Monday, Really?

It's Monday again.

Wow, did I ever have a great Christmas celebration with the family. That family I bought on EBay was awesome! No really, they were AWESOME.  OK they were my regular family and awesome.

It began on Christmas Eve at my folks. Food and laughter.  Gifts. Christmas Day we were at my house with the folks, the sister, my daughter and we added my son and his family. The only one missing was my brother and his family. (If he’s watching this network, we missed him.)

We added to our Christmas celebration this year! Not a new recipe. Not a new ornament. Nope. We added my brand spanking new-nearly four-month-old grandson. He is so cute. He laughed and talked a lot of baby jabber. I’m not sure what he said, but I think it was something like, “Grandma, I don't know you very well, yet, but you seem amazing and quite young looking.”  That's what I think he said.

I want you to know, I failed a test on Christmas day. I put my seven-year-old granddaughter (clad in velvet) right next to me at the dinner table. Why? Because someone needs to keep an eye on me, that’s why. At one point, she says to me, “Whose birthday is it today?” I said (only because I had been cooking for HOURS and was under a lot of stress), “Nobody.” But then caught myself and said, Jesus. In my defense, when we are at my house for dinners it is usually because it’s someone’s birthday. That's my defense.

I knew the answer. But, she was not pleased.

Later, she said very seriously (and warning me in advance), “I’m going to ask you again, whose birthday is it?”

Finally, I passed the test, thank you very much.

My oldest grandsons came in with their new remote control cars and they were off and racing the entire time, only taking moments to eat a bit and open other presents. I did get hugs. Where do kids get their energy, cuz I want a cup full please?

Something happened that disturbed me and made my family (I believe) question again if I should be considered an adult and be living outside their supervision. My D-I-L opened the baby's gifts. One of his gifts from me was the cutest sleeper thingy. It had puppy heads, with ears that flopped, on the feet. She read on the tag to look on the back for more puppiness. Instead, when she flipped the sleeper over she found...stuck to the butt area...MY missing tape dispenser.

I looked for that dispenser for DAYS and couldn't find it. When my oldest grandson last week needed tape for something, I told him I must have used it all because I couldn't find it anywhere. 

Hmm, I had wrapped it in the baby's gift. How did I tape THAT gift, you might ask?

I'm talented. More so than anyone can imagine. And who's to say that I didn't intend to give the baby...tape.  Maybe I shouldn't be judged. Maybe.

Good news! I only hurt myself twice, once when I burned my hand in the oven (typical) and once when I was pulling one of my wing back chairs across the floor.  I ran over my little toe. The pain caused me to drop my head (face down) fast and hard on the back of the chair hitting the bridge of my nose.

It was a Three Stooge's moment with only one stooge.

My table is now empty. My house is a little too quiet. The million and one dishes that we used are washed.  I had a great time.

I can hear a brand New Year galloping toward me. I hope it's sturdy and pretty and tame. I will name it 2011, if all will agree.

Is anyone else (out there) a comedy act or is it just me? I want details.

Grace and Truth Came

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1: 9-18 (NIV) (Bolded emphasis from JW.)

Read the entire first chapter of John at Bible Gateway.

Merry Christmas!

My chairs and I are ready!!!

May you all have the best Christmas with family, friends and even furry friends.

If you are missing someone from your table, remember that he/she loved you and would never want you to stall your life because they are gone. In the painful moments and reminders of loss, may you purposely push forward and find comfort in the love and laughter you shared.

Love. Joy. Peace.

Merry Christmas to all!

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)


If you would like to read a sweet story about a starving dog and my sister's rescue go here. She warns the photos are disturbing. You will be redirected to the original posting. Well worth it.

Scripture source: Bible Gateway

A Little Christmas Deco

My village.

I'm the one in the horse drawn sleigh. I'm the girl. Squint and you'll see me. Yes, that's George Clooney's arms wrapped around me. Jealous? Good. 

Mantle and a little bling.

 Mantle Angels singing heavenly songs.  I like these visitors better than the depressed dust bunnies and suicidal crickets that also visit.

A colony of Santas on a bookshelf...except not my dad nor my siblings and I. My favorites are the Cowboy Santa--far right and the lazy Santa--far left. The big Santa in between the photos has been around since my kiddos were wee ones. He's wax with a wick in his head. But, I don't hold that against him. Gee, they're old. My kids.

