Ready or not: 2009 will soon be here

Hubby and I have been busy today just taking care of business: paying property taxes; getting medicines lined up for the next few months; getting all the clothes and linens washed, dried, and put away; and, taking down some of the Christmas decorations. I had the young guns to bring down from the attic my storages boxes yesterday before they went to their respective homes. With Hubby's bum shoulder and my lack of stamina, it was very nice to have some strong guys in the house. They were so willing to help and actually did a little more than I expected. The house was left in great condition, no messes anywhere except the kitchen, of course, so Hubby and I spent an hour or more in there getting the rest of the ham off the bone and other necessary duties. We were so happy to have all of them here even though everyone was sleeping all over the house; there was no room except the kitchen that was unoccupied for the night. We had 2 air mattresses and all beds being used plus the couch. My granddaughter wanted to hit the couch about 2:00AM when her husband decided to shake the rafters; however, when she tiptoed in the den, there was my hubby sacked out! He has difficulty sleeping in a bed with his bad shoulder (which he pushes up against the back of the couch and he cannot do that in the bed); also, he said that his wife was also making vibrations and he couldn't sleep!). Anyway, we all made it through the night and woke up ready for a bunch of homemade sausage and biscuits! Different family members lingered around until about noon when they staggered the departure, the last couple leaving around 3:30 PM. I really feel so lonely after they all leave and I have to get used to a quiet house again; I do miss them so much. Now, I only have visits from the little grands to look forward to but I do enjoy visits from the two of them and my daughter and her husband. Tonight we will be meeting some of our best friends at a nearby steak house then return to their house for some more fellowship. We just don't get together with them often enough anymore; everyone is so busy these days that we don't make the time to be with friends as we should. Perhaps this is something all of us need to work on for 2009. Ready or not, the new year will soon be here so we better start getting preparing for it; time moves on.

Wii and Me

Well, I suppose Christmas is almost over for another year; however, the years go by so quickly now that I should begin preparing for next year very soon. Perhaps I will start making a list of what I hear family and friends say they may want for next year. This year, everyone received a wii it seems; I know hubby and I got one and 3 of our children and their families have one. Last night when the most of the family was here for Christmas, we ended up playing Wii bowling and tennis for hours. Although I was the oldest player (hubby didn't play), I ended up having the highest scores in bowling, beating everyone but the son and the son-in-law. I think they beat me because I had already knocked off 5 family members and I was getting pretty tired. Bowling sort of reminds me of the arcade game that I used to play a lot in my younger days. When we went to the lake, I always won stuffed animals for all the children; I would win my house limit every night so had to keep going back the next day to win more. I probably still have a lot of those in the attic; all my children, nieces, and nephews and their friends would beg me to win them one. Ask my children about those experiences.

I had a great Christmas this year (as I always seem to have). Some of our gifts included a new digital camera, an i touch, weather alert, Wii, clothes, photo album of the little ones, etc., etc. etc. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year will also be filled with happiness, good health, good friends and blessings from Heaven

Oh, What Fun It Is...

Oh, what fun Christmas is! I love this season of the year although I'm always worn out after it's all over. As you may know, we will be celebrating Christmas twice this year and that's fun too but more work for the mom and dad. I don't mind so long as I have a day or two to rest before moving on to something else that must be done. For example, we always have several friends over for New Year's Eve and we always enjoy that time together. I also have to go back to the audiologist and to the gastrologist before then but both are just routine visits.

I hope that you and yours had a very merry Christmas too, and that you received all the gifts you wanted. (If not, hit the sales today! There are some fabulous ones out there! I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and they had some great sales, also Best Buy and Circuit City; they were all very busy though). I had to go pick up my honey-baked ham for tomorrow and even that was crowded. They were really low on the hams though. Now, I'm charging my new i touch which my daughter has to teach me how to use. I'm excited about the WiFi capabilities on that! My daughter says I have to have the latest of everything but don't know how to use them, and she's right. I will try to learn though but I'm not very technologically savvy; I'm working on it though. I also got a really nice Nikon digital camera that I'm also learning how to use. It's not one like the daughter has; she's a pro with hers, and actually does portraits.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season!!

