New Year's Eve

Just finished a cup of tea (had somehow gotten a small sampler of this tea in the mail---see photo---that tiny tin of 5 teabags) and part of a scone middle daughter made yesterday. She made me a big heart, and I've been nibbling on it. Dealing with a sore throat and sore shoulder muscles (related somehow), and trying to get into a relaxed sort of mood. No big plans for New Year's Eve, but staying in and being cozy.

Wanting a restful weekend, with healing children (a couple of others have been sick this week), and good eats. I feel the strong need to stay in and nest a bit. Putter around and put away stray Christmas decorations, and get the house back into shape. With December being stressful with the death of my friend only 3 weeks ago, I realize I've not allowed myself to process that information---staying just busy enough with consuming tasks that's prevented me from giving in to grief. Hope that makes sense. I think our bodies know when our minds are fragile, and our instincts oftentimes tell us one thing when practicality tells us another. And who wants to be practical, eh?

The house still sleeps (oldest children have days off today), and husband is about to go to work. Will go for now---back to bed with library book.

Well, a sore throat is making the rounds---two sons have succumbed and their mother has quickly followed. Nuts. Seems we just got over that November virus and it seems too soon to have something else. The good news is that it runs its course in 3 days, or thereabouts. I'd just as soon be done with it, so I can enjoy the weekend before we begin school again on Monday.

Need to get the last of the Christmas decorations put away, including lights and wreaths outside. One son put away the tree for me (or did I mention that earlier in the week?), and I so appreciate that because I tend to get melancholy when I box up the ornaments---thinking ahead to what will be different when I get them out again. Not meaning to be dramatic, but I do get to wondering. A lot can happen in a year. Must remember the good things that are in the air, eh?

Treats

It's amazing how much a person can buy when their oldest son gives them a $50 Target gift card. I came away with a neat acrylic tray for putting my tea and toast on in the morning (on sale at around 4 bucks or so), a new Mary Engelbreit calendar (also around 4-5 bucks...such a deal my husband said I might want to make sure it's for 2010 and not 2009...I found that to be so funny), some stationary, some blush 'cause I've not been blushing for several days now, a pair of sweat pants for the least one (also just over $4, but which weren't large enough and will have to be exchanged...I hate it when that happens), and several 2-packs of bath towels---okay, the cheap ones at $2.99/pack, but who can afford the really thick and wonderful towels? Our towels had gotten to the reject status, holes galore in them, and better for dust rags than for drying off. So ridiculous. But money well-spent. I had fun.

The thing is, I have spent my last 2 Target cards on groceries, as a necessity. Could've done that this time (we're out of everything), but that would've been disrespectful of our son's generosity. He wanted me to enjoy picking out things and I did.

And, I have money still left on the card. Now I have to make a trip to Borders to spend the $10 gift card for there that my husband gave me! Lovely free money. :)

New Year's thinking

I tucked a quote at the sidebar by Voltaire, 'We must cultivate our garden', after finding it in a book I was reading over the weekend. Now, here's an admission. I'd been reading the A. McCall Smith book, and 'This is Your Brain in Love' at the same time. Try as I might, after reading both, I couldn't for the life of me find the quote, but I *think* it's in the McCall Smith one. Regardless, it fits with the story he writes, so here I babble on.... The main character of the story leaves London for personal reasons and relocates in a small English town for the duration of the war. Her circumstances change in one by her need to grow a garden. Now, the war wasn't the reason for her move, but something else---even so, she was driven to live her life a bit differently than she ordinarily would have simply because of war-time.

Anyway, she struggles over dealing with her personal pain (won't give it away here), and the reality of war in her backyard, so to speak. She gardens not only for vegetables, which were needed, but to soothe her mind. The thread that runs through the book (and one I need to hear) is that we have to sometimes focus on what's in front of us, and almost avoid looking too far outside of ourselves.

This is true in my life.

