Memories of Christmas Past

Dad would take us to get a tree. It was always a HUGE tree. It stood in the corner of the living room. We all helped to decorate it. The needles always stung me when I tried to put on the pretty things. We had bulb lights, and bubble lights. We had glass balls in many colors, and one usually got broken. We had stars and tinsle and garlands and whatever we had made in school and anything else they could find to put on it. It seemed to me that once we were done, you could not even see the green from the tree any more. The tree topper was a star with a picture of Jesus in it.

Aunt Nonny made our big flannel stockings with our names on them. We hung them on the mantle. They stayed emptied until Christmas morning. Then we found them filled with candy, oranges, and nuts. Sometimes we would find pencils, erasers, a hankie, etc. in them too.

Bud made candles that we used to decorate the room and placed some on the mantle. He also made a sign that stood on the porch roof that glistened in the wind and said MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Glenda painted a winter scene on the picture window on the porch. She did one every year. Then she had to scrape it off after the holidays.

Mother put up the many-pieced Nativity. It took up the whole table. Sheep, cattle, horses, many people, The Holy Family, a stable, fences, shepherds, wise men, camels, and angels. I loved to look at the scene when she was done.

On Christmas Eve Mother would make hot chocolate, light a fire, and tell the Christmas Story from the bible. We would watch the fire sparkle as she told us about the birth of the Savior. Later we went to church, as a most families did back then. The older kids took part in the presentation with hymns and speaking parts. I was an angel and had to stand very still. I looked so cute with my shiny halo and wings.

We we got home we went to bed. Then the older kids would awaken my brother and I very early in the morning. We would sneak into our parents bedroom. One of the older kids would count to 3, then my brother and I Jumped on the bed and we all yelled " Merry Christmas".
We headed down the stairs and I remember the first look of the lit tree as I rounded the landing. The tree was stuffed with presents under it. We gathered around the tree and the presents were handed out and then began the frenzy of wrapping papper flying and ohs and ahs being heard.

We ate stuff from our stocking and played with our new toys until the grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins came. We had a huge meal for lunch. Boy, it was great. We had skits and games,etc.

The tree was the finishing touch. After it was bare, it was chopped up and we burned it in the fireplace. The house smelled so nice. It gave it's life so we could have a nice holiday. Kinda like the Savior...giving His life so I could have such a nice one. Thank you and Happy Birthday!

I must be getting older

Since my trip this summer things just are not bouncing back like they usually do. And I HAVE to get better. I have more trips coming up. GRRRR.

I have only missed a few days of work and the rest I manage to plug through. I end up resting a lot and taking pain meds the rest of the time. The chiropractor and the massage therapist are getting me able to work and that indeed is a blessing. I have a "real" doctor appt in Jan. and suppose if I am not all better by then she will give me an earfull.

So as one of my daughters recently reminded me...I CAN do hard things. Sometimes I feel like crying because the pain is so bad, but I do not give in. Besides there is no one home to comfort me. (sigh)

When my hubby is home, he spoils me rotten. He does the dishes and tells me to rest and go lie down. He tolerates the noise from the massage machine while he is watching tv. He doesn't mind my tossing and turning to try to get comfortable, nor the up and down in bed for pain cream applications or pain med. What a guy!

So with that all being whined about... I am grateful for good health and know that I will enjoy it again. After all, it could be worse. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and will give me the guidance I need to get better. Oh, and don't forget...I believe in miracles.

5 Random Things

The Challenge: Post 5 things that people do not already know about you.

1. I am shy.

2. I have many fears.

3. I am quick to anger.

4. I have to force myself to read.

5. I like the sunshine even though I am a night owl.

Chore Charts

A long time ago I wondered why my sister-in-law got so much done in her day, while my day just seemed to vanish without much accomplished. It was then that I learned she planned her work and worked her plan.
Hence, chore charts. The children had a new thing in their lives: the chart on the fridge. Plus individual cards were made listing the tasks required for each chore. So for Kitchen it might say
1. set the table 2. clear the table 3. wash & dry dishes 4. put dishes away. 5. wipe the counters and the stove. 6. sweep the floor.
For bathroom it might say: 1. wipe mirror 2. clean sink and tub. 3. clean toilet 4. sweep floor
5. add toilet paper roll if needed.
Anyway, you get the picture. We had 7 children so we had 7 chores. The kitchen one was divided so 2 people could work that one job.
Yeah, they complained and did not want to really do their chores. I explained that their cousins who lived on a farm had far greater chores than these. That this was their home and they needed to care for it.
The other thing I added was when they were 12 they got to do their own laundry. This way they might take care of it better. It showed them they could be responsible for more things.
To all this I might add that this was the plan. They really did not do this whole-heartedly. It was a chore for me to get them to do this.
Our house always looked "lived-in". I did not expect a magazie picture house. But I wanted it so it could be "picked up" fast if we got company.
I kinda have that look of being "lived-in" now. And I also have a chore chart for myself.
I get more done when I follow it. Let's see today is tuesday, so it is laundry day. Gotta go. C-U-Later.

I'm trying to get into a size 2

I watched a tv movie the other day and a couple was on a date. The man asked the woman if she was going to eat (something good) and she answered, "No, I am trying to get back into a size 2."
I wanted to smack the tv. Size 2, Huh!

REAL women are not a size 2. REAL women have curves and "pillows" for little ones' heads. REAL women are sturdy. I don't even think I know any size 2 women.

I told someone recently that I do not think Heavenly Father wants his daughters to be SEXY...I think He would say that He wants us to be lovely, beautiful, strong, healthy, etc.

So to all you REAL women out there...Love the skin you're in. Even though it may be a little more than a size 2.

Sew, Sew

Well, since I cannot wear blue on Sundays anymore, I decided it is time to make summer jumpers out of other colors. I bought some material and thread and started in. I made 2 already and have 3 to go. Problem is, I don't REALLY know how to sew. I play at it. I make a lot of mistakes and shudder that a real sewer would even think of looking at my work. It is good enough for me, but not for others- kind of stuff.

With that being said, I did make dresses for Ruth and Emmy. Mistakes and all, they don't seem to mind. The patterns are cute and look nice on them. Just wish I was a better seamstress.

So now my motto is " My Sew-Sew is so-so". Cute, eh?