Christmas Day

Christmas day was so wonderful. We had around 28 people coming for dinner at 4:00 in the afternoon. Bill and I got up early and sat by the tree and had our coffee. He had already put on some Christmas music. It was nice except for Mema sleeping on the couch in between us. Oh well, it was still nice and of course we ended up waking her up, but were so happy she had slept through the night. Sleeping pills are a wonderful thing especially on Christmas eve when you have so much to do the next day and need your rest. Mema has a tendency to get up and down all night long and tends to plunder and possibly go outside. This night she slept snug as a bug in a rug and so did we. I got dressed and immediately went to setting up tables and getting food prepped. Carolyn agreed to cook one of the prime ribs so I got them rubbed and ready and took it over to her house for cooking. I got mine ready and cooked. I peeled 15 pound of potatoes while watching Christmas Story and got my peas in the crockpot. Everyone started to arrive at 4:00, but I was nowhere near ready. The meat wasn't getting done and how was I ever going to get that many potatoes mashed and on the table hot. God is good and lots of hands helped me. Jay got the meat cut and I must say it was awesome. The potatoes got mashed and served and were actually hot. Everyone brought their wonderful Christmas dishes. I managed to get through the Christmas blessing without crying, something I usually do. Everyone got a plate and went through the buffet style line. I think we all even got a place to sit down. It was so nice to have Aunt Pat and Uncle Punk, Aunt Nell and Mema and Bob with us this year. Of course Bill's brother Kenny, Carolyn and Beverly were here as well as my brother Clay, Dawn, and Devan and Chase (we were so happy to have them) and all my children, wives, husbands and grandchildren. We ate and talked and then headed outside to the firepit. Beverly was in charge of the ingredients for the somemores and I had the wires for the marshmellows. The kids really enjoyed this. Hayden had gotten a flashlight for Christmas and they all played flashlight tag. We had great help from the Fullertons with cleanup and everyone had pulled out by 9:00. I was tired, but so glad our family could all be together for another Christmas celebration. I thank God so much that I have so many people to love and to love me.
Family is everything to me as it is to our heavenly Father. He gave us the best Christmas gift of all and I thank him everyday for Him. Merry Christmas Everyone.

Christmas Eve

Well it is all just a memory now and I think it is a really great memory. I haven't had the most traditional Christmas this year, but it was a fun one.

Christmas Eve Bill and I went to the five o'clock service. It was an unrehearsed Christmas pageant with a live nativity and everything. Steve Crowley was the narrator and he did a terrific job. The church was beautiful and the music was wonderful. After the service we went to Katy's house. The kids were so excited about Santa and we ate Chili and sausage balls. They were going to put on the p.j.s and go to bed early. We kissed everyone goodnight and headed out to Jill's house. Bill took his car and went to pick up Mema for some Christmas Eve fun. When we got to Jills everyone was in there Santa hats. She had made chicken and dumplings and other finger foods. Haleigh and Matt were there and also Matt's friend Wesley. When Bill and Mema got there she got her Santa hat on and happily joined in the festivities. We all went out on the front porch and watched Tray set off some fireworks. Everybody really enjoyed it. It was really warm outside which was a blessing for us since we had Mema with us. After we had some snacks we loaded up in Tray's brother's trailer, which was filled with hay. We went on a Christmas Eve hayride to see the Christmas lights in Colonial Pines, Heritage Heights and other neighborhoods. It was a lot of fun until we got stuck in a cul de sac and could barely get out. We had two elderly ladies pull in behind us and neither of us got out for a while. I thought we were going to take out a few mailboxes and Christmas displays, but Tray finally got us out. When we got out on the main road we noticed we had a flat tire on the trailor, but that didn't stop us. We trudged on to a handy way nearby and put in a little air and continued sightseeing. It was a lot of fun and something I will never forget. I am 61 and I got a new Christmas memory. Let me explain that Mema was just a little to elderly for the hayride thought Sydney insisted the hay was nice and soft. Bill followed us with Mema in the car and she got to enjoy the lights from a different vantage point. We had Mema spending the night so when we got back to Jill's we took a tired Mema to our house and tucked her in for the night.

