It's almost New Years

It's almost New Years's and I haven't been keeping up.  If anyone is reading this no one is making comments and it makes me sad.  Maybe I just need to use this for a diary but my diary would be a lot different because then I would just be speaking to God and no one else and I would probably just go deeper into my heart.  I might go where I would not want anyone else to be.  At the moment I am struggling with myself because I don't feel as if I am not spending enough time with my God, and so I might not staying in His will.  My feelings get confused from one minute to the next.  Instead of being grateful for all I have which is a ton I feel sorry for myself.  I have no right to do that as God has blessed me in incredible ways.  It would take me a full day or more to count all my blessings.

We can start with where I left off.  Let me count my blessings.  I was blessed enough to have enough in my savings account (from when I was still working) to be able to upgrade my old sewing machine to a new incredible one.  One that will let me embroider and quilt more easily.

Those are two things I do enjoy.  I have decided that in my old age and I am getting there that is what I will continue to do.  Even though my I need glasses, my eyesight is still good and my hands are still steady.  Two more things to be thankful for.  That is what I pray for the most that God will allow me to retain my sight and my steady hands.

And then there are the constant snowstorms.  At my age they are easy to complain about but I have a heated driveway, a 4 wheel drive automobile with snowtires ( that will get me anywhere anytime even thought it is 10 years old), a heated home, a fireplace, and a husband who provides for me in every way and loves me, what more can I ask.  Thank you God!

And then there was Christmas day.  Yea, there were less people here but my daughter came home for Christmas, my parents came over and were overjoyed with everything though it was not the usual hullabaloo.  The tree was filled with gifts all given with loving hearts.  I was able to give gifts from my heart to others.  Thank you Lord.

My mom came into my sewing room and saw me making a quilt.  It wasn't quite finished.  I had begun to put the binding on and some of the binding was loose.  My mom all excited took the quilt and started to go downstairs to show it off to my dad and tripped on the loose binding.  She fell down the stairs.  She hit her head but was fine.  Thank you Lord!

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we had large meals on both days.  We had Clayton spend Christmas dinner with us.  Thank you Lord.

On Christmas Eve while we opened presents we had the pleasure of being connected with Christopher and Becky and we opened each others presents together.  It was a great joy for both families.  We got to also say hello to Becky's parents who were at their house.  Thank you God for internet.  Though families can't always be together you bless us with internet to help keep us closer.

At Christmas Eve mass Stephanie joined my parents and I and that was a great joy.  In front of us was a little girl. She was 8 and a half months old.  She was the age my grandson will be next year this time.  She brought us all great joy with her smiles and antics.  She let us know what we have to look forward to.  God blesses us in many ways.

But one of my greatest joy was a little wall hanging I made. It was kind of insignificant to me.  It was a learning experience to make and frustrating because it was applique.  I don't do applique well and it is not that enjoyable to me.  I gave it to my mom for Christmas.  I needed something to give her.  She went nuts over it and it brought her so much joy.  She kept saying how wonderful it was and how much she loved it and she meant it.  I think she liked it more than that red cashmere turtleneck I bought her.  Can you believe that something so insignificant to me could cause so much joy to someone else.  Thank you Lord.

I ask now that Lord you would bless my new sewing machine.  May it bring you honor and glory in every way.  May everything it touches bring joy and happiness to others.  In this I pray in Jesus's name.   Amen

Twas the Night Before Christmas Eve

and I am an insomniac once again.  Not enough of an insomniac to go shopping as Stephanie did this evening when we got home from the Pregnancy Resource Center.  She found many cute baby things for baby boy Dean.  He is at 24 weeks today, so he should weigh about one pound.  His lungs are developing and he is growing. The on line description is much more detailed but can't remember it all now.   We helped two women expecting boys today and one woman had a small infant boy.  

Yesterday, Mike came home telling all about the nerf war going on in his office.  Guess everyone has a nerf gun.  Sounds like too much fun to me.  I really really miss working.  I too had fun with work.  So last night Stephanie and I went to Toys R Us and I bought a couple of Nerf guns for the house.  Decided I wanted in on the fun.  Since I have experience with World of Warcraft I think I should be able to win Nerf wars, but Mike is very very sneaky.  Will keep you informed.  Life is too short I say.  Have fun with the family any way you can even if it is with a nerf guns!  

Tomorrow I will start my day at the hairdresser so guess its time to force myself to sleep.  I will dream of coconut cookies, tropical itches (it's a hawaiian drink) lol and dancing my heart out at the disco! Sweet dreams all and wishing you a Very Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas too.

