3. Colored lights or White? Depends. I like the colored lights on my own tree but I like the white ones as outside decorations.

4. Do you hang misletoe? No
5. When do you decorate for Christmas? Usually the first week in December but this year I did it the weekend on Thanksgiving.

6. What's you favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? My daughter's mother-in-law's red jello with strawberries and cranberries.

7. Favorite holiday as a child? Easter because you got a new outfit of clothes and a new pair of shoes. And because we went to church and learned the spiritual reasons for the holiday then had a big egg hunt.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about (or if you don't remember) What is your
favorite Santa memory? My favorite Santa memory is when my daughter was almost three. My X-brother-in-law dressed up like Santa and came to visit our home. He was so gentle and kind. He made her feel like the special little girl she was.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No. Not usually. We spend Christmas Eve at my daughter's in-laws. We have a nice dinner then go to church together.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Colored lights and lots of homemade and special ornaments

11. Snow, love it or hate it? Love to look at it and play in it. Hate to shovel and clean up after it.

12. Can you Ice Skate? Nope. Only tried once when I was 10. Had the skates on for about 10 minutes. A kid came and knocked me down and broke my glasses. Haven't been on the since.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I have two. A quilt Peggy ( my daughter's God Mother) gave me for Christmas when I had long since given up on getting one. I helped her make bunches. I didn't get one myself until two years before she died. It was a beautiful one that had been cross stitched then quilted. And the second one is a cool thing my daughter gave me several years ago that allows me to put lotion on my own back when no one is around.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? The quality family time and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

15. What is your favorite dessert? Pumpkin Pie.

16. What's your favorite holiday tradition? Going to church on Christmas Eve with the family.

17. What tops your tree? An angel, of course.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. Especially to families that really need it. (It's fun to get gifts too).

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? All of them!

20. Candy canes. Yuck or Yum? Not yuck or yum. I only enjoy maybe on the whole season. But not peppermint. Another flavor.

Busy.....Busy.....Busy

The only thing I can think of that is better than quality family time is quality friend time. I have had the pleasure of having a nice dose of both this weekend.

I had my annual Holiday Ornament Exchange Party. My daughter and I shared the party, therefore both her friends and my attended. We are so blessed to have so many great group of friends. Twelve out of a possible twenty. I consider that a good number. Even though not all the people knew each other but by the end of the night, everyone was socializing with everyone. I love to see all having a good time. I love games at parties when everyone gets involved and there are no strangers at the party.

My daughter made some awesome snacks straight from her Pampered Chef cookbooks. And I have to say, for someone who doesn't like to cook, she sure did a great job. We had Veggie Pizza, Apple Crisp and the best homemade Cream Puffs you'll ever find. Thanks Babe. I rally appreciate you.

And in the end, anyone who wanted to order something from Pampered Chef for Christmas had a chance to do that too.


Another Busy day.......

Today was equally as busy as yesterday. The church sermon was really interesting and easy to focus on. I really like church at Christmas time. The music, the choir, the decorations, what the season stands for, the kids, but most of all the family time and how close everyone is to you at that time of year.

We had a quick lunch at F&L's. Then it was off to get a few things done before returning to church for a carry-in dinner and the annual Christmas gathering with the families and neighboring churches. We had a great time and some really good eating. And of course, Santa made a visit. I love to watch my grandson and he even got on santa's lap without crying this year and that was cool!

My next door neighbors lost a tree. Or I should say We lost a tree. It was their tree (thank God) but it kinda messed up a big part of the back of my fence. Not a problems for me but their dogs are stuck inside until they get the tree people to finish. And to make the job even bigger, my neighbors decided while the tree people were there, they might as well take the tree out next to the house. It has lost two great limbs in the last 12 months as it still wasn't too stable. My daughter's father-in-law got a win fall. He got some really nice wood for turning in his woodshop. I think that's the only good thing that came out of the whole thing, right here at the holiday season. No that's not true, no one was hurt and that's a blessing.

Blessed beyond measure

Okay, can you tell I've been busy? With the holidays in full swing, I think lots of us are busier than we would like to be.

Thanksgiving was really great. We have so much to be thankful for. Nice quality time with the family. Everyone contributed to preparing the meal. I like it when it is a combined effort. Everyone in a good mood. Lots of football for the men, crafts with the grandchildren, even counting and rolling money. And with the plan ahead, there was plenty of food for the evening meal. Isn't family time great?!

The family were off to West Virginia to spend some quality time with other family members. I had to work. I did get some holiday shopping done after work. A good time to go. All the early birds were finished finding their bargains but there were still plenty of bargains left to be found.

I even put up the christmas tree. I don't think I have ever put the tree up so early. I always call my daughter to have my granddaughter come help decorate the tree with me. It's nice to see the kids get excited about the decorating. We put christmas music on and in the past, my granddaughter has taken home more ornaments that she puts on my tree. This year I don't think she took home even one. I was almost disappointed. I was surprised, even the young grandchild, who is three, got into the ornaments, (after it they were hanging on the tree) taking notice of a pirate, a lion and a bell. Pretty cool.

The family came over for lunch this past Sunday, (I love it that we take turns with that) and my grandson noticed that there were gifts under the christmas tree. He ask if it were christmas and could he open the gifts. Had I known the explanation were going to be so difficult, I may have put the gifts in the closet until he left.

I love to see the kids at christmas time. If we could all retain the unconditional love, the blind faith that Santa will provide for their every wish, the hope, the joy that seems to get lost somewhere before we become adults, wouldn't this be an unbelievable world.

But instead, we have Iraq and the duty to protect, The crime and the need to lock your door and watch over your children to keep them safe, the financial woes that take some of the joy away, and the reality that we can't have all that we want. We are lucky and blessed to have a warm home, a dependable car, a loving family and friends, and a job to keep us all afloat and well grounded.

I still like the idea of that homemade christmas where little is a lot because you know your family member put a piece of themselves into the gift. Where the gift of time with the family is the best gift of all. I'd give up any gift I'd receive this year for true quality time with the family. My daughter and son-in-law came over the other day and help with a few things I couldn't do myself. Words can't even describe the appreciation I felt for the caring touch they put on the things they knows made life easier for me. Thanks Guys! And spending some one on one time with the little guy was special too.

So when you add it all up, we are all blessed beyond measure, even when there are a few thorns in our lives. God is always with us and watching over us and will never give us more than we can handle.