Emily Singing at Church

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?

No house guests between now and the end of December.




2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.

"Beauty and the Beast"
Reason  The prince is transformed into a beast to punish him for being spoiled, selfish, and unkind.-The theme of the movie is people who do not judge others based on appearances are often rewarded.




3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?
This is easy----purses/pocketbook.  I purchased to many purses.  Afterwards, I wish I didn't.
A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a 31 pocketbook--didn't really like it now it is here.


4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?
For me--about 2%.  On the other hand, daughters purchased 100% on-line.  When daughters were in for Thanksgiving break, I asked each one what did they want for Christmas and for birthday.  They both replied "I don't know."  "I'll just look on-line and order something."   A quick reminder--daughters have credit card number--Big Mistake.



5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?

Has to be poinsettia.




6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.

My wish--for my husband to continue to get healthy check-ups and to hear the words--Cancer Free. But since you asked for an actual item, it would have to be a cruise ticket to....anywhere.  I have always wanted to take a cruise.



7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?
HOT---it is too hot for December.  I can't get into the Christmas Spirit with the hot temperatures we are experiencing.  It has been in the 60's and 70's.  Hub says it is because I am a teacher and wishing for a couple of snow days.

Sunday School

Here lately, I have had some rough spots in the road.  This is part of life and

this dark cloud will pass.

I help teach 3-5 year olds in Sunday School.  The morning started rough. It started when one little boy came in crying for his mother and before you knew it; a couple more started crying. An older child, who was next door, came over to tell us we were too loud.  So....we began singing.  Soon the crying stopped and all we heard were sniffles and a few sobs.

The teacher began the lesson with asking if any child wanted to pray.  Not many wanted to-which was strange-because many do pray.  So she said a prayer.  She began the lesson and showed the craft they would be making.  All eyes were on the teacher.  The room was quiet-not even a whisper.

As she told the lesson, I looked at each child.  Their eyes were wide, their noses still running, a few sniffles here and there, but.....each one had  had a little melt down (some a huge

meltdown)

and was angry, but.....had gotten over it

and had moved on.   

Instantly, I thought to myself-how I should be like this.  Get over it

and move on. Don't let anger keep you from enjoying life.  When I am

frustrated, I will learn to seek out the areas in my life I can control and

learn to accept that the ultimate controller of my circumstance

is always watching out for me.  

The children loved making the craft.  They kept saying "I'm going to hang this on my Christmas tree."  No more tears;only laughter.  

My grandson's is hanging on our tree.

We cannot direct the 

wind but we can adjust the sail.

Have a wonderful week!

Lesson Leaned

I get very angry when I feel like one of my daughters is not treated fairly.  I know she will be 22 soon, but I still get so defensive.

Let me explain what has happened.  Daughter plays college basketball, which is more work (than fun) than one can imagine.  Workouts begin very early in the morning (have to work out before classes).  Later there is practice-sometimes late at night-again have to work around classes.  Next comes game time. On days/nights of away games, one can get home early the next morning-like 4 a.m.  I am truly amazed how she can keep her grades up.  She was on the All American Academic Team.!

Last night I was ashamed of my thoughts and words.  Daughter was playing basketball -nine hrs. away.  I was unable to go, but my faithful husband/dad went. I was able to watch the game on the computer.  

Boiling, furious, infuriated, outraged are just a few of the

emotions I was feeling.  Daughter didn't get in the game to play at all. Whoa--

she is a great player and what is going on.  My fingers started texting

hub, who doesn't text or wouldn't answer.  Now more emotions

overtook me, so I called.  Questions started coming and of course

hub had no answers.  With no answers, the more madder I became.

Our phone conversation ended abruptly, with a sarcastic tone from me.

Then, I thought of daughter.  Wonder how she felt.  She is a senior and

a captain on the team and she only sat on the bench...no playing

time at all.  She must feel awful.  More torture I endured.

I began watching Christmas movies---tear jerks---I needed  a good cry. So I cried till two in

the morning.  At four, the phone rang and daughter had made it back to her apartment.  Her voice was sad and I knew not to say much.  Only tell her I love her and to get some rest before her class in 3 hrs.

I talked to her later today......

Daughter mentioned that the bus driver was sad after the game.  Sad I said--I was mad-!!!!

Daughter informed me she had prayed with the bus driver.  You see, he was sad because he had

just learned his sister had passed away.  When the bus stopped for a short rest, she held  his hand and said a prayer with him.

Ashamed.....that is putting it mildly.  How could I have gotten so caught up the a basketball game?- How did

I let basketball turn me into such a bitter and  cold person.? 

So....I prayed--asking God for forgiveness. 

My precious, basketball daughter taught me a lesson last night. 

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for

family being safe
daughter who is healthy to play basketball
daughter who still come in and surprise her mother at school
friends who I can rant and rave to
the sunshine
children who donate cans of food to help restock our food pantry

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)
Family members who live away receive Christmas cards through snail mail.  Close friends and relatives receive hand-delivered Christmas cards with some cookies or a little gift.  Church members-receive cards through our mail box at church.
I will send/deliver around 100 of them.
Oh--I love displaying cards-around mantle, sitting on counter, and around door facing as one enters living room.





2. When do kids become adults?


Accoring to our legal system, there is a definitive age of adulthood. Lawmakers have determined that people who are 18 or 21 should be able to take on adult privileges like gambling, voting, owning a gun, and marrying. But this does not necessarily imply that 18 or 21 year-olds are adults; nor does it even imply that lawmakers consider them so.

I think you stop being a child when you grow up emotionally and psychologically,when you are mature enough to know what you are doing and that what you are doing is the right thing to do. You become an adult when you see life as it is.  When you put others before yourself.


3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?
Most definitely.  I put on extra lotion and really moisturize my face in the winter.  It seems my skin is so dry this time of the year.




4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?
A mayonnaise and banana sandwich.



5. Gloves or mittens?
Gloves.  I don't own any mittens.




6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?
I like the word 'queue' going to add this to my vocabulary.
Besides a grocery line, I would have to say a line at Disney World.  Yes, the line at Disney World was worth it for daughters.




7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?
Celebrating birthdays!  Both daughters have December birthdays-December 26 and December 30-Whew!
Daughter #2 will be singing special music at church in December. I love to hear her sing.
Charlie and I getting away for a few days in between birthday celebrations.




8. Insert your own random thought here
Asking special prayers-a teammate of daughter #2 -her mother was killed in a car accident last week on the way to one of her basketball games.  Also my school superintendent's son who is only six has cancer.  He started his chemo treatments yesterday.  I hate that 'C' word-

So Quiet

Too quiet around here.  Where are the giggles and laughter?
:(
Both daughters have left to return to school.  Now it is too quiet, except for Charlie snoring--:) at least this is a sound.

Our house is too quiet after break and daughters leave.  If there is one thing I hate when daughters come home--is when daughters leave.  My girls bring joy and laughter to me.  If I must say so myself, I do have an extra bounce in my step when they are around.  We have reached a point in our lives when we are closer now.  It seems we are becoming more like friends---and I like this stage in my life. It was so nice to hear them call and say they were safely back at school. :) one less worry.

Tonight it  is rainy and windy-which make me more lonesome for them.  Looking to the bright side--daughter #2 plays basketball Thursday and Saturday---hey from Mom in the stands.  Daughter #1 gets a three week break from pharmacy school!!!  Yeah--plans are in the making.