Tis The Night Before Christmas

Tis the night before Christmas
said the cat to the mouse.
We have to get busy
and light up this house.

Santa will be coming late this night,
so let's be good and will not fight.
He'll bring you cracker and cheese,
I'll ask for catnip and say please.

He'll arrive in his sleigh,
pulled by all those reindeer.
And I know we will hear him say,
If you've been good, then you need not fear.

Those cookies, you cannot nibble,
I will know as you will dribble.
I promise I will not lap up the milk.
I won't knead that pillow of silk.

As the cat said to the mouse,
while they hid in the house.
Now, we've hung our stocking.
We must fall asleep said the mouse, mocking.

In the morning when we awake,
we can look out the window and see nary a flake.
But Santa will bring us our gifts,
as he has seen our lists.

As the cat and mouse nestled together,
to keep warm in this cold weather.
 The sleigh and reindeer did come
and Santa did his Ho Hum!

As Santa flew away
in that big sleigh,
He called out as he took flight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all
   a good night.

Copyright (c) 2010

A Little Kindness Can Go A Long Way

My husband and I always liked living in a rural area or a small town.  We knew we would have to give up some of the luxuries that are available in a metropolitan area but we liked the feel of a small community where you knew your neighbor and people helped each other.

So when we retired, we lived in a rural area and had many friends and good neighbors but it wasn't exactly what we wanted.  We decided to move back to the lake area as we liked it so much when we lived here years ago and we had friends still here so in a way it was like coming home.

I've griped and complained because I might not be able to find what I want in the stores so we have to drive a few miles to find what we are looking for or I complain because we don't have all the accessibility here that we might have in a large area, but at the same time, I love the feel of the small community and the closeness of neighbors and good friends.

Today proved to be another reason why I love living in a small town/rural area.  We have a choice of grocery stores but I have one in particular that I like and even though I don't go as often as I did, they are still friendly and treat me as an old friend.  The same with our local dollar store.

A couple of years ago, our small Walmart decided to put in a super store and we were all thrilled as we would have access to things that wouldn't require driving 35 to 70 miles away for.  However, the economy forced them to downsize it just a bit but it still is larger and offers more than we had before so I do a lot of my shopping there.

Today I stopped at my grocery store to pick up a few things I like to get from them, then next door to the Dollar store for a few things and finally my last stop was Walmart.

I needed some cat litter and always buy a particular brand and there was a box with a $1.00 coupon on it so I got it.  When I got to the checkout, I peeled it off according to the little arrow that said, "Peel here".  However it stuck to the box and took half of the box with it.  I was trying to see if it would separate as was so sticky and just knew there had to be something wrong.

The cashier had rung up my purchases and I told her, "Well, I had a coupon but it tore off part of the box and I guess it isn't any good."  She took it and said, "Let me see it."  She began working trying to peel away the sticky part to no avail and then tried scraping off the pieces of the box with her fingernail.  She turned off the light of her check out and worked about fifteen minutes on this coupon.  I told her it was to much work and that it was okay but she wanted to help.

The whole time she was talking about how coupons really help as they add up and then switched to talk about Christmas and was I ready.  We discussed baking and gifts and finally she did give it up and I paid for my purchases.  When I got ready to leave, she apologized for not being able to help me, told me to have a good day and a Merry Christmas.

I wished her a good day and a Merry Christmas as well and when I left the store, I knew this is one of the reasons we came here.  The feel of camaraderie of the people, the friendliness and a genuine feeling of wanting to help one another.

In our daily lives, we get busy and sometimes forget the courtesy we should show to others and especially at this time of the year when stores are busier and shoppers are out in droves.  But somehow in our small community, we still take the time to show courtesy and help our neighbors and friends or in this case, the customers.

There are a lot of bad feelings at times about Walmart but I feel fortunate that our local one is friendly, clean and often carries USA products and advertises them as such.  And if it is something I don't want to buy because it is foreign, I don't have too and no one is going to criticize me for it.

