Merry Christmas

Christmas morning is always so much fun. Family. A husband who loves me. My children's laughter. The smells of breakfast and peppermint coffee coming from the kitchen..... I've always loved the whole Christmas season. No matter what is going on in the outside world....in here it is perfect. At least for a little while.

Thank you Lord for the greatest gift of all. The gift of Your son. That is the best gift of all.

Saturday Morning

Where do the weeks go? It really does seem that the older I get the faster time moves. Why is that anyway? This year I'm really going to make a New Years resolution to slow down and make sure I keep things in perspective. I spend way too much time running around trying to fit everything in....and many times failing at the attempt. I need to slow down and enjoy the time I have. Who am I trying to impress anyway? My children need me now--soon enough they will be grown up and on their own. My husband needs me by his side not just as his wife, but as his friend. I'm sure people will think I'm nuts if I tell them I'm jumping off the wheel and slowing the pace and attempting to live a more simple, slower paced life. Not boring by any means, just more focused on the things in my life that truly matter.

My first husband died right after his 34th birthday from a terminal heart condition. One day we are living a normal life the next day we get his diagnosis. Life changed at that moment. Thirty-four is too young to die.  We had only been married for 8 years. We had a 5 year old son to raise. When he was dying he wasn't thinking of all those years he had worked...he was thinking of relationships and how important they are. That is what I want to remember from him.

Almost Christmas!

I am tired of looking around and seeing Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings on cards or at stores or various workplaces.  Why is it not politically correct to say Merry Christmas anymore? I mean it IS Christmas. Christmas IS about the birth of Christ. Christmas isn't just about Santa or presents. If you are not a Christian and you don't celebrate the birth of Christ then okay...but why should I have to bend over backwards not to offend you? What about me and the millions of others around the world who do celebrate the true meaning of Christmas??? I feel offended that I'm supposed to be so careful now because we are all so diverse....don't want to step on anyones toes.....don't want anyone to feel badly when someone tells them Merry Christmas. I find it irritating.

Lazy Sunday

I wasn't feeling well today so I didn't go to church. I got to spend some time today walking around in my bathrobe...having a late breakfast and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. It turned out to be a nice day, even if I did have a bad head cold. Everyone needs a lazy day like that once in awhile. You know what? The things that I "absolutely" had to get done will still be here tomorrow for me to take care of. In the meantime I think I'll just rest.

Day Seven

Ever have a day when everything goes according to plan? Everything works out? Everything is just right? Yesterday was that day for me. It made me feel great and this morning I'm looking forward to another good day. Attitude is the most important thing. Wonder what today will bring?

Day Six

Life is short whether we live one day on this earth or one hundred years. In the big scheme of things even one hundred years is just a blink of an eye when speaking of eternity. It is important to me to try and keep things in perspective. That is hard. Let me be honest....it is a real struggle. Today is another example of that for me.....Sifting through what is truly important vs. what is just "urgent".

Day Five

I guess I need to slow down and take some time to smell the roses so to speak. It seems like I am constantly on a treadmill, round and round I go....will it ever end? Even when I sit down I'm still mulling over all the things I need to accomplish before bedtime. I have a difficult time switching the nagging thoughts off. Another load of laundry, dinner to fix, papers to grade, straighten the house, I need to finish buying my Christmas gifts, and I'd like to spend some time with my husband and children....... I find myself tired most of the time. I need to keep proper perspective. My mom always used to tell me, "Remind yourself. Is this going to matter a day from now? A week from now? A year from now? Five years from now? Only spend time on the things that truly matter. Relationships are the most important thing." She's right.

Day Four

I just returned from a historic homes tour that Knoxville does for the holidays every year. Many of these homes were built in the late 1800's. Beautiful Victorians, Simple Craftsman, Cute Bungalows. I find the architecture and decoration on the houses very interesting. Compared to the subdivisions that many developers slap up in a few weeks these days.......these old houses take me to another place and time. I think maybe I'm living in the wrong century. Seeing these houses decorated has gotten me into the Christmas spirit. Now if we only had some snow here in the South!

Day Three

Last night I was at a friends birthday party. We have been friends for 20 years. Lots of memories. Where did the time go? Wasn't it just the other day that we were 18 and starting college? I've done a lot and changed a lot over the past  2 decades.....and so has she. We are still friends. It has been nice having a friend that has known me through my ups and downs and is still a friend after all these years. I know sometimes I take my friendships for granted and I shouldn't. Real friendships are priceless.

Day Two

Today I learned a lesson on forgiveness. Sometimes the lessons I have to learn in this life are not always easy.... as a matter of fact most of the time they are NOT easy. I can be very stubborn. Tonight I was wrong. I needed to humble myself, put my pride aside and say "I'm sorry." Those 2 words are very powerful. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who won't allow me to stay mired in a poor attitude.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Each day is new...... Tomorrow is another opportunity to start over again.

Day One

Okay people...this is my first post. I'm new to this blogging thing. It sounds like fun so I thought I'd give it a try. My husband being the computer whiz that he is, got me set up so now all I have to do is figure out what I want to say. Too bad that I started this so late. I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning so I'm not really going to have time to write tonight. It's past my bedtime. (yawn!)

I will think of something creative and interesting for tomorrow's entry.  Goodnight.