And to All a Good Night

Merry Christmas, friends!

I Found Some Peace

In case you read my last post, I'd like to give you an update on my quest for peace.

I found a tiny bit the other night.

It was late (midnight-ish), and I was putting laundry away. (Do it when you can, folks.)

I went into the boy's room, put his laundry up, and turned around to leave.

And stopped in my tracks because a lump the size of Texas jumped into my throat.

The boy... not so little anymore... was sleeping SO sweetly. His favorite blanket pulled up to his chin, and his tiny Christmas tree was lighting up his face.

(Swallow lump.)

And I just stopped and stared at him. And grinned. And sniffed a little. And resisted the urge to smooch him.
And thanked God for the privilege of raising him.

And found a few seconds of peace in my otherwise nutty day.

I Am Not Called to Firework My Backside

There's a really funny commercial playing on the radio lately. I think it's for Dodge cars/trucks? I really have no idea how the whole commercial goes, but my favorite part says...

"Like strapping a rocket to your backside and fireworking yourself across the Grand Canyon."

I don't know HOW that relates to buying a Dodge, but it makes me laugh. Hard. Every time I hear it.

Because I am there. I have, in the last 5-10 days, seriously considered fireworking myself across the Grand Canyon. It would be a fitting way to deal with the chaos that is going on around me and in my head.
With my luck ,something would go wrong and I'd have 4th degree burns where the sun don't shine.

The past few weeks in our Bible study, we've been talking about peace. We're studying Isaiah, and it has been a challenge, I don't mind telling you.

Peace.

It's simple, but it's not.

But here's what keeps jumping out at me. We are CALLED to peace.
Called to it, people.

It's not just something that we sit by and wait for. Or talk about. Or even just pray for. It's not something to wish for at Christmas. It's relevant. Right here and now.
We are CALLED to it. That's active, folks.

I don't know about you, but peace is the last thing I feel lately. Peace is the last thing anybody seems to be looking for. Especially as we zoom up and down the streets trying to finish the "to-do" list from you-know-where.

I know I can't force other people to be peaceful. I can't make centuries-old wars cease. But I can start with my own peace. I am called to peace in my own mind and heart and attitude. Peace in the way I deal with my family and friends and even strangers.

Strapping a rocket to my backside and fireworking myself across the Grand Canyon seems easier at times.

It Came and Went

My birthday, that is.
It came and went, and I didn't feel any older.

Until 2 days ago when I swear I had a hot flash in the grocery store.
It may have been the turtleneck/hoodie combo I was sporting. It may have been the pace at which I was running through the store.
But I swear it was a hot flash.

Hello Middle Age.
I greeted the big 4-0 last week, and all in all... it was fairly pleasant.

Dan/Daddy and the boy had a fun little birthday weekend planned for me.

I got lots of cards, some sweet presents, lots of Facebook wishes, some folks singing on the phone, and my front porch decorated. My Christmas reindeer... Remember them? Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert? Well when I took the boy to school, Adam was wearing a Disney Princess party hat. It suited him.

Our friends came over for a Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party, and it was a riot of fun.



(I got some Botox for my birthday. Kidding. Totally kidding. That's my sexy-pouty-I'm-not-really-40 look.)

The highlight of the night was listening to Jeanna try out her Spanish accent. Which sounded a lot like her Russian accent. Which sounded a lot like her German accent. Oh what we Senior Citizens will do for a laugh.


While I may not be thrilled to be climbing "over the hill" this year, I am blessed beyond measure. Good health, wonderful family, and an amazing collection of friends... both here and not so here.
(Thanks Jeanna... for providing the camera and pictures. I am still camera-less. Sniff. Sniff.)






PS.... In looking through picture files, I happened to see last year's birthday pictures. Is it just me or is there a trend developing here?



Feliz Navidad.

We've Got It Together

Do you feel like Christmas is bearing down upon you?
Do you feel caught up in the hustle and bustle?
Are you behind in the decorating, shopping, party-planning, and wrapping?

Then come and stop by my house.
Sit a spell on my front porch.

And instantly be transported back to October.

You see... This guy may be hanging on the door.



But these fellas are still hanging out in the corner.



Holiday decorations gone wild.
I told ya'll my priorities were rock solid.

Nativity Brawl

If you happen to read more than one or two of my blog posts, you might be a bit concerned for my mental well-being.
One day, I'm happy and grateful and talking about how I'm counting my blessings.
The next day, I am the Grinch. In a 39.99 year-old woman's body.

It's ok. I'm ok.
And I'm not bi-polar.

I'm just keepin' it real.
(And saying stuff like that makes me feel younger.)

In case you were wondering, I made my self-imposed weekend deadline of getting a better attitude.
Our Sunday service may have had something to do with it.
But not for the reasons you think.
Our chapel service had their annual children's Christmas program this weekend.
I would love to say that the beautiful music and angelic faces put me in a better mood. But that wouldn't be the whole truth.

It was the 2 tiny preschool shepherds.

They weren't holding stuffed lambs or saying verses.
They were fighting over the microphone.
Pushing and shoving to see who could get the closest to it.
And then singing LOUDLY into it whenever they'd shoved the other shepherd out of the way.
It was hysterical. (Unless you were the mommas of these 2... I'm certain they weren't amused.)
But it brightened my mood.

And reminded me not to take this whole holiday madness too seriously.

I'm Making My Lists, But I Am Not Checking Them Twice

I'm not even really checking them at all.
I should be, but I'm not.
I wish I could say it's for some great high and lofty reason... Like
"We're simplifying this Christmas." or...
"We've given all our money to charity this Christmas." or...
"I have found the deeper meaning of giving, and all our gifts will be homemade this year."
But, nope.
None of that.

I can't seem to find the motivation to do anything productive, but I can change my blog background 3 times in one week.
My priorities are rock solid.

Thanksgiving was only 1 week and 2 days ago, and Christmas chaos is in full swing.
But I feel like it's leaving me in the dust.
Maybe Thanksgiving was too short.
Maybe I needed to be more thankful.
Maybe I am in rebellion.
Maybe I need coffee and vitamins.
Maybe I am just old and tired.
(A certain birthday is rapidly approaching and it happens to have the numbers 4 and 0 in it. But I won't say in what order.)

I'm probably just becoming more and more like a granny.
"Where does the time go? I wish I could stop the clock."

So I am giving myself a deadline.
2 days. That's it, self.
You and your lazy granny attitude have until Monday to snap out of it.

After that, I'm checking myself into the Retirement Home.