Perhaps if we all took a little more time to smile and say a kind word, not only during this season, but all the time, we might discover that even the largest of cities could be as nice as the smallest.

For now, I'm happy that we decided to come here and we have wonderful friends, great neighbors and we also have great storekeepers who appreciate us.  It makes me feel good all over.

Tis The Season

How true it is.  It is the season and it is showing up everywhere.  I know I have my decorations up inside and out and have most of my shopping done, just a couple more. 

This next week I'll be doing some cookie making and candy too.  I'll be sending goodies off to the youngest daughter and three grandkids in Arkansas but will also have to have some here for the older daughter and grandson.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without my butter cookies.  Both of my daughters have the recipe but say they aren't the same as mine.  I think they just like for Mom to make them, but that is okay as I don't mind.

I got my Christmas CD's out so when I feel like Christmas music, I have a selection to choose from and it just seems to fit the mood at this time of the year. 

I hope we will be able to take an evening soon and drive around to see the lights and go through the State Park just west of us to see their big display.  But it is fun just to see the decorations of my neighbors, even during the daytime as I pass by their houses.

Tonight, Melanie will be going to her office Christmas party.  She has been the organizer and it has been a lot of work but I'm sure it will be appreciated and everyone will have a great time.  She was kind of thrown into this at the last minute since she only started in October, but a lot of it was repetitive so that helped.  She did have to hire a DJ and was able to get a young man she's known for years and is very popular in the area.  So I know everyone will enjoy him.  She was able to rent a TV and get Satellite hooked up as tonight is also the big game between Oklahoma University and Nebraska.    She had a list from previous years to help guide here where to go for the snack trays and drinks.  They will have a bar but that was stocked by one of the doctors.  She still filled her jeep by going through the check out line three times at Walmart with water, soft drinks, beer and crackers.  There will be something for everyone and with a list of 200 coming, that is quite a feat.  I'm so proud of her and that she has been able to accomplish so much in a short time but then again, I had all the faith in her and knew she could do it. 

So Tis The Season for parties, family gatherings, bright lights, Christmas carols, special treats and of course, secrets.

It is also a time to remember.  We should remember most of all that it is Jesus birthday that we celebrate.  We also need to remember our loved ones who may not be with us in person, but are in our hearts and memories and will always be with us in spirit. 

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

December 2010

My how the year is going by.  It just seems like yesterday that we were wearing shorts and sandals and trying to stay cool and now we've dug out the heavy sweaters, sweats and heavy coats as we prepare for winter.

We had a nice but quiet Thanksgiving.  It was my oldest daughter and grandson and myself but we had a good dinner and naturally ate too much but that is par for a Thanksgiving meal.  I hadn't made pumpkin pie in years as my husband always made them.  It was his favorite and he wanted to know how so I told him and from then on, he made the pumpkin pie.  But this year I made them.  With only the three of us and basically just Melanie and I to eat them, I knew we couldn't eat two so I gave one to our neighbors across the street.  We enjoyed the other one.

We spent some time in the afternoon playing the Wii and then my grandson showed us how he could play Guitar Hero.  He is good at it.  I can barely keep up with the notes as they go flying by but his fingers work the guitar quickly and he makes it look so easy, just as I do with my typing only I'm writing down the words in my mind, not looking at flying colors coming at me on a TV screen and trying to make my fingers match what I'm seeing.  I think I must be getting old and the coordination isn't quite what it used to be.

But now we are in my favorite season as far as holidays go.  I don't care for winter with its cold and ice and snow.  It had to show us that it could do something and produced ice on Thanksgiving day but that is all that I care for so it doesn't have to show us again.  I had put up my outside lights and decorations before Thanksgiving when the weather had given us a couple of warm days.  They were windy days but I managed to get everything in place and ready to hook up to the power and on Thanksgiving afternoon I set the timers so that night at dark, everything would come on automatically for a few hours.

