A New Year

So another decade comes to a close. A new year begins. I can't believe it's been 10 years since all the hype about the start of the new century and all the problems that would take place because of computers not realizing it was 2000 and not 1900. Now here we sit about to begin anew again. What will the next decade bring? Will I even be here at the end of 2019? Will any of us? Makes one think.

I'm too tired to get into everything too deep tonight. I hope for peace, kindness, charity of heart and hands.... more understanding and a willingness to try in the new year. Of course I still want to remain employed, healthy, safe and "sound" as well. I extend these desires to all those I love and admire. May you have all that you need in your lives... May joy be in your heart as the new year and decade begins. I'm sure it will be interesting.HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

What Were You Thinking?

I'm sure that's what people are asking as they view this posting, however, when you are a single parent and things have to be done, sometimes you do things other people wouldn't even dream of. Survival of the fittest my friends. So the weekend before last we had the heavy snow fall due to a Nor'Easter.... it was a lot of snow, which had fallen for nearly 24 hours. When I awoke Sunday morning, I saw something odd out the bathroom window. Looking out Brie's bedroom window I saw this beauty....This picture doesn't give this monstrosity justice. It was huge and completely bending the rain gutter. I was not a happy camper. You can imagine my concern if it were to fall and hurt anyone below. Lucky Emile, I woke her and give her the news. She was going to have to go out onto the roof (from out the third floor window) and push the excess snow off. I'm sure you know what her reaction was. After I posted her Will on my FB page, out the window she went. We were running out of time.The wind had blown so hard and drifted to within a foot of the back of the house... then began to slide off the side. Em was pretty scared as she worked to push everything off (as was I). I made sure she stayed a couple feet back from the edge but it was still scary.After maybe 7 or 8 minutes (if that) she was finished and able to climb back inside.Even though she was nervous being up there, she did a great job. She went the entire length of the back part of the second floor roof. She's such a huge help when things like this happen. I'm so thankful I have her to rely on when I really need the help.You're my brave (push though it) kid, Emile. I know I don't tell you this often enough, but I do appreciate all you do. When things get rough you're always here for me. I can't begin to imagine a life without you in it. I love you!!

Rest up.. I'm sure we'll have plenty more snow events this winter. Who knows, maybe next time you'll have to go up with the snow blower!! YIKES!

Christmas Gifts

This year we spent Christmas afternoon and the day after with my brother, Corey. It was the first time we'd done so in several years and it was great. He and Michele were wonderful hosts!We had a yummy dinner, played games and watched movies together. It was relaxed and enjoyable.

 

Just as I was giving Corey a hug goodbye, his gift arrived. Perfect timing. It was a Christmas cactus. He enjoys greens in his home so I thought it would be a nice addition. The visit was just wonderful and I can't wait to see them both again. A nice finish to a special Christmas. That's what it's all about, right? Nothing's better than the greatest GIFT of family.

All Wrapped Up... And Other Christmas Highlights

To wrap or not to wrap? That is always the question I'm faced with in the last moments of Christmas Eve. Do I spend much time wrapping the few things I've got for the girls.. those things which will be unwrapped 15 hours later. I only got the girls their "traditional" gifts this year. We decided as a family to support other families in need and helped with their Christmas instead. It was a lot of fun and really added to the Joy of the season for us. So I finally decided (at 7:30) to go ahead and wrap.Before I knew it I was finished and everything was under the tree. Turns out some other people had decided to share the blessings of the season with us as well and we had a big bag of gifts brought to us. Funny how that works. Another reason why I love Christmas! Before long it was time for bed... Brie was up at 8:15, crawling into bed with me. Em came down not much later and got in bed too. Doesn't get much better than that.I love coming downstairs Christmas morning. It's always delightful to see the room as I left it a few hours earlier. We can't do anything before we take our "Christmas P.J." pics. After that all bets are off.

