Debbie Downer Has Left the Building

After posting that downer blog-post yesterday....one of my good friends suggested that perhaps a glass of wine and cuddling up with a good book would make me feel better.  Well, I drank the wine without hesitation, but failed to read a book.  Just sat and looked at the Christmas Tree lights which always makes the world look better, doesn't it?!  

So this morning, I decided that today would be a better day, and it was.

I decided that joy was going to fill my day....since today was our last Bible Study gathering until after the New Year, we always have a brunch.  We women really know how to brunch well, don't we?!  My contribution to the brunch was supposed to be a sweet bread....notice I said the word "supposed". My plan was to have the concerto of sweet and sour cranberry walnut bread with a cranberry goat cheese spread from Trader Joe's.  Why bake when you can buy their wares from foodie heaven?  Well, now comes the part about why I didn't bring this platter of goodness to the brunch.  I had stored the bread in the oven...when I brought it out to cut this morning, I noticed a big chunk missing from one side. Hmmm, what is this??  Upon further investigation, not only did the bread have a big hole, but so did the plastic and the paper surrounding the bread.  Obviously we have mice that found their way into our oven and feasted on my offering for the brunch.  Drats....I really don't like mice and now I have to set traps of some sort, to get rid of those pesky critters.  We have a big field across the street and now that the weather is cold and snowy they must be seeking shelter in cozy places like my oven.  Oh well, things happen.  I figured there would be plenty to eat and my contribution would not be missed.  That was not going to take the joy out of my day.

After the brunch, 3 SUV's were loaded with clothing donations from the ladies from our Bible Study that we took to a shelter in the next community north of here.  This is an organization that "gives" not sell clothing to the needy as well as food and teaches them skills to help them make their way in the world.  My heart was happy to do this for those that are in so much need.

Then off to see my sweetie who was in such a good mood, I received lots of smiles and a kiss or two. That really makes my heart happy and filled with joy.

Then finally a stop off at a woodsy area where I thought maybe I could capture a snowy scene, but really all I found was this lady walking her dog.  Snow we have and there is predictions for more this week.  We may have a white Christmas, wouldn't that be nice!!

So Debbie Downer has left the building, no more sadness.  I guess those curve balls that can hit you straight on help you to recognize all those that passed you by.

"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and focus on what could go right."   Author Unknown

Until next time....

Tomorrow Will Be Better

It's been a little stressful lately, I will admit and I won't go into details, but life has thrown me a few curve balls lately and I'm not doing well at dodging.  They are hitting me straight on....so all I am going to do today is just show you images from my day.

My Christmas mugs always delight me...

And the snow gave us a little magic...

The setting sun was beautiful last night....

But somehow I am just feeling a little like the lone berry just barely hanging on.

Tomorrow will be better.

Until next time....

Needing That Extra Portion....

Let me come eagerly to Christmas this year, Lord.  Let me come gaily, with a new delight in the countless things I must accomplish - the shopping, the wrapping, and mailing, the addressing of mountains of cards.  Let me find new joy in the bazaars, the parties and programs, the baking and decorating...not to mention all the things I've promised to do for others

Instead of my usual seasonal panic, fill me with a glowing sense of trust and peace.  Each day that I awake, let me rejoice in the fact that I'm well and able to do it - that I can get up and begin.

And though there never seems to be enough time (or money), let me remember that you've never let us down.  That as with the loaves and the fishes, a miracle happens each year. There is always plenty - more than plenty.  The house overflows with gifts and friends, the tree is bowed with its shining burden, the table groans with delicious things to eat.

Even time stretches out like a magic ribbon, somehow embracing all that must be done.  As for a woman's strength - therein lies the greatest marvel of all.  You give each of us extra portions for this season so that at the end, like children, we hug Christmas close to our hearts and don't want it to be over.

Remind me of all this as I prepare for Christmas this year, Lord.  Let me come eagerly to the seemingly impossible, knowing that this holy, happy season is a time of miracles.  ~ Marjorie Holmes Mighell,  December 1973.

I need to read this over & over & over again because I am feeling that seasonal panic.  If you have wondered where in the world I have been these past 10 days, and it really is unlike me to not blog I was overwhelmed with, once again, my procrastination.  After the wonderful Thanksgiving and short visit with my son & daughter-in-law from California I began to work on the Open House/Art Show where I sell CD Calendars and cards all with my photography, with most of the profits going to the Alzheimer's Foundation. The final tally isn't in but I sold approximately 30 calendars and 88 cards. My friend Marti and I have done this together for the past two years....with her profits going to The Cancer Research Center at Purdue University. Two charities we feel passionate about.

Marti and I are both rather unorganized, I am not telling tales on her, she openly admits it. And well, I can probably rank very close to number one at being a top notch procrastinator. Believe me, not something I am proud of, but unfortunately I have been this way my entire life.  If there is an organization gene, I must have been absent the day it was passed out.  As age creeps in, being a procrastinator is magnified because not only have I put things off, I am slower at completing those tasks.  A rotten combination. So we have vowed to begin our projects much earlier next year, but then I think back to how many times I have said...."OK, this is the year for organization" and it ain't done yet and another year is about ready to wrap up.

I want to hug Christmas close to my heart  so I am taking a deep breath, saying a prayer and diving in tomorrow to ready myself for the holidays.  How about you, are your holidays filled with a glowing sense of trust and peace?  Or are you a little like me, feeling a little seasonal panic and needing that extra portion of strength?

Until next time.....