The tree was up and decorated and again the lights came on Thanksgiving day and the day after was for removing the fall decorations inside and putting up the Christmas ones.  It always takes me a few days as I savor each and every decoration, making sure it is just the way I want it and a pleasure to look at.

This year I've included the collections and favorites of my husband and feel he is with us in spirit.  I know he would be pleased with what I have done and it gives me some good memories as I look around at all of them.

I'll be starting the cookie and candy making this next week as I'll be including some goodies in the package I'll send off to my daughter and three grandchildren in Arkansas.  The weather can be so unpredictable so we don't even plan for a Christmas get together as we just never know what it will be and sometimes we can even be surprised as we were on Thanksgiving as the ice was not predicted but we go it just the same.

I've got the gifts bought and wrapped with the exception of something for my oldest daughter to have on Christmas and perhaps a stocking stuffer for my grandson.  Since my oldest daughter and I decided to go together and buy a gift that we would share we have already received our gift.

We got an USB turntable to convert our LP albums into CD's.  She's been playing with it and has made a couple of CD's already.  When she is done, then we'll bring it in and hook it up to my computer and see if I can figure it out and make some too.  We both have a lot of records and some are not available on CD so will be a treat that we'll be able to hear some of the oldies but goodies.

December.  The month which ends the year.  A busy time even if it is winter, but a glorious time as well, with color and smells and sounds that makes the merriement of Christmas.  The secrets and gaily wrapped gifts, the special treats homemade from the kitchen and yet it will end on New Years Eve as this year passes and a new one begins.

It hasn't been a good year in a lot of ways and yet we have been blessed.  The loss of my husband in January still hurts and he is missed every day, but then I look at the good things that have happened to my grandson and especially my daughter.  They both have found good jobs that they like and my grandson has moved into his first place and is settling in learning the responsibilities of being on his own.  My daughter is finally able to catch up and have a little extra now that she can put back in her savings.

I'm so thankful that things have turned around for both of them, but especially my daughter as she went through some very rough times and at last the blessings have been put on her and she is getting her life back on track and finding her happiness again.

So as we end this year, we will spend each day remembering the past year but also planning for the new one and what lies ahead of us.  We will be thankful for what we have and will cherish the memories we've made, the memories from the past as we move forward to the future.  We will remember our lost loved one and hope the next year will ease the pain we still feel in our hearts while allowing us to remember all the good times.

