Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas!
I hope this finds you all doing ok.
It's amazing what one sees during this most celebrated season.
The other day when I was doing some Christmas shopping, there was two women filled with joy as each tried entering the same parking space and decided to instead of spreading good cheer had decided to have a delightful stare down and entertain the gathering crowd wondering who would give up first. I had thought to pay the one lady to follow me to my parking space that would soon be free. It was close to the entrance but I decided at last to let them enjoy their state down and wish then both well and drove away in hopes that their true joy would soon return.
There were the usual crying kids, the frustrated shoppers, I wished them all a happy finding the perfect gift with of course the sale they were wishing for. While at the mall, I love to get a cup of expensive coffee, and sit down next to an elderly person and engage them in conversation and hear of the tales of their family memories of Christmases past. Some good stories I've heard and it puts a smile on my face.
It is also amazing to me that just as the most crucial time of the season, that events happen to just make me change the whole "perfect plan" of Christmas that was pictured in my head. I had just returned home happy with the finds that were now in the back of my Honda Element. I had backed up a bit close to the Lilac bush and so I opened the top half to retrieve the packages from the back. After getting them all out I moved my head out of the way to close the 'trunk' and gave it a good push down to close it. The only problem was that I wasn't quite out of the way and well, long story short, ended up with 6 staples in my head. Oh that did hurt. Those interruptions to our perfect plans!
Well, I've learned that when good plans get messed up that what we do with those make or brakes the 'goodness' of the holiday, so I'm deciding to get happy and continue on with focusing on the real meaning of the season.
Today, Naomi and I will make a Gingerbread house and play Christmas carols. I will not be going to church tonight as my hear looks horrid as I can't wash my hair where the staples are at, right in front where everyone can see them. They will be coming out two days after Christmas. Thankfully we are going to stay home this Christmas and enjoy each other.
Brian will serve at one of three places that our church is feeding the homeless and people who are needing some joy. Though I won't be attending, I will be cooking.
I hope that you all find ways to celebrate and spread some joy to others.

Merry Christmas!

Mercy, It's almost here!

Oh, I am shuddering in my boots. I have so many things to finish, to do, and decorate yet. It is just starting to dawn on me how close Christmas is and how far away I am in being ready. Well, one really wonderful thing is, is that we finaly have a real tree. It is the first one I've had in over...... well... many years. The first one since we've been married, (16 yrs now) and the very first real one for our daughter. The smell of pine just makes me feel calm and cozy. I love it.

I've just started doing my Christmas cards. Three or so done and about 30 more to go. Every year I think I am going to write a fantastic, interesting and not a bragging kind of Christmas letter, but here we are, just days away from that great Christmas day and not a moment to even think further about it. This year, as far as gifts are concerned, I'm keeping things very simple. Some will be home made, some will be ....... well.... ... I'm not going to tell. lol.. I Know, you thought I'd be dropping hints. No Way!

This Christmas we are going to help serve and cook as our church is serving several hundred Christmas dinners at three different locations to people who are homeless or really need help.

I hope that this Christmas you feel the presence of God as you are loved so much by him.



God bless you all!

What I want for Christmas

Hi to all,
Well, it is now December. We've finally had our first snow storm, there is ice in the driveway and on the sidewalk, so yes, winter is here.
We've been starting to get ready for Christmas. I made a garland for the mantel and it turned out very pretty if I must say so myself.
Brian, put lights on a little tree and put it in the window as well as candle lights in each of the windows.
I'm hoping to be able to get a real tree this year. The realization came to me that I am really missing the ol' "Woodhull" kind of Christmas. You know, when you don't have to dress up fit to kill, sit and appear all proper and hooty-snooty, talk about stocks and other meaningless stuff. I am so wanting a dress comfy, enjoy the parades on TV. open gifts, have Christmas music playing, have simple food, and most importantly focus on Jesus; the reason for the season. That's the description of what I want my Christmas to be.
As Christmas draws close, please take the time to keep it simple, meaningful, and real.

Merry Christmas Season everyone!