Happy Birthday, My White Knight

Jim is my knight in shinning armor. He always has been. So in honor of his birthday, I dedicate this blog to him. Little Jimmy was born early in the day that New Year's Eve so long ago. He has made an impact on a lot of lives along the way. He was the cutest little boy!


His first love was a sweet little black girl named Annie...and her brother Bear.

His favorite memories revolve around his family...especially his grandparents. You never saw such devotion as this little red-headed boy had for his Grandma. If you ask him today who his hero's are...Grandpa is always at the top of the list.
After all our years together, you never fail to surprise and amaze me with your ability to grow and change. You are a wonderful Dad and I am proud to be your wife. I hope your birthday is GREAT!!

Hello, Record Snow Fall

This is one record I can do without breaking. In 1927 the record was set with 29 inches of snow for December. As of this morning we hit a whopping 30 inches and counting. Oh well. I didn't ask for any of this snow. I don't see why I should have to shovel any snow that I didn't specifically order. And even if I did get right out there and shovel...it's still snowing. We have already decided that since we will be down one shoveler next snow season (Kevin...we will miss your strong back and young muscles) that come this spring we ARE buying a snow blower. I just hope there are some left in the stores come spring...or a bit later in the snow season at any rate.

This is a 12 inch ruler stuck in the shallowest part of the snow on my driveway. It measures at 11 inches. In the other parts of my driveway the ruler disappears. If I were to look on the bright side of this...well...I can't find one. Actually a bright spot just appeared...nope not a retinal detachment...one of our neighbors is snow blowing my driveway!!! I am so happy. Well, I have to go now and thank this mystery neighbor.

Time To Kill

So, we were at church for a total of 7 hours today...including drive time. That really isn't unusual. I was so thankful Jo brought her new camera for us to play with. We were able to kill a little time playing around. Here's a bit of what we did....hehehehehehahahahaha....Good times...

Made It

Well, I am having mixed feelings about the end of the Christmas hoopla. I do love the lights and colors...the sights and smells...the music...aaahhhh. But I will admit I am glad to be done with another "first-without Mom milestone". It wasn't the hardest thing I have ever done...but not something I would wish on anyone. WAH...I know. There are people all over the world that have to deal with a whole lot worse every day. But here in my own little world, Christmas without my Mom seemed like a pretty tough pill to swallow. Of course she was here in Spirit. I know she was...I felt her here. I put on a vest that she used to wear, before she got sick, and I put my hand in the pocket and found a bunch of her tissues (Mom never went ANYWHERE without a pocket full of tissues...the soft ones). It was a nice reminder that she is watching over me, but of course, it made me miss her even more. So as I sit, surrounded by the twinkling lights and torn paper I can breathe a sigh of relief and know that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger...and apparently I'm to be cast in the fire a few more times because I am still too weak to be considered a finished project. So as I prepare to be molded and fired and strengthened as steel I pray I can do it with the courage and dignity that my Mom showed in her own life. God Bless

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in our family has always been an all day event. When the kids were little we would hang out with my Mom and Dad and sisters during the day. We would eat pizza and have crackers and cheese and just enjoy the anticipation of the night to come. The kids would begin to bug us about opening their Christmas Eve gift (until they figured out it was ALWAYS going to be pajamas) at about 6:00. We would pull the special gift out from under the tree and have the kids put on their jammies and we'd head out to look at the Christmas light displays around town. Then with it being so close to bed time we'd throw a Christmas movie in the VCR and let them watch and then off to bed.
Today was a bit different...aside from all that is missing...I decided to mix it up a bit. Maybe it won't be so noticeable if EVERYTHING is different. I cooked (wearing the apron my Grandma made for me) all afternoon...I made all our Christmas favorites...ham, cheesy potatoes (a.k.a. funeral potatoes), rolls, raspberry jell-o salad (in my Great-Grandma's bowl) and I attempted the yummy yams that Jim's Mom makes (didn't work out so well). We invited our friend John over for dinner because he doesn't have any family in town. After we took him home we went driving around looking for the best light displays. We made quick work of that and headed home to get into our jammies.

(I just told them they're on the naughty list)
Now we are just hanging out waiting for it to be time for bed. Aside from a few moments of tears and longing for Christmases past...today has been a good day full of new traditions and fun memories. We are thankful for the birth of the Savior and the possibility of eternal life through him.I think they have seen "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey a few too many times.