I can get so wrapped up in the folks who pretend to run our country, reading the news to an extent that's addictive, OR, I can spend all of that energy and angst in a positive way by taking care of my family. The idea of focusing nearer to home is so appealing, I had to memorize that quote. It just comforts my heart. I don't have to indulge in self-torture by gobbling up the daily events of the world, but I do have to tend to my personal garden. And these days, that seems to be plenty.

La's Orchestra Saves the World

Just finished reading Alexander McCall Smith's newest book, 'La's Orchestra Saves the World' and thoroughly loved it. I was leery at first since I tend to shy away from books dealing with WWII...it's just not my favorite era, but this book was wonderful. Very soothing and a treat from start to finish. It's definitely a book to buy and re-read.

One more thing...this book is very different from his others. It stands alone, and, as far as I know, his other writings are in sets of volumes. And while I'm not a keen fan of his other books (though they have the most wonderful covers), this one was a peach.

The day after

I really like the day after Christmas because all the hub-bub is over. Now, don't get me wrong---I'm not so much a curmudgeon, but a mother who's a bit overwhelmed at having eight kids and all that the holiday entails as a result of having all of these children. Life's busy enough, but put a major holiday in the mix and I'm not so settled in my head.

So, for now, I'm satisfied.

Looking forward to the New Year and fixing or adjusting things that haven't gone to suit me *this* year. Yeah, me and the whole human race, eh? Losing weight, making plans, adjusting attitudes, being calmer---the list goes on and on. But, the mindset is a good one. And I do love new beginnings.

I can actually almost excited at the prospect of all of it. :)

Merry Christmas

Nap-time can't come soon enough today. Couldn't get to sleep last night (it was 2:30am before I did!) and then got up at 7am to deal with the dogs. 'Course went back to bed until about 9:30am or so. I can't complain.

Right now the onions/celery mixture is ready to be put into the dried bread and seasonings. Yum. Turkey's in the oven and I'm about to leave for a minute to grab a Coke Zero. Just feeling a need for a zing, you know. Then, that nap.

But have to share what our three girls got me for Christmas. See the photo? My favorite doll...the Exquisite Fancy Nancy. Oldest son gave me a Target gift card, and might just buy her some accessories! :)

Enjoy your Christmas. We are indeed blessed.

Almost Christmas

It's nearly midnight, and all chores have been finished.  Got the house all cleaned up for dinner tomorrow evening, pies are made (2 cherry and one blueberry), bread all torn for stuffing, presents wrapped, stockings stuffed, Daisy the Pug almost completely well, and invites accepted for my mom and oldest daughter's beau to come to eat with us. 

Looking forward to the day tomorrow---not for the gifts, but for the chopping of celery and onions for stuffing.  I just love that.  Our Christmas meal is almost a carbon copy of Thanksgiving, with some minor changes.  That's my favorite part of the day.

Oh, and nap-time! :)

Christmas Eve

Sitting here at the dining room table with Daisy the Pug slung out on my lap...all 23 pounds of her.  When she was weighed at the vet's the other night, he made a comment referring to her size, saying that since pugs tend to be such loves, folks feed them a lot.  True, I guess.  She does love to eat, the opposite of her sister, Violet, who only eats because she has to.  The charts say that they should weigh between 12-18 pounds.  Oops!  But really, I'd rather refer to her as big-boned.

Another reason I love Daisy so much! :)  We battle the same monster.

Woke up feeling like I could take a breath for the first time in days and days.  My running around is done, though I habitually went to that mental place where I realized we needed toothpaste, another jug of milk, etc.  Have to quit that.  I can putter around today, just thinking about fixing meals and tidying up the house.  The way I see it now, if it's not done----it's not important or necessary to what I'm doing here.

A breezy, rainy day.  Just looked at the weather map and it appears we're in for a gully-washer in a bit.  The kids have a bit of running around to do, so hope the weather cooperates for them to get there and back.

Now off to enjoy the day!