I affectionately call this my Tacky Tree. He is made of flimsy paper stuff that when you take out the center rod folds into a circle to be stored in his tacky box.

He makes me laugh and feel tacky.

This is a wooden tree with jingle bells. I think I like trees, tacky or not.

And this is my for reals tree. Only not real. The styrofoam cups on the tree? Well they were homemade by my old kids.

Sharing a few of my decorations with you on this Wednesday before Christmas Day.

What is your favorite trinket, bling, or decoration? 

Monday...before Christmas

A bit of Monday Rambling

If you haven't finished your shopping don't worry. You have five--sort of days left.

I am on my school break until January 3. Today, I'm catching up with an old friend. Then I'm going shopping for a few last minute things.

Rewrite

I rewrote the short story that came back with a note to rewrite. It should be in the hands of the magazine. I had three readers read it AFTER I had rewritten it to tell me where it needed help. I liken this to cleaning my house before my housekeeper comes to clean it. (No I don't have a housekeeper. It's on my wish list.) I didn't want them to weed through what I knew was wrong, so I cleaned it first.

The magazine may not publish the short, but rewriting is well...good practice, right? Plus, I've never had an editor to tell me to rewrite. No matter what, I appreciate the note of interest.

January 3, 2011

I will begin my social worker job January 3. I left my IT office Friday nearly empty of me. I will continue to train my replacement when needed. But, she's in good shape. So onward.

Friday, I was soooo sad. This is what I will miss about my IT job:

1. Seeing and playing with new technology.
2. Geek talk.
3. Being the expert.
4. Being called the “Tech Goddess”.
5. My two buddies of whom I’ve worked with longer than anyone…ever...who seem like family!
6. Seeing blank looks when I talk over people’s heads. Is that so wrong?
7. A technology conference at wonderful resort conference in March.

Well I've got to hit the road. I hope this isn't filled with errors, but I'm in a hurry.

Have a great Monday.

Jesus

But God's free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man's falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God's grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many.

Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification ([a]an act of righteousness).

For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).Romans 5:17 (Amplified


JW believes: It's OK to say Merry Christmas.

This is my prayer for you: May God continue to bless you. May he be delighted in who you have become. May you spend time with him every day learning his love. May God's peace be your personal "wrapping" this season and throughout 2011.








Scripture source: Bible Gateway

Monday in MO

I'm checking in to say, hello.

Hello.

What have I been up to?

Not much. Except...

Funny thing happened at the mailbox Friday, I got back a short story I had submitted. Not unusual. I noticed someone else had written my return address on the envelope. That's unusual. I never--ever forget to self-address my return envelope. But, I did and I felt really stupid.

In the house, I pulled the rejection letter halfway out and tossed the envelope on the table. That's when I noticed handwriting. An editor wrote that she had read my story twice, it was confusing, but thought the idea was interesting. She told me if I rewrite and resubmit, she would read it again...no promises.

I instantly focused on the rejection and that my story was confusing. Not until I was several miles away from home (didn't run away, just had to go shopping) that one of my "voices" (yes I promise to seek help) said to me,  "AN EDITOR WROTE YOU A PERSONAL NOTE."  Oh yeah.

I should send her money.

A different voice asked, "How many times have you received handwritten notes on your reject letters?"

"This makes three," I answered back to the "different" voice.

Isn't it great to be rejected in such a manner? (This is me asking you, in case you're wondering.)

I'm rewriting my little story.


On another note, it's so stinking cold here that:

• I'm planning to travel to Alaska soon for the warmth.
• Kiki Dee (the outdoor cat) has bought a parka.
• Santa decided it's too cold here to visit and I'm disappointed because I've been very good this year.

Tonight, I am presenting a workshop called:  The Incredible Race to Employment.  Our school district got a grant for after school activities. Some of the money could be used to offer the adults of the community mini workshops.

I'm looking forward to it. Hope it's not called off due to it might only going be 5 degrees tonight. Of course we are talking about MO and the weather changes every 15 minutes.

Did I mention I'm moving to Alaska for a warmer climate?

What's the weather where you are? If you say warm, I will SERIOUSLY hunt you down and then...enjoy it.