Adeste Fideles

Yes, it's here!  Christmas is just a few days away.

While everyone is running around to be with family and friends, watching children of all ages get excited with the pending visit of Santa.  People are attending parties, and various church functions, we can all get too busy.  Everyone needs to stop, and take some time to remember the reason for the season.  Take a little time from your busy schedule to attend a religious place of your choosing (not working, or volunteering at church-actually attending one service as a participant).  While you are at this service remember why we celebrate Christmas day.  I know that our society has gotten so commercial, but if you keep the faith in your heart, the Lord will never be taken from that day of worship......Christmas. 

As I’m writing this today I’ve stopped long enough to listen to Christmas Music, currently I’m listening to Nat King Cole sing O Holy Night, it is one of my favorites during this time of year. If you have time take a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hob4SfoKkYo 

Now since my last blog, Larry and I have been busy getting our home ready for the holidays.  My darling husband reminded me I had 7 trees this year, I told him I was fully aware that I did have 7 trees this year, and if the after Christmas sales happen to be great this year, we will have 2-3 more for next year.  He didn’t seem too happy about the prospect of more trees in our attic.  Bless his heart he has been so helpful this year, and we both enjoy seeing all the trees.  Here are a few samples of our decorations.  Let’s see what makes it thru till next year, we have a 13 month old walking now.  I say that with prideJ With that in mind, we put all the sentimental ornaments up toward the top of the tree, and kept those that little hands can enjoy on the lower branches.  Been a few years since we had a toddler at our house Lilly Grace & Nathaniel was the last two little ones.

Well as I promised with my last blog update here are some photos of our Christmas decorations.  Lets start outside shall we?

Ok now lets move inside, by the way my camera has been giving me fits lately, it's about time to start looking for another one.  Maybe something that will work well either night and inside.  

Next up lets start in the living room, I didn't take photos of the formal dinning room area which is decorated too, just thought we would stick the to main stuff.  Please note in this room is Larry's train, he was so very excited to be able to put his entire track down in the living-room under the tree.  In the past he put the train in the den and he could only use a portion of the track. 

Moving into the hallway toward the Den we've got a build in area for a telephone, which we've always just put this nice little old fashion phone (which doesn't work because we only use cell phones) but it's nice to look at.  Plus this year our friends Lois & Kenneth Johnson gave us a Santa picture which we hung in the hall for the Christmas season.  Notice I've got a satin Noel and Angle by the phone.

Lets see the Office, Bedroom, and Kitchen Christmas Trees.  Our Office has a hand crochet angel made by a sweet lady that is no longer with us from my hometown of Chatsworth. The Bedroom tree is fiber optic which you don't decorate, and the Kitchen is a works in process because it is hard to find only kitchen ornaments sometimes.

Finally here is our Den, yes it has a lot of stuff, but I always say it's never enough.  Aren't you glad I'm not going to take photos of the bathrooms or screen-in-porch:-)

Like Larry and his train, I was able to put out all my Dept 56 Village this year, they are outgrowing my piano.  If I get another one, I'm going to have to move them somewhere else.  The church was a wedding gift to Larry & I from friends, I think it is one of my favorite pieces.

Now lets look at the tree, and some of the tables in the Den. Christmas Time a coming.  

This year we will be hosting Christmas for our families at the house.  Larry and I are going to keep it simple so that everyone can enjoy our time together, and I'm not in the kitchen the entire time.  Costco & Sam's will be catering our meal.  

Here is some of the dishes we will have. If you got any additions or suggestions, please let me know below.  We will have red potato salad, 5 bean salad, Southwest Hummus & Spinach/Artichoke Dip with Hawaiian King Bread.  We are going to have a sandwich bar with pimento-cheese spread (for the non meat folks), honey roasted turkey, lean ham, roast beef, all the cheeses you can think of, pickles, lettuce, onions and various bakery breads.  We will have chips, cheese balls, cheese and crackers, veggie tray.  I will only be making a Veggie & Cheese Tarts and Lilly Grace's requested Fluff Salad with her chosen fruits.  Of course there will be tons of deserts (got a lot of deserts to bake for other get togethers-making some extras), and beverages.  I wanted to make this so everyone could eat whenever they wanted, no set time or formal meal.  The grazers will be happy, and so will I.  People can come and go as needed, eat whenever they want.  Larry's and my biggest deal will be keeping the ice filled and the chilled items on ice.  

