Dolly's Dreamings

A Year reviewed

2012 draws to a close and it is time to reflect on what the year brought with it.

I have been doing just that today as I completed the final page for our 2012 album. It has, in many ways, been a very challenging year for us, but rather than be brought down by the things we have had to face and deal with, we have, instead, spent the year focussing on the blessings. Calamaties there may have been, but in the great scheme of things most were minor and, most importantly, we dealt with them.

The year began with a whole series of electrical and mechanical problems. The fridge was the first to go and it was a toughie to replace. We love our fridge, having always wanted a proper American style fridge. I rarely drink much else other than water and I love ice in it, so to have the ice dispenser is a god-send. We wanted a big fridge so badly we redesigned the entire utility room to house it. So when it went it had to be replaced and it was a big investment at a time when money was not in endless supply.

However, we replaced it and we love the newer model even more.

The problems with the fridge were followed by a boiler issue, a cable box failure and a very dodgy internet connection. Then there was Nigel's car. Whilst washing it the valve on the tire just sheared right off and then there was an electrical problem it has to go to Chrysler hospital for. Even that wasn't simple as a small part they were fixing dropped into the engine and the whole thing had to be taken apart and rebuilt - that bit was thankfully at their expense - and Nigel was without his car for 6 weeks. Finally the windshield had to be replaced just last week.

However, the mechanical issues were all resolved, none were life threatening and everything ended well. And on a sort of mechanical note, this was also the year I got a new computer and we both had i phones which have transformed so much. Good technology!  

 Then there were the health issues. They began in January with norovirus (and I wouldn't wish that on anyone ... and it was made even worse living with someone vomit phobic as Nigel is)

It was followed by a reasonably significant health scare for me as I had to go and have tests and - perhaps worse - wait for results to see if the problems were cancerous. The weeks of waiting were awful but the blessing was that the tests were all clear. I don't think we really realised how worried we had both been until we no longer needed to worry.

 

 

However the defining moment in many ways was a simple picnic at Durlston Country Park when I broke a tooth. I had NO IDEA what lay ahead.

 

It wasn't painful but it did have to come out. I am terrified of dentists anyway so it had to come out under sedation and, for whatever reason, it developed into a dry socket and then an acutely septic socket resulting in hospital visits, morphine and the worst pain I have ever had in my life. I have shattered my leg and I would rather do that again that have that septic pain. Hell on earth ... but over. That's the main thing. It was horrible, painful and debilitating but not serious, not life threatening and was treatable.

Having not had a fab start we did have some awesome times this year. We made a pledge, thanks to our wonderful neighbours, to go away more often - just one night at a time - and have had some great nights away in places such as London, for the Harry Potter Studios tour

 

 

Bath

 

 

Stratford and the Costwolds

 

London

 

and most recently Ramsgate!

 

We have been on some fabulous day trips and made the most of our National Trust passes again

 

 

 

 

 

and we even managed a holiday this year - going over to Florida and having what we both feel is the best holiday there we have ever had (and we have had a lot of Florida holidays)

 

Everything was just perfect this year.

 

We loved the resort as much as ever

 

we had our best visit to the Magic Kingdom

 

we met Nigel's cyber friend Mike

 

and we BOTH swam with dolphins

 

Our home continues to be a blessing and we love being in it. This year the new bird feeder has brought us hours of joy and we have enjoyed the other wildlifee too which has included squirrels, deer, sand lizards, a rather BIG adder and 'our' cows that graze right next to us.

 

 

The cats are one of our greatest joys. Boo is completely deaf now and her sight is impaired as she has cataracts. She rarely ever leaves the study but looks healthy - though painfully thin - and is very happy.

 

Kira's eye is now almost completely pigmented but it doesn't seem to bother her and the vet and we have agreed to no treatment at this stage. There is no way to tell if it is malignant other than by removing the eye and that is not something we are prepared to do whilst it is uncertain and not causing her any trouble. Her allergies are under control and she is a joy to be with each and every day.

