January 1, 2019

"You have said, "Seek my face.  My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek." --Psalm 27:8 ESV


Happy New Year!

The day dawned a new year with a promising future ahead.  It is like opening a blank book with 365 clear pages for us to write our own story. 

What will it be?  Epic?  A tragedy? (Hopefully not!) A comedy or romance?  It will be fun to watch the book write itself and revisit this first page on December 31, 2019.

As I have said before, my Advent was superb, my Christmas a blessed time like no other before and here I am headed toward Epiphany with a fresh sense of renewal and purpose looking forward to all the new year has in store for me. 

My thought for the new year?  To let the year be what it is meant to be, look at the new day and know it is a gift and be thankful for it.

I have a few plans for the year.  I mentioned before that I have been doing morning devotionals using a book called "Jesus Calling".  There is an entry for each day of the year and I am beginning at the beginning today.  I like the way it feels to start my day with a devotional reading.  It just sets the day off on the right foot.  This is a lovely little book if you would like to check it out -- I have it on my Kindle.

I am still reading "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker " and not enjoying it one bit more than I was two days ago.  I am determined to finish it though.  I have a stack of reads piling up on my bedside table though that I am anxious to get to.  I have never been very successful at trying to read more than one book at a time but as slow as this one is going I might have to try.

 I believe that my first book started in 2019 is going to be "Anne of Green Gables".  It is a title I should have read years ago and didn't so I am playing catch-up.  Also, there is a new title out in the Made in Savannah series that I am just itching to start.

The new year is going to find me cooking more.  In our house, everybody seems to want a couple of dishes -- "I don't know" and "I don't care" -- and I can't find recipes for those particular dishes so I am planning to make the decision of what we will be having.  I mean, since I am the one having to cook it, I should be able to decide what I want to spend my time doing --right?  I think so.

I will be continuing to make cards in the upcoming year.  I am on a couple of cardmaking groups on FB and there has been mention of people being concerned about recipients tossing the cards and how that hurts their feelings.  I think differently about it.  In the first place, nobody has room to store everything that comes into their homes and some things have to be thrown or recycled just out of practicality.  I make these cards because I feel the need to be artistic -- seems I inherited my father's drive and inclination toward art but not the talent.  That is a conundrum.  So, making cards is a creative outlet for me.  It is fun for me.  It is thought provoking to design and choose papers and stamps and such and I get a kick out of it.  If the people I send them to like them, that is the cherry on the top, isn't it?  If they decide to dispose of them, well, it is their card once it is in their hands.  My fun has been had.  So, I will continue with the hobby until I tire of it.

Last week was such fun.  I had the privilege of viewing "The Return of Mary Poppins" with my daughter and granddaughter.  I think the Hubs and I should go to the movie more. I miss it.  It used to be our main activity when we were dating and after we married we just became homebodies.  Admittedly, with all the offerings now on TV with streaming and such, there is little need to venture to a theater but once in a while it would be nice.

I don't believe in resolutions.  I see resolutions as something to be broken.  I do believe in seeing better ways to do things and making the effort to embrace new approaches but the idea of feeling like I have "failed" if I slip just doesn't appeal to me -- so there are no resolutions.  However, Advent has taught me a lot -- how to relax, how to be quiet, how to prioritize, how to be happy with "enough", how to weigh needs and wants and how gratitude is the most wonderful feeling.  For some reason, this holiday season has been a real learning curve for me and I am so thankful for whatever it is that has molded my thinking for the last couple of months.  It has been eye opening. 

So, here is to a new, happy, prosperous year to all of you!  I am looking forward to reading about all of your new years as well.

December 29

Here we are on the 5th day of Christmas! And.......I just finished my Christmas cards.  These aren't slated to be mailed -- these are for gifts to be shared tomorrow.

This batch has very little of "me" in them, mostly just using design elements from a paper pack included with a magazine I picked up at Barnes and Noble.  It was really nice though, I liked all of the paper and extra embellishments.  I have a lot left over so I will probably be using some of it next year. 

I need to come up with a good way to store paper.  Should check out pinterest.

So, here are the last cards of the season -- I need to make a couple of more but they are going to be Happy New Year cards since they will arrive closer to New Years.

I really enjoyed making the little interior envelopes to hold money.  I guess I am easily amused.