From our house to yours we hope and pray that everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas this year.  Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

Talk to you next year.

Is It Already That Time Of Year?

Well as usual I’m right on top of getting things done….NOT!  As you will see it’s been a while since my last posting on my blog.  I’m going to get better at this I’m sure.

Here is what has been happing with our little family.  Here are the birthdays we had since I last posted; just with immediate family birthdays you can see we’ve been a little busy.  This doesn’t even include friends, siblings, aunts, uncles, and brother & sister-in-laws:

Granddaughter – Victoria turned 13

Son-in-law - Chris

Mother-in-law – Ann

Grandson – Nathaniel turned 8

Husband – Larry

Son – Chris

Daughter-in-law – Misty

Father-in-law – Bill

Daughter – Jamie

Grandson – Ayden turned 1

Mother – Ann

Noticed how nice I was and didn’t tell everyone else ages?  Here are a few photos of our grandkids that had birthdays since my last post. Victoria (Tori), William Nathaniel (namesake), and Ayden Samuel.

Speaking of photos, we were excited to receive new photos from both kids this year.  They took the time and managed to get their families together for a family photo.  If you ever come to my home you will see family photo’s everywhere.  That is the one thing I always ask for is photos the kids and their families.  Here are two wonderful photos of Jamie and her family (top) and Chris and his family (below).

Jamie's family L-R Ashlyn (11), Chris, Ayden (1), Jamie, & Lilly (7)  

Chris's family front to back L-R Nathaniel (8) front & center, Isaiah (10) & Josh (16), Victoria (13) & Misty, Chris & Tony (15)

On another note this year we’ve also had health struggles with various family members, some about the same time, which was a little tiring.  My mother-in-law had surgery; my parents have both had their health issues.  My aunt and cousin both are fighting battles with various cancers, uncle passed away, two other uncles are having major health issues, as are many of my aunts.  Neither Larry nor I can get sick this year, we are too busy praying, and helping those that aren’t doing well.  As my mother said time and time again, the Lord will not put more on you than you can handle.

Moving on to something lighter.  It’s getting closer to Christmas, and so many stores are pushing back their Christmas Decorations, and Christmas specials further and further into summer. I actually walked into a store in August and they already had out decorations.  We will be hosting Christmas this year at our home, so hubby and I will be decorating our home this year a little more than in the past.  Normally two – three trees is the average we put up.  But this year I’ve decided each room will have a tree including the bathrooms.  Larry is just so excited…NOT.  He asked me last night, do you have enough trees to do all that, I informed him I did.  Everything is in the attic, which he gave me a big laugh, so I’ve not brought down everything in the past few years right?  I confirmed he was right, this year it all comes down.  Needless to say most men could careless for all the decorations, but my husband loves the trees when we are finished.  He enjoys setting around just listening to music and admiring the trees.  So this year he can be blessed in each room.  I’ll post progress photos, next week.  We rearrange decorations for at least a week after we get everything out, always tweaking a little more.  Can’t wait to see how everything turns out.

Well since I’m going to post something next week.  This is all folks, until later.

Teresa

Time Flies While Life Happens

Cannot believe it’s been months since I last posted anything on my blog.  Where has the time gone? 

Well for starters we have been extremely busy with family. Then there are our jobs, and daily life experiences (cooking, cleaning, laundry, and yard work).  If you are lucky enough to have friends, and a religious affiliation then you are a very blessed person. My husband and I are blessed with all.

Since the last time I wrote, I’ve now completed my Gray Hair Project.  My entire colored hair has been removed, and now I’m just trying to fine a new style that is suited to my life, and the new color.  In allowing my gray to show, I’ve discovered and embraced the curly hair I’ve been at war with since I was a child. Amazingly it takes no time anymore for me to style my hair. I allow Mother Nature to dry and except for a few tosses of my hair with my hands, that’s it. All is good. 

Make-Up now that’s another story.  I’ve discovered that when your hair color changes so drastically, so too must your make-up, and clothing colors.  I’m still trying to fine the right eye colors and makeup style.  Mercy, mercy, me, it’s going to be along road on this one.  Most of my basic colors that I love still work, the blues, crisp whites, and blacks.  But I’ve tried some bright new colors lately, lime green (still unsure of this choice), bright orange. By the time I figure out the summer colors, fall will be here, and I’ll have more issues with colors.  I just need to clean out my closet and start over.

