"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more."
--Dr. Suess
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Keeper/Protector
Today Duff and I went to Lowe's and purchased some shelving for our garage storage. We just got one for now and will see how it works. I bet we will need a second one and will probably back it up to the first one. That will give us 12 feet of horizontal storage times 8 shelves over 6 feet high on both sides. That should do it. We managed to put it together without a single argument or potty word, which is good. I like to do those kind of handyman things. Duff not so much. It is industrial strength and holds up to 2000 lbs. each shelf.
We went through ALL the boxes of christmas lights. Tested them ALL. Pitched the ones that didn't work and separated the ones that did by category: icicles, green wire, white wire, colored lights for the trees, net lights for the bushes. Much better now.
Also went through all the kids college boxes. We have 3 extra blenders, 2 toasters, sheets, towels, rugs (which I tossed because the backings were completely gross), 2 sets of pots and pans, dishes, glasses, kitchen tools, dust pans, trash cans, bathroom accessories, and so on and so on 3 times. It is now much more organized and we consolidated and got rid of items and it's nice to know Christine is pretty much set when she goes to college. I hadn't realized all the things the kids had accumulated over their college years and what good shape they are in.
Tonight was our RS Christmas Activity. We held it at the Courtyard which is right outside the gates for me in the little community center area. A family in our ward owns this event center and are very generous with letting the ward use it for some of our activities. It is charming and quaint and full of ambiance. Mike and Adrianne had their wedding reception there.
We ate dinner in the enclosed stage area with all the twinkly lights. They brought in all the heaters because it is open on the front side and it was pretty comfortable. The news predicts that our temperature tonight will be around 31 degrees and with the humidity that makes it cold.
There was a nice program. Mark Hobbins was the featured speaker. The theme for the evening was Wise Men Still Seek Him. It wasn't the usual feel good Christmas message. He touched on some important things we women have running through our heads and hearts. Not thin enough, not enough money, all the things we want and want to be and want to create and can't, focusing on all the things we don't do well. Luke, Cheri's son, played a guitar solo of O Holy Night. It was very nicely done, but did have a few mistakes. Small ones, but you could tell. He never stopped though and kept going. Mark used him as an example of how most of us would not focus on the 5000 chords, strums, and notes done right--we would focus on the 1/2 dozen we played wrong and go over and over them. Where is the sense in that? And yet we do it, don't we.
He had some sisters come up and read different scriptures and asked questions about them. Towards the end he asked if I would come up. Okay? He told everyone how Christine plays lacrosse. Then asked me questions about what position she plays--goalie. Her gear--helmet, face guard, mouth guard, throat guard, chest pads, protective pants, gloves, shinguards with hinged knee guards. Do the other players wear this gear? No. Why? Because she is the one directly shot on with that little hard ball going 50+miles per hour! What does her position do? She protects the goal so the opposing team can't score. What is another name for her position? Keeper.
He finished by using the analogy of her position as the lacrosse goalie to us as women. It is our position to find Christ and when we do to 'keep' and 'protect' ourselves and our families from letting the opposing team--Satan--from scoring. This is what 'wise-women' do. We seek Christ, put on our gear and protect and keep. We get shot on. It stings. It hurts. We have bruises, some small some large and knotted. They will heal (atonement) and we protect the 'net' again. Time after time. We don't quit until the game is over and the referee blows his whistle. Sometime Satan will score. But the keeper has to get her head back in the game and can't spend time dwelling on it except to learn and be smarter and wiser the next time. Earth life is more than a game. It is a BATTLE. A real one. A war of eternal proportions.
So I guess, it was a feel good Christmas message after all. I left feeling empowered. I left feeling understood as a woman, mother, wife and 'goalie'! I left feeling it's okay if I didn't get that one extra gift or if my house isn't quite as perfect as I wish, or if I don't get Christmas cards out for the 2nd year in a row. (haha) I am the keeper, the protector of the spirit and atmosphere and those fiery darts. I am a 'wise-woman' seeking after the Christ just as was done so many years ago.