So, tomorrow will be our last Christmas celebration.  I think I am getting ready to wind it all up now.  I have had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed every minute of it but I think it is time to call it a day.

I am trying to finish the book I have been reading -- "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" but it is dragging on and on.  I am making a huge effort tonight to make more progress because I have quite the stack of books piling up to start in the new year.  I am staring with "Anne of Green Gables" and am looking forward to it.  I also have a book on the way -- "The Life and Death of Paul McCartney" which deals with the Paul McCartney death conspiracy of the late 60's.  I don't know why that has my interest NOW but it does.

So, my baking is done, all the rest of my packages wrapped, cookies baked and I am done for the day.  Off to read!

December 28 -- the fourth day of Christmas

Today is the fourth day of Christmas! I am finding that extending the Christmas season until Epiphany is a good thing.

In years past the decorations would have already been taken down and all evidence of the celebration would be gone.   This year I am taking it down as I put it up -- slowly -- a little at a time.  I am still enjoying the Christmas village so I don't mind it staying up until January. The room is going to look very different when it is gone.

Yesterday was a very good day.  The weather was beautiful so I was thrilled to get out and about with my daughter and granddaughter.  We had lunch at La Madeleine and did a bit of shopping at Target and Charming Charlie.  Then we took in a flick --  Mary Poppins Returns -- at Cinemark.  The day ended with hamburgers at Chapps. It was such a relaxed, slow day -- I loved it.

Today sees me with all four grandchildren for a while.  I hope they can entertain themselves because I am really gimpy this morning.  I have a lot of games and things so surely they can handle it for a little while.  I hope.

I am doing a bit of planning for the new year.  My routine has to change and I have already started making moves toward that.  I also need to get on a grocery shopping rotation, I used to always have a 'grocery' day but now, not so much.  That doesn't work for me.  I am a person who needs routine and since Hubs has retired, routine seems to be a thing of the past and, in short, it is making me cra-cra.

I have learned a lot during this season of Advent and now Christmas.  It is like I am looking at things with new eyes.  I guess you are never too old to learn new things.

So, I am off to work on my new routine.  I have some late Christmas stuff to take care of --

Boxing Day

Good morning! Happy Boxing Day!  I wasn't here yesterday because it was Christmas and I was pulling  loose ends together.

My daughter and her family came over last night for a casual meal and to open their gifts.  I don't usually "do" paper plates but I did last night.  Between her being under the weather from her procedure and my knees and ankles, nobody wanted to deal with dishes so....we didn't.

I am surprised that I didn't have the bah-humbugs once this season.  I changed things up, eliminated the things that caused me stress, stretched it all out so it wasn't so hectic and it worked well for me.

The weather was lovely, a bit overcast yesterday but it was warm.  Today we are supposed to have storms but that is ok too, we are all in and relaxing and safe so it can rain if it wants to.

I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas.  I am looking forward to making some changes in my everyday life this year. Not resolutions.  Resolutions are meant to be broken.  Like diets.  I am going to try to live a more meaning, thoughtful life in general.  I need to make some new routines to get the things done that I don't like to do and to make time for the things I do like to do without feeling guilty.  So, that will be a challenge but I think I can take it on.

I hope to finish my current  read before the end of the year.  I am disappointed  because I am not enjoying it but I am not so I just want to get it finished.
  
So, off to do some laundry.  Laundry is one of those things I need to get control of.  There are only two of us here.  Seriously.

Have a wonderful boxing day!

Monday, December 24

It is the 24th day of Advent -- it has been a very good one, too. We  went to church, the 4:30 children's service.  I love that service.  Then we went to my daughter's for our traditional tamale dinner.  She had a friend from work over and we had  a really good time.

I am tired, though, so I won't be staying up.  I have more cooking to do tomorrow  but not much.  Then there will be gifts. 

It doesn't feel like Christmas Eve, probably because it is warmer than usual, but I have had a wonderful Advent and look forward to the next twelve days of Christmas!

I will leave you with this --

Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23

Today is the 23 day of Advent.  I wasn't here yesterday because I was in a great deal of pain and basically was angry and upset and I felt like it would just be a blog of grousing and complaining.ed

So, I didn't.  I also went to bed early.