3 more shopping days till Christmas

 The Outlet Mall has seen the last of me for at least 6 months. I am all shopped out! Did find a few really good deals, a couple of sweaters, a light weight down jacket and of course some baby clothes at some very good prices.  I am getting ready to put together a layette for my grand son. The Carter Outlet store always has some really good deals.  I just want to buy out the whole store.  I have been restraining myself from going into the toy store.  I know I will go nuts in there. I already have visions of what kind of toys I want to buy.  As we get ready for Wednesday night, when most of our traditional celebration occurs, we must keep in mind the true reason for the season.  Jesus our savior was born.

The Snowstorm

Today I took my daughter and my mom to the outlet mall.  Little did I realize when I left that I would have to brave a major snowstorm to get there and get back. In fact, the storm was so bad that many offices closed early.  So up the canyon roads we started.  When we got close to the first exit I told my daughter I thought it was a bad idea.  But she we would be fine.  The snow started to come down very hard and the roads were covered.  Luckily my all wheel drive Subaru with snow tires can get through anything and it was frustrating being behind cars that were struggling.

The traffic was heavy as well.  The ride that normally takes 20 minutes turned into 45 minutes.

 We did finally get there and had a pleasant hour or two.  My mom got herself a down parka which she badly needed and of course we couldn't resist the sale at the Carter outlet store.  They didn't have what I had originally wanted but I did find some layette items.

The ride back was somewhat more challenging.  We noticed that the freeway was bumper to bumper traffic and wasn't moving at all.  Panic struck as we tried to use a surface road as far as it would go.  This side street would only take us two exits and then there would be no way home except for the freeway. Luckily by the time we got to the second exit traffic was moving and though it took quite awhile to get home we did safely. I confess I did pray myself to and from and I am grateful to God for his protection.

5 more days till Christmas Eve

There are only 5 more days till Christmas Eve and the month (as usual) has flown by.   I have found this season to be more difficult than usual.  I am not sure why.  I am very grateful to have Stephanie here.  Doing things with her has always been fun.  When her friend comes over and we sew together my spirits are always lifted.  But I guess I miss the boys and my daughter's in law too.  So maybe that makes it kind of hard.  For some reason this year it doesn't really feel like Christmas.

But on a cheerier note. I traded my old sewing machine in for the new model.  This new machine is really wonderful.  It of course will take me the rest of my life to learn.  I love the fact that it has a longer arm so that quilts fit better and quilting is made easier.  Also it embroiders larger patterns.  It is incredibly fast too.  I sewed out a large embroidery pattern when I first got it. What would have taken the old machine a good 45 minutes to an hour to do took only about 15 minutes.  The time consuming part to embroidery is changing the thread.  Oh well, guess we can't have everything.  I do plan to spend more time in the sewing room.  Only wish I had a sewing partner.  Sewing is much more when more than one is doing it together. Well on that note I need to get my act together.  I am hoping to go to the outlet malls with my daughter and check out the Carter outlet.  70% off baby clothes sounds pretty good don't you think?

Development at 23 weeks.

I didn't have time this morning to tell you all this morning that my grandson can hear. He is over 11 inches long and weighs over 1 lb.  His blood vessels are developing in his lungs to prepare him to breath.  I wish so much I could talk to him so he could hear my voice.  I hate living so very far away.

The First Day

The first day of doing anything is always the most difficult.  Not quite sure how to get started.

It is snowing and I am getting ready to go to the Pregnancy Resource Center where I volunteer.

The center has been an incredibly special place ever since I found out I was going to be a grandmother.  Don't get me wrong, the center is a special place anyway, for we help those women in need.  We do everything from free pregnancy tests to helping these women with maternity clothes and baby clothes up to 12 months.  One of my favorite things is sorting the clothes and putting them in their proper places.  I get to see some of the cutest things. Problem is when I go look for these cute things to buy, I can't find them.  Oh well.

Ok back to the baby.  When I found out I was going to be a grandmother I followed the baby's life right off the bat.  The PRC carries little plastic models of babies at different stages of life.  First thing I would do when I came in is look for the little models.  I would pick them up read all about them and admire them.  I would think this is what my grand baby looks like right now.  This is how big it is.  This is how heavy it is.  When the baby was 20 weeks I carried that little model around for about 20 minutes.  This might sound silly but I have appreciated this pregnancy more than with any of my three kids.  Why you might ask?  Maybe because I am not directly involved but I am involved.  It is hard to explain.  I can look as a third party but it is still partially my flesh and blood.  Somewhere deep in that little one it has a little bit of me!

It is the Christmas season and my little grandson also helps me contemplate the Birth of Christ.

To think he came into the world the same way.  He grew in Mary's womb just as my little grandson does.  He sucked his thumb and kicked around just as my little guy is doing right now.

On that note, I will post this and wish you all a great day filled with many blessings.