I visited with so many dear friends and sisters. And to think I almost didn't go. I was tired and it was cold and the lure of staying bundled up in my house sounded so much better at the time.
We went through ALL the boxes of christmas lights. Tested them ALL. Pitched the ones that didn't work and separated the ones that did by category: icicles, green wire, white wire, colored lights for the trees, net lights for the bushes. Much better now.
Also went through all the kids college boxes. We have 3 extra blenders, 2 toasters, sheets, towels, rugs (which I tossed because the backings were completely gross), 2 sets of pots and pans, dishes, glasses, kitchen tools, dust pans, trash cans, bathroom accessories, and so on and so on 3 times. It is now much more organized and we consolidated and got rid of items and it's nice to know Christine is pretty much set when she goes to college. I hadn't realized all the things the kids had accumulated over their college years and what good shape they are in.
Tonight was our RS Christmas Activity. We held it at the Courtyard which is right outside the gates for me in the little community center area. A family in our ward owns this event center and are very generous with letting the ward use it for some of our activities. It is charming and quaint and full of ambiance. Mike and Adrianne had their wedding reception there.
We ate dinner in the enclosed stage area with all the twinkly lights. They brought in all the heaters because it is open on the front side and it was pretty comfortable. The news predicts that our temperature tonight will be around 31 degrees and with the humidity that makes it cold.
There was a nice program. Mark Hobbins was the featured speaker. The theme for the evening was Wise Men Still Seek Him. It wasn't the usual feel good Christmas message. He touched on some important things we women have running through our heads and hearts. Not thin enough, not enough money, all the things we want and want to be and want to create and can't, focusing on all the things we don't do well. Luke, Cheri's son, played a guitar solo of O Holy Night. It was very nicely done, but did have a few mistakes. Small ones, but you could tell. He never stopped though and kept going. Mark used him as an example of how most of us would not focus on the 5000 chords, strums, and notes done right--we would focus on the 1/2 dozen we played wrong and go over and over them. Where is the sense in that? And yet we do it, don't we.
He had some sisters come up and read different scriptures and asked questions about them. Towards the end he asked if I would come up. Okay? He told everyone how Christine plays lacrosse. Then asked me questions about what position she plays--goalie. Her gear--helmet, face guard, mouth guard, throat guard, chest pads, protective pants, gloves, shinguards with hinged knee guards. Do the other players wear this gear? No. Why? Because she is the one directly shot on with that little hard ball going 50+miles per hour! What does her position do? She protects the goal so the opposing team can't score. What is another name for her position? Keeper.
He finished by using the analogy of her position as the lacrosse goalie to us as women. It is our position to find Christ and when we do to 'keep' and 'protect' ourselves and our families from letting the opposing team--Satan--from scoring. This is what 'wise-women' do. We seek Christ, put on our gear and protect and keep. We get shot on. It stings. It hurts. We have bruises, some small some large and knotted. They will heal (atonement) and we protect the 'net' again. Time after time. We don't quit until the game is over and the referee blows his whistle. Sometime Satan will score. But the keeper has to get her head back in the game and can't spend time dwelling on it except to learn and be smarter and wiser the next time. Earth life is more than a game. It is a BATTLE. A real one. A war of eternal proportions.
So I guess, it was a feel good Christmas message after all. I left feeling empowered. I left feeling understood as a woman, mother, wife and 'goalie'! I left feeling it's okay if I didn't get that one extra gift or if my house isn't quite as perfect as I wish, or if I don't get Christmas cards out for the 2nd year in a row. (haha) I am the keeper, the protector of the spirit and atmosphere and those fiery darts. I am a 'wise-woman' seeking after the Christ just as was done so many years ago.
I visited with so many dear friends and sisters. And to think I almost didn't go. I was tired and it was cold and the lure of staying bundled up in my house sounded so much better at the time.
Monday, December 5, 2011
I got so much done today.
--All the Monday laundry is done with no carryovers to tomorrow.
--Christmas music played all day. I've been singing through the house.
--Dinner made.
--Christmas gifts assessed. Did an exchange.
--Poinsettias are gathered and placed around the house.