2008 In Review

Since I didn't put a letter in my Christmas cards this year...too much happened for one stamp...I have decided to put my letter to friends and family on my blog. So...here goes...

Dear Friends and Family,
We hope as this letter finds you, it finds you and yours healthy and happy. We are enjoying the Season of Giving this year from the comforts of home. While we do miss seeing our families for Christmas, this has given us the opportunity to focus on the reason for the season and appreciate the gift of the New Born King.
Here are some highlights from the previous 12 months:
January-We went to Disney World with Michelle and Kim and all our families.

We had a fabulous time...but only because my Mom threatened to be really mad if we didn't.
-We didn't love the LONGEST cold snap we have EVER experienced.
-I (Lori) made plans to visit Mom and Dad at the end of February.
February-I changed my plans to see Mom and Dad and arrived late on the 11th...in time to sing Happy Birthday to my Mom.
-Too many gentle reminders of God love to count.
-My Mom passed away on the 14th...I never did like Valentines Day anyway.
-I stayed in Idaho until March to help Dad.
March-I started working in the lunchroom at the high school for 4 hours a day at the computer. It was an OK job...just crappy hours.
April-Jim and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.
May-Kevin graduated from high school (WOOHOO!!!)
Jim started to be the "go to guy" for SaraLee. He traveled to Hastings, NE every other week and stayed for a week to help put that plant back on it's feet.
-I finished my job at the high school and decided to be just on the sub list.
June-We drove home to Idaho to visit.
-Kev celebrated his birthday there with all our family.
-Jo and I got to stay in Idaho while the guys came home to go back to work.
July-Jo and I came home
-Jim stopped traveling so much for work.
-My Dad and Lacey came to visit. We took them fishing and we had such a good time.
-Jim's parents came to visit. We fished and Doug helped Jim with some projects around the house.
We played on the boat a lot too. We loved having them visit.
August-My niece Cylie Jorgie (Mom's initials...cute, huh!) was born on the 20th.
-Kevin started college.
September-Jo started high school (we now have 2 freshman in the house...weird!!)
-Jo turned 15 and is so excited to be half way to 20 ( seriously, this kids rocks. She makes us laugh every day). -I flew home to see Cylie and Kim (and the rest of the family, of course)
-It was a short visit and on the way home the man in the seat next to me died.
-Kids like school.
-Jim loves his job (as much as one who just wants to retire can possibly love a job).
October-Jo started bowling on a youth league.
-Jim had another steroid injection in his back (so far so good).
November-I subbed a lot in kindergarten...I LOVE it...weird.
-We got to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving. My Mom's side of the family had a big bash...so fun.
-We visited all our families and made lasting memories.
December-What can I say about December...
-It has snowed more than 2 feet.
-Jo is itching to get out on her snowboard.
-Kev is looking forward to the next semester of school.
-Jim is tired of me whining about the cold.
We think of you all often and wish you would come and visit. As of right now we are planning a summer send off for our missionary (YAY KEV!!) Summers here are wonderful and we always have room for visitors.
Have a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy. Love, The Reader Family

Just In Time

My new heated mattress pads came last night. I was so tired I was just going to let them sit until today. My sweet hubby went up to go to bed and put ours on...and re-made the bed...and turned on both sides. I always give him grief because when he decides he's going to go to bed...he just goes. When I decide I want to go to bed I let the dogs out and put them to bed (or make sure someone does). I check to see if any laundry needs moved to the dryer. Then I make sure the doors are locked or that the lights outside are on in case Kev is at work. As I haul my as...self up the stairs I pick up the various socks the dog has been packing around and make sure there is nothing on the stairs (I tripped on a dog toy in the dark once...fell down the stairs...not fun). Finally, when I make it upstairs Jim is almost asleep (until I turn on the bathroom light hehehehe). And as I crawl into a freezing cold bed it is so hard to relax. Not last night. My bed was toasty and it was so fabulous. Sometimes I forget to notice the thousands of small wonderful things my honey does for me every day. Well...I'm going to pay closer attention for the rest of the month and see if I can form a new habit of appreciating the little things instead of bemoaning the lack of grand gestures. Yep...and now you know.

Seriously???

