Let Christmas Come

I have my Christmas tree up!  I didn't put one up last year due to the fact that I didn't have any of my sons here to retrieve the tree and ornaments from the attic.  (I am banned from attics, but that is a different story.)  Also, we were going to be gone for most of December and it seemed like a whole lot of trouble for MY few days of enjoyment.  Anyhoo, I missed it too much to skip another year, also, I have a new grandbaby who will most likely be by the house at least once before Christmas!   Photo ops!   I am going to hang up the stockings-15 this year!  I hope our mantel is long enough!  I guess I'll have to pin the dogs' and cat's stockings to their owner's stockings, which brings it up to 18.  Then, my decorating will officially be finished for this year.

I love the Christmas season, most of all for the joy of knowing Whose birth I celebrate at this time.  As a child, of course, it was all about the toys and other presents, but now, I am aware of the sacrifice Jesus made to come to earth as a human baby, to grow up as a young man, and to make the decision to go through the horrors of the crucifixion.  Although Easter is the ultimate high point of the Christian year, His resurrection fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah, the fact of His birth in a stable moves me, especially this year.  Maybe it was hearing the first cry of our newest grandchild, and the joy that brought to all of us waiting.   Whatever caused it, I am again thankful for the Savior.

Thanksgiving

I have so many things to be thankful for this year. I have a precious new grandson who is by far and away the cutest thing to come down the pike this year in our family. My husband, TBO, puts up with all my whinging and only really gets torqued when I am waaay out of line. I have wonderful sons and daughters-in-law, and six other terrific grandchildren.

But I have had a rough time the last few weeks. I have never thought that I could be depressed. I found out differently. It seemed as though my life had totally spun out of MY control, my control being the operative words here. I discovered that I lack the ability in my own strength and self to control anything.

Life is sometimes tedious, as my Mom says every once in a while. I believe the tediousness just kind of overtook me for a few weeks. I wallowed in unhappiness and ungratefulness until I finally realized what was happening...I had truly forgotten to be thankful for all my blessings and for the One Who has been so extravagant with them to me.

I have a loving husband who would do anything for me, if I would remember to ask him, not expect him to read my mind. I have a beautiful home for which I have, to my shame, not shown much gratitude for lately.

I merely forgot to continue to be thankful. So tonight, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I say, thank you, Lord, for always providing for me and my family. Thank you, TBO, for loving me when I am lovable and when I am a pain. Thank you, my sweet sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren for just letting me be me-sometimes good, sometimes, not so good! Thank you to my friends who put up with my stuff, who hold me accountable, who love me through the good times and the bad ones.

More Wedding Festivities

Our friends had their last child get married this weekend...number six!  It was a groom, so Mom and Dad were a little less stressed than when it was one of their girls!  We were asked to the rehearsal dinner as well as the wedding itself.  I'm sure some of the bride's family was wondering what we were doing there, but, the Lord put these special ones in our lives and we feel like we are part of their family.  The rehearsal dinner was really fun and following the tradition they began when their oldest daughter got married, people shared fun stories about the bride and groom. Hearing some of the stories from their childhoods was priceless.  Some of the stories about not so long ago were also amazing!

The wedding itself could not have been more beautiful.  The ceremony took place outside in a vineyard here in North Texas.  This bride had a lot of faith for the weather, I must say! Everything went as planned and the weather cooperated fully.  

The aunt of the groom invited TBO and me to come to her home for breakfast on Sunday morning...once again, I am thinking some of these people don't even know me, but we went!  It was such a fun time getting to know Auntie's in-laws, and hearing the story of their courtship. TBO said it seemed as if they were doing a stand-up routine it was so funny and well done.  They will have been married fifty years in a couple of months.  I love hearing of marriages like that. We only have fifteen more to go to make it to fifty...ooh, I am feeling kind of old all of a sudden!

So tonight, I am vegging.  Seriously vegging.  I cannot find a thing on DirectTV I want to see, so as soon as I finish this post, I am going to locate my favorite chick flick, pop some popcorn and veg out to the max!

The Queen

Many of you know about our almost 18 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Sweet Pea, aka the Queen.  She lived with us for the last 5 years of her life, and I think she enjoyed her life with us.  Yesterday, I had to make that decision which all owners of older pets dread.  The Queen left us quietly, in my arms to go to the place where her deafness, blindness, arthritis, confusion, and "inappropriate eliminations" will no longer be  problems.  She will be missed.