Which Direction??

Tomorrow, I may meet myself going and coming. First, I have to go North to pick up the lady who will be cleaning my house (I am so fortunate to have someone who is honest and also a good housekeeper); then I have to go South to see my audiologist (she is still trying to get my hearing aids adjusted which I think is much better now); Next, I will be traveling West to pick up a special Christmas present that my oldest granddaughter requested and I had to have made (I hope she likes them); and, Last, I will be traveling North once again to pick up some homemade sausage that a friend of mine is giving me (there is nothing better than fresh homemade sausage if you have never eaten any). We used to kill hogs when I was a little girl; I watched but I never really got involved in the process. It's hard work but worth it. I would watch my mom and the neighbors, etc., as they boiled different parts of the hog, cut up the tenderloins, hang the hams for curing, stuff sausage (now that I couldn't manage to eat knowing what it was stuffed in). Watching them shoot the hog between the eyes, then begin to butcher it, etc., was an all-day affair that was done only in cold weather to protect the meat. I don't know how many people still do this.

Around the Corner

That's right! Christmas is right around the corner. I hope all of my readers are more ready than I for the big, wonderful season! I still have bunches of wrapping to do; however, I think that I am finally through purchasing. My money is gone so I must be through. I have mailed all my Christmas cards to family and friends, sent get well and also sympathy cards to a couple of people who have lost loved ones. How difficult it must be to lose a loved one at this time of the year. I know that it is difficult at all times; but, this season is just so special with the birth of Jesus that it's seems to be more difficult to accept the loss of loved ones now. And those in the hospitals and rest homes; how depressing that must be as well. Hubby has an older brother who is in a rehab center and has been there almost a year now. How sad it is for his wife and children at this time especially. We are so blessed to be able to be up and about, enjoying family and friends, running around shopping, etc. I will be thankful for all my blessings as Christmas sneaks around the corner and I pray that you, too, will be blessed today and always.

In the Mood

Just as Glenn Miller's song says, I'm getting in the mood for Christmas. Last night about 29 of us from our church went caroling at the homes of some of our senior members. Afterwards, we went to one of our church member's home for delicious refreshments. She and her hubby prepared so much that we didn't need to eat dinner first. I'm glad we had that opportunity to help us get in the spirit of the season; more importantly, the people seemed to really enjoy our visit and to hear the 12 participating children singing their usual, "Away in a Manger". With the temperatures so much warmer right now, it was nice to be able to sing the carols and at least think snow (I'm afraid that's as close as we will get to snow this year unless we have a drastic change). We may have to move farther north to enjoy much cold weather. I think this is just a phase the earth is going through and that we will see it colder in the future.

Now, I must stop and get on the wrapping kick again or I will never get finished!

Difficult Lessons

I am so tired tonight (uh, this early morning). I have spent much of this week reading and studying my Sunday School lesson which I am supposed to teach tomorrow (today). This is one difficult lesson and I'm afraid that after many hours of preparation, I am not ready. I feel so unworthy and so ignorant of the content. Thessalonians is a very difficult book; I had little problems with Chapter 1; however, the second Chapter teaches us to also be teachers of the faith. I pray that I can utter words that will be meaningful to me and my classmates; that each will go away with at least one new Christian thought or fact. It will be difficult for them to learn anything from me. I need to learn from them for there are many Bible students in the class who are more knowledgeable than I.

I am going to put it in the hands of the Lord; I will trust Him in all things.

Update on Hubby

Hubby went back to his surgeon this morning as a follow-up visit. After waiting for the better part of 2 hours, he was given some news that was much more appealing to both of us. He was told that he thinks his shoulder will continue to improve without having another third surgery on it. He was advised to wait until the first of April to make a possible final determination. Needless to say, Hubby was delighted to get some better news. He will continue with the physical therapy as prescribed for the next few months. I do pray that he will continue to improve. Progress is so very slow. We also have a friend who has had 2 surgeries and she says hers is no better and she wouldn't ever have a third. We shall see.