 

We had bad news about Fiki in the summer as he has been diagnosed with PKD which is a life limiting condition and it means he will go into renal failure. I spent the first few days after the diagnosis in tears, but whilst it is still a bit like living with a ticking time bomb as we KNOW it will happen we just don't know WHEN, we are now just enjoying every day with him to the max. He is as gorgeous as ever, although now it appears his weight gain may be due to another condition, this time hyperthyroid issues. Ah well. No doubt we will deal with that too.

 

The three of them are a joy that we are grateful for each and every day.

Nigel's work is now far more frequent. he has built up a good business working with several agencies and is now so much happier that he has a more regular income coming in whilst still having more flexible time to ensure a better quality of life for both of us. He is incredibly talented in so many ways and it is so rewarding to see him get the credit for the things he does.

 

 

My own work has continued to be hard with long hous but really is the most rewarding job in the world and I count my blessings every day for the chances I have and the work I get to do.

 

I also count my blessings that my faith continues to be stengthened, that I have learnt to hand things over and not let them worry me and that I am a stronger person for it.

And of course, our greatest blessing of all remains each other. No matter what is thrown at us we cope because we cope together ... and I fear more than anything the day one of us isn't there to help the other.

We really were incredibly lucky to each marry our best friend and to have a life together where we, I can honsetly say, there isn't a day go by where we don't laugh together, where we don't enjoy being with each other and where we don't count our blessings.

 

 

 

and here are the pages for my 2012 album - singly and then together as they will appear in the album (looks odd as they are in a portrait album not a landscape album

 

 

 

2012 - a GOOD Year

So all that remains is to thank all of you who have been visiting all year - it means a great deal, no matter why you visit.

Thank you for all of the lovely comments, the e mails and the friendship

 

I hope that 2013 is a year filled, for each and every one of you, with health and happiness, love and laughter. xxx

 

 

and the very last Page a Day inspirational page

On a frosty winter’s morning, a hand-lettered sign stood at the entrance to the old man’s driveway:
SALE. Inside, the old man waited for buyers. To his right, a guitar sat on a stand. The tag said $75, strap included. An assortment of chairs, a table, a coffee urn, all priced to sell, were stacked to his left.

“People just didn’t come,” he said with a sad shake of his head.

My thoughts flew back to the time, three years earlier, when I first saw the other sign, the one the man had so cleverly contrived out of a system of ropes and pulleys. The huge letters rose from the top of the
concrete-block building a few steps from the old man’s house: free live music. everyone welcome.

The sign had gone up every Friday. One evening, on our way home, I convinced my husband, David, to stop. Bluegrass music spilled from the door of the building. Inside, we discovered musicians of all ages, playing their hearts out to an audience of seven.

“Have some coffee and sit a spell,” the old man had urged. But we were in a hurry.

“Can’t stay now, but we’ll be back,” we assured him.

Well, three years later I was finally back, and it was too late. Every Friday night, less than a mile from my house, the music had been free. But my days were too complicated, and in the evenings I was too tired to stop and listen.

Today another sign is up: NEW YEAR AHEAD. Our Father’s music is alive in a sunrise, a bevy of birds
gathered outside the kitchen window, a chance to hear an old-timer’s story or a young child’s imagining—it’s up to me to stop and listen.

Father, with gratitude I accept Your gift of life this eve of New Year’s Day.—PAM KIDD

 

And we are done ... with a day to spare

The final 2013 calendar is complete.

A combined effort this one as Nigel did the calendar bit and I did the picture bit and I have to say it looks fabulous.

Good team work.

These are the picture pages

 

 

A long job but a job worth doing.

 

I have a few catch up photos of the day as well - and that is another job I am jolly glad to see the back of it.  I did it in 2009 and swore I would never do it again but was urged on by Nigel who said he loved the finished album. If anyone hears me mention I might like to do it again in a few years time .....STOP ME!

 

I still have the last couple of weekly pages to do but we will have another project 366 album to look back on.