Now we're in the cleaning up mode of the morning. We'll be heading to my brother, Corey's home in a couple hours. We're going to spend the night there. I'm excited to share the day with him since it's been several years since we've done so. After a wonderful Christmas Eve, followed by a terrific Christmas morning, I suppose I should close by saying....

IT'S A WRAP!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It's A Wonderful Life

Before going to bed I had to stop and reflect on the last few hours. I finished up the little bit of wrapping I wanted to do, had a small bite to eat, then watched It's A Wonderful Life with the girls. Every Christmas Eve for several years now, we've watched this movie. It's one of Em's all time favorites and has become one of mine as well.I enjoy seeing how good a man George was, how much he tried to do the right thing for his fellow man. I'm reminded that even though he was a good man, he still had challenges... just as we all do. I wonder how many days I have an Angel sitting right beside me. I'll bet it's a lot. I can't imagine going through life without divine assistance. I'm thankful for the life I have. I'm thankful for my children, family, and friends. Life would be so different without everyone who brings joy into my day. Most of all, I'm most grateful for the birth of my savior, Jesus Christ. Without him none of this would matter. He is my greatest friend, without whom I would be completely lost.Thanks to all of you who I have the privilege of calling my friend. I love and appreciate having you in my life. Merry Christmas.

It's Looking Like Christmas

We're going to have a white Christmas after all. I'm thrilled! I love seeing snow this time of year... it just lifts my spirits so much. We're supposed to get a foot (or possibly more) before the storm wraps up. I'm sure I'll be posting more pics. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Joy

Last year we had a lesson in Relief Society about having joy during the holidays. The spirit of that lesson has stayed with me all year and I wanted to share it today. During this time of year we all try to think we are going about our daily activities with the true meaning of the season in our hearts, however, we find ourselves getting bogged down with the realities of life. Bills to pay, gifts to purchase, friends and relatives to see, baking to do, meals to prepare, decorating to be finished, etc. Before we know it we are stressed, frazzled, and frustrated with the holidays... having completely lost sight of the reason we are really celebrating Christmas. Thus we step back and question the true meaning of JOY.

Here is what we were encouraged to focus on....

J ~ Jesus
O ~ Others
Y ~ Yourself

If we stop and think of Joy in this manner it truly brings the spirit back into the season. "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great JOY,which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

May the JOY of the season be with all of us not just today but everyday.

Straight No Chaser

One of my favorite renditions of The Twelve Days of Christmas. These guys are amazing and truly talented. Check out their website for more information. Enjoy.

Cookies Anyone??

Last Friday evening I made Christmas cookies with some very special ladies.

yes, you guessed it. After work I picked up Brie and went to Cindy's house to meet up with Alexandra and Isabel. I had planned on having them spend the night and make cookies with me, when I heard Cindy was interested in doing it with us I decided it would be easier to bake at her house (she has a much nicer kitchen) so we took everything there. We had a fun time together... and the finished product was YUMMY!!After the cookies were done we all watched Frosty the Snowman. I remembered watching it as a child myself. What fun it was to see it again with my great-nieces. Some traditions (like watching Christmas shows with loved ones) should never stop.Thanks girls for sharing a festive evening with me. We'll do it again soon.

Peri Meno-Whoda-Whatee??

Okay, something very strange is going on here. Could anyone PA-LEAZE tell me what is happening to me??? And yes, I'm talking about what's happening other than my normal bizarre self! I can't sleep right, I want to sleep all the time; I can't think right, I forget where I'm going; my boobs hurt, my skin itches; I'm eMotional, I'm irritated; I'm having trouble pooping; I can't stop peeing; I'm dizzy, I'm HOT.... WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?? Let me introduce you to my new friends.....Oh yeah... this is me for sure. They even look like me, don't they??? To add to my troubles, I have to deal with this...What gives? I just can't catch a break! I guess for the next.. who knows how long.. I'll have to go through the finer "period" of being a woman. HOW NICE. Aren't I lucky?! I'll put up with theAnd continue wasting money at the store onWhile my body does its thing... regardless of my thoughts on the subject.