Merry Christmas Adam

Daisy the Pug is better (thanks for your sweet comments), but Violet the Pug is desperate to play with her.  The thing is, when Daisy gets excited, she begins to cough again, so has to be kept a bit quiet.  Hard for the girls to not be able to get together, but will give it a bit more time before allowing them to sniff and snuggle.  Plus I figure that a bit more time on the antibiotic will get her into 'not contagious' mode.  Maybe by tonight they can be in the same room for awhile. 

Like most folks, trying to get into a settled mindset.  Not easy with Christmas breathing down our backs.  No matter how much I plan on not getting frazzled, it just seems to be a part of the holiday package.  But if I look at things rationally, I can see that all is well.  Money's tight, but what else is new?  I realize I'm hugely blessed and need to focus on that.

And you know, when I take a breath and look beyond grocery store runs, last-minute chores and the clutter and dust that surrounds me---well, I can almost feel festive! ;)

(our church is calling tonight Christmas Adam, which goes together nicely with Christmas Eve tomorrow...i'd never heard that one, but love the humor of it!)

Happy Christmas Eve-Eve-Eve

Feeling a bit wonky just now.  Yesterday certainly was full.  After a wonderful time at Molly's house with lunch and good company (her house looked so festive), we came home to Daisy the Pug still ill with an awful choking/gagging/hacking noise coming from her throat.  It'd started in the morning, and just escalated as the day went on.  By bedtime, we figured she'd sleep and whatever was wrong would go away....huh...wishful thinking.  She got a couple of the kids out of bed after 1am this morning, and I was so overwrought...thinking she really had something caught in her throat, that I asked Gary if we could take her to the animal emergency clinic. Of course, we did.

Her hacking began again in the examination room, and the vet instantly diagnosed her with tracheitis.  An inflamed throat in layman's terms, aka as sort of like kennel cough, though where she picked up any infection is beyond us.  Anyway, after a steroid shot along with an antibiotic and sedative, we came home.  She was asleep soon after one of the boys made up her bed in the kitchen (alone since she's contagious) and we followed afterward.  Asleep by 2:30am.  Not fun.

I was so sure she had something stuck in her throat, but the doctor said that if that had been the case that she'd not have had any restful moments between coughing spells.  She'd have been determined to get it out.  Makes sense in retrospect, but it never occurred to us that she was actually sick.

Not sure why I'm sharing this but I'm so darned tired, and needed to mildly vent.  So glad she's better without the awful hacking today.  Phew.  She's my personal Pug, and for her to have anything wrong with her is totally unbearable. 

Finally got that gingerbread cookie dough made and just took the last batch out of the oven.  Talk about smelling cozy.  After those cool, will frost them, and in the meantime, one son is making many loaves of cranberry bread.  Some for breakfast eating and a couple for gifts to neighbors. 

Saturday's plan, I think

OK, so yesterday's list was a bit of a flop.  Who really cares but me, hmm?  Nobody!  I did fit in some shopping, constantly reminding myself to have fun, not hurry, smile lots and occasionally swing my head from side to side so that my snowflake earrings would jangle.  Did NOT watch 'Prancer', make cookie dough (one son did that), hang outside lights or clean the house.  DID watch a movie, last night, with my husband---get this---'Terminator Salvation'---and enjoyed it very much.  A total guy movie, but hey, if he's happy, then so am I.  Besides he's worked so awfully hard this week, and deserved a treat....not that he has to earn it, but you know what I mean.

Am going to make attempts to avoid fretting today.  And to not look at these few days before Christmas as a chore.  It's supposed to be fun, least that's what the kids keep telling me.  Will put 'Prancer' on the t.v. while we dance around the house making cookies with wild abandon (snapping to attention when Sam Elliott pops up on the screen---mouthing the dialog since we have this movie memorized).  Gingerbread cookies definitely to mix up for today, and for sure hanging roping and lights around the outside doors. 