 

the 27th was a new free download from Starbucks - yes not just coffee but free downloads each week too and this book was a good one.

 

 

A £2 Primark necklace to be broken up for embellishments. Good value at that price.

 

 

 

This local road is so famous for its lights it was even on TV this year

 

New boxes I fell in love with today ... I have a weakness for pretty boxes. No idea what I will put in them but they were too pretty to leave behind.

 

Today I am thankful

 

• all calendars are made
• Only one more photo a day left
• boxes and prettiness
• silver nail varnish

 

 

and I would say yes yes yes yes yes to this one

 

 

The end is in sight

I can see the finish line ... and it is not far away now.

I am almost ....

...

 

...

 

 

not quite but almost .....

...

...

 

done on the calendars.

The kitchen calendar is the largest and it has taken a long time to do the six pages I have completed today, but half way there, printed and mounted up and the last leg means I will soon be done.

I really must start calendars earlier next year or .... heaven forbid ... buy them

 

Actually we have been given two beautiful calendars as Christmas gifts but I already have places in mind for them. I had a beautiful cat calendar which is destined for my classroom at school which I love and whicht he girls will love. It was a gift from Dawn and really thoughtful. We also had a really special calendar from Mike. It is a Disney calendar - all the way from Disney's home in Florida - but a Thomas Kincade Disney and it is all ready to be hung in our study, the room we both spend so much time in.

 

These are the six pages made so far for the kitchen calendar.

 

Not sure which oths they will be yet - I will figure that out when I have done all 12 pages.

On a calendar theme I have also picked my two on line page a day calendars for 2013.

I have loved having a page a day story e mailed each day this year and have shared most of them on my blog.

This year they are not doing the same calendar but I have picked two others. I have two this year as the way it works is you get an on line freebie for each calendar you buy and we bought each other one. Nigel bought be one for busy women - not sure where he got that idea from!!!! and I bought him the same I buy him every year - the mind bender calendar which has a fiendish logic problem or puzzle for each day of the year. I have selected a Bible Verse a day and also a Trivial facts so I will hopefully share those on my blog this year.

If you are interested in your own page a day ca;endar you will find them all here

 

We have another Christmas this evening as my MIL is coming for our Christmas celebration with her, which will be nice.

Then I think Christmas is officially over for us here.

I need to get back on the dieting wagon and this page ... made with a new kit released this week by Lorie M at Pickleberrypop .... is a declaration of intent.

 

Today I am thankful for

• The fact MIL is coming as it has made us tidy the house up
• calendars of all shapes and sizes and types. It's a bit of an addiction

 

And my page a day calendar page for today is

MYSTERIOUS WAYS
“She’s a good kid, and it’s only for a few months,” my friend said, pleading for me to let her cousin’s daughter from Washington live with me and my husband, Mark, while the girl attended her first semester at Oregon State. Normally, I would have said yes, but it hadn’t been long since Mark’s heart attack, and we needed some peace and quiet. “I’ll think about it,” I said.

Mark’s heart attack had been quite an ordeal. I still shuddered every time I thought about the call that my husband had collapsed at the airport on his way back from a business trip. A paramedic had kept his heart beating with CPR for several minutes until a medical team arrived. I couldn’t imagine life without Mark. I was so grateful to that medic. I only wished I had been in the state of mind to thank him when I briefly met him at the hospital.

Now that things were finally getting back to normal, would a roomer be too disruptive? My friend repeated her request. Her cousin’s daughter was desperate.

A twinge of guilt nagged at me. “Fine,” I said. I made plans to meet with my friend’s cousin, her husband, and their daughter. Mark had to work, so he couldn’t make it.

On a sunny afternoon, I greeted the three of them at my front door. We chatted about the daughter’s college plans. I began to feel at ease when I noticed there was something familiar about the father. We kept talking, and in the back of my mind, I was already making plans for the daughter to stay in our spare bedroom. Then I turned to the father. “What do you do for a living?” I asked.

“I’m a paramedic,” he said.

All at once, I knew. And when I pointed out Mark’s picture to him, so did he.