The Countdown Begins

The countdown has begun.  I spent this entire weekend working outside putting up lights and Christmas decorations.  Saturday was a little on the cool side and quite windy but I managed to get some of it done but today was sunny, warm and windy.
I told my daughter I thought Kansas had moved to Oklahoma the way the wind was blowing and I wish it would go home.  I literally had to stake and tie all my decorations out in the yard to keep them from blowing over or away.
But the wreaths have been hung on the gates, the lights are all along the fence, took 12 strings of 100 lights each but it almost covers the entire length.  The lighted garland is draped around the screened in porch with its big gaily red bows.
The Nativity set is up flanked by the Peace On Earth Angels in the north yard, while the south yard displays a winter wonderland with the 7 ft. tall spiral trees, two reindeer, a snowman and a grouping of three small white trees, all with white lights.
The candy cane lights are along side the patio and extension area on the north side of the porch and are off set by the snowmen lights that daughter put in front of her trailer on the south side of the porch.
The pot on the shepherd's hook has red poinsettias with green holly and a holly vine twines up and around the top with two red bows at the feet of the roosters which are attached to the top heart shape.
The cords have been laid and only have to attach the automatic timers so on Thursday night when darkness arrives, the magic begins for a four hour show.
Of course, this doesn't mean that I'm done.  I still have the snowflake lights, the small train and Santa's sled to put up and light up as well.
On Wednesday night, the fun begins inside as the tree goes up and will be decorated so again on Thursday night the lights will shine and it can be seen from its place in front of the window.  The house will begin to take on the look of the Christmas holiday as the Santa collection comes out, the Nutcracker collection will be displayed, the pots with poinsettia's scattered about, green garlands decorating the stairway bannister and every room in the house will have some decoration denoting the season.
The library table will be covered with the lacy scarf that has the Nativity story and on top will be displayed the antique Nativity that belonged to my grandparents, the first one that my husband and I bought along with a couple of others we've bought throughout the years and the Bible will be open to the story of the birth of Jesus.  It is almost a ritual as the table is set up with the Nativities and the story is read and made available to all who wish to read it again and again.
The packages will start piling up under the tree with the anticipation setting in as to what their contents might be and the guessing game starts.
It is an exciting time of the year with so much to see and hear and feel.  The excitement of driving around to see the lights and displays, shopping for that perfect gift, the smell of freshly baked cookies and pies, the sounds of Christmas songs and carols being played and a general feeling of love and contentment.
Although I have no little ones to go see Santa, I still enjoy watching the little ones as their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces when they see a Santa in the store or in a parade.   And even at my age, I still believe.  Santa is the fun part of Christmas just as Jesus is the reason we celebrate his birthday and we rejoice in hearing the story of his birth.
It is a glorious time of the year, even more exciting and filled with anticipation than Easter or the Fourth of July.
I wish I could keep Christmas year round with all the bright sparkling lights and decorations.  The colors of red and green are an inspiration for me and the houses look so pretty all decked out in their holiday finery.  It is that time of year when we gather with family or friends for parties or dinners and the sound of laughter makes the merriment of the season even more so.
So the countdown has begun and will go for me until after the New Year arrives.  I try not to think about the day that the lights go dark and will be gathered and put away until next year.  I'm just going to enjoy every minute of every day and take in all the sights, sounds, smells and the joy of the season.
This will be my first Christmas without my husband but I know he is with me in spirit and he will be in my thoughts as I look around and see the favorite things we both enjoyed through the years as well as his favorite things.  He enjoyed the season as much as I do and always let me decorate to my heart's content and I'm not going to change a thing this year.  I know he would want it that way too.

Time

I can't believe how fast the time is going.  I meant to post something on the 11th and time has got away from me.

November 11, is a special day as it is not only Veteran's day, it would have been our 49th wedding anniversary.  Melanie took off work early so that we could go to the cemetery and I could be with him for a few moments.  Then she decided she was going to make it a special day for me. 

We had to stop by the bookstore to pick up some books I had on consignment and then went out to eat.  We had a nice meal and good conversation.  In fact, we talked all the way back home as well.

We had to make a stop at Walmart to pickup just a few things.  Yeah!  A few things always grows into several but we had fun while we shopped.  We got what we stopped for but then had to look at the Christmas decorations and went down the clearance aisle.  I spotted a game that looked like fun so we got it and after she picked up a few stocking stuffers, we decided we'd better get out of there before we went into the hole.

We came home and put our stuff away and then I went out to her trailer.  We decided to try out the new game which is called Last Word and it was so much fun that we actually played two games.  She had bought Zach's Wii so we had to give it a try as well.  We tried out the bowling and it was the first time I've ever used a Wii but I beat her.  Then we had to try baseball and sure enough I hit a home run.  This is fun!

She had bought a dance program for it so naturally we had to check that out as well.  I will say that it does give you a work out and I am supposed to exercise but for now I'll stay with the slower and shorter versions so I don't run out of breath so easily.

But here it is over halfway through the month of November and just about time for Thanksgiving.  I'll be getting out the Christmas decorations and this weekend will be putting up the outside lights and decorations and will set up the tree the night before Thanksgiving.

I love Christmas and can hardly wait for it to come but I don't want to wish time to go this fast.  My husband always said I was like a kid when this time of year came around and I just couldn't get enough of it.  He was right and I almost got it all out last week but then I decided I would wait.  I know he would want me too and besides it makes it more fun to see the lights come on Thanksgiving night in preparation for the next holiday.