And fun.  Did anyone hear me say fun?  Absolutely. :)

Today...

• watching 'Prancer' later on...time for my Sam Elliott fix
• mailing package to in-laws
• mixing up more cookie dough for gifts
• shopping a bit, but not enough to drive me nuts
• cleaning the house for the weekend
• making out a plan of sorts for next week
• hanging up outside lights
  
• drinking copious amounts of Coke Zero to enable the above list to come to fruition

My list is likely a carbon copy of many other folks.  I tend to like to wait until the last minute for things....not so much procrastination, as joyful anticipation.  Depression has lifted, now time to enjoy.  My husband commented on everyone's Christmas lights outside as we drove home from the grocery store last night.  Said it was TIME we put ours out.  He said, "It's Christmas!  Hang up the lights!"  Can't be sad in his presence too awfully long.  He cuts to the chase, and glad I am of it. :)  Must be off now.

Just a small piece of cheese, please

One of my challenges on a daily basis is trying to NOT look at each day as running a race.  I tend to spend a few seconds in the morning, before I even get out of bed, making a mental list of what needs doing.  Then I must get into racing mode, because the rest of the morning is spent in cramming in as much activity as possible, not realizing that life can be enjoyable.

I'm so pitiful.

Christmas almost makes it harder.  The pressure of performing those duties has gotten a bit old.  And this year is the first time ever I've not hung up outside lights.  I have a *who cares* mentality, and the funny thing is, only one of the kids (the 18yearold) has asked about it.  Huh.

Rather I'm thinking the New Year and how I want to change things.  (don't we all?)  I really want the word 'simplify' to be on my radar, along with 'joy', 'relax' and 'laugh'.  My husband would get a kick out of that, being that he told me the other day that I've forgotten how to have fun.  Admitted that he has too, for awhile, but said that since he's searching/shopping online for a Harley, that at least he's got a tiny idea of what makes him happy.  Now, mind you, he wasn't being cruel, but tends to wrinkle his brow when he sees me being so angsty.  He's right.

Yesterday was such *fun* with my alone time and movie, that I'll have to pencil in some jollies today as well.  Life truly is short.  And happiness *is* allowed.  (make note to remember this)

'Julie and Julia'...my afternoon

Today has been my day.  The kids ate lunch with my mom, and I got 'Julie and Julia' at a Redbox and picked up a Greek salad at Fresh Market.  A totally delightful afternoon.  Not without its strange moments, however.  Had to call the kids to figure out how to make the DVD player work with the t.v.  Then the UPS man came by, startled me, and I tried to put the player on pause, only to succeed in turning it off.  Couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get back where I was, so ended up putting the disk in my laptop.  How much more elderly could I feel?!!

Anyway, a full lap of Pugs later, and I can completely say that I loved this movie.  My friends who've tried to impress on me how much fun the show is---well, they're completely right.  A treat for sure.  And we all know how much I've needed that.

Funny thing, though.  Was planning on making Potato Soup for dinner, but will stop by the store and find something a bit more fun to prepare.  Not a clue, but anything would be an improvement. :)  I'm figuring I'll have a different focus on dinner for awhile yet.  A good thing too!

Yes!

Feeling like a real person today for the first time in a LONG time.  Woke up when oldest son left for work...sometime around 6am, and couldn't get back to sleep.  Got up, had my tea and a smidgen of the coffee cake the little girls had made last night.  Felt a bit energized so folded a multitude of clothes that were gathering dust, then began to straighten the kitchen counters, etc.  Just felt good to be productive again.  I've been so beaten up by life, it's wonderful to be moving around again.

Grief made me into a sodden clump of a person.

I know the family will appreciate this, seeing the house sparkle again (they do tidy up, but it's just not the same as the mom doing it, you know?), and having permission to have fun.  'Bout time.

Now must be on my merry way.  I figure I'll crash soon enough, but it's not nap time yet!

