Christmas Is Coming

I know that Christmas is right around the corner. This morning it was 26 degree--Yesterday we had snow on the ground--Radio stations are playing Carols and Holiday music--so I must do something about it.

Saturday we put out our few decorations. No outside lights-no big fresh cut tree- no fancy evergreen wreaths--but everything that has home made value to us. We have a small tree that stands on our sofa table, decorated with just about every ornament hand made by me or some friend. The Seasonal pictures hung for the occasion are all stitched and framed by us--a lot of the figurines have been made years ago at ceramics classes that I went to, mainly to remove stress that took it's toll on me from the business--A rusted wreath made by our creative Rozeboom family-etc.-etc. But Oh what memories.

Then I have my Christmas greetings written-sealed and today , delivered to the mailbox. Yesterday I made those Ritz, peanut butter dipped goodies. Today I plan to dip wreath pretzels--then tomorrow Rice Crispy cookies and Chow Mien cookies on Thursday. Have already made Carmel corn and nibble mix. Do you see ,I only plan one thing for a day. Seems I need more time to do stuff these days.

Our church choir has a 20 minute cantata we are giving on the 21's. This year we also plan to give it at 2 nursing homes. One on the 15th and the other on the 18th. They are going caroling on the 10th, but we are staying at church and when they return we will have a snack lunch ready for them. Hot chocolate, apple cider--dips and crackers and all the other fancies for Christmas parties. Doesn't that all sound great?

Our minister has taken another church at South Haven, Mo. He preached his last sermon this past Sunday morning. Mixed feelings on his departure-but some time we will get a replacement. Oh--what a beautiful season. The birth of Christ!.

Black Friday

Why don't they just call it--Green Friday. I hear the lines in Rogers was again unreal. Some one I know was at the store at 4 o'clock. It wasn't bad at that time, but by the time she left , the store was jammed. She then went to Kohl's and the lines there were even worse. She stood in line to pay for her purchas-- 1 hour. Crazy. I'm glad I'm old and find not the desire to do that.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will soon be upon us--with so many things to be thankful for and ALL of our many blessings. Today some may be very worried about the economy of our nation, and rightly so. But I think of the word that the hymn writer penned--"Count your many blessings, Name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." So I did just that.

Good health ---A happy family--A wonderful husband-- Awaking each morning and seeing the new day--Being able to dress myself-- Having plenty of food--A good church where we can attend without danger--being able to drive a car yet--Able to help rake leaves--Good eye sight--Just about all my hearing --Only taking 3 pills a day--Money to buy a piece of pie if I want--Many friends--A warm home--An electric blanket--Wonderful grand children and great grand children--Seeing beautiful skies-moon-sunset-etc.--My computer to pass the time--Warm clothes--A God who takes care of me--and the list goes on and on. Yes, we have so much to be thankful for and Thank the Lord again at this Thanksgiving Season.

Emptness

Mom used to be an excellent piano player and instructor. In fact, she gave lessons in Maurice long after she became bound to her wheel chair. She had lots and lots of instruction books and sheet music. She could play the most complicated classical and non classical music. She had a couple that were my favorites, where she would cover every key on the piano. "The Flight of the Bumble Bee and Falling leaves."

This week my thoughts turned to my dad a lot. He was my favorite, and left us much too soon. He did not play the piano, but boy could he sing. I remember how he would always start the fire in the morning-set on an old pan and make coffee -- then go out to the out house for his morning chores. I can still see him sharpening his razor on the strap back of the kitchen door--being pulled to the house in a coaster, after being kicked by a cow that he had just beat up with his milk stool--and tieing his suspender straps while coming out of the outhouse.

We went for a lovely fall ride this week end. The colors were gorgeous,maybe not as brilliant as some years, but fully as overall colorful. We took 59 down to Van Buren -then 64 to Russelville--7 up to 412 and back home. Had some good pecan and pineapple pie (never had that combination before),at the Grand Canyon Cafe of Arkansas on hwy. 7--saw a natural dam at Natural Dam, (really something to see)--and old-old bridges, you never see on the busy interstate.

Now, what has the title and the picture have to do with this writ ting? We have had a few frost--getting very windy weather today--and have a yard covered with a heavy layer of colored leaves. The trees are becoming empty, quickly. My mother used to have sheet music about a little girl who was going away (can't remember her name)," When the last leaf falls from the Tree" and so we have gone full circle and that is how mind works.

What's Coming

Food

I'm really getting sold on this. Not that I'm lazy, but becoming so. Each day, Monday through Friday, the door bell rings and there stand a nice old man ,delivering meals on wheel. I'm sure some are as old as what we are. The first day I was not impressed. We had a hamburger , and by time I got back from Rehab. the warm bun was soggy and I had lost my appetite. Since then, I have learned a lot. If food is on a bun, remove it-dry out the bun and warm it up when ready to serve it. Also, turn the mini oven on to 150o-put the meals in and they stay nice until dinner.

We have been having good meals- Today we had garlic chicken, herb potatoes-carrots-fruit salad- and milk. Tomorrow we have baked fish- french fries-coleslaw-pudding and milk. Monday we had potato casserole-green beans-beets-applesauce- and milk. Tuesday was roast beef with mushroom gravy- Mashed potatoes-peas and onions-jello -and milk. Wednesday they served ham and cheese casserole-green beans-lettuce salad-bread pudding- and milk. So you see--It really is good, and more than enough.

On top of that, Vicky , who comes each time I go to Rehab. does all my work. Tomorrow she will mop the kitchen and bath . Wednesday she vacuumed and dusted. Monday she sweep ed the garage, emptied the waste baskets and does what ever she sees to do. Do I like it? Of course, but my strength is slow coming back, although I feel good. Sorry to say, I am not showing much signs of improvement at Rehab. Nothing has been increased, some has been decreased. My pulse goes too high and so I have to slow up and wait for it to go down before I can go on. So I will continue to plug away. So what am I complaining about. The Tampa Bays lost last night, but will win tonight I am sure.

Just another Day

Don't laugh! This is actual. We are two of the most uninteresting people on this planet.

Have I made it known yet that I hate rehab. with a purple passion? I now have 7 sessions back of me and have not changed my mind yet. If it wasn't for the 3 wonderful nurses. Cindy-Rocky and Ann I swear I'd quit. Got a good report from Dr. Inlow though, and all seems well.

Went to Bella Vista, Sat. with our friend Francis. Stopped and got mulch from Dave at the Bentonville waste treatment plant. That is the best stuff. Then drove on to BV and stopped at Elaine. She was having a garage sell. I showed interest in 6 steak knives, and she gave them to me. Showed Francis where we used to live and drove back to the Village Inn. Guess what? We each had a whole piece of their very delcious Carmel, pecan pie. Sinful, filling but ah so gooooooooood. She plans to take us out to a BBq place in Bentonville next week. Presd. Bush ate there while in Bentonville this spring.

Keep busy watching the baseball play off's. So far , so good, cuz I haven't picked who is going to play in the series yet. I really want the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angles Dodgers. Want to see more of Manny Ramirez's play.