At last I could thank him for saving my husband’s life.

Lord, help me always be in a state of mind to thank You for Your special gifts.—PAMELA DARCY

 

Completed Journal

I decided that, this year, I was stopping my journal on 26th December - Boxing Day.

So having decided that - and been away yesterday - today was the day to finish it off.

I made my end page and the front and back covers, printed everything off, mounted it all, bound it all and it is done. And I am really pleased with it.

Before I share much more I must give the credits for the album and I owe a huge thank you to Indigo Designs at PickleberryPop.

I used her Season's Greetings Mega Collection for almost the entire album. You can see her collection here

The only real additons were a couple of doodles from Dawn Inskip and numbers by Jessica Sprague that were from her Holidays class several years ago

 

Using a complete collection just makes the whole thing hand together more easily and makes completing daily pages a speedier process as you don't have to trawl through endless supplies trying to select what to use.

 

 

and just a small glimpse of the individual pages.

 

It is my 7th Christmas jpurnal, each very different and each one a treasured memory of our favourite season that we love looking through. This year, unbeknown to me, Nigel took himself off for a while and came back, quite moved, and said he had read through all of the Christmas books (which I put out each year) and really enjoued them all. That makes it so worth doing.

 

Today I am thankful for

• Christmas holidays and traditions
• Memories captured for ever
• a lovely scrapping time

 

and my page a day calendar for today

My husband, Charlie, and I spend Novembers in Sausalito, California, just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. A dour café waiter there always remembers us, at least enough to give us a half
smile. But last year, when we walked in, he smiled broadly and hurried to greet us with a kiss for me and a handshake for Charlie. The bushy mustache that had hidden his perpetually downturned lips had vanished.

At first, I thought it might have been the absent mustache that accounted for the change. Perhaps
he’d been smiling all those years under all that hair. But, no, he couldn’t stop talking and seemed happier to see us than in all the previous years put together.

Eventually, a waitress clued us in: He was in love. He’d met a woman who not only loved him, but refused to accept his glum disposition. She’d encouraged him to take up hiking, so he’d lost a few pounds.

Later, back in our rented cottage, we marveled at the change. “Look what love can do!” Charlie said.

That made me wonder: Why aren’t we all smiling like that waiter, rejuvenated and full of joy? After all, God loves us in a way that human love can only shadow. Yet how often do I feel so utterly loved that I’m
ready to change my life to reflect it? How often do I let the world know through my demeanor that I’m loved by the One Whose love redeems the world?

Not often enough. Still, tomorrow’s only a few hours away.

Loving Lord, help me to feel and mirror the transforming power of Your love.—MARCI ALBORGHETTI

 

 

 

Being sent to Coventry

I guess it is sort of true today. We weren't SENT to Coventry but we did GO to Coventry.

We had a lovely day with a drive up to Nigel's brother to collect his Mum who had been there for Christmas as she alternates one year with us and one with his brother.

On the way we stopped off for some shopping in Newbury and I was thrilled as there was a dressing gown I had coveted as my old one has seen better days (testament to the fact I wear it too much probably) and I resisted buying it but it was reduced to just £8 and it would have been crimianl not to buy it for that. So I did and it is all warm and soft and snuggly. OK so a couple of other things fell in to the basket but all bargains ..... truly.  

It was lovely to have a family day up there and to see our now very grown up niece and nephew too who we see all too rarely as they no longer live with their parents or even in Coventry any longer. So a good catch up day.

It was a long day for Nigel there and back but his Mom is safely home and we are safely home.

No JYC today as I usually stop on Boxing Day but I did make this page yesterday with a gorgeous new collection by Feli Designs at Pickleberrypop

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• safe travel
• re-unions
• bargains

And my page a day calendar page

My wife, Julia, and I were sitting on the sofa next to the Christmas tree when the demonstration began. Six-year-old Maggie and nine-year-old Mary marched out of their bedroom, chanting and carrying signs that read SCHOOL IS BORING! NO MORE SCHOOL!

