Oh Well

I didn't make any dog coats. We didn't go to the movies. I did make one Christmas gift, and I ate a whole pumpkin pie. It was yummy.
What I did do was enjoy the company of my husband and youngest daughter for three days. I did do some shopping, or rather took Steph shopping, I am broke. I saw the pictures dad took of some birds in NC, and talked with Poppy for a while.
We got the house decorated inside yesterday for Christmas. I am tired, but it looks great! I will have Steph help me with pictures to show everyone. We didn't do outside, I can't find my lights. But, I do have the candles in each front window, and they look great. I also put the wreath on the door so it looks very festive.
I just took a ton of pictures, but Steph left the cable at school so I will post them another time.
Oh Well....

Thanksgiving

Stephanie and I were able to create a little kitchen magic by working together to fix a meal that wouldn't poison anyone. We had all the old standby's, dressing, turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, etc. It was good, but it was better when Leslie called as we were eating and everyone had a chance to talk to her. She sounded great, and as I think back to last year, I never dreamed this is where we would be this year. I wonder what next year will bring...
Steph is babysitting tomorrow morning, so I will be making dog coats and then we may go catch a movie or something. I am so glad it is only Thursday, got a few more days to do what I want to before reporting back to the same old same old.

The start of my favorite time of year.

Today is the typical Saturday am. I just finished my weekly paper for school, "The Making of a Nation" that discusses the Nation Israel and all God did to fulfill the covenant He started with Abraham and then continued with Israel. I have been getting 100's on all my papers and on my discussion questions, so I feel pretty confident about this one too. Not that I'm getting too big for my britches, just a feeling.
I have a house to clean and I am actually looking forward to it. Jim and Brett will be going out so I will be all alone and can turn up the music, still got the XM, and get some stuff done. This time next week I'll be putting out Christmas stuff. I just like to wait until after Thanksgiving before I do that.
Leslie will not be making it home for the holidays, I didn't expect her to, but Steph will be here on Tuesday. Mom, Dad and Poppy are going to Mike and Cindy's for turkey so it will be the Cunningham's only. I need to call the recruiter on Monday and see if any local soldiers have need of a dinner, they are more than welcome here.
Gipetto, the cat, stayed over night at the vet's, he has crystals in his bladder that contribute to accidents on the dog bed, so hopefully we can resolve this. Part of me isn't so sure it is just physical, I think he is being a pain in the butt, but who knows. Now that he has his shots I'd like to let him out, but it is cold. Plus, if he is sick and needs medicine he needs to stay inside to get it.
Flash is getting his teeth cleaned and shots and nails done Tuesday, so I'll be home to sit with him afterwards. Lotto will be done over Christmas break.
Jim was able to get Brett's Christmas gift, and I found what I've been looking for for Steph so we are 2/3's done shopping. Leslie gave me some ideas so by black Friday I should be done. We keep it simple and meaningful now, they are old enough and fully understand the season. Not that I don't miss the Santa bit, because I do a little. I really appreciate family though, that is what lasts.
On the next warm day, it is only 30 degrees this morning, I am going to have Brett put up lights. I am also getting the small tree from mom for the front window and we will put up our regular tree in the family room. I will also be able to put up all my Boyd's Bear trains and scenes around the house so I am so excited. I know this is just trappings, but after being in a little house it is such a joy to live in a spacious place with room for all.
I will take pictures and post them as I go.
Mike, I am glad you got snow, we did too. I just hope this is a good foretelling of the winter and that we will have lots of snow days. Why work for the school system if you have no snow days?
This will do for now, stuff to do.

What a week!

A lot has gone on since my last post. I'll start with the important stuff first. On my xm radio show Baseball this morning they decided not to bring back the host, Mark Patrick. Now Mark is why I listen to the channel as much as I do, along with the games. He is a warm, caring, compassionate, goofy and slightly out in left field guy. He along with Buck Martinez taught me so much about the game and we had fun along the way. From Power Locks to Rudolph the red nose reindeer, Baseball Carols and losing phones at spring training a lot of life has been lived. I haven't enjoyed a show as much as I did this one, and I have listened to a lot of radio. Farewell Mark, and blessings to you and your family.
I started physical therapy on my neck again, and it seems a bit better. Funny how I do fine during the summer, must be my job that is the cause. All the more reason to get my degree and get out of the kitchen. I got a 100 on my last paper, The Lineage of Sin and Death. It was very well written if I must say so myself.
On a sad note, Jim and I went to a memorial service for his cousin, Melinda. She is Mikes sister and we hadn't seen her in a while. It was good to see family, but always too bad when it is this way. Reunions need to be scheduled for happy times.
We had snow last night and a little today! This makes me optimistic we will have a lot of snow days this year and I can get some stuff done.

A Sunday service story

We had retired Major General Randy West deliver the message today. He is former Marines, not Army as I previously mentioned. He used scripture from John 15:7 and IIChronicles 7:14 as his focal points. He served our country during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and before leaving for his mission he requested several churches to pray a four fold prayer based on John 15:7. In that verse Jesus tells us to abide in Him, and He will abide in us and God will answer our prayers. The four parts to the prayer were: 1. Protect Saudi Arabia from Iraqi aggression 2. Freedom for Kuwait 3. Safety and protection for his troops and 4. Safety and protection for the families back home.
After all the events God was faithful to the promises He made, and He will be faithful if we follow the words in II Chronicles which says for us to repent, turn from our sin, seek His face then He will hear from heaven and heal our land.
On this the eve of a new administration we all need to fully examine ourselves and make sure we are worthy vessels for His glory. I close with Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love.

How now shall we live?

I borrow that title from Chuck Colson, I believe. After this week with all it's ups and downs I was in search of some comfort and guidance from Christians whose thoughts mirror mine. I found one such site, Del Tackett from The Truth Project echoes my sentiments. He says we are to continue to be the salt and light in the world, and that this is the time for the Bride of Christ to show how winsome she can be to those who are in darkness. We are also to pray for our President-elect and whomever he chooses to serve on his cabinet.
That said I think America is going to be in for the ride of her life, and that is not a positive statement. It isn't neccessarily a bad one either, because through it all God is still God and He does have a plan. His purposes will stand and He will not be shaken.
On a personal note, I am dealing with the arthritis in my neck again, taking drugs and starting PT for it once more. I was able to go visit Stephanie on Tuesday after casting my vote, and since we had a short week it was Friday before I knew it. This Tuesday is Veteran's Day and I am hopeful that a picture of Leslie will be in the slide show during the program the high school puts on each year.
We are having a retired Army General deliver the message this morning at church, I will post any points he makes later on.

Talking to Leslie

On the phone with Leslie right now, she is on her way back to Ft. Polk for another week as a MP.
She is hopeful she can come home for Thanksgiving, but we will wait and see. You never know with the Army.
Steph has had a busy weekend with homework and parents weekend. We didn't make it down but her friends parents did so they took her out to lunch.
I was able to get a lot of my to do list done, the migraine finally left so I am feeling much better.
Leslie is doing better and that always helps. Brett has been away at duty all day, he has a phone call he needs to return tomorrow.
I'll write more later.