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Thursday, December 21, 2006

For Tammy (and everyone else of course)

Tammy (Kentucky Gal) has asked her visitors to write a post about peace. No problem, Tammy. I think about it a lot and even more in this season.

From Isaiah Ch. 4, V. 2

KJV: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

And wouldn't that be something to see!!

It's Thursday here, Christmas is on Monday. Ray came home from the hospital today. Carol is in the hospital in Turlock but seems to be keeping up her spirits. They decided on some relatively minor surgery after all and it seems to be helping, at least termporarily. She'd been a great deal of pain before that. I talk to her every day at least 3 or 4 times but I've been sick myself for a couple of days and haven't made the trip this week. I have presents for her but I'd rather deliver them to the care facility than to the hospital so I'm waiting a bit.

The girls are off school for the next 17 days. All of Christmas and New Year's week plus tomorrow. My goal - to have the younger two memorize all their times tables. And, with three hormonal girls, peace in my own household as well.

We'd hoped my older son Jim, now on the border with the Guard, would make it home for Christmas. It's not going to happen. They're too short of sergeants at the moment. I'm glad he's so well regarded but I'd rather have him home. He may get a little time off right after Christmas - 4 days, two of which will be spent driving. I offered to postpone Christmas dinner but he says he loves leftovers. Sounds like a replay of Thanksgiving doesn't it.

Jonathan is growing so fast and learning new things every day. Babies are awesome.

I have almost all of my Christmas shopping done. The girls will have a good Christmas but we never go overboard and wouldn't even if we could.

I still have a couple of things to pick up but I can do that at the local grocery store. My friend Dawn has the presents and stocking fillers. We have a deal. I buy enough Christmas candy to include her daughter and she sorts it all for me and wraps the presents. Except for one which is at Tim's because he helped me pick it out.

We're having a Christmas Eve potluck at the church followed by a service of carols. We invite the entire community with a special invitation to the Mission here. There are always organizations providing a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal but Christmas Eve can be a very lonely time. So I've doing my Christmas prep the day before and making a double batch of sweet potato souffle and either green bean casserole or dressing (maybe both). It's as easy to make twice as much and I can bake one and put the others in the fridge for the next day. Should work.

I finally broke down and bought them a Play Station II. They hadn't nagged for one but I know they'll enjoy it and I can treat it like I do the t.v. Just control time and content. I'm sure Rochelle and Rebecca will use it more so Elcie will have a replacement for her defunct dvd/vcr player, and I picked up an inexpensive radio/cd/cassette player recorder. Theirs has been toast for several years now.

Other than stocking fillers, that's it from us. They have clothes from their Grandma Nancy in San Francisco and some gifts from some of my friends already under the tree.

And I bought a new coffee pot. My old one joined my old microwave. Turned it on yesterday and nothing - absolutely nothing. At least they're cheap. I have an old 40 cup top of stove drip pot that we used when I had many more people all drinking coffee but it's overkill and pouring water into it has become more of a challenge.

Do we all shrink as we age? I certainly have. Cupboards that I could reach not so long ago require a step stool now.

Sorry I've been lax the past few days. Between busy and spending almost two entire days in bed while the girls were at school, not much was accomplished on the internet. I was sick enough to cancel my weekly coffee date. Now that's sick. We're trying for tomorrow if all goes well.

Thanks to all for the comments. I leave you with my wishes for a joyous holiday season, and my Christmas greeting to all. I hope the link works better than the last one I tried.

Of course I might get back between now and then. I never know until I sit down and start typing.










16 comments:

Jo said...

I am so sorry to hear you have been sick in bed. Sounds like you have your Christmas stuff done, which is way better than where I am. But adreneline rushes work for me so it will get done in the next couple of days. Hoping your holidays are filled with blessings. There are few people and families more deserving.

Peter said...

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family Ann.
BTW Margaret sent her regards, she is having ISP problems!!! dang computers.

Anonymous said...

Hope you are feeling better. Been thinking about you all the time and sending good thoughts your way. Enjoy your holiday.

xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Ann and I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well. Thanks for the Christmas greeting and peace on this earth would be the greatest achievement ever and I pray for it every day.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and I'm so thankful that we have crossed paths through blogging and I look forward to seeing you next year.

(Blogger doesn't want to accept my comment so I have to go the anonymous route).

Sandy
Abandoned in Pasadena

Unknown said...

Wish you a merry healthy and peaceful Christmas gran. Have fun!

TJ said...

Dear Granny,
I love the scripture you chose...and that would be a great day wouldn't it?
I hope and pray for you and yours during this Holiday Season!!
Merry Christmas my friend!!
Love & Hugs!!
:-D

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Ann. As always, I'll be thinking of you and your family all the way over there. I hope you and your family have a happy holiday.

Margaret said...

Hi Ann, thanks for message via Peter,iprimus seems to have fixed their problem regards my service. Sorry you have been feeling poorly, hope your Christmas is a good one. God Bless you and yours, and yes, let's hope for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to man.
Hugs Margaret

CaliGirl said...

Merry Christmas Ann to you and your family.

big hugs coming your way

Unknown said...

Have a very merry christmas ann!

Alice said...

Sounds like you're in better spirits.

:-)

Sounds like you have three very lucky great grandchildren too! They'll love their gifts. Hope you get something nice for you, be it expensive or not.

Sorry Jim won't make it. Glad Caro is feeling a little better though.

Babies are indeed awesome. It's when they get older that the real problems start.

;-)

Much love and Merry Christmas to you and the entire family. Hope it's a good one, despite everything.

xxx

Yondalla said...

I'm so glad Ray is back.

Be well.

Love...

By the way, do you know your feed is set on full?

Kendra Lynn said...

Have a really wondeful Christmas, Ann!

Feel good.

Kendra

Puss-in-Boots said...

Dear Ann

Sorry to hear you have been sick, hope you're feeling better now. I'm glad to hear Ray is home and that Carol is a tad better.

Just in case I don't get back before, a very merry Christmas to you, Ray and the girls and the rest of your family.

I've enjoyed your blog over the last few months and shall continue to enjoy it next year.

A big hug to you

Robyn xo

Anvilcloud said...

I dropped by to wish you a Merry Christmas and to thank you for being a blogging buddy.

Gail said...

I'm sorry you have been sick. I liked the scripture you picked. Isaiah has a lot of uplifting passages. I hope you had a Merry Christmas. Stop by my blog. I finally wrote something. I have been so busy.
It seems you do a lot of charity work.