“I’m going to perform a musical,” Maggie announced. She sat at the little table we’d used for the Christmas dinner overflow, arranged pencils and papers in front of her, and began to sing, “School is so boring, I’m so very bored. School is so easy, what can I do?” The tune wasn’t recognizable, but the sentiments were. The transition from the fun and flexibility of home school kindergarten to the routine of a first-grade class of 30-plus hasn’t been easy for her.

Maggie is bright, kindhearted, and well behaved at school.

She loves her teacher, and her teacher loves her. But her effervescent blend of energy, curiosity, and a quirky sense of humor doesn’t always fit well into a classroom. And to tell the truth, school sometimes is boring.

Julia is working with Maggie’s teacher to make sure she’s challenged and engaged at school. But one of the lessons Maggie has got to learn is that every day isn’t going to be filled with excitement, no matter where she happens to be. It’s a lesson I’m constantly relearning myself, when I’ve got to tackle some necessary but uninspiring tasks at work, when I have to put aside my book to clean up the kitchen, or when I’m tired or anxious and struggling to pray.

He or she may not have heard the angels or even noticed the star, but how rich was the gift of whoever it was that mucked out that Bethlehem stable and freshened the straw our Savior slept in. Sometimes, the best I can give is the small but necessary task, no matter how boring.

 Lord, help Maggie and me to face all the tasks You give us with a cheerful heart.
—ANDREW ATTAWAY

 

 

Satiated and sleepy ,,,, and a sale or two

Happy Boxing Day everyone.

For my friends across the pond I know this is a very English Tradition - I guess a bit like your Black Friday.

Our Boxing Day is usually a stay at home day but we had a lovely stay at home day yesterday so we did venture out today.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas Day with all that you hoped for .... and ot just the gifts. I hope your tummies were full of food, your arms filled with gifts, your homes filled with laughter and your hearts filled with love. Our certainly were.

 

We had a fabulous day. For the first time ever it was justt he two of us and it was fabulous. We had a not getting dressed day, donning 'holiday' PJs and slobbing out. A champagne breakfast, a huge Christmas lunch (I am a poor cook really but one meal I excel at is Christmas lunch) wonderful gifts, the watching of inane Christmas TV and the playing of games. All in all a wonderful wonderful day and so relaxed and stress feee.  Some photos from yesterday and today

 

 

 

The cats had a wonderful day and whilst Fiki inevitably got over excited and had to go to his room a bit to calm down, Kira was an absolute joy all day, never leaving our side and being as good as gold.

 

They had their own presents

 

 

 

 

and this one which is a warmer, from Aunty Dawn

 

 

which Boo has taken as her own

 

We copied Pauline and bought one of the special M and S Gold Christmas puddings which was amazing - It comes with it's own gold dust too LOL

 

 

 

Utterly delicious though we will be eating it for a while yet

 We were all pooped and this kimd of sums it up - the 'boys' having a nap except Fiki waked up real easy .... sometimes

 

and other times not so much

 

 and this one shows he really does light up our lives

 

and two JYC pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd like to say a huge thanks to Barb for all of her comments all year and to let Mike know I do always see your comments on here too and they mean a great deal

 

I know you will be all gifted out, but heck - everyone likes a bargain and a sale right! And I have two great sale pieces of news for you.

You can make huge savings on Dawn's wonderful goodies by popping over to her store here

 

 

 

 and there are also retirement sales over at PBP here

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• The greatest gift that we all received at Christmas over 2000 years ago
• The many many gifts I received this year
• A quiet family day to share together
• The joy the cats bring endlessly
• Christmas food - Oh my!

 I HAVE to share this LOL cat too because those of you who know me well know I love my puns

 

 

 

 

and finally my Page a Day Calendar page for yesterday

It was Christmas morning. The dining room table was set with antique lace and hand-me-down china. The living room was arranged to suit the tall tree hung with years of treasured ornaments. Our children, home from far away, gladdened my already glad heart. I was fussing with the napkins when my husband, Whitney, strolled into the kitchen and hung an arm around my shoulder. I rested against him, savoring our gift of each other. It came wrapped in trust, as does the Christmas story.