So, you all know (because of my incessant whining) that it is butt chapping cold here. Well in order to get any sleep at night the hubby and I have been using some creative means to keep warm at night. Nonono nothing like that....strictly G rated. We have been heating Jo's rice bag and the buck wheat bag
and trying to stay warm all night. Well...it works pretty good until about 3 a.m. So to remedy this chilly situation I decided to buy a heated mattress pad for our bed (and one for Jo cause I feel bad for her). I have looked on every web site for weeks. Bad news...all the queen size electric mattress pads are sold out. Good news...I found some cute sweaters at Penney's for a steal. Finally while browsing at Kohls.com I found what I was looking for (or at least I thought I did). So I plop 2 in my cart and proceed to check out. I was so excited and I must say my hubby hasn't been this excited for the UPS driver since we ordered his gun safe. The box came tonight and I was anticipating a warm snuggly nights sleep. I striped the sheets off the bed and prepared to assemble this...my own personal ray of sunshine...then I really looked at the package. SERIOUSLY!!! No cords?? Nothing to plug in???
Just a really #$%^&^%$#$%^ expensive mattress pad!! You've got to be kidding me. I am not exaggerating when I tell you I was crushed. I haven't been this disappointed since Jo got caught breaking curfew. Crushed, I am. So I did what any red-blooded broken-hearted girl (in a small town) would do...I went Internet shopping. Yep. I looked at a few places that I have checked in the past few weeks...still no dice. Then I decided to play a long shot and try Penney's again. SCORE!! They must have realized what with it being winter and all that a few warming options might be greeted with open arms. I grabbed 2 and hurried to check out before they changed their minds. I even got free shipping which brought my grand total to the same amount that I spent on the non-electric ones from Kohls. I have decided I needed a road trip to Fargo anyway...so I'll just take the mattress pads back and tell Kohls in person what they can do with them. I just hope it doesn't snow again before I get the chance.

Texas, Here We Come!!!

Usually I enjoy a good snow day...OK...you caught me. I don't. If it is too snowy for school that means a whole lot of shoveling for us. And if the snow wasn't enough...our "high" temps with the wind chill are hovering right around -45*. Yeah, so not only are we shoveling...we are shoveling in the wind.
Not an easy task to say the least. Luckily (and I use that term loosely) I do have some toasty snow gear thanks to our days of winter 4-wheeling trips. The cold aside, at least the kids are home and safe and we can hang out and play games. So, to my friends and family in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona...you might want to watch out. I might show up on your door step with a plan to stay a while.

Once Upon A Winters Dreary...

wow...A lot of snow at my house in the last 12 hours. Church was cancelled last night which is good because the road got closed an hour before we would have been heading home. We did go to our Branch Christmas party last night. We had a fabulous ham dinner and tons of treats provided by various members. The primary kids (the Huberts and Belisles) acted out the nativity for us to enjoy. Two of the older kids played their respective band instruments and we sang "Silent Night". Those of us who lived further away got nervous about waiting to get going home...the storm was beginning to rage outside...so we started cleaning up. I hope we didn't offend anyone with our haste to get into our safe, warm homes...but it seemed silly to risk waiting for things to get worse before heading out. All of us did make it home safe and sound and so glad to have shelter from the storm. This whole day has been spent reading and watching Elf and eating treats from last night and just being thankful we didn't have any where to go. Not that we could have gone anywhere anyway. All the highways out of town are closed and the roads in town are nearly impassable. We are grateful for Jim's old truck. Having the option of 4-wheel drive is a good thing. With the temperature dropping by the hour (due to a significant wind chill) we aren't going anywhere...and you can't make me.

This pic was taken 1 hour after I had shoveled it bare.

Two For The Price Of One

Well, I worked yesterday. I subbed for my favorite lady. She is in charge of two delightful little girls. One is a little autistic girl with red hair (I just LOVE this kid). The other is a girl with some serious learning delays due in part to her time in the womb without a view. I like her but she is a bit naughty...just because she can be. When I've had the opportunity to work with these girls they have been either both really good or one or the other has had issues. Yesterday, however, both girls were having a hard day and in turn I had a hard day. It was the pits trying to reason, or plead, or wrestle, or chase, or reprimand, or sigh, or roll my eyes at both girls at the same time. But there were some choice moments along the way that made me want to go back. There are some really sweet kids in that class as well. I did get to interact with them. A few of my favorites just needed a brief snuggle to get them through the day. I love to here cheering when I walk into a room full of midgets. They are just sweet. I also ran into my good friend Kamiryn who is in the every-other-day-class. I was so happy to see her doing so well. She looked happy and was surrounded by friends. Of course I interrupted her snack time to steal a hug. So, all in all it was a very good (tiring but good) day...........

