Christmas Not Memas

Today is the last day of the work week and for the remainder of 2013 at our office, as well. Although I don't work on Fridays, I will be going in to 'break bread' with my fellow workers. In other words, it's a party! Well, it's a lunch, they will go back to work after about an hour or so and I will head home! 

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. Seems like we should still be back in late August or September! Maybe even July! 2013 went just too fast. But, that's the subject for another blog!

This morning I got this blog in my inbox and thought I would share it. J-O-Y - Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last - hit home for me. I recall too many times when I was quick to comment under my breath about the car in front of me, beside me or behind me. Or, too much decision on what I want for Christmas or how busy I seem to be or any other silly little thing affecting me. Get my point? So, this short devotional gets full attention for me today and hopefully the remainder of 2013 and 'into infinity and beyond' (for those who saw Toy Story!

Hope you will take the time to read it....

http://www.faithgateway.com/humility/?utm_source=devosdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=devosdaily20131220&spMailingID=44627255&spUserID=NzIyMTQwMDYzMzUS1&spJobID=221560333&spReportId=MjIxNTYwMzMzS0#.UrRRW_RDvhN

Stormy weather

The weather has been constantly changing. We have had blizzards and then calm and light snow, then wind, then cold deep freeze weather and this past weekend, it was back to RAIN, which froze, and more wind last night and this morning. Today they say it will snow! We have so much snow now!!!

We have been to a few Christmas events already. In one way, it seems like Christmas should be tomorrow...and then again...it feels like it is way too soon when I realize it is next week! What a mixture of thoughts! Guess it has to do with all we have been doing. I am still writing cards. There is always someone I seem to miss. Some I want to say more on the card so I don't send it right away and then it seems like the one I want to send doesn't get sent! If that makes any sense....

I still need to buy a few gifts for different people but will have to do that later in the week as I work today and tomorrow. I still have some time.

Some Preparation Needed

A close friend of ours asked me the other night how I 'prepared' for my mother's passing away. I told him that up until the moment they told me that she was gone, I always felt she would recover. It came as a total shock to me when they said  'it's time to let her go' indicating that there was nothing more they could do for her. Although others around me, may have realized this earlier, it didn't sink in for me. I always felt there was hope and a reason to 'keep going'. 

This morning, the father of this same man, passed away. Fortunately it happened quickly - although how quick can it be when you watch someone slip away. You don't know the timing 'at the time'. You just wait and wait and wait. Wondering if this is the last breath or will a miracle take place.

Watching your parent pass on has got to be the most difficult thing a person must do. Our own death, even if it is not in our control, somehow we control our actions, our emotions, the way we respond. Someone else's dying process, we have no control over. We simply watch and pray.

Our friend is in shock and will be until this is all over and he has moments to think about all that has happened, so quickly. In an instant, it seems our life is over. Thankfully, I believe it is not the end but just the beginning. 

John 14:1-4; 6
"Do not let your hearts be troubled; Trust in God; trust also in Me." "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."    (6) Jesus answered. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

White Out

Unbelievable amount of snow and so light and fluffy and blowing everywhere! especially across the roads making them slippery like ice! It definitely is a winter storm out there. This stuff is not the kind of snow you make snowmen out of! It's beautiful if you don't think about the number of accidents that are going to happen. I had a function to attend tonite and when I came out after starting my car, some wonderful soul had brushed it off for me already. Pay it forward I say so I will have to do something nice for someone else now!

More snow overnite and for tomorrow. Hopefully the wind will die down and they can get the graders going again. Ah, winter in Alberta!

Christmas is Coming

I had my first Christmas party this morning with a group of women who meet once every 6-8 weeks. We've been doing it now for 5 years and it is a bit of a routine. Never easy getting us all together but most of the time ALL of us make it. This morning, two ladies were absent and it is usually these two who do not make it due to illness or work. However, the rest of us spent some time laughing, telling a few stories, eating and praying. There are always a few issues in a group of 13 women! 

This evening is my second Christmas party for the company I work for part-time. I seldom get to meet all the guys who work there as they are usually out in the field and being part-time, it seems the days they come in are the days I don't work. So...I recall a few names but that's it. Often they are gone before the yearly party - seasonal staff or just moving on to something different or better (in their minds). 

I whipped out to see if I could find something for tonite (always last minute) and did find a couple of tops that might work - if not for tonite - well for another event. I have an issue with my feet so high heels have not been something I can wear so flats are IN and HEELS are out. You can't dress too fancy in ugly flat shoes! I did buy a pair of sparkly flats so I will see if I can wear them for any length of time - likely the pants will be too long and that will be the end of the idea. I need to go do that right away. But first, my egg nog, a blog update, a relaxing moment or two and then the work begins.

After coming out of Sobey's this afternoon, there was the most delightful smell in the air. They had brought in a bunch of cedars and pine boughs for sale and for decorations for their flower arrangements. It was absolutely wonderful! Definitely felt 'like Christmas'. You know the sounds and sights which trigger memories of days gone by! For some it is the turkey, others, it is the gingerbread house smells, others, the pointsetias and others the decorating of the Christmas trees. I definitely like the smell of the trees. I don't have one that is real now but I do love the smell of them.

My Christmas cactus is in full bloom also. It's always a reminder to me that Christmas is just around the corner. Guess I need to start on the Christmas card writing as well.

So, off to try on a few outfits to see what will work. With an extra few pounds on me these days, nothing looks right anyway but I will make the effort. Christmas time is NO time to start dieting!

Happy Birthday Dad

November 28, 1914 is the day my dad was born. Don't know a lot of details about it but the date itself has always stayed with me. 

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y , D A D!!! 
I  L O V E  Y O U  A N D   M I S S   Y O U!!!!

Home Again, Home Again...

We got home from the funeral to a skiff of snow on the ground and it melted before too long. We were home for a few days before we headed south to Calgary for a funeral. The mother of our neighbors passed away suddenly as we were preparing ourselves to head East for our brother(in-law)'s funeral. It was a beautiful day driving to Calgary and we could see they had considerably more snow than we had from the week before. That has changed now as we did get snowfall this past weekend. Guess winter is upon us. Thankfully the sun is shining today. Yesterday it was overcast and then the sun finally broke through. Boy, what a difference a few rays of sunshine can make in your attitude! 

I am looking forward to going to visit my little munchkins for a number of days this week. Hubby will be 'home alone' but will do well - he had many years bacheloring before we met! 

I am enjoying just working on the computer, putzing around and doing some laundry and ironing, all the while just sipping coffee, reading emails and enjoying my quiet time at home. I definitely get a LOT of enjoyment from doing these few inconsequential things!

Spoke to my brother this morning. Thanks for phoning and inquiring about me! I am doing fine but just keeping busy with stuff. Need to be a little more discriminating I think over what occupies my time these days. I will get a good dose of grandchildren soon and that will set my priorities back into rightful order!

A few pics of winter in our backyard...

Front yard;  icy roads

Backyard; icy deck

Here's a few more pics of our drive to Calgary - unbelievable cloud formations all the way home!