2006

One of my dearest friend's survived a massive heart attack January 28th, thank God!
Discovered CSI re-runs
Mastered the Hallmark register, yeah!
Walked miles at Lake Pine about 5 days a week, loving every minute
Read many good books, including a few by Donald Miller, C.S. Lewis, Nicholas Sparks' Three Weeks With My Brother, Charles Frazier's Thirteen Moons, Heaven by Randy Alcorn, etc.
Continue to read Oswald Chamber's devotion My Upmost For His Highest
Studied Isaiah
Took a plane trip to WI with family in September
Visited NC mountains in August with K to celebrate 37th anniversary
Assigned 2 care receiver's in Stephen Ministry
Gained weight--ugh:(
Visited Mama in Pinehurst twice a month
Spent a harrowing night evacuating from chemical spill in town in October--whoa!
Spent 4 days at the beach with dear friends in October
Loved seeing C buy a townhouse next to S&K
Chartering new territory in C&C, courtesy of GOD
My Skybird gets a buddy named Alfie
Uncle Ewell died in the fall
Daughter in law's K's two grandmothers died
Saw the movie Cars
S&K adopt Westie named 3---so cute!
Painted bathroom yellow/primer fumes unforgettable
Visited Monet exhibit at NC Art Museum twice--amazing!

With the Family Clan

I must say one of my favorite gatherings is with my in law's, the Mc's:) A bunch of folks who are always interesting & funny, who enjoy doing things together, & are happy to be with each other. And this isn't easy with the cousins having such a wide range of ages (from 32 to 12) & being from WI., Pa., and N.C.:)

We've just returned from spending this Christmas week together and it was a pleasure--everybody shopping, eating out, eating in, playing Scrabble, opening gifts, talking, watching movies, the guys repairing Grandpa's lights and P.'s car radio, the 3 siblings recalling school years, nephews talking to aunts, aunts talking to nieces, cousins to cousins, great aunts & a great uncle dropping by, all while Grandma & Grandma enjoy the hustle & bustle around them:)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve---a day filled with wonderous expectations of Christmas Day! Too often it's better than the reality of Christmas Day----in our limited physical view.

But in our spiritual view----a day of pondering the awesome fact that Jesus came into our world as helpless as we are, that He left Paradise to come to us, Spirit wrapped in flesh as we are, to a mother & father who had no idea how to parent, much less how to parent the Son of God!

Is that amazing love or what!
And that was only the beginning!

Scrooge

"Bah humbug" on this mild weather.
Now I'm not ordering frigid stuff, but I would like to put in a request for a little frost, a few light snows, and at least a few months of crisp days and chilly fireside nights. Summer is becoming a bully and crowding in on my "sweater, coat, gloves" time.
I'm listening for those sleigh bells & kid's sledding....

Christmastime

Skipped walking,
sent out Comfort & Care email & emailed sister,
met dear friend at Perkins & exchanged gifts,
ran back home to start yeast bread,
realized forgot to take care of Manager's gift,
left bread to rise,
cashed a check,
picked up Manager's card & took care of gift,
stopped by the carwash (a mistake on a busy day!),
waited,
waited,
drove clean Cruiser home,
punched down dough,
checked out stocking gifts & put them together,
wrapped 2 gifts,
shaped dough,
am checking on emails....
and it's only 2:30.
Whew!
Still have to visit a friend,
then bake bread!!
And supper may/may not be in this equation!
This is a day off work in December:)

Skybird & Alfie

Skybird is my devoted cockatiel. He likes me and only me & wants me in his sight if possible! Alfie, our newcomer cockatiel, is shy and doesn't trust me yet.

I began thinking about this a few days ago. Skybird lives for my attention.
Now it took a long time for him to trust me, but once he decided to, he trusts me completely and would be content sitting on my shoulder all day long, just being with me. The perks: he has the freedom to go upstairs with me while I shower or iron or wrap gifts, the freedom to sit on my shoulder while I'm at the computer, and the freedom to perch on top of his cage nearby when I'm busy in the kitchen. Now Alfie doesn't get that freedom because he hasn't learned to trust me and therefore won't come to me even when I coax him over and over.

Isn't that like faith in the Lord? If we put our trust in Jesus, we yearn to be in communion with Him continually, and in turn, He will take us to places, situations, & relationships, we'd never go on our own. We become free because of being with Him.

I'm hopeful Alfie will gradually trust me; then he will have freedom like Skybird.
Can I be so trusting and devoted to Jesus as Skybird is to me--to be with Him, therefore free?

Tis the season

I've found the best time to shop right now is after 9pm at night. Target stays open till 11 pm and Borders is open till at least 10 pm. I had to find a black Sharpie pen for Skye at this strange hour tonight--to finish a class project due tomorrow! What a pleasant surprise to find so few people out and about:) Something to consider for those who hate crowded malls and stores:)
Wishing you a peaceful and calm December, and late night shopping:)