Usually I put up all the lights by myself but last year he got out to help me.  He even suggested we add more and helped as we strung lights all along the fence out front.  I only did part of it.  But he wanted more and so we did it. I look back now and think it was such a fun time with us working together and having him help me and I do so wish he could be here with us this year but I'm sure he is watching over us.

I want to keep some of the traditions that we started and it will make me feel he is a part of our celebration.  I'll be displaying his collection of Nut Crackers and have bought three new ones to add to it.  I'll also put out his favorite train that gives a message as it travels back and forth.  That was something he saw and bought and every year we had it out and he was forever turning it on and showing it to everyone who came or maybe just to sit and watch it by himself.  It will be in a place of honor this year where we all can see it and yes, it will be run, as I will sit and watch it from his favorite chair.

I only hope as the season progresses, Time will slow down so we can savor every day and every minute and enjoy the lights and colors and smells that come with the holiday.  But more important, I hope we have the time to really appreciate the reason for this holiday.  The old Nativity that belonged to my grandparents will be on display along with the other sets I've bought through the years and the Bible will be open to the story of the birth of Jesus. 

And we will make new memories this Christmas to blend with the past memories.

November

November.  I like the sound of that month.  I don't know why but it has a pleasant sound.  Maybe because there is so much associated with it that it makes a person feel happy.

We just had the mid term elections yesterday and I'm sure there are a few who will read this and not be happy, but for me, I am very pleased at the results.  And even more so that I was a part of it right here in my state of Oklahoma where we made history yesterday in electing the first woman governor of our state.  And I think we selected the right woman for the job.  We had two women running but of the two, the conservative won and she will turn this state around and get us back on track and she won almost by a landslide.

We will be ending day light savings time next Sunday, November 7.  Ordinarily it occurs in October but this year it was moved back.  It is already hard to get used to the dusk settling in so early, so I imagine next week I really will be confused as it comes an hour earlier.  I know it is kind of confusing but I just remember the saying, "Spring forward, Fall back," and then I get the right time.  If I'm not sure, the clock on the TV programming guide or my computer will verify it for me.

We will celebrate an honored holiday on November 11th.  Veteran's Day.  To me, it is a very special day as it was the day that I married my husband, 49 years ago.  We would have celebrated our 49th anniversary this year but I won't let it go by.  I plan to go visit him.

But the big holiday will be Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving if I can have all my family together.  Not only do we prepare a huge meal that leaves us feeling miserable and asking why we had to have the second helping, and then all the leftovers that we'll be feasting on for a couple of days, but just being together for talking and laughing, playing games and enjoying being together as a family.  We are not a sports oriented family so there will be no fighting over the TV to watch a football game.  No sirree!  Not in this house.  We will be playing card games or board games or word games with the grandkids and the adults too.  We have as much fun as the kids do.

It is also the day that starts my favorite time of the year, Christmas.  My tree will go up and if the grandkids are here, they will help with the decorations.  I will have already put up the outside lights and decorations so when the sun goes down, the automatic timers will flip on the lights on Thanksgiving night to begin the Christmas celebration.

I used to get up early and hit the stores for the bargains on the Friday after, but not any more.  Being on a limited budget I try to buy little things throughout the year and only buy last minute or if it is a big item, it will be the last on the list.  I love the decorating inside as well as outside, so I'll be busy putting up decorations all around the house, just about in every room.

I have several collections, a Santa collection, my husband's Nutcracker collection, which I have added to this year, plus I have several Nativity scenes that I display along with an open Bible with the story of the glorious birth of our Lord for all to read.

So I guess when I say November, not only is it nice to say, it reminds me of all the delights that lie ahead of me this month and next month.  But most of all it reminds me of all the things I am thankful for as well as my family, near and far.