I am still busy trying to wrap gifts, prepare for the cantata this weekend, and prepare a Sunday School lesson. Last week's went very smoothly but this one is much more difficult and not likely to be as interesting. We'll see what the Lord teaches me this weekend.

Yesterday, my two sisters and I spent the lunch hour with our niece who invited us for a visit. What a lovely home she and her new husband have. They are both very talented and have decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations. And, they are both wonderful cooks! We told them they should make this an annual invitation; wouldn't you agree? What a nice thing to do for her mom and her 2 aunts!

Join Me

I so wish that I could hear some good news. It seems that so many people are having health problems and that does make me sad. I do hope that all of you will pray that our friends and loved ones will be healthy, happy, and safe over these holidays coming up. This season is such a joyous occasion because of the birth of our Savior; yet, there are so many lonely people out there in the world who need our love and prayers, people who are sick, many in the hospitals and rest homes. How blessed we are to be at home and in acceptable physical condition. There are those who are hungry, cold, destitute, without friends or loved ones to cheer them. What can we do other than pray for them, visit them, send them cards or gifts? I do lift them up in prayer right now and pray that they will have brighter moments. Won't you join me?

Blue Monday

Blue Monday is what Fats Domino's song says but I've enjoyed just staying home all day, washing clothes, wrapping a few gifts (a very few), and talking to my daughter on the phone. Hubby and I watched a neat movie on Lifetime about a coal mining accident. How blessed we are that we didn't have to work under such sorry conditions. It makes me really feel bad for those folks who have so little, especially with so many losing their jobs. My daughter and I were talking about that very thing today, about our friends and some of our in-laws losing their jobs. Our grandson-in-law's job is gone; his dad's is also gone; and, I learned today that his mom also lost her job. What will families do when all of the working members have no income? I don't understand this bailout thing that's going on. Why don't those big, rich CEO's have to give their money back. I know one group of them volunteered to work a year with no income. I say, BIG DEAL! to that! That is a drop in the bucket as to what they have and what they have taken from the smaller guy. I don't believe in taking from the rich and giving to the poor; but, most of all, I don't believe in these rich guys taking from the small guys to line their own pockets and, in my opinion, that's what has happened. Where is their conscience?

Tomorrow begins my busy week: first, I will go to the audiologist and get a little shopping done prior to that; next day, I have choir practice and hair appointment; then, off to my niece's for a fun time with my sisters; and, finally, driving Hubby to his shoulder surgeon's. We will enjoy a nice meal after his appointment. Somewhere during all this time, I have to find many moments to work on my Sunday School lesson. I promised our regular teacher that I would take two of her Sundays and give her a bit of a break. I told her this would be a gift from me (I think the class members and I would have been better off if I had chosen to do something different.

I Was Chosen!

I cannot believe how close it is getting to Christmas; it seems that Labor Day and Thanksgiving were the holidays in everyone's minds. And now, I am nowhere near being ready for the season. I have purchased most of the gifts that I intend to buy; however, I have only wrapped the grandson's gifts. I have purchased, wrapped, and mailed packages to our older son's family but still have to wrap and mail our granddaughter's who is living out of the country. I wonder if I can get everything done in time. Last week, most days were spent in a medical facility, with someone else. This week, it's beginning to look like a repeat performance. I will spend part of one day with my sister as she visits a doctor; I have an appointment with my audiologist one day; one of my nieces has invited us 3 sisters for an outing one day; and, I will end the weekdays by accompanying Hubby on his trip to the surgeon. Somewhere during this time, I will need to spend a great deal of time preparing to teach Sunday School. We are studying the New Testament book of Thessalonians and, believe me, these are very difficult lessons. I was pleased with today's lesson and only ask the Lord to make next week's lesson come alive for me and my friends. I know that I have the most to learn, that I am the weakest member of the class, but, thank Him, He chose me; and, He has saved me anyway!