A fresh, new week...I think

If I wasn't sure of some of my friends here being REAL friends, and of them visiting regardless of my mood, I'd shut up shop.  I realize I've been in a depressing mental place, and offer no apologies, but hoping that the darkness lifts enough for me to experience Christmas.

Figure if I look at life more in a daily way, I'll be able to manage.  Today is filled with schoolwork (again!), cleaning the house and washing dog covers, planning which day this week we'll bake gingerbread men (a tradition going way back for the week before Christmas week), and beef stew for dinner.

Little bites.  I think I can do that.

Oh, and want to recommend a book our oldest daughter bought and shared with me:  Saints in Limbo by River Jordan.  Finished it last night and it's definitely a keeper.  Not light, fluffy reading, but full of good quotes and it caused me to take a breath.  Always a good thing.  In fact, I just added it to my Favorite Books of 2009 list at the side.  Enjoy.

Bah humbug

Have done some Christmas shopping, but wouldn't mind just looking past the holiday this year. I still remember the hospice worker who took care of my neighbor 2 years ago telling those of us who were grieving that real grief can take up to 8 years to pass. I remember being shocked then, and it still makes me shiver. Thing is, we don't often get spaces of 8 years in order to process one loss before we're prepared for the next one. They overlap.

It will take awhile to recharge after my friend's death. It's almost been a week. I mean, we prayed for 3-1/2 years about her cancer. I want to *snap out of it*, but it ain't happening. And it won't. I know that. Honestly, to expect to feel better, really better, after a week would be laughable. What gets me so much is that I just recently was able to feel myself again, without tearing up about my neighbor being gone. Those darned milestone days smack us in the face, reminding us of their passing and in my life, the holidays seem to be the dreaded dates. My neighbor died the week of Thanksgiving and now Christmas has its own reminder. Goodness, I'm melancholy today.

It's like the daily weight I'd feel after the passing of my father 16 years ago. I'd wake up in the morning not remembering what had happened, and then it'd hit me. He was gone. And on it goes.

I don't handle death well. But who does? Of the most trying situations I've had to deal with, they've all had to do with the losses of folks close to me. And maybe everyone is the same. I don't fear the hereafter, but am so plagued by the messes that are left as a result of it. I absolutely hate it.

Resting today...

A very nice day. Gathered up the kids (excepting for two of them---one working, one wanting to stay at home), and we braved the light rain and cold to go to a local parade. Such a sweet time. Folks there were out simply enjoying themselves---a very welcome treat after this hard week. And oldest daughter's beau met up with us there, and he's here now, visiting with the kids in the living room. He fits right in. I hesitate to admit that because it means that she's growing up, but God is definitely blessing us. Truly, if I was having to make a pattern of the young man she'd spend time with....well, it'd be this one. But let's take this slow, shall we?!!

Amazing.

Actually glad one son stayed behind because we were able to call him from the truck to warn him we were bringing home company. He ran around the house with the duster and vacuum, making things tidy. Good thing!

Now will just enjoy what's left of the day.

Two weeks and counting...

Glad this week is winding down. Went to my girlfriend's memorial service Wednesday morning, which was sweet. I recovered enough yesterday that I could feel the kids lightening up around me. They've seen my grief, and have had their share, but to see me laughing and carrying on seemed to give them permission to be kids again. Yeah, you have to express your pain, but children (even teenagers) are unsettled when their parents are heavy into grieving. I tried to limit how much they saw me cry for that reason. But see me cry they did.

Now about to climb into the attic and dig out the winter clothes for the little ones. We have a Christmas parade to go to tomorrow, and I need to bundle up these kids. It's COLD!

Btw, hard to believe that Christmas is two weeks from today, isn't it? Am I ready? I think we all know the answer to that question! ;)

Thinking about stuff

OK, here's what I know. It's not much, but appears to be truth in my life. When I'm so wracked with sadness (like now), it seems that I'm putty in God's hands. Like I was reading the online news regarding the health care nonsense, and found myself totally releasing my worries about it. Just pointed to the computer screen, and asked the Lord to take care of that one, since it's so totally beyond me.