All of our grandkids are doing well.  All three of our granddaughters are shining lately. Tori our California girl or I should say Victoria as she now likes to be called in public is turning into a beautiful young women and a great athletic her Volleyball team took 1^st place several months ago. She will also be having a birthday in a few days, August 20th hard to believe she will be 13.  Here is a photo of Victoria on the right with the team trophy. 

Then we have our local beauty Ashlyn who went to cheer camp in Nashville, and her teams won several awards for her first year out we are so proud of her.  Then of course we must mention Lilly for not having a melt down this year for back to school clothes shopping. I’ll just say last year if you were anywhere near Calhoun GA’s Outlets you would have heard the meltdown.  Lilly has grown so much over this past year.  Still doesn’t understand why she can’t do everything her big sister does, nor understands that she’s not always invited to the same functions has her big sister, but she’s getting there. Here is a photo of Ashlyn team, she is in the back holding two ribbons, one of her with one of her teammates, and the finally one of her and Lilly (you could tell Ashlyn had had enough of all the photos by this one, she wanted her mother to stop).

Well that’s all about out grandkids this time around, next time I’m on the blog our grandsons will have something for me to write about I'm sure. Between the youngest at almost 9 months, and the oldest being 16 these boys keep us smiling all the time too.

In June Larry and I went to Atlanta to see a concert that he had been wanting to see for a while.   Roger Waters that was in Pink Floyd doing “The Wall” at Philips Arena.  We had wonderful seats, and were able to go with my bestfriend Mary and her boyfriend Richard. Just a great evening.  The very next day was June 14^th, which was Flag Day, but it was also my dear fathers 80^th birthday.  We were able to take that Thursday off and spend time with him and my mother.  Here is a photo of Dad with his cake.

Two weeks later we kept a friends chocolate lab for a week, lets just say that was a hoot.  Here is our buddy Lucky, she is still a puppy who weights 85 pounds of pure muscle.  Needless to say, Larry was the only one able to keep her inline; she would just look at me then go on doing whatever she wanted.  We took her to the cabin in the mountains that week, she played catch with her tennis balls, swimming in the creek, sleeping in Larry's lap, and watching tv.  What a ruff life!

Well folks that’s about our life in a nutshell these past few months, with the exception of visiting my folks weekly, and Larry every couple of weeks, that’s our life. 

Hope to write again soon.  Maybe will have more photos.  Blogs are so much better with photos, don’t you think?

Teresa

Birthdays, Funerals, & Mothers Day

It's been a few weeks since my last post.  Since that last post our family has had two granddaughters celebrate their birthdays in April, and one grandson will be celebrating his birthday next week.

Lilly Grace turned 7 on April 4th, the same day as her great uncle (Wayne).  Then on April 25 was Ashlyn Taylor's big day, and she is now 11.  Oh how time flies!  Here is a photo of the birthday girls with their mother Jamie.

We've got another grandson celebrating his birthday next week, Tony will be 15 on May 17th. Hard to believe we've got two grandsons driving now, Tony will get his learners and the Josh (his older brother who just turn 16 back on March 28th) will be or has already gotten his drivers licence.  I remember when that was a rite of passage for many young people.....getting that drivers license spelled freedom for so many teens.  Let me now put the State of California on notice, two new driver will be hitting the road Port Hueneme, and Port Mugu Naval Complex better be ready too.  Large SUV driven by either a blond or red haired young man, give them plenty of room......   Here is a photo of Tony, it is his school photo from this year.

As much as the month has been a blessing, it has also brought tears.  My uncle Jackie passed a couple weeks ago, Larry's aunt and the mother of our sister-in-law Judy passed last week.  So we went to Dalton, GA for my uncles funeral two weeks ago, and this past weekend we went to Dothan, AL for Judy's mothers.  It's been nice spending time with family, but it's so sad to see so many that we've know thru out the years leave us to go home to be with the Lord and the rest of their families.  That is one thing I know that I will see them all again someday.

Well "Mothers Day" is fast approaching, we planning on visiting both our mothers on Saturday.  We again will be traveling a little, my folks live in Chatsworth GA, and Larry's live in Red Bank, TN.  So it's do able visit both in the same day.

Since we've been keeping the road hot with the funerals. Larry and I need some time just to do nothing, get some well deserved rest.  Maybe even take in a movie.  Have you ever wished for 48 hours of peace?  Oh well, they say life is short, so I guess we will be glad to just get an hour here or there.

Hope everyone is doing great, until I write again.

Peace to ALL