Monday, January 8, 2007

Christmas in Fargo, ND

Christmas in Fargo was such fun this year! I really wanted a white Christmas, since we don't get many in Georgia and I have been here nearly 5 years, but it was not to be. They did get snow shortly after we left, but that doesn't really count, does it? At least, not to me.

We spent Christmas Eve at my sister, Kat's, place and had 18 adults and 7 children. Those missing were Gayle and her guy and Robin's family, which would have brought us up to 22 adults and 10 children. We did our annual pass-around and the hot items people were 'stealing' were a sort of dust-buster and a canister set. Erin shared big news that she is expecting and her dad, Dave, was able to join us this year. He had to shovel out of a snowstorm in Colorado to get here.

We spent the evening on Christmas Day with Jeremy and Tracy, exchanging gifts and eating her yummy supper. It was great fun to be able to spend so much time with them. I think we got to see them every day!

It was great to see Mom and Ken, too. They are both looking so good and much easier to understand! We went to a matinee of "A Night At the Museum" and had lots of laughs. On another night we went out to Red Lobster, Mom's favorite restaurant.

Driving back to the Minneapolis airport, we stopped off for a short visit with Rod and Nashell in Woodbury. I am sorry we couldn't see more of you, but when we come for such a short time, family is really our main purpose in Fargo. I will be back for a longer time in May, when Tracy has her baby, and can maybe see more of you all then.

I pray your Christmas'es were as wonderful as mine! Love and blessings!

Saturday, January 6, 2007

A New Start

A week into the new year, 2007, and I already have to make a new start!

I have been soooo lazy! Those who know me may have a hard time picturing this but I really have been worse than usual. One day last week, I watched television all day. One day, I stayed in my Bible all morning (not necessarily a bad thing), then was on the computer in the afternoon. I barely got in a good two hours of cleaning and picking up.

You see, that was my goal, and one I thought would be easy: a room a week. Now, I am not talking about picking up, but deep cleaning, as in moving furniture, re-arranging, THROWING stuff, dusting, varuuming...! Every time I do this, I am able to part with more 'stuff' I don't really need or have room for.

Do you ever leave your own bedroom last? I do; I don't invite company in it, it's just for Jim and me, so I clean other rooms first. You can guess what happens, it becomes a disaster area. Jim asked me to please start with our room. This comes from the man, like THE HOME ON THE RANGE, "where never is heard a discouraging word" and so I know the room is really even worse that I think!

I still have today, Saturday, to meet my commitment. Maybe I could extend it a day because Monday was a holiday and Jim was home and we just lolled around. Maybe I am procrastinating, or trying to find a place to set the blame for not meeting my own deadline. Maybe if I look busy with other things, Jim will do it. Maybe, maybe, maybe!

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

A Good Morning

What can be better than hot-buttered toast in the morning?

Really, to wake with a song in your head that praises Our Father, stretch out the bones from their luxurious slumber, tip-toe past your sweetly sleeping husband, greet your waiting dog and your possibilities-laden day as you step outside...it's just the beginning! I start my coffee, oh, that great mix of regular and vanilla flavored coffee beans wakes my nose. I cut up fruit - this morning: 1/4 golden delicious apple, 1/4 bartlett pear, and a small handful of strawberries priced like diamonds - lightly sprinkle with sugar, and pour my coffee.

I start my devotions, this moring I am in 2 Corinthians 5:20, but something earlier in the chapter has caught my eye and I dig into a parallel commentary...resting with a sermon by Charles Spurgeon. Again, I get off track and that leads me to another reading. Time for another cup of coffee and a break before prayer time.

I am working on the end of a loaf of Pepperidge Farms Cinnamon Bread. My dog and I wait for the toast to come up; she knows she will get a corner piece. I prefer real butter and on this bread it is simply wonderful. I don't skimp, and as I sink my teeth into the first bite of hot, buttered toast, I think to myself, "This is heaven!"

I have said goodbye to my husband long ago, and now it is time to resume my study and my prayer time. What does God have in store for me today? Oh, lead me, Father, and I will follow.