Goodbye November

Ponderings:
Wow, does it feel like November was a blur?
Seems Thanksgiving came and went in the blink of an eye!

But do remember how hot October was, and must say November has been more gracious weather-wise with seasonal temps.

Keith's sister, mom, nephew, and 'our Seth' became older in November.

I've been in "Christmas World" since Halloween, so I'm feeling like it's crunch time as I look around the corner at December 1st!

Tomorrow is the Apex Christmas Parade at 5pm--my favorite parade. And afterwards we are celebrating Seth's birthday:) How nice, especially since Three is coming to watch the parade with us:)!!

Sunday is our church women's Christmas Tea, and the Historical Homes Tour in Apex---which will I do?

Monday is Seth & Kelley's 2nd anniversary. What fun to remember their gorgeous wedding day!!

And the Season to be merry is in full swing:)

It's the most wonderful time of the year:)

A month from today will be Christmas.
Now if I wanted to scare myself I'd list everything I need to do in 4 weeks' time.
So I won't do that:)
I love the Christmas Season.
I love that Jesus' name is everywhere.

People have purpose, and pondering what other people want/need gets our minds off ourselves---for a few seconds anyway:)
This year we have more time between Thanksgiving & Christmas since Thanksgiving comes early, but, whoa, that time will fly by!

Having parties, attending parties, baking cookies & breads & cakes & candies, etc., decorating the whole house inside & out, burning scented candles, buying & wrapping gifts, giving gifts, eating holiday goodies, drinking Russian tea & eggnog & cocoa, etc., going to Christmas pageants & concerts, enjoying Christmas Teas, singing Christmas songs, all are things I love & savor & relish:)

I guess most of us can only handle all those wonderful things for 30 days--a birthday party for 30 days:)
O yeah:)
Joy To The World!
O Come Let Us Adore Him!

GLORY

Just got in from walking at Lake Pine,
walking through glorious color,
through God's artwork.
GLORY is shining!

If you haven't noticed the colors of the trees this fall,
stop,
look!
Admire the Creator's palette!

The golds, the burgundys,
the bright yellows,
the bright greens,
the corals,
the peach,
the burnt siennas,
the rust,
the bright reds,
dark reds,
the oranges,
almost every tree is brushed with brilliant hues.

God is before us painting His Splendor for all to see!

Update on Weight Watcher progress

I must say HATS OFF to Skye for losing 40 lbs. on Weight Watcher's as of Monday night!
Hurray for persevering, girl!!!
She hasn't reached her "lifetime" goal yet, but is working hard to make it happen. I think a big boost for her is that she exercises at the Y a number of times each week.
I am slower. I've been on a plateau close to losing 30 lbs. for months. I walk/run every morning, but fight evening snacking:(
Thanksgiving and Christmas are big hurdles ahead....whoa.
Do make us accountable & continue to be our encouragers:)

For Marcia

Marcia, hello:)
I re-read my post about your mom Sarah Black back in May, little knowing when I wrote it I'd be back at the same cemetery burying my own Mama by October:(
Hoping your brothers and dad are coping, and have some comfort.

brenda@jamawkinaw.com

Tis the Season

I was listening to the 102.9 Beatles' hour this morning, and afterwards, "behold", Christmas music began playing! I'm a die-hard Christmas music fan, so this made my day!!
(For those of you who think it's too early, please close your ears:))

At work, at the 'Card' shop, we are not allowed to play music anymore, other than snippets of the Cd's we sell, because of copyright laws:( (Our company would have to pay a yearly royalty fee for each store they own) To me this is an example of laws being taken to the extreme. All the sales associates miss it, and customers miss out on one of joyful and uplifting parts of the Christmas season.

So I will tune in to 102.9 and listen to my iPod to get my holiday inspiration, and hope we get to hear beautiful Christmas music in public somewhere this time of year. Keep your ears open!

On The Job 12-5pm

Another day at the office--whew!
Checked in at the store at noon, things were hustling & bustling; grabbed my purple apron.
Headed out to Lowe's to buy Christmas garland and Christmas lights.
Got out the hammer and nails and wire, loaded them into my apron, and toted the tall ladder out from the "catacombs" into the store to hang the garland from a shelf on each side of the shop. The garland was pretty, pretty:)
Next, put the tree together and fluffed it up and out:)
Placed it in the front of the store and began putting on the mini white lights.
Needed more lights so left again to buy two more boxes.
Lights on, snowflake tree topper on and blinking; now for the ornaments:)
Hang various and sundry cute Hallmark ornaments:)
A pretty, brightly lit little tree, decorated for the Holiday Open House at Hallmark--a happy tree:)
Whoa, what a job!!!
Luv it:)