Today was a bit better, I got a few things done, a couple of cards made and was quite lucky to have a helper in the form of Elf Bean.  She thought it hysterical that I made her put the bows on her own gifts.  Doesn't take much to amuse her.

We had the last advent dinner.  It was soup and sandwiches and ice cream for dessert.  It was quick and easy and I believe enjoyed by all.

I have had both knees wrapped and ankles braced all day.  I just took a second dose of aspirin and I think I am going to bed.  Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.

Friday, December 21

Friday, December 21, the 21st day of Advent.

It is getting closer.  The baby Jesus is going to show up in the creche soon. I can hardly wait.  I love my little nativity and I love the anticipation of the season.

Today was a long day.  I didn't sleep well because I was thinking of my daughter and her medical procedure today. It all went well and we are confident everything is fine.

 I was up early with Bean getting her ready for school -- I am  used to afternoon pick up -- early morning drop off not so much.  But, drop off we did and I came home for another cuppa and a quick catnap before I had to go back for the classroom party.

We gave goody bags to the class and there was a book exchange.  Bean was pleased with what she received -- she loves those Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.  There was pizza and cookies and grapes and Capri sun.

Then we came home.  By the time we got home Mommy was well done with her procedure and Daddy came to pick up the Bean and I just sat down -- just sat down.  Tomorrow is another day.

Here are some rather random and chaotic photos of the party.

And to all a goodnight!

Thursday, December 20

Today is the 20th day of Advent--

Yikes!

That means it is 5 days until Christmas Day.

I read an article this morning about how it is going to take more than "put Christ back in Christmas" to get back to the real meaning of Christmas.

It talked  about how Christmas was banned in Early America.  It talked about the commercialization of the season.  It talked about how the modern day Santa came to be and how it is a big part of American culture now.

It was a sad article.  But, it was an eye opener.  I am really glad we "do" Advent in this house.

With that said, I am tired.  My daughter is having a medical "procedure" tomorrow and, while I am not worried, it is on my mind.  I also have the Bean for the night and I have to get her to school and then go back three hours later for her Christmas party.  

I made goody bags for her classmates but it seems a good number of them are either going to be gone for Christmas visits elsewhere or they are throwing up.

I have no words.

So, I have to deliver those and teacher gifts and make sure she doesn't eat any nut laced cookies.  Parties are just a little nerve wracking.  I will be glad when it is over.
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What did I do today?  Laundry.  Hubs was under the weather so we didn't do anything but make a run to the bank.  I cooked dinner and made a couple of cards.  I am trying to get all my laundry caught up because I would like to start a new plan to keep things up and done. "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry".  Ah, yes.  We shall see.

So, I am off to hang up wet uniforms, wash my hair, put somebody to bed and probably collapse.  There is a reason God gives children to young women.

Goodnight.

Wednesday, December 19

It is the 19th day of Advent and....

it is trying hard to rain.

I have done nothing today but wash towels.

I did make a couple of cards --

I have learned a lot from making these cards this year.  I have learned a little patience.  I have learned some about planning and balance.  I have learned that glitter paper is evil.  I have also learned that they need to be mailed to the UK in August to arrive in December.

I have enjoyed making the cards and am
honing in  on my style which is pretty simple.  There are a lot of lovely things out there but I am just a simple person and it shows in my cards.

Now I can start on my birthday stash considering I have January birthdays to acknowledge.  At any rate it is good fun and I enjoy doing it.

So, the rest of the day just involves dinner, more towels to wash and picking up "stuff" that has migrated all over the place. 

This part of Advent has been very uneventful.

Tuesda y, December 18

Today is the 18th day of Advent and....

I am pooped.

Had semi-sick baby all day.  She didn't do much, watched a couple of movies, read, worked on a project -- she was quiet and not hungry.  She complained about her stomach hurting a couple of times.  I am not sure if it is a bug or something else.  I am seriously thinking something else. 

I don't have much to add to the post today.  We went to the library.  I have lost my library card so I had to replace it.  It cost me $2.  I have no idea where I lost it.  I don't like not having a library card so I am glad to have a replacement.

I am going to bed early, I think.  I think I need a little extra sleep tonight.

Monday, December 17

It is the 17th day of Advent and......



my granddaughter just tossed her cookies all over the place.


Sigh.  Why did I think we were going to have a sick-free Christmas?

Silly Nona.

See you tomorrow!