Pain makes me more pliable. I don't have the energy to fight, and am more willing to resign myself to what God wants, and not what I seem to think is so important. Am putting all my cards out there for whatever He feels is best. Not that I'll always agree, but really, it's just better that way.

I don't know diddly, but am realizing anew that what I gnash my teeth about is better handled in His time. There's a relief in that too.

(...but I think my head's gonna explode from trying not to cry in front of these kids. Dang. My girlfriend's funeral service is tomorrow morning at 11am, with visitation at 10am. This shouldn't be happening, but again, God IS Sovereign.)

A long post, but necessary for me

I need to get this down on paper, so to speak, and have a record of something. I shared about my old girlfriend who died early yesterday morning. She was only 49, much too young to die in my estimation, but then again, I'm not God. He truly has this all figured out.

Anyway, the story on her is that we grew up together---right across the street from one another. My first remembrance of her is us playing Barbies when I was about 5 and she was 4. Her parents both taught school, so Dana would be left at home with the housekeeper (lots of average folks in the South had women in to clean when I was a kid---not just the affluent), and we'd play. My mom was always at home, so if we weren't at Dana's with Willie (the maid, who I just adored), we were at our house.

Well, over the years, we lost touch. Our moms occasionally kept up with one another (they moved several miles away when we were in high school) and Dana and I knew what each of us was doing, but the closeness was gone.

Fast forward...Dana experienced a dizzy spell about 3-1/2 years ago, and went to the doctor, thinking she'd had a stroke. Turned out, she had a brain tumor. Amazingly, they operated and got all of it. The downside of the story was that the tumor had occurred as a result of lung cancer that had traveled. After chemo., radiation and much misery (we were in touch once again), Dana got a clean bill of health last December. What had been stage 4 cancer, was gone.

Zoom into the fall of '09...the cancer was back, and centered around her heart. A stint was put in place since the cancer was blocking an artery to/from her heart. She'd already had her fill of radiation, and couldn't have anymore, not that they'd zap her heart, but she did have a chemo. treatment last week.

On Saturday, I was standing at the dining room table, doing who-knows-what, and heard so clearly the Lord's voice telling me to call Dana. Now, I'd not had her on my mind, and was in the middle of some ordinary task. But, I've learned to listen to that voice, and immediately picked up my cell phone and dialed her number. She answered after a bit, and sounded so groggy, I asked if I'd called at a good or bad time. She admitted she'd just woken up and asked if she could call me back after she got herself together. I, of course, told her that that was fine. Well, she never called, and even now, I don't have a clue as to how the rest of her weekend played out. I just know the end result.

The call from my mom about her death was at 8am yesterday morning. And even so...even with all the grief I'm feeling, I'm so grateful that the Lord prompted me to call her. Out of the blue. One last time I got to hear her voice. How amazing is that? Pretty much so, I believe. God is truly a God of Grace. And I'm glad our kids got to know her---this person I'd known forever. We ended up going to the same church once again as well, and at the Saturday evening services we'd get to chat and catch up. I loved that. Our kids even became acquainted with her too, waving at her across the sanctuary. What had been a lost relationship was rekindled during Dana's illness.

Just needed to say the words. It's sort of like when a woman has a baby...it's said that it's healing to write down the whole birth experience. Helps you to deal with the good and bad, and to move to the next step. Guess I'm doing that too.

Time off (but not really)

Will be taking tomorrow off from the computer. Heard that the wife of my high school friend (who I referred to on Saturday) passed away at home this afternoon, and I'm giving myself a day to soak it all in. I'm in need of some time to deal with it....I rarely do that courtesy to myself, instead getting busy and stuffing the emotions down even further.