“Don’t be afraid,” the angel said, first to Mary, then to Joseph. Joseph wanted to believe his betrothed, but he was afraid. Then the angel spoke, and in the morning, he got up from his fear and took Mary as his wife.

A year earlier, I had been in my apartment, waiting for God and reading the Bible. “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NIV), I’d read. Do You mean even my troubled marriage, Lord? The thought of giving it another try flooded me with fear: fear of rejection, fear of change, fear of dealing with problems, fear of my fear.

Then a dear friend who’d been divorced for years gave me a nudge.

“The thing to do is to get up out of your fear and take a step in the direction you think God is leading you. If you’re wrong, He’ll still be there. Trust me, I know.”

Now my mending marriage had brought us together as a family around the Christmas table. Our plates piled high, we held hands while Whitney asked the blessing. “Thank You most of all,” he said, “for new
beginnings and the courage to start in on them.” Laura and Sanna squeezed my hands. I squeezed back and looked at Whitney across the table.

God, thank You for the light of Christmas that banishes fear and brings me the hope of new beginnings.—SHARI SMYTH

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas Everyone

I would like to wish all of the people who read this a very happy Christmas.

May your holiday season be filled with love and laughter, peace and joy.

 

 

Thank you for visiting, thank you for reading, thank you for your support during the past year x

 

The picture is of my 70 year old plastic nativity ... One of the most priceless things I own ... The irreplaceable spirit of Christmas

I leave you with one of my all time favourite poems

Christmas by John Betjeman

The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge
And round the Manor House the yew
Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,
The altar, font and arch and pew,
So that the villagers can say
'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze,
Corporation tramcars clang,
On lighted tenements I gaze,
Where paper decorations hang,
And bunting in the red Town Hall
Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.

And London shops on Christmas Eve
Are strung with silver bells and flowers
As hurrying clerks the City leave
To pigeon-haunted classic towers,
And marbled clouds go scudding by
The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children's hearts are glad.
And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

And so Christmas is almost upon us.

Presents are bought and wrapped, cards written and sent, carols sung, food prepared, tree up (and down and up and down and up again!) decorations on,  and all is hopefully ready for the special day that is tomorrow.

And whilst I love every single thing about Christmas, ad I mean EVERY single thing from the food and the smells of cinnamon and spice, to the tacky Christmas songs, the beautiful carols, the hustle and bustle, the excitement that permeates the air, the christmas food, the cards, the parties, the services , EVERYTHING .....  I try and keep firmly in focus what really matters and why we are celebrating.  And as the children so beautifully reminded everyone this year ... don't forget the manger.

 

 

I have my photo of the day from the Christingle Service

 

 

and my JYC page shows the crib in church

 

and I do want to share some lovely poems.

Twas the night before Christmas is a very special poem int his house, read every year on Christmas Eve ever since I was born. Mommy used to recite it to me and when I was 4 I was givent he book and still have that book. I made a Night Before Christmas Box for our mantlepiece years ago and Nigel recorded an audio book of it where his voice reads the story as you turn the page. I love that poem as it is part of my Christmas traditions.

 

I thought I would share some of the alternative versions .... and there are lots ... that I love.

 

The Night Before Christmas
A more spiritual version of the famous Christmas story

By: Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N

 

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.

The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
When even the innkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay.

He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Lets go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go.

And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love.

More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel.

Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens and unearthly light.

The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore.

He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too.

Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!

 

Tis the Month Before Christmas

 

Tis the month before Christmas, we're all going nuts;
With so much to do, there's no ifs, ands or buts.
Buy presents, hang tree lights, pop cards in the mail,
Send gift packs, thread popcorn, find turkeys on sale.

Decorations need stringing up all through the house.
And you haven't a clue what to buy for your spouse.
School concerts, receptions, open houses with friends,
Long lineups, short tempers, tying up the loose ends.