The Last of Autumn

Before we get into the Christmas season with all its spirit and beauty, I thought I'd take one last look back at Autumn. Here goes.Sunflowers before harvest on a foggy morning.Crop harvesting equipment.An old tree by the barn.Corn stalks before harvest.Stone wall and the old door of an amazing barn.Hay bales ready to be stored.Last leaves hanging on in the forest.

And my personal favorite....I just loved seeing this scene as I was driving this fall. For some reason it was just amazing to me. I could truly see God's goodness in this spot each day. Can you see the 5 point star in this picture? Does this picture invoke special feelings in you as it does in me?

Good-bye Autumn... thank you for the beauty you shared with me this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

We had another wonderful Thanksgiving this year (although we missed Dave and Josi and their family) with Andy, Jamie, Jim, Mechele, and the Coy boys. We also had a neighbor (Duke) who was going to be alone for the day come over. Believe it or not, I had a fun time cooking... having paced myself quite well, there wasn't too much to do today at all. I made (with Brie's help) 2 pumpkin pies, a caramel apple pecan pie, and a blueberry crumb pie last night. I also peeled all the potatoes and had them cut and in water overnight. Our 23 lb. bird (Marvin) was in the oven by 9.

After our tummy's were full, we all stayed at the table and passed a basket filled with slips of paper stating what we were thankful for around the table to read and share with one another. It is a little tradition we started doing a few years ago.. it's always a nice way to remember what we are blessed with. Following that we cleaned up a little bit, the "younger one's" had a pillow fight in the living room, and then we watched Elf. A nice relaxing end to a special day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all....

Ummm, Excuse Me???

Now that Em has her driver's permit, guess what I discovered the other day?Oh, yeah. What's up with this? Em says it was Brie's idea for me to sit in the back. Say what????Brie's like... "oh no I didn't... it was Em's idea."Regardless of who's idea it was, guess who ended up in the front passenger seat? You guessed it, ME!!

And they all lived happily ever after. The End.

Did Someone Say PUMPKINS??

 

Today we had a pumpkin feast! What is a pumpkin feast you might ask. It's a meal with every item having either pumpkin or some other squash (or similar vine vegetable). It was fun planning the dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy the food. I made pumpkin stew, Sarah made pumpkin dinner rolls, Angie made an autumn salad, and Jamie made a pumpkin cheese cake. We served fresh apple cider or apple juice as the beverage. Yummy! It was fun experimenting with new flavors. Following the meal we had fun visiting and sharing laughs. Isn't it great when family and friends get together for fun times like this. Now, what to do for our next meal. Any suggestions??

Stay Off The Sidewalks

It's official. Em's got her driver's permit! Take cover. Stay off the sidewalks. Wear a helmet when riding your bike near the road. ☺ Just kidding. She did great on her test. Didn't miss a single question. In addition to her studying the manual, we've been practicing driving at the fairgrounds for several months now.Terrified as I was, I allowed Em to drive to Brown's Orchard as soon as she had her permit. She did very well. I was pleased. Now I just have to get her to remember to look behind her when she's backing up, and teach her how to parallel park. She's going to do just great though.

CONGRATULATIONS EMILE!!!

Sparky Concert

 

Thursday the 12th, the girls and I had the chance to see Jordyn Sparks at the Giant Center as part of the Milton Hershey School's Founder's Week Celebration. The concert was by invitation only, with so many tickets given to Big Brother/Big Sisters agencies as well as a few schools in the area. It was a fun evening which the girls really enjoyed. The girls and I had dinner at Taco Bell, followed by the concert... and everyone in attendance received a full size Hershey's Chocolate Bar with a new Milton Hershey School logo on the back of the label. The new labels will hit stores in a few months.

Thank you, Milton Hershey School AND Big Brothers/Big Sisters for thinking of our family and allowing us the opportunity to have a fun evening out! We appreciated it.