The Last 2 Days....

Good morning....not counting today 2 days until Christmas.  When I was a kid these last 2 days were absolutely the longest 2 days in the entire calendar year.  Now, 2 days needs to stretch to 5 at least.  How about you, are you still needing more than just 2 days to finish up?  I still need to wrap (and being the non-minimalist that I am you know I will wrap a little over the top), bake & buy one last gift.  But, I am taking a deep breath and know that if everything doesn't get done, it will still be a marvelous, magical, merry Christmas.

Don't ya just love that cute, cute snowman cup.  He is pretty special since he was given to me by a special dear friend.  She knows how much I love my Christmas cups/mugs.  My morning coffee tasted extra special this morning drinking from this extra special mug.  You would think by now I would be running out of different cups/mugs, but no, there are still a few left in the over-bulging cupboard.

Last night was my sweetie's Christmas party at the Memory Care Facility.  Singing, Santa and simply delicious goodies filled the evening.  I couldn't ask for a more loving, caring wonderful community of care-givers that watch over my sweetie.  I am truly blessed.  We sang together, ate together and had our picture taken together.  A wonderful evening.  Can't quite get him to look at the camera anymore, but there is a smile and for that I am thankful.

On the way home, I spotted these trees all lit up and had to stop and take their picture.  And you know you don't just take one picture....I snapped and snapped and snapped away until my fingers were not moving.  When I hopped back in the car, which I left running with heat blasting, my temperature gauge said 16 freakin' freezing degrees.  No wonder my little fingers were frozen.

If you need any last minute Christmas ornaments/decorations/wrapping stuff go to Michael's.  I stopped yesterday to buy a couple of paper mache boxes (project) and they have a ton of stuff marked down 70%.  Couldn't resist a couple of goodies.  Are you like me....when I am out shopping or browsing I am always thinking about props for photography...I do believe it is a disease that there is no cure.

Before I leave today I want to wish you much peace, joy, love & health for this Christmas.  Relish these last 2 days, live them a minute at a time.

"I've learned that if you want an honest answer about how you look, ask your little sister."  ~  Age 13

"I've learned that you can make anyone smile if you give them a box of crayons and a coloring book."  ~  Age 21

"I've learned that I can never go to Wal-Mart (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Home Goods) and buy just one thing."  ~  Age 24  (seems to be true at a much older age as well)

"I've learned that if you hang something in a closet for a while it shrinks two sizes."  ~  Age 62

Sharing with Madge's Weekly Top Shot...


Until next time....

Hallelujah

Good morning and Hallelujah the world is still spinning and all that talk about the world ending according to the Mayan calendar was just that...."talk".   And along with all that "talk" the weathermen were once again wrong in all their talking about the big snowstorm heading our way with predictions of 3-6 inches of snow by morning.  I am putting the weathermen and the Mayan's in the same category....wrong.  Last night about 6:00 PM the snow began, my excitement built, but within an hour the snowflakes had turned to a light nothing and this morning all we have is, at best, 1/4". not even enough to cover the grass.  Darn.

But with the disappointment of no snow there was joy to be found at The Book Club Christmas Party.  Not only joy, but good food and lots of laughter.

We played games (last night's were a bust, too difficult), we ate, and we chose our books for the year...

• The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
• The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
• Don't Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly
• Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
• Defending Jacob by William Landay
• The End of Your Life Bookclub by Will Schwalbe
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

My Christmas flowers are still blooming which is always a delight....and a good thing, as Martha would say.

So how about you, have you found joy to overcome the disappointments that happen in your life?  Sometimes it is a struggle but personally my joys far outweigh my disappointments, you just have to look and be aware.

More tidbits....

"I've learned that you should never put a rubber snake in your older brother's bed."  ~  Age 7

"I've learned that receiving a thoughtful note or unexpected act of kindness from someone can make my day."  ~  Age 18

"I've learned that while it's important to be my daughter's friend, it's more important to be her mother."  ~  Age 36

"I've learned that when I awake aching in various joints and thinking "Oh what's the use?" if I get out of bed, don some clothes, splash cold water on my face, put on a little lipstick - I can face the world for another day."  ~  Age 86

So let's get out there with lipstick on for another day.

Sharing with 5 on Friday and Orange You Glad It's Friday....(once again I cannot copy & past the badge for this...anyone else having any trouble??)

Until next time....

It's All In Your Prospective

Good morning!!  I am anxiously awaiting this evening for two reasons...tonight is our annual Book Club Christmas gathering at my house where there will be lots of good food, good friends & good fun AND snow is on the way.  We officially broke the record on Monday of this week for the longest streak in Chicago's history with no measurable snow.   With today being Day 290 without, the weathermen have predicted 3-6 inches of that glorious white stuff to fall here tonight.  Now you must understand, this is coming from a woman that does not have to get up early and travel to work thru the ice & snow, all I do is rise and shine, (? that's debatable) drink coffee, and gaze lovingly out my living room window.  It's all in your perspective, folks.

Last night I finished addressing all of my Christmas Cards....I know, late as usual, but as I sat listening to Christmas music, gazing at the brightly lit Christmas tree, and watching the candles glow I felt very blessed.  The only thing missing is my sweetheart, but God (and all the staff at his memory care facility) is watching over him carefully & lovingly.

Blessings to you today....!!  Enjoy.

Now for more tidbits....

"I've learned that I shouldn't call my identical twin sister ugly."  ~  Age 12

"I've learned that there is a great feeling of satisfaction in checking off that final item on my "things to do today" list."  ~  Age 34

"I've learned that you shouldn't eat in a restaurant where the cook is skinny."  ~  Age 55

"I've learned that while progress means change, change doesn't always mean progress."  ~  Age 75

Sharing with Deb at This or That Thursday and Little Things Thursdays, and with Danielle at Cool Clicks Thursday.  

Until next time.....