I know who I am and I know I’m a lost cause.  I know I have ADD and when I start doing a massive project like decorating the whole house for Christmas, it shows up…BIG TIME. 

My plans are big tree in den, decor over TV cabinet, small table in den, buffet in DR, table in DR, cupboard in kitchen, back foyer round table, front foyer.And, that’s what I am sticking with.  But, here’s the problem…I have a little bit done in every space and NOTHING completed!  I know that’s not the most efficient way to work, and I don’t mean to do it that way…it just happens.  And, all of a sudden, I look up and am so strung out that I don’t know what to do next!

So, working away as hard as I can, and here comes Alex.  I have to take him all the way across town because his nurses at his visit with his Dr. yesterday wrote his prescription wrong…AGAIN!  This infuriates me because if Alex wasn’t aware, and checked it, he could get in big time trouble taking too much of this med.   And this is not the first time, either.   So, off we went.  It’s just not good for me to go away from a project once I start.  Then I get even more off task. 

I went to my closet to get a sweatshirt….it’s cold here today.  As I walked back through the den, I glanced into the library as I passed by.  When what to my wondering eye should appear?     A certain little dog had left a puddle….ON  MY  ZEBRA SKIN!!!!!    He’s not allowed to come into the main house, but sometimes he will sneak out when Alex does.  I think he had it planned and was just waiting for a chance to do it.  So, I had to stop and clean a zebra!  Clean a zebra!  Have you ever had the chance to say that?  Here’s the culprit!

Coming back home, I need to get some of my things in the storage room.  But to do so requires a t-a-l-l ladder.  Taller than the one I fell off the other day.  So I cautiously lean the ladder against the shelves, and begin climbing.  Uh! Oh!  Here comes Alex!  He starts fussing at me and telling me to get down.  “You’re old and fragile now, Mother”, he says. “Well empty out that box of ornaments and shove this old body in it there and be done with me!”  🙂  I do love that young man!  He is always looking after me!

So, why am I writing this post when there are boxes from the den to the studio to the kitchen to the storage room?  Don’t know.  Just saw the computer and picked it up.  Now, I’m not going to hold you responsible for slowing me down and taking my mind off decorating.  Why!  You didn’t even know when you started reading this that I should not be writing…I should be about my day’s work.  I know if you had known, you would have told me to sign off and get back to work.  You would have said for me to keep my mind focused on what I was doing because I have a BIG party here in 3 days!  I can just hear you now.  Ok, I’m going, I’m going!  BYE!

PS…I don’t even know what a ‘plum pudding’ is!  But, the meltdown, I’m familiar with……

25 days…….4 hours…….46 minutes !

 The countdown to Christmas has begun.  And, if you are ‘smarter than the average bear’ you have already started your preparations!  I have begun, but am nowhere near finished.  I have a big party here on Friday night, so I’m going to be working fast and furious till then.  Don and I have been working on the tree today, and I will have it finished before I go to bed.  But, there’s the mantel….and the kitchen cupboard…and the front door….and the studio…and Alex’s room!  No, it probably will NOT all be finished by Friday.  But, that’s OK, not to worry.

OH! MY!  I just saw a woman on TV who says she decorates her cat’s littler box to look like a giant present!  Obviously, she needs something to keep her busy!

Anyway….Gather your thoughts…….

Make your list…..

Eat a good breakfast…..

And…get going!

You’ll find some way to get it all home!  Be creative!

25 days…..4 hours…..29 minutes !   Enjoy!!

CHRISTMAS ! That’s right…..CHRISTMAS ! As of this minute, in 70 days, 10 hours,36 minutes……the big day will arrive. Wow! seems as if it just passed, doesn’t it? I was always told the years would move faster the older I got…and it’s true! They seem to fly by now.

When I retired after 20 years teaching music, I received many wonderful gifts from friends and co-workers (who are friends, as well). Some of the parents also shared wonderful kindnesses with me, too. All these ‘treasures’ are very dear to me. But, one of the most dearest was just a little card. But, inside, there was a note telling me that a lamb had been purchased, in my honor, and placed with a family in a South American country to help build their flock.

Since I was familiar with this organization…I was especially pleased. The organization is Samaritan’s Purse. It is run by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham. You my be familiar with it through one of it’s programs, Operation Christmas Child.

Have you filled a shoebox or two with supplies and toys to send to a needy child? This is the same organization. One of it’s other ministries is helping families become self sufficient. By building their flock of sheep, or goats, of even chickens…the family will have enough for food for themselves and enough to sell to buy other supplies. For just $14, the family can receive a starter brood of a dozen chicks. $70 will supply a goat or other dairy animal. For just $50, a pond can be stocked with 500 fingerling fish. Then another$50 will supply nets for fishing or a boat for $350. And $35 will supply all that is necessary for a family to get started in the beekeeping business. The bees will then help pollinate the fruit trees that can also be provided. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Before my Mom died, she encouraged us, as a family, to pool our money, and supply some of these needs. Our gift giving had gotten out of hand. We were all spending more than we needed to…on each other. We all were so blessed that we did not need a thing. And, there were so many others that did. So we followed her suggestion. And, the year after she died, we again contributed in her memory. This is becoming a tradition in our family that we plan to continue. We have just received our Christmas catalog. If you would like to have a catalog, you can see one at http://www.samaritanspurse.org. or find out anymore information you need.

This has not cut out our giving presents to each other, but what we give is just a token. The majority is now given to others through this organization. If they should receive more contributions for a project than can be used, our gift will be applied to a similar project where it is needed. They will gladly send a gift card if you would like to give a gift in honor of someone.

In our family, we made plans to take up money when we gathered for Thanksgiving dinner…..and then 1 person was in charge of selecting the areas we would support and they would bring a report to the rest of the family on Christmas Day. Our gifts were given in memory of Mom. You may choose to do your gifts individually or another way all together.

I realize this is quite different from my usual post. However, this is a program our family is fully invested in and I would encourage you to, at least, look at the information. Thank you for considering this worthwhile ministry.

“I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these….you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40b