With all our mad dashing, we're reeling from shock;
Let's stop for a minute and really take stock.
It's crassly commercial, the cynical say;
If that's true, that's our fault-it's us and not they.

Take time for yourself-though hard as that seems—
Enjoy your kids' laughter, excitement and dreams.
Take a moment out now, don't get overly riled,
Instead make an angel in snow with your child.

The shortbread can wait, and so can the tree;
What's important to feel is a child's sense of glee.
The holidays aren't about push, rush and shove;
They're for friendship and sharing and family love.

Hear the bells, feel the warmth, light up with the glow
Of a message first sent to us so long ago:
Peace, love and goodwill, and hope burning bright.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

 

The REAL Night Before Christmas
(By Parents)

 

Twas the night before Christmaswhen all through the house
I searched for the toolsto hand to my spouse.

Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
in hopes we could manage"Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
while Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse to boot!
And now, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes,my heart skipped a beat—
let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
if we can't get it right, it goes straight to the basement!
When what to my worrying eyes should appear
but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,

With each part numbered and every slot named,
so if we failed, only we could be blamed.
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
all over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
with "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
till our eyes, they went blurry; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,
we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
and not run to the store for one single thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
for the perfect, most magical, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose
I gratefully went, though I suppose
there's something to say for those self-deluded—
I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

 

 

Finally a couple of pages from my Project 365

 

 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and I wish you all the blessings of Christmas.

xx

 and finally the page a day calendar page for today

The journey that began the December night I received my child’s frightening medical news continued into the next summer.
One evening, I was sitting at the end of a dock beside a clear mountain lake. A few last rays from the setting sun tinted the scattered clouds, which earlier had brought a light rain. I was praying yet again for my child. Suddenly, I flung my open arms to the sky and spoke to Jesus with complete conviction: “If
You have allowed it, then I can trust it.” It was my way of giving up my child to Him, of giving up my desire to say how this should end.

No sooner had I spoken than a magnificent rainbow formed right before my eyes, filling the sky
with color. I wanted to leap into the air and run under that rainbow, treading the clouds. I still had no answer for our family’s crisis, but I had hope.

Six months later, after another Christmas celebration of the miracle of the Christ Child, our own child received miraculous news of perfect health!

Even in the dark times, Mary had a hope anchored in that first angelic promise: “Of his kingdom there shall be no end.” I believe this hope supported her from the flight into Egypt clear to the foot of the Cross. For all her joy in holding her Bethlehem baby, I picture her most keenly, even at Christmas, rushing into the outstretched arms of her risen Son.

Jesus, You give such hope and power and purpose to Your people! The tiny flailing fists of Bethlehem have become the strong arms of my salvation.—CAROL KNAPP

 

 

 

Did I hear someone say he was spoilt?

I think it is fairly self evident that we are cat people. I even think it is fairly self evident that our cats mean a great deal to us both.

However even I was shocked at quite how spoilt they are. It hit me yesterday when we were doing some last minute shopping.

We have enough food to withstand a pretty serious seiege and yet I found myself buying a packet of pre-cooked chicken. Why? We have turkey for Christmas dinner, we have all sorts of cheeses and cold meats for a buffet, we had no need for any more. So why the chicken? Pretty much Nigel's question when I picked it up.

Well, simple ....

 

Fiki doesn't like turkey!

No idea why as I don't think it is THAT much different to chicken, but he won't ever touch it. He comes running as he hears his dish, all excited, but sniffs it and won't eat it.

I figured we would all be tucking into turkey on Christmas day and my little boy would miss out. So I bought him chicken.

Now THAT is spoilt.

And THIS records it.

 

There he is, in all of his orange glory, basking in the sunlight next to the light display of parcels he had just detroyed.

 

 

Today has been a firly quiet day as we have done little except go out to the cemetery to take Mommy and Daddy's wreath. On the way home we came alonmg Sanbanks and they were either really rescuing someone from the water by helicopter or just doing a training excercise.

