Oh, What a Year!

Some years are bigger than others--this year was gigantic!

Harmony

Why does it make me smile that my book matches my outfit which matches my comforter? Consonance in an often dissonant world I guess--(Jessica understands:-)

Playtime

Cheryl and I spent the afternoon playing with our Christmas toys, including my new waffle cone maker....

Then to burn the extra calories we had a Dance Dance revolution!

Walking in a winter wonderland...

Some days are just Hallmark days.....

Today is tomorrow's "Good Ol' Days"--

I hope my children have the same happy memories that I do....

(thanks for preserving them-Cathy!)

And the beard on his chin....well, anyway

Me: Andy, before you go to church you need to shave.

Andy: I don't want to shave.

Me: If you are going to church you need to shave...you look scruffy.

Andy: I hate shaving.

Me: I don't care, that is what men do!

Andy: It's my life and I don't want you to touch it!!

Me: (exasperated) O.K. then have your own life!

Andy: Well, maybe I will! (steps into shower)

(Steve compromised with a 'stache--now he looks like Kip on Napoleon Dynamite!)

Gentle Reminders

I have some flowerpots of Christmas bulbs growing on my kitchen counter-paperwhites and amaryllis. They are a gentle reminder that even in the deadest looking seeds there lies a hope of spring.

I also have a painting of Charles Dicken’s Scrooge hanging in my entranceway. When Steve gave it to me, he pointed to the red and green lining of the jacket and said, “ Remember, even in the most hardened heart there is still a bit of Christmas.”

Hanging on my tree is my favorite ornament, I purchased it in high school. It has the words of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” etched in the glass.” These are the words written in 1864 by Henry W. Longfellow, following the tragic death of his beloved wife in a fire and the recent return of his injured son from the battlefield at the darkest hour of the Civil War. In the moving last stanza is the reminder that even in our most desperate hours “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day,

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet, The words repeat,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

And thought how, as the days had come,

The belfries of all Christendom,

Had rolled along, the unbroken song,

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from might to day,

A voice, a chime, A chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth,

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound, The carols drowned,

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent,

The hearthstones of a continent,

And made forlorn, the households born,

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is not peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong and mocks the song,

Of peace on earth goodwill to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

All three are reminders of the first Christmas message, "Fear Not--- Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men."

'Tis the Season....

......gymnastics season that is!

Addicted

As I plopped down my last handful of cash at Walmart for "thistle seed," my new drug of choice, I realized I could have a problem. I am beginning to buy bird food instead of people food. I am taking more pictures of my winged friends than my children. I am spending a lot of time lately just "staring out the window." Aaaah, birds of a feather, flocking together.

But, I am also still addicted to blogging and now I have two more to add to my sidebar--which is no longer called "The Women in My Life." Welcome, Katelyn at "Across the Universe" and Devin at "Let It Be" ( I sense a theme here). I love hearing everyone's thoughts and seeing your pictures--it is the "best part of waking up."