Night at the Amphitheater

We had so much fun last night. Jill, Sydney and Troy, Bill and I, Katy, Matt, Hayden, Josie and Lucas all went to the Amphitheater to their annual Winter Wonderland. We didn't know what to expect and we ended up being pleasantly surprised. The kids were so excited as was there Mimi. I was just glad to do something Christmassy with them. It was decorated so beautifully and the first thing we saw was a huge sleigh being pulled by two huge horses. They wanted to jump on board right then, but we wanted to wait and sleigh ride last. I will say it was pretty expensive and if you weren't interested in ice skating there wasn't a lot to do. Jill wanted to try ice skating so she took Troy, Syd, and Hayden. We sat in the grand stands and waited patiently for their entrance onto the ice. Suddenly they appeared through the small doorway. I saw them all holding the sides of the rink for dear life. Slipping and sliding they slowly pulled themselves around the rink. Every once in a while we would lose sight of Hayden. Thanks to the help of strangers Hayden was lifted from the ice and pulled gently to the wall. Again and again he tried to skate. Looking like a baby deer taking its first step he slowly took out on his own. Only to fall again. He never gave up....Jill and the rest watched from the sidelines moving slowly along the wall. At seven oclock the snow started to fall from the ceiling. The little group moved toward the center of the rink. Taking tiny little steps they made their way. Holding there hands to the ceiling and sticking out their tongues only to find that the beautiful flakes were actually bubbles, yes bubbles. As soon as the snow (bubbles) burned their little tongues they headed for the door. Troy was the first to say that was one of the worst experiences of his short life and he would never be doing that again, Jill quickly agreed. Hayden who was cut, bruised and soaking wet wants to try again. Sydney complained she was just getting good and wants to try it again. I guess we made a memory here, I'm just not sure if it will get better with time or worse. They all loved the ice slide. Especially little sweet and quite Josie. I have never seen such a big smile on her face as she flew down the frozen tundra. It was so much fun for me as a Grandma to see them having so much fun. No matter what else happens over the holidays, good or bad I have last night to remember and laugh about.

Concert

Wow! Last night was something special. If you have not been to the Presbyterian Cantata you have missed out an extraordinary evening. The choir was fabulous and having an orchestra just made them more wonderful. The church was filled with red poinsettias and the crismon tree was gorgeous with the white decorations and white lights. I was in a down mood with so much going on and being so busy I wasn't even sure I wanted to go. I was in that place where I just wanted Christmas to be over. Then I walked into that church and the orchestra started to play Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire and Winter Wonderland and I could feel my heart warming. Before the evening was over I was in tears at the passion of the voices singing of the birth of the baby Jesus. I felt the presence of God in that room and I was changed. I can't wait for Christmas and I don't want it to pass quickly. I want to embrace these beautiful moments and on Christmas morning I want to remember the gift God gave me. Love came down in a manger and it that changed everything. As for me I am filled with love for my heavenly father, I am so blessed.

Christmas

Hello Friends,
Bill and I have been so busy the past few weeks that we can't believe Christmas is in just 4 days. Bill has been head of Fellowship in our little Presbyterian Church here in Palatka and that means chairing every event that happens in the church. The Christmas season is particulary busy with children's programs, parties, special musical services. We have to say we are tired, but blessed. We have met so many wonderful people working together on projects and events. We have made life long friends. We hope that we have helped our congregation and community reach out to each other in God's love and grace. Our congregation is full of older folks and lots of snowbirds, which means children are often far away at this time of year. We hope we have had some events here during Christmas that helped bring some joy to them. We know Christmas can be fabulous for those of us who have grandchildren and family close by, but for others it can be the loneliest and most painful time of year. If you know someone like that my prayer is that you reach out in love. Just give a hug and a smile. Maybe even a gift of cookies. My daughter Katy gave her next door neighbors who don't have any children Hayden and Josie's Christmas pictures and ornaments they had made in school. They loved them more than the tin of homemade chocolate chip cookies. It meant the world to them since they had very few Christmas decorations up and she and the kids were so blessed by their appreciation and love. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God Bless you all with good health and much happiness.