--Wreaths on the doors.
--Santa's boot at the bottom of the stairs.
--Little trees done in the dining room.
--Almost finished with Baby Girl's first receiving blanket. I am doing 10. 4 Crochet edge, 1 chenille edge, 1 white blessing crochet edged, and 4 self-binding. I guess I need to do one a week since Meredith only has 8-9 weeks to go. Where did that time fly to? And the next few weeks will go by in a blink with Christmas, New Year's, and then baby showers and then she's here the first week of February. These next weeks will also be tricky. Mere begins twice a week appointments and then the small window of 12-15 hours to be off the blood thinner meds for delivery. She may be looking at a c-section if they can't narrow down her labor between that time frame. Dr. B is good and knows what he is doing. I'm confident they will make the right decision.
--First day of lacrosse tryouts for Christine. Always a little anxiety.
--All the Monday laundry is done with no carryovers to tomorrow.
--Christmas music played all day. I've been singing through the house.
--Dinner made.
--Christmas gifts assessed. Did an exchange.
--Poinsettias are gathered and placed around the house.
--Wreaths on the doors.
--Santa's boot at the bottom of the stairs.
--Little trees done in the dining room.
--Almost finished with Baby Girl's first receiving blanket. I am doing 10. 4 Crochet edge, 1 chenille edge, 1 white blessing crochet edged, and 4 self-binding. I guess I need to do one a week since Meredith only has 8-9 weeks to go. Where did that time fly to? And the next few weeks will go by in a blink with Christmas, New Year's, and then baby showers and then she's here the first week of February. These next weeks will also be tricky. Mere begins twice a week appointments and then the small window of 12-15 hours to be off the blood thinner meds for delivery. She may be looking at a c-section if they can't narrow down her labor between that time frame. Dr. B is good and knows what he is doing. I'm confident they will make the right decision.
--First day of lacrosse tryouts for Christine. Always a little anxiety.
Books For Christmas
"Do give books --religious or otherwise-- for Christmas.
They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal."
--Lenore Hershey
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A Good Sunday
We had snacks when we got home and then Christine's family birthday dinner. She asked for stuffed flank steak. No cake this year. Banana cream pie! A good choice.
(Photo by Jamie Neilson)
In between all of that, we got the Christmas tree up--not decorated, but up. The Koelliker's all came by for a visit. Christina is 9 days away from her baby coming. She and Alex are excited for little McKay to make her debut. Then we headed over to Follow The Star: The Living Nativity, that our stake puts on for the community every year. The performance we attended was the 250th! So they stopped before and had a little recognition of the cast and some remarks. It was bitterly cold. 40 degrees with the Santa Ana winds blowing and clear. People were bundled up and most had blankets. When you live this close to the ocean 40 degrees in these kinds of conditions is bitterly cold, expecially for an outdoor venue. As soon as you sat down on the metal chair your bum knew it! Baby Jesus is always a baby from the stake. If you have had a baby in September or October or early November they usually have the honor of being cast. So lots of wee ones are rotated on the different days for the performances. Little Desi K. was tonight at 8:30 and Carson D. was at 9pm. So precious!
Christmas Trees
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.
In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
--Larry Wilde
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Sharing Can Bring Out The Worst In A Person
Today was a long and full Saturday.
--Autumn's baby shower in La Mirada.
--Stake Baptism.
--Dinner.
--Football game.
--Grocery shopping. But not such a bad thing when you go late at night and you are the only one in the store. It is quiet and I had the luxury of not feeling rushed by this time of the day!
I acted badly. Duff and I are sharing the Sequoia these days. I fill the tank when it gets to 1/2 way down. He leaves it until the last possible mile can be fumed from it. In my logical mind, I can not understand this. On your way home from where you've been is the least stressful time, so stop and fill up with gas. It is always more pressure when you are leaving the house to go somewhere to have to stop at a station. Especially if you don't know there is no gas in the car. And you don't have the extra 10-15 minutes to do it. Such was the case this morning. And I was less than gracious about it. We'll just leave it at: I acted BADLY.
--Autumn's baby shower in La Mirada.
