It is almost christmas!

This is the time to be so busy, you can't think :-) I would go out shopping and come home after a while because I could just not think any longer. Then have to go out again....
I really love to shop for gifts, being in the crowds,seeing the decorations, hearing the christmas music. It is exhillarating!
Murray and his girlfriend are here...she is real nice, makes you comfortable to be around her. I was a nervous wreck before she came. My house , the walls in particular, are a mess. We were going to paint and ran out of time so we had to leave them in a mess. She is a Hollywood person, has lots of money and hob-knobs with movie stars. She is a costume designer for movies like Bewitched,The Terminal, etc. but she really is down to earth. so I was ok after she came. Any way, I am who I am so get over it ! ha ha I once saw a card with a cartoon lady and a hat, sort of like a Red Hat lady. She was standing with her hands on her hips and the caption said:
"Pull up your big girl panties and get over it!" I am at that stage of my life and it is fun!
So Mary is leaving today to go to her parents and I will be cooking all afternoon since I haven't done any baking. I am having about 8 people over for christmas dinner, that should be fun. We have been invited to someone's house for coffee and dessert but not sure if we are going.
So have a wonderful christmas day..it can be special no matter what you are doing and I am praying for that for all of you whom I love dearly because after all we are celebrating! and celebrating someone special! Jesus Christ , our Saviour. Love, AP

CHRISTMAS TREES

Yesterday after work, Frank and I went to get our tree. We are alittle late but so what!
I was very tired, cold, and frustrated. Sorry, God but this is not the year of the christmas tree!
We must have looked at a 1000 trees, or at least it felt like it. The top was good or the bottom was good...nothing in between. I was cold, fingers frozen ( sympathy, Kimber?) I did have gloves but not good ones. The tip of my nose was frozen, literally, I think. Anyway, we left without a tree. Today we went ,again, to get our tree. They were better but not much. We did get a tree, taking a chance that it would "fall out" good. By the way, all the trees are frozen since it is only about 20 degrees. We put it up but did not decorate it as it should "fall out" some.
I walked through the dining room and got a wonderful whiff of christmas tree. Ahhhh! It is worth all the hassle already. I am going to put everything I got on it this year. I have christmas balls with snowmen, thanks, Dottie. And some christmas balls that we made at Christy's, a small Crackle Barrell and alot more memories to hang. I would say that this has put me into the christmas spirit but I have been there since Thanksgiving, thanks, girls!

Today has been a very christmasy day. Not in the gift department but in the fact that we had a snowstorm of about 10 inches....gorgeous!!!! And I did not have to work. Then it stopped and the sun came out but it was still very cold. Frank calls me about 10:30 am while I was wrapping gifts to be mailed out to Montana. "Do you want to go see Narnia? " So he picks me up along with some friends and their 3 Teen boys. By the way,,,definitely go see Narnia...it is fantastic!
So after the movie, we come back to our house (I could have killed Frank for asking them over...I had wrapping paper and everything all over the house. Oh, Well) So we ordered 4 pizzas and ate them all...remember the 3 teen boys... After they left..I took a nap. I still have to wrap those gifts to mail no later than Monday. And now I am blogging you! Very special day :-)
AP

O ye of little faith

Our church has a Women's Ministry and this past saturday we had our christmas get together. We usually have a brunch, make our own wreaths with real greens and a special event, like Stampin Up, or Pampered Chef. This year I suggested that we have a Boutique since we have several women with home based businesses. After clearing it with the Elder Board, we went ahead. I regretted the suggestion. The head of the WM did not publicise it, make any plans for decorations...nothing! I had to step in ( I know...my control issues) and get these things done. So... 14 ladies signed up. How depressing is that. I got to work again..dreading that Sat. all the way up to friday night. The leader of the pack did not show up to help set up...there was no coffee made, no decorations done. I was at the church at 8am Sat. doing all these things..alone.
Well, it looked nice and we had hot coffee. Ladies brought in brunch food. It turned out to be a huge success. We had about 8 little "stores" including my candle store :-). I sold alot! I didn't expect to sell anything. Any way, my point is...when I was talking to Frank after it was all over, I realized I had actually "worried" myself to death. I always took pride in not being a worrier. Frank says I am the forever optimist. But I really worried! It was not a good feeling. I hope I will be able to put my fears and concerns in the Lord's hands in the furure, I will certainly remember what worry feels like for a long time.
Remember that little lady at my Nursing Home that chose to die...well, she is still hanging in. I can't believe it. I took care of her today and she is still alert. You can tell a difference in her strength but she still smiles and refuses every thing, like food, oxygen etc. She is taking a little bit of morphine as she seems to be having some pain. I love to go in and speak to her and rub her arms or cheeks. I want her to know , somehow that Jesus loves her and maybe my doing that will be used by God to convey His love. Thank you, God for loving us and forgiving our worrying and using us to convey your great love.
Have a great holiday season..it is so special NO MATTER WHAT!! :-) I pray it will be special to you. AP