Second Blog

Until I got home and turned on the national radio weather channel that broadcasts from near our town. They are calling for "life threatening weather"!! What!! That's right. A major snow storm with up to 12" of snow and 40 mile an hour winds...sheesh. No thanks. When we first moved here we scoffed at the weather forecasts given 7 days ahead of time for massive weather issues. I remember "the storm of the century" that was forecasted in Idaho a few years ago that had everyone so panicked that the grocery store shelves were empty. That HUGE storm resulted in an inch or two of snow and the weatherman retired in disgrace. So we were a little sceptical when we had our first storm warning of 12-16 inches of snow. Yeah...they were right. Our town got 14.5 inches out of that storm and we have been believers ever since. The main issue I am having with this storm is it's supposed to hit Saturday night and Sunday...and our rescheduled (due to a big snow storm) Primary program is supposed to be Sunday!!! AACCCHHHTTT! I just can't win.

More For Christmas

I'm sure there is nothing monumental or fun or even remotely interesting going on in my life right now. Basically I'm just trying to keep my head above water. I thought since my kids think they're too old for me to read to them out of our annual Christmas stories book (one story a night until the 24th when we would read of the nativity right from the Bible) I'd tell you another of my favorite stories...

Teach The Children

Just a week before Christmas, I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Clause himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone--gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement of "Teach the Children". I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said again, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas--the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten. I started to say, "How can I...", when Santa reached into his toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars at night, one for each person, now show the burning hope of all mankind." Santa gently laid the star on the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament. Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man might have God's gift of eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid--it is the greatest color of all. It is a symbol of the gift of God. "Teach the children," he said as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on it. The deep green of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas. "The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round." He said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward--symbols of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great green tree has been mans best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him,made beauty for him." Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold--it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord." As the soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow of the tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in shadows slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. "Teach the children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows mans thanks for the star of long ago. Its small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on the trees--they were like many glowing stars against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance." Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and pick up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow as men should be tied, all of us together, with the bonds of good will towards each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow." Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He took it down and reached out toward me with it. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the Shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brothers keeper." As Santa looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction shown in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door and said, "Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases or stops or ends. It is the one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas. Please teach the children."