--Stake Baptism.
--Dinner.
--Football game.
--Grocery shopping. But not such a bad thing when you go late at night and you are the only one in the store. It is quiet and I had the luxury of not feeling rushed by this time of the day!
I acted badly. Duff and I are sharing the Sequoia these days. I fill the tank when it gets to 1/2 way down. He leaves it until the last possible mile can be fumed from it. In my logical mind, I can not understand this. On your way home from where you've been is the least stressful time, so stop and fill up with gas. It is always more pressure when you are leaving the house to go somewhere to have to stop at a station. Especially if you don't know there is no gas in the car. And you don't have the extra 10-15 minutes to do it. Such was the case this morning. And I was less than gracious about it. We'll just leave it at: I acted BADLY.
Snowflakes
"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance--each beautiful and unique, and gone too soon."
--Deborah Whipp
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Most Glorious Mess
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.
Don't clean it up too quickly!"
--Andy Rooney
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Figuring out the Storage Unit
We have decided to get rid of our storage unit. It doesn't fit in the current budget right now and after talking about it, Duff and I realized we probably don't need or use on a regular basis what is in it. Decorations, floral stuff from the kids weddings, and boxes of old business paperwork that can now finally be shredded.
We went over this morning to go through things and make a plan. Part of me was a little ornery--I've liked not having so much of it in our garages. But once we got on a roll, it kind of became a fun game to figure out what to keep or not and how to keep it. Once we got home, we walked through the garages and cupboards and figured out how to rearrange and realized we'd been hanging on to some things there that we just didn't need to also.
IT FELT GOOD!
Side note: I couldn't figure out what this black thing was under one of the banks of cabinets. I kicked it out with my foot. To my horror, it was a large rectangle sticky trap. We live across the street from the Cleveland National Forest, so we are accustomed to 'critters'. There were four dead mice on it. They were SO dead, that 3 of them were completely decomposed with nothing left but their skeletons with the 4th one almost all the way 'gone'. GROSS doesn't even describe it. I will admit though that I was fascinated by how intricate their bones and skull were. I thought why did Heavenly Father put so much thought into such a disgusting creature? I am not reptile or rodent friendly, can you tell?!
I had a great presidency meeting tonight. I admire the women I serve with. They are amazing. We are all very different and are at different stages in our lives, and bring different things to the calling. The drive home tends to be me marveling at how it all comes together. We like each other and respect each other. Our high councilor is a good man. He helps and supports us and I trust and appreciate his input and counsel. We are preparing for our stake leadership meeting the end of January. I feel it is going in the right direction and will be good.
We went over this morning to go through things and make a plan. Part of me was a little ornery--I've liked not having so much of it in our garages. But once we got on a roll, it kind of became a fun game to figure out what to keep or not and how to keep it. Once we got home, we walked through the garages and cupboards and figured out how to rearrange and realized we'd been hanging on to some things there that we just didn't need to also.
IT FELT GOOD!
Side note: I couldn't figure out what this black thing was under one of the banks of cabinets. I kicked it out with my foot. To my horror, it was a large rectangle sticky trap. We live across the street from the Cleveland National Forest, so we are accustomed to 'critters'. There were four dead mice on it. They were SO dead, that 3 of them were completely decomposed with nothing left but their skeletons with the 4th one almost all the way 'gone'. GROSS doesn't even describe it. I will admit though that I was fascinated by how intricate their bones and skull were. I thought why did Heavenly Father put so much thought into such a disgusting creature? I am not reptile or rodent friendly, can you tell?!
I had a great presidency meeting tonight. I admire the women I serve with. They are amazing. We are all very different and are at different stages in our lives, and bring different things to the calling. The drive home tends to be me marveling at how it all comes together. We like each other and respect each other. Our high councilor is a good man. He helps and supports us and I trust and appreciate his input and counsel. We are preparing for our stake leadership meeting the end of January. I feel it is going in the right direction and will be good.
Christmas Candle
"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It make no noise at all,
but softly gives itself away;
while quite unselfish,
it grows small."
--Eva K. Logue
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