 

I have my JYC page to share today as well which shows the table centre we eventaully made.

We went to Linz and Jay in the summer (Mrs D you may be reading this so Merry Christmas to you and the girls) and their home was beautiful and full of lovely unusual things. One of the things we loved was a flat platter full of pebbles and fairy lights which was so pretty and we wanted to replicate something similar for Christmas.

I couldn't find a suitable bowl but last week found the wooden platter at a charity shop. It is a stunning piece of wood and some 18" across and so we collected some smaller fir cones (we already had some huge giant ones we had collected)  and mixed them in with fairy lights and fir tree bits and it made a lovely natural table centre.

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• Mommy and Daddy - no longer with me in reality but always with me in spirit
• Cats to enjoy spoiling

 

And finally a friend sent me an e mail with loads of pictures of naughty dogs wearing signs to show their crimes. They were so funny and so here is a small selection  ... I feel a sign round Fiki is coming some day soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wet and windy and wonderful

There is something lovely about a day indoors when it is wet and windy - I love it.

I finishd the calendars today - well apart from the slimline for the kitchen - and so they are the photo of the day - just a digi view of the pictue pages all together.

and they are also the focus of my JYC as making them has become a bit of a tradition here for us.

 

 

and

 

I also ought to share a few of the weekly pages as I need to get them all posted before the end of the year or else I will feel I have failed to meet my own self-impossed deadline!

This was week 41

 

and week 42

 

Today I am thankful for

• wet windy days to cozy up indoors
• a special christmas present for my cats and one we allowed Kira to eat as it looked 'safe' and so we have everything crossed she will not react

 

And before my page a day calendar page I have some of the cutest pictures ..... you know you are really tried when THIS happens (and i so remember when the CFH were babies and they would fall asleep anywhere and everywhere - just drop dead to the world)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MYSTERIOUS WAYS
I was sitting in the living room of my parents’ home, sipping eggnog and watching my two kids, ages three and four, play on the floor by the Christmas tree. A perfect Christmas afternoon. But then my husband, Mark, called my name. He looked ill. “What’s wrong, dear?” I asked.

“My wedding ring,” he said, holding up his hand. There was only a faint white line on his finger where the ring had been.

Earlier that morning, Mark had dressed our kids while I packed the car with the gifts and our overnight bags. It was a three-hour drive, and it wasn’t pleasant. Our car was old and the cold temperatures and gusty winds outside overpowered the heater. When we got to my parents’ house, Mark hurried the kids inside to get them warm while I unloaded the gifts. Despite the rough ride, I was in cheery holiday spirits.

Not anymore. Everyone searched the house. We checked Mark’s coat pockets, felt inside the gloves he wore. We looked on the floor and seats in the car. But the ring was gone.

We sat back down in the living room and began opening presents, but I was in no mood. God, I prayed silently, help me to overcome this and enjoy myself.

“Psst,” Mark whispered, “Where’s Mom’s present?”

I glanced at the gifts I’d carried in. “Oh, I must have left it in the trunk!”

I walked out to the car, glad to be alone for a second. I tried not to cry as I popped open the trunk.

Inside was Mom’s gift. But a glint of something on the trunk floor caught my eye.

I had packed the trunk myself. Emptied it myself. Mark hadn’t been in it all day, I was sure of that. But there it was—my husband’s wedding ring.

Lord, You always knows how to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.—TAMI CONNER

And I have to add to this.

Back in 1988 - just two years after we married, Nigel lost his wedding rind. We know where he lost it - in a pub in Poole. We were with friends and the ring was a little loose and he was sat playing with it whilst we chatted. It came off.

They put all the lights on int he pub and we all searched for it. We even went back the next day. It never turned up and we were both sad.

We bought a replacement wedding ring - one that fit better.

Over a year later one of Nigel's staff in Southampton came out of the back paint store and said he had found a wedding ring under one of the shelves. Nigel didn't go out there. The ring fitted perfectly. No-one else had lost a ring and no-one ever claimed it. Funny old world isn't it.