Long But Good

A Different Kind of Christmas

by Lael J. Littke

Martha had tried to ignore the approach of Christmas. She would have kept it almost entirely out of her thoughts if Jed had not come eagerly into the cabin one day, stomping the snow from his cold feet as he said in an excited voice, "Martha, we're going to have a Christmas tree this year anyway. I spotted a cedar on that rise out south of the wheat field, over near the Norton's place. It's a scrubby thing, but it will do since we can't get a pine. Maybe Christmas will be a little different here, but it will still be the kind of Christmas we used to have. As she shook her head, Martha noticed that Daniel glanced quickly up from the corner where he was playing, patiently tying together some sticks with bits of string left over from the quilt she'd tied a few days earlier. She drew Jed as far away from the boy as possible. "I don't want a tree," she said. "We won't be celebrating Christmas. Even a tree couldn't make it the kind of Christmas we used to have." "Martha, we've got to do something for the boy, at least. Children set such store by Christmas." "Don't you think I know? All those years of fixing things for Maybell and Stellie. I know all about kids and Christmas." She stopped and drew a deep breath, glancing over to see that Daniel was occupied and not listening. "But I can't do those things for him. It would be like a knife in the heart, fixing a tree and baking cookies and making things for another woman's child when my own girls are back there on that prairie." "Martha, Martha," Jed said softly. "It's been almost a year and a half. That's over and Danny needs you. He needs a Christmas like he remembers." She turned her back to his pleading face."I can't," she said. Jed touched her shoulder gently, "I know it's hard for you, Martha. But think of the boy." He turned and went back out into the snowy weather. Think of the boy. Why should she think of him, when her own children, her blue-eyed, golden haired daughters, had been left beside the trail back there on that endless, empty prairie? The boy came to her not because she wanted him, but because she couldn't say "NO" to the bishop back in Salt Lake City last April before they came to settle this valley. Bishop Clay had brought Daniel to her and Jed one day and said, "I want you to care for this lad. His mother died on the trek last summer and his pa passed away last week. He needs a good home." Jed had gripped the bishop's hand and with tears in his eyes, thanked him. But Martha had turned away from the sight of the thin, ragged, six year old boy who stood before them, not fast enough, however, to miss the sudden brief smile he flashed at her. A smile that should have caught her heart and opened it wide. Her heart was closed, though, locked tightly around the memory of her two gentle little girls. She didn't want a noisy, rowdy little boy hanging around, disturbing those memories, filling the cabin with a boy's loud games. Yet she had taken him, because she felt she had no choice. Faced with the bishop's request- more of an order really- and Jed's obvious joy, she couldn't refuse. He came with them, out to this new valley west of the Salt Lake settlement and had proved himself a great help to Jed, despite his young age. Sometimes Martha felt pity for him, but she didn't love him. With Jed it was different. He had accepted Daniel immediately as his own son and enjoyed having the boy with him. They had a special relationship. Daniel mentioned Christmas only once. One day it was too cold and snowy to play outside and he had been humming softly to himself as he played in the corner. Suddenly he looked up at Martha and asked, "Can you sing, Aunt Martha?" Martha paused and straightened up from the table where she was kneading bread. She used to sing for the girls all the time. "No, I can't Daniel," she said. "Not anymore." "My mother used to sing a pretty song at Christmas," he said. "I wish I could remember it." On the day before Christmas, Jed went through the deep snow to do some chores for Brother Norton, who was ill. Daniel was alone out side most of the day, although he made several rather furtive trips in and out of the cabin. On one trip, he took the sticks he had been tying together. Toward evening, Martha went out to the stable to milk Rosie, since Jed had not yet returned. As she approached, she saw there was a light inside. Opening the door softly, she peered within. Daniel had lit the barn lantern, and with it's glow, he knelt in the straw by Rosie's stall. In front of him were the sticks he had tied together, which Martha recognized now as a crude cradle. It held Stellie's rag doll, all wrapped up in the white shawl Martha kept in her trunk. Her first impulse was to rush in and snatch it, but she stopped because the scene was strangely beautiful in the soft light from the lantern. Rosie and the two sheep stood close by, watching Daniel. He seemed to be addressing them as he spoke. "The shepherds came following the star," he was saying. "And they found the baby Jesus who had been born in a stable." He paused and then went on. "And his mother loved him." Martha felt suddenly that she couldn't breathe. Another mother, another day, had loved her boy, and had told him the beautiful story of the Christ Child with such love that he hadn't forgot it, young as he was. And she, Martha, had failed that mother. In the silence, she began to sing. "Silent night," she sang. "Holy night." Daniel didn't move until the song was finished. Then he turned with that quick heart-melting smile. "That's the one," he whispered. "That's the song that my mother used to sing to me." Martha ran forward and gathered the boy into her arms. He responded immediately, clasping his arms tightly around her. "Danny," she said, sitting on the edge of Rosie's manger, "Let's go in and get the cabin ready for Christmas. Maybe it isn't too late for Jed--for Pa to get that tree. It might be a little different kind of Christmas, but it will still be a little like the Christmases we used to know." "Do you mind it being different?" Danny asked. "I mean with a boy instead of your girls?" Martha wondered how long it would take her to make up for the hurt she had inflicted these many months. "No," she said. "After all, the Baby Jesus was a boy." "That's right," he said wonderingly. She set him down on the floor and put her arms around his shoulders. "Merry Christmas," she said. "Merry Christmas, Danny." He looked up at her with a smile that did not fade quickly away this time, a sweet smile full of love he had been waiting to give her. "Merry Christmas," he said, and then added softly, "Mother."

...............No matter what your holiday was before...you can have a special celebration. It's all about your attitude. How do you want to honor the Christ Child?.......

Obscure and Over-Looked Christmas Stories

When I was growing up the one ornament we always fought for the privilege of putting on the tree was the Christmas Spider. A spider you ask? There is an old German legend that explains...

