HOW I SPENT MY SNOW DAY

OK, our snowfall wasn't quite as bad as this picture, but I think we did get at least 2 feet. I haven't heard an official report.

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I had a scheduled day off, so I decided yesterday that I wasn't going outside at all today if I could help it. I woke up about 6:30, looked out to see our neighborhood under about 6 inches of snow. I took a shower and then lazed around until it was time to get my mom out of bed. I have to admit that my bed remains unmade.

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After getting my mom up, I played around on the computer until my daughter got up. We hung out for awhile while I did a few loads of laundry. I did a bit of cleaning, made my mom's lunch and was all set for a nap when the neighbor kids came over to clear the walks. Of course I hired them! I even let the boy next door move my SUV so I didn't have to put a coat and boots on. I made them some hot chocolate, fixed a couple of hats and mittens for the little ones. Boy, I realized how much I miss tying on a scarf or buttoning up a coat for my little girl....I must be getting ready for the grandparent stage. :-) (Yikes, she is too young, I will just enjoy all of your grandkids!!)

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After sending them on their way with some Christmas candy, I took a nap. Wrapped up in my warm, yummy new blanket gifted me by a special friend.

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After I woke up, more putzing around, put my mom to bed. Then we wrapped presents. It is almost midnight and I just finished the Christmas cards.

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What a slow, cozy, lazy, lovely snow day!!!

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Image taken from here.

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

Yesterday, I decided. I am done. I am throwing in the towel. I am not going to be able to get everything done that I had hoped to get done for Christmas. I quit. NO, I am not quitting Christmas...just accepting the fact that I can't get everything done. So, I am choosing to enjoy the rest of the season, the people I love, celebrating the birth of my Savior, Jesus. I can buy the cookies that I won't find time to make. I can enjoy the neighbors outdoor lights. The sparkle and magic of the decorations I have put up will take the focus off the dust bunnies under this or that.

I feel better already!

ON WHY THE PRESIDENT ELECT SHOULD CHANGE HIS NAME

The other day, I went to say the President-Elect's name and I said, "Oback" instead of Barack. My daughter laughed and told me she had mistakenly said "Barama" a few days earlier. We put the two together and now wish we wouldn't have. We are constantly misspeaking and saying "Oback Barama" instead of Barack Obama.
I think he should just make it easier on me and change his name to Bob. I don't think I could mess up Bob Obama.

CYBER FRIENDS

I have had people tell me they don't believe that cyber friendships are really real. That the internet is one more way for us to "disconnect" from real people.
I have found just the opposite to be true. When I started to blog, one of my friends told me there was a blog I had to read. That I would really connect to the writer. I did. Through her blog, I have connected to some of her friends and family. I have met people I would not have met otherwise. A young woman from another country that I now call "dear niece". The brilliant student and the inventor/writer who make me think outside of the box. The poet. The artist. The mom I hardly knew and the mom I knew B.B. (before babies). Some of my cyber friends I have never met and may never have the chance to meet. Some I have met but don't see often.
This I know, I have come to care about my cyber friends deeply. I laugh with you. I worry about you when you don't show up for awhile. I pray when you or someone you love is sick, or laid off, or marching off to war, or hurting, or scared. I learn from your wisdom. I rejoice in your victories and joys.
Recently, God brought another new cyber friend into my life. I connected with my friend. She has a heart that loves others and just wants to serve. She is the kind of person who, as Oswald Chambers puts it, "produces a longing after God in other lives..." I began to care about her and her family. She began to care for me and my daughter. Besides blogging, we began to email. She has become a blessing in my life and I am thankful for our growing friendship.
If cyber friendships are not real, then I ask you...why did my heart break for my friend when I received her email saying that her beloved husband died? We both know that he is not broken, or weeping...but is rejoicing in the presence of his Savior. I have been praying for days for my friend. That her heart would be comforted. That she would be surrounded by people who love her and her children. That there would be shoulders to hold her up and shoulders to cry on. That there would be those to share memories with, faith with.
Those of you who call me friend, whether you know me in person or not, would you please join me in praying for my new friend and her children? I know I can count each of you!
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