I am enjoying my Christmas tree with all its pretty lights. We really should buy a more authentic 'artificial' tree that has all the lights on it when you set it up but I just haven't 'gone there' yet! We have had this tree for more than 12 years, more likely, 15+ (where has the time gone?) and every year I think about getting a new one, but I never do.
It's not that we need a new tree. I mean artificial is artificial. It doesn't really wear out. You really only have it up for 2-3 weeks (oh maybe 5-6) but whose counting? Once the lights and the ornaments are on it, well, it looks beautiful. It fits so nicely in the corner and out of the way. I kinda like the little 'lean' it has taken on over the years. I am sure they have 'corner' trees on the market but this one I bought in a little store which is no longer in business in a mall which is no longer there! I had the name of the store on the tip of my tongue but alas, it has disappeared. I will think of it again and share it when I remember!
Tomorrow we head out of town for Christmas. Our neighbors will watch our house and check it and our mail daily. We will be enjoying the rain instead of the snow (if you can enjoy rain)! I really am a snow person, even if it is cold. I much prefer the crunch of snow to the sopping wet of rain! However, it will be nice for a mid-winter change. Mostly, it will be nice to see our daughter and son-in-law and especially our grandkids! It has only been a few months but still....it's time!
The next thing we need is boxes. We need to put all these gifts into boxes so we can put them in the box of the truck! This year we are driving in a truck instead of our Explorer. In some ways I miss the "Ex" but our new truck has Sirius Satellite Radio which allows enjoyable music while going through the mountains! Oh I know you can have your CD's playing but we usually don't carry a lot of them around with us and this offers a variety....IF I can get John to change the station once in a while from his favourite "Ltd Engagements" of bluegrass and gospel music! I like them too but enjoy my 60's music!!! Guess I am showing my age!
Anyway, I guess I should get back to the business of packing gifts. There is always last-minute wrapping to do and things of that nature. A person needs to clean the house as well so it is neat when you return. That's a girl thing right? John doesn't understand the 'last minute' sweep of the floor and cleaning of the kitchen sink!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Slow Progress
As I typed those two words I chuckled a bit. Slow (not moving, or able to move quickly, proceeding at a slow speed) progress (forward or onward movement toward a destination). I thought at first they were opposites or going against each other but it appears they they both are 'heading in the same direction' - just at a slow speed!
But I digress. Beautiful morning out there. -16 C and a light snowfall just enough to cover any markings on the fallen snow from days before. It appears we have a bit of hoar frost as well. Very pretty. A white wonderland.
We drove out of town yesterday morning about 6:30 am to visit John's mom (103 years old). The traffic was back-to-back. It was beautiful in one way - the lights. One direction was all red and the oncoming was all white! Very christmassy! It is unreal to see the volume of traffic here now. Obviously more cars coming into town than going out - but we were not alone as we headed east. We could see the remnants of the blizzard that came through on Wed as there were cars in the ditch and I think a few of them just got there minutes before us as well as there were people IN them or standing outside them talking on their cell phones. (My...that was a long sentence.) We were able to enjoy the beautiful sunrise (all pink, orange, yellow and turquoise) as we continued east and the clouds lifted and the horizon became clear. We were able to enjoy the same view in the west as we returned in the evening as the sun set. Same colours (oh, I wish I had my camera) but the focus was on the sun itself which peered out of an opening in a bank of clouds. It was like a lazer shooting down from the heavens as this brilliant pink, orange and yellow light was funnelled through an opening in the clouds. Unbelievably beautiful! My description is extremely limited compared to its beauty. Guess that is one of those times when it is correct to say 'you had to be there' to understand what I mean.
Anyway, everyone was very busy on the farm so we made our trip a one-day event. We purchased some fun gifts while there for our life team potluck next week and paid some bills for mom, purchased some things for her and had a nice long visit as well. It is amazing what you can do in a day! Later on, in the evening, I was able to get started on Christmas cards and wrap a few gifts. The dining room table is now covered in papers, ribbons, cards and gift tags. I would love to show a picture but I still have not resolved the issue of 'no room' (at the inn!!) for pictures as my google account is full (whatever that all means). I will just have to get better at describing things and you will need to use your imagination more!
But I digress. Beautiful morning out there. -16 C and a light snowfall just enough to cover any markings on the fallen snow from days before. It appears we have a bit of hoar frost as well. Very pretty. A white wonderland.
We drove out of town yesterday morning about 6:30 am to visit John's mom (103 years old). The traffic was back-to-back. It was beautiful in one way - the lights. One direction was all red and the oncoming was all white! Very christmassy! It is unreal to see the volume of traffic here now. Obviously more cars coming into town than going out - but we were not alone as we headed east. We could see the remnants of the blizzard that came through on Wed as there were cars in the ditch and I think a few of them just got there minutes before us as well as there were people IN them or standing outside them talking on their cell phones. (My...that was a long sentence.) We were able to enjoy the beautiful sunrise (all pink, orange, yellow and turquoise) as we continued east and the clouds lifted and the horizon became clear. We were able to enjoy the same view in the west as we returned in the evening as the sun set. Same colours (oh, I wish I had my camera) but the focus was on the sun itself which peered out of an opening in a bank of clouds. It was like a lazer shooting down from the heavens as this brilliant pink, orange and yellow light was funnelled through an opening in the clouds. Unbelievably beautiful! My description is extremely limited compared to its beauty. Guess that is one of those times when it is correct to say 'you had to be there' to understand what I mean.
Anyway, everyone was very busy on the farm so we made our trip a one-day event. We purchased some fun gifts while there for our life team potluck next week and paid some bills for mom, purchased some things for her and had a nice long visit as well. It is amazing what you can do in a day! Later on, in the evening, I was able to get started on Christmas cards and wrap a few gifts. The dining room table is now covered in papers, ribbons, cards and gift tags. I would love to show a picture but I still have not resolved the issue of 'no room' (at the inn!!) for pictures as my google account is full (whatever that all means). I will just have to get better at describing things and you will need to use your imagination more!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A Good Evening
We had a good evening last night at our Blue Christmas event. It was put on at our church by our Stephen Ministry group. Invitations were sent out to those who are hurting, feeling lonely, have lost a loved one or a relationship or friendship has gone wrong and Christmas is not a happy time. It is a time of coming together, focusing our thoughts and recognizing our hurts and allowing God to help us through these dark days. It is a time of remembering we are not alone and that we can get through it. It was a time of bonding with others who also are struggling. It may sound dismal but it was anything but!
We all go through loss and we each handle it different. It was just a time of recognizing that and moving on. It was not a large group so we were able to meet and talk with a number of people, hear their stories and even pray with them. It was also a time of introductions, listening and sharing.
It is now time to move on with my own Christmas shopping and preparedness for it. There is always lots to do at this time of the year. We all need to slow down a bit and enjoy it instead of rushing around and missing the whole meaning. I think I am mostly talking to myself! but hey, if the shoe fits...well....
We all go through loss and we each handle it different. It was just a time of recognizing that and moving on. It was not a large group so we were able to meet and talk with a number of people, hear their stories and even pray with them. It was also a time of introductions, listening and sharing.
It is now time to move on with my own Christmas shopping and preparedness for it. There is always lots to do at this time of the year. We all need to slow down a bit and enjoy it instead of rushing around and missing the whole meaning. I think I am mostly talking to myself! but hey, if the shoe fits...well....
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