On Christmas Eve, a long time ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year... Christmas day, the day on which the little Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner on the ceiling. They had fled to the farthest corner of the attic. The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. The poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the little Christ child's visit. Then the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could wait until everyone went to bed and then get a closer look. When the house was dark and silent, the spiders crept out of their hiding place. When they neared the Christmas tree, they were delighted with the beauty of it. The spiders crept all over the tree, up and down, over the branches and twigs and saw every one of the pretty things. The spiders loved the Christmas tree. All night long they danced in the branches, leaving them covered with spider webs. In the morning, when the little Christ child came to bless the house, he was dismayed! He loved the little spiders for they were God's creatures, but he knew the mother, who had worked so hard to make everything perfect, would not be pleased when she saw what the spiders had done .With love in his heart and a smile on his lips, the little Christ child reached out and gently touched the spider webs. The spider webs started to sparkle and shine! They had all turned into sparkling, shimmering silver and gold. According to legend, ever since this happened, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. It has also become a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the Christmas tree.

So now you know about the Christmas Spider. I did make some spiders for my sisters and I to put on our trees. There is just something about this time of year that fills me with nostalgia and a longing for the way things were. What I've learned from the spider this year is NEVER put off or apologize for spending time with your family. Make the memories today that will fill your tomorrows with joy.

Whiny

Are you ready to listen to me whine?? I am having a pity party today (it's actually been going on for a few days). You are welcome to stop reading right now and I won't be offended at all...come to think of it I probably won't even know. I am trying to decide what gives me the right to complain. My family is relatively healthy, Jim has a great job, we are able to afford a pretty cushy life, my kids aren't too rebellious, and I have fabulous friends. So why do I feel like the world's whipping boy? Why am I beyond grouchy and snippy and just plain mean to the family I love so much? Why do I feel like crawling into a hole during my very most favoritest time of the year? I am without an explanation other than a few vague possibilities. Maybe it is the lack of sunshine, maybe my subconscious is trying to make sense of Christmas without my Mom (if that's the case I sure hope next year is easier), maybe I'm just too spoiled and self-centered to see my life as the fairy tale that it is. I don't know why I am this way and frankly, today, I really don't care why I'm grouchy. I just wanted everyone to know that I am aware of the situation and tomorrow if my party is over I'll try to figure out how not to be a hater. Until then, my family, friends and lurkers...beware...I may bite (and I'm really sorry if I hurt any ones feelings).

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Were you able to read that without singing? Me either. I know you've all heard about my undying affection for my family and friends...but I wanted to get a little materialistic today. I love the people in my life and I feel so overabundantly (is that actually a word) blessed that it almost feels wrong somehow to praise the "things" in my life. But...that's what I feel like doing today...and since I never get to do what I want...here we go. An ode to shoes; Oh my shoes, I love you so...you always make me smile. I wish that you were comfy...Then I could walk miles and miles. (sing it to "Mother Dear I Love You So" it works better that way) It's true I LOVE shoes. Trivial and materialistic? Definitely...but oh they are fabulous and some day I will own a pair of Jimmy Choo's. ( This is just a sampling of the many pairs I love)Then of course there is the majestic handbag. Where would we be without its simple elegance, it's understated ability to carry our lives around in its zippered compartments? I feel guilty when I've used one for too long. I can feel the hurt and rejection from the others when they don't get their turn to compliment an outfit or make an appearance at a GNO. It's hurtful to neglect your purses...give them all a fair turn. I've even considered carrying more than one bag to ease the tension in my closet. It's tricky dealing with a herd this big. I have to be careful...they might rise up in rebellion. I'm just lucky they haven't formed a union...yet. Frosty the Snowman was alive as he could be....yes, I do love a good snowman. Funny though, I am selective in my collecting. Jim would tell you that I never turn any snowman away that wants to join my collection...but that's just not true. I only take the ones that are jolly and carrot nosed and a bit countrified. (you know you love it when I make up words this early in the morning) I wish I had the guts to leave them up all year. Someday I will...just a warning.

It may sound funny but my Darla is definitely in the top five of my favorites list. She is soft and snugly and she makes the most fantastic sounds. Yes...quiet really isn't her thing. When she get excited she gasps, when she's sleeping she snores, and when she's just breathing she gurgles. I just love her. Oh and she LOVES to sleep and hates to be bothered while she's napping. My kind of girl. Everyone needs a Darla. So now you know a few more of my favorite things...you know other than family and friends and Christmas and pizza and indoor plumbing and the Internet and fingernails. Now you know.