I've Got My Ears On

If you ever had a CB radio, you recall that people using them would call someone and ask them if they had their ears on. Well, since I got my 2 hearing aids, I'm often asked, especially by Hubby if I have my ears on. Usually I do remember; however, in the early morning as I get up, I don't always put them in. I wait until the kiddies arrive and just before I leave to take them to school, I scoot back to the bedroom to slide them in place. I still cannot get used to them. In some ways, I like them and other times, I am not especially fond of having something "foreign" stuck in my ears. Sometimes, they make my ears really itch; after talking to others who have them, they experience the same sensation. That can drive one bananas at times. Also, I find myself having to readjust them many times per day because they tend to slip partially out of the canal. Maybe I will master them someday. Either that or I have another 30 days to turn them back in without losing my money other than a minor deposit. I have heard that it is very difficult to get used to them if you wait until you are older; you just want use them. I think since I'm still young (well, I am!?), maybe the time is right to try them. So, Hubby, the answer is "Yes, I've got my ears on."

Kiddies in the House

This was the last morning, at least for now, to wake up to 2 beautiful grandkiddies. They have been coming by our house early and staying with us until time for school. This has been a real treat to have little ones in the house in the early morning when,normally, all we do is drink our coffee and read the newspaper. This was a great change; it brings back the "old days" for us. They seem to have enjoyed the minutes spent with us too. One morning, they had to have an extra "little" breakfast before leaving for school; of course, the grandmother would try to accommodate them. I look forward to the next chance to enjoy Kiddies in the House!

I must get down to the business of wrapping gifts so that I can determine what I still need to purchase. Actually, there will be very little left to buy because of the size of the pocketbook. Ah well, what fun it is to see others enjoying their gifts of love and friendship.

Find the Christmas Spirit

I thought I would blog tonight before heading to bed. I have to do a friend a favor tomorrow. She is having a colonoscopy early morning and has no one to drive her, so I volunteered to take her. She's single and her sister has gone out of state to be diagnosed for some of her vertigo problems. This season is an especially great time to lend a helping hand to others and I'm glad that I have this opportunity. I wish there were more things I can do; I guess that I should go out looking for good deeds to perform. It will really put one in the Christmas spirit.

I don't know if you heard the minority leader make the comment that he was concerned about all the people coming into the Capitol after being outside in the heat. He said, "you can actually smell the visitors when they come through the doors". What a terrible comment to make about all those citizens who are taxpayers. They/we cannot ride the air-conditioned elevators up like they can. Some people need to look for the Christmas spirit.

Making Christmas Bright

Every day can't be filled with wonderful news and today was one of those days. Hubby went to the shoulder specialist and was told that he needs additional surgery on the same shoulder that he has already had 2 rounds of cutting. He's pretty upset about this and hasn't decided what he will do. He is now under the care of a physical therapist so I think he will ask for her opinion too.

A good family friend passed away also and the wake was tonight. Actually, he is much better off now in that he had so many complications.

Christmas shopping has been going very well; however, I still haven't wrapped the first present! I have purchased wrapping paper, brought down a lot of gift boxes from the attic, and organized the gifts as best I could. Now, if I could just make myself start wrapping, I would be a much happier person I think. I can't continue putting this off. I also have some more Christmas decorations to put out too or the grandkids won't be happy. The boy came over yesterday and asked where Santa's elf was. Of course, I immediately pulled it out of the crate so he could enjoy listening to him sing and act silly. Much to my chagrin, the batteries had to be replaced and that was an ordeal (that took twice as long as his enjoyment of the elf did!). The girl is still asking lots of questions but she told her brother that she was only trying to learn. I am so entertained by the two of them. They will certainly make everyone's Christmas so much brighter. I hope that each of you have little ones around you to liven up the season!