See you all later.
***************

UPDATE on Monday morning, around 8:30am. My old friend who I also mentioned in the Sat. blog entry died this morning as well. She was my first girlfriend, living across the street from us before we even started first grade. And while I'm so grateful that both of these women were believers in our Lord, the pain of their passing is so heavy. Families and friends grieve and that's the hardest part.

Going to the Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant concert tonight with 3 of the older kids, and will likely be hard of hearing when I return home.

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

The NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible is probably the best book I've reviewed for Thomas Nelson. I'm so impressed. The cover is beautiful---hardbound, without a dust jacket, so the photo you see is exactly like the actual cover looks. An heirloom piece.

What first attracted it to me was the idea of having an easier-to-read Bible available for our younger children. It doesn't look prissy or too valuable to tuck under your arm and tote around. It's very user-friendly. And while the translation is NKJV, the chapters read like a storybook. Yes, verses are omitted for the flow of the stories, but the truths remain intact. That said, it pays to remember that this isn't an actual Bible, but a book of Bible stories. There is a difference.

I highly recommend this book especially for families with children. What a wonderful book to have for snuggling in bed.

I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's blogger book review program and more information can be found at their website.

A cold, clear Saturday

Life sure is busy. As my mom says, "If it's not one thing, it's another." I have two friends who are dealing with cancer in a couple of ways. One is an old high school friend whose wife is in hospice care at home, and an old childhood friend who's suffering a relapse with lung cancer. A burden to bear, but lots of folks are praying. Have to remember that even in death, and maybe even more so, God is Sovereign.

That said, I'm so grateful for today. For a son who's been moved up the ladder a bit at work, thinking he'd be laid off for Christmas, but was given the surprise of a change to a different department (retail work can be such a drag!). Husband has a full shop and the surprise of chair repair work, which is wonderful, quick income when you need to buy groceries. :) All sickness is out the house, with residual coughs being the only proof that we've been sick.

Church tonight, complete with holiday music. Really looking forward to that! It's been over a month since we've been able to go, way overdo, so that'll be nice. Took the kids there, last night, to see 'Polar Express' in 3D...plus 'Charlie Brown's Christmas'. The least one had such fun, her eyes were all sparkly. For those who don't have children, you really need to get to know a kid during the holidays. They really do show the Christmas spirit in such sweet ways.

Now, off to write my grocery list. Must get that done so that when one of the older children gets back from running around I can leave.

Enjoy your day!

Violet, the attack Pug

Front door

Photography isn't my strength, but I think this one turned out pretty well. In an amusing way, finding ribbons that don't fight the pink door is a challenge in decorating it for Christmas. But, I think this works!

Around the kitchen this morning

December first

Woke up at around 6am, hearing our Shepherd, Opal, yawning (loudly) and shaking her coat---wanting to go outside, even though it wasn't time. Nuts. She's usually so good at telling time, knowing exactly when 4pm hits, since the dogs get fed a tiny, extra meal then. I mean, she gets it on the dot. So creepy. She'll walk to the dog food container and will just stand there until you either feed her or yell at her to go lie down. I often opt for choice two being that it seems that someone (furry ones included) is always instructing me on the next step I should take. Gets sorta tiresome.

That said, Opal needs to bone up on time-telling, being that they actually don't go out in the mornings until 6:30am. Yeah, half an hour does make a difference.

Anyway, am stuck at home today, which is a very good thing. Waiting on my truck tags which were paid last week, thinking they'll get here in the mail today. I have, in the past, driven on expired tags, and yes, have gotten tickets for it. One year I got pulled over twice---within a 2 week period. NOT going to experience that fun again. Court ain't no joke. I'm much more law-abiding now, let me tell you.

So now must be off. Much cleaning to take part in, and the house is still reasonably quiet---everyone's not awake yet, so can enjoy a bit of alone time. Oh, and the kids eat lunch with my mom tomorrow. My first major alone time in over a month. Now THAT I can get excited about!