 

Blog Fodder

TBO and I met Janie, from SoundingForth, for lunch today.  She was in town on business and had time to stop before heading west.  It was, as always, a treat to spend time with her.  She makes me tired just listening to her schedule!

As we were leaving, she was headed to the ladies' room, and I remembered the time TBO wandered into the ladies' instead of the gents' on our way home from a conference in Branson. According to Janie, there is no statute of limitations on blog fodder.  So here goes.

We are tired, cranky and both in need of a bathroom.  We pull into a Love's in eastern Oklahoma somewhere.  I race into the store and locate the restroom, barely making it into the stall in time. 

As I am about to leave my stall, I hear a rather familiar voice talking to another definitely MALE voice.  I'm thinking, OMG, I've gone into the men's room by mistake.  I tell you, I can flat fly out of a stall, wash hands hastily-no time for drying-and beat feet out of there.  As I open the door, I look at the sign.  It is DEFINITELY the little girls' room.  I go back in and call out to TBO and say, "Is that you?"   

"Yes, it is."  came a rather sheepish reply.  I asked what he was doing there and he said, "I don't know, the guy who followed me in here and I were talking and not paying attention to the signs, obviously!"

I hurried out of the way so as not to embarrass the other gentleman.  When we got into the truck, TBO said, "We kind of thought something was wrong when it was so clean and there were no urinals, but we both had to go too bad to leave!"  Shades of Working Girl!  We laughed all the way to Oklahoma City.

Every time we stop at a Love's, you can bet I check the signs carefully-and listen for familiar voices!

Cold Wedding

We traveled to Navasota, Texas this weekend for TBO to perform the wedding of a young man we have know for a long time and his fiance.

The wedding was held at the bride's family home, under some amazing trees of some sort...sorry, I am ignorant of most things botanical except for the most obvious! The guests were seated on hay bales, which, by the way, make pretty comfortable seating, and there was standing room only. The only drawback was that it had been raining for most of the week, and although it was not raining during the ceremony, it was DAMP, and a very cool wind decided to kick up. There were blankets around for people to use, but I had to go back to our truck to retrieve our "travelling" blanket! My "balemates" were three older people, one of whom did not have a coat...I shared! I was very glad to have had said blanket by the end of the evening.

The bride and groom were beautiful and handsome, their attendants were stunning, and their flower girl and ring bearer were scene stealers. Lovely dinner, watched the cake being cut, then decided we were too old and cold to stay for the dancing.

When we returned to our motel, I put on all the clothes I could find and piled up in the bed to warm up. I was very charming looking, I must say. The best was the sweater on top of the nightgown, and the socks. TBO laughed, but I did get warm!

As some know, I am not a great fan of gray, dark, rainy days. I am OFFICIALLY ready for a little sunshine now. The weather forecast is not looking promising until Friday. I will be looking forward to Friday with great anticipation!

Showered Out

Yesterday my friend had two, count 'em, two showers at her home! One, a baby shower for her youngest daughter and two, a wedding shower for her last unmarried son's impending nuptials.

Since we live on the opposite side of the county from my friend and her husband, TBO took me up to their house yesterday morning and dropped me off at 7:30 am on his way to a men's meeting. Only my friend and her husband, whom I had awakened with my agreed upon phone call were up...for a few moments. The oldest of the four grandchildren staying with them soon joined us and we were busy with the feeding and watering of them, then the youngest was up, nursed, and I got to play with her for a while so her Mom could get a shower.

Full blown prep mode ensued for the baby shower at 10:00. Arranging the tables, making sure the drinks were ready, giving lessons on telling time to the anxious little guys about the arrival of their much beloved cousin, generally trying to help. The shower was beautiful, food sublime, lots of wonderful gifts for the sweet little guy who is due to make his appearance in about 7 weeks...can't believe it's time already!

Clean up, load the dishwasher, wrangle the baby, visit with said baby's parents and aunt and uncle a little, enjoy a little down time with my special, God sent friend who never lets me whine! Then, whammo, it is time to begin preparations for the next shower. We work to find the best arrangement of chairs and tables for the food and drinks. The caterer arrives-such a sweetie-so accommodating and willing to work with my friend and her desires. Another bout of time telling lessons, and now it is time for the next shower.

Again, lots of fun people, lovely gifts and a grand time had by all. Looking forward to seeing all these people in about a month at the wedding! TBO and I left about 9:30 pm to make the trek home. Amazing day, but I was ready for my bed. Hope things are back in order in the north portion of the county!

I am so blessed by the Lord with wonderful friends who allow me to participate fully in their lives and the lives of their children. And for their children who allow me access to them, too!