It's time for Christmas

Our family celebrates Christmas starting on the Eve, or more specifically, in the afternoon of the Eve. Since we no longer have kids in the program, we don't attend worship until it's time for the candlelight service. Jill so kindly reserved the community room in the apartment building for our use, which comes with a decorated tree. Nice!  Lori, David, and Dustin drove over this a.m. from Holmen, and Alayna came up from Madison, once she was done working. We attendees prepare or provide foods for a buffet where we nibble much of the afternoon and evening during the gift opening and beyond. 

Before everyone arrived, some of us sat down in the community room for a bit, once we got the buffet all set up. Here is Mom, all dressed for the occasion.

 I ordered this trivia game for us to play with while I am here, all about TV and movies. We played a modified version of it while waiting for the rest of the family to arrive. 

Justin's contribution was making sandwiches including two sandwich rings as shown here, plus his good ham and Swiss rolls made on the Hawaiian rolls, spread with onion and poppyseed. Oh, my, so delicious!! 

Here is one of the sandwich rings after its been baked. It was wonderful!

 

At last everyone is here and the boys can begin opening their presents. Angelo is looking over a present from Justin and me, as Manny and Gabe wait their turns. 

Angelo is now going to open the present which is a matching game with the theme of Despicable Me. I'm so out of the game that I don't know what's what anymore!

Besides chipping in money toward Gabe's electronic piano keyboard, Justin and I got the boys this Monopoly game based on Star Wars, of which both are fans. I hope they like it. I also got them the DVD of the Lego movie to share. 

While the boys did their gift opening, the adults sat along the perimeter to watch. Lori, Dusty, David, and Justin are pictured here. It's so nice having the boys, and their cousin, Alayna, together for a visit. 

Jill and Lori are overseeing Mom as she opens her Christmas presents. She asked that she not receive anything that has to be moved, as she plans to go into assisted living at some point. I don't think she did get anything which did not fit her criteria except for a sweater with coordinating top to wear under it. I wouldn't consider clothing something which needs to be moved, so she was happy with her gift certificates, chocolates, etc. Justin and I gave her winter gloves which match her coat. We also got her a certificate for the hair salon she goes to plus a book of postage stamps so she can mail cards to her friends. I think she liked all she received. 

After the room was cleaned up, gifts loaded into cars, and ourselves tidied up, off we went to the candlelight service. This is what Justin was waiting for---Christmas at First German. With the pipe organ and church orchestra, we sang marvelous hymns and carols, filling the length of the pew with our family. Lynn and Alayna were in the balcony to sing with the choir. It was just a lovely service, culminating with singing "Stille Nacht", first in English and then lastly in German, while holding lit candles. It was a good day!

"Christ, the Savior, is born!"

A full day with the church family

 This morning for our Lessons and Carols service, we had a little choir formed to sing three pieces, in which I sang two verses as a solo. The choir got many compliments which were warmly received. 

After church our group went to Chili's where we surprised Mike S with a new TV. He was presently watching a 13" one and ruining his eyes in the process so we chipped money and gift cards together to get him this one. Gotta love the electronics sales this time of the year. He was blown away, and even wiped a tear from his eye, saying he's never gotten such a wonderful gift. Nice!

But, no time to enjoy his new TV---not when there is a tree waiting to be decorated. Nick and Mike were stringing the lights so we ladies didn't have to climb up on the ladder. And then Mike had to go to the kitchen and make some soup!

Once the tree was decorated, a group of us headed to the Veterans' Home near St. Augustine to sing carols to the residents. After we sang to each dining room of vets, we'd go around to greet them and wish them Merry Christmas, thanking them for their service. The kids were real troupers, not shy about greeting these folks. I am proud of them for being so kind and willing to serve.

We had ten total carolers, three of which were young kids, and one young man who is Judy's grandson, David, a law student at UF. We put on lots of miles on foot going dining room to dining room but it was well worth it as Laurie's youngest son remarked to her on the ride back, "That was fantastic..." or something to that affect. Love it!

This is what awaited us when we got back to church. We had several choices of soups, and breads to eat with it. We had lots of people show up to eat besides the carolers but there was plenty of soup for us all.

                               

Here are the soups, as prepared by Chefs Mike 'n Mike, and one by Brad, including graduated types of chili starting with mild and ending up with 'there go my fillings' hot. Also a turkey and wild rice, a seafood chowder, and another one which I don't know what it was. The bread was wonderful, too, with butter---yum!

When I got home from my church activities, Justin so too excited to wait for me to open my Christmas presents from him. Even though I didn't have mine ready for him, he just couldn't wait. This bag contains numerous bottles of scented hand sanitizer which I like, plus the bag is actually a cooler. Once frozen, the bag will chill a 6 pack of soda or beer for a period of time, like a giant coozy. I just love it, perfect for the pool!

Justin made these wooden pillars for me, resembling gifts. Working together with Jesse, they cut, sanded, shaped, and painted these pillars and applied the ribbon to make them look like this. Both us moms got a set and some friends as well are getting some of their hand-crafted gifts. I like them, our only decorations out this year!  He also gave a scented candle which doesn't appear in the photos, two scents as one flows into the other as it burns. He is a gem!

Loss and the holidays

In the most recent edition of "Forward in Christ", a periodical published through our Synod, there was a story about a pastor and his wife who lost their 2 1/2 year old son on Christmas Eve due to a fast moving illness which consumed him. They had no worship that night, as you might expect, but the pastor did conduct the festival service on Christmas morning, to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Without this babe, he said, he could never have peace with the loss of his babe. I get that.

As I lie here and think about it, my friend, Linda, comes to mind. A couple years ago I was able to meet her good friend, Angie, and meet again Debbie and Chris, with whom Linda works out nearly every morning. We were lunching at the Harborside just before Christmas and having a marvelous time. Angie was telling me how Linda talked about Justin and me often, and she felt like she knew us already. I felt like I knew her as well.

Linda had reported what a sweetheart Justin is (of course!), and as we gushed over him, my phone went off. I excused myself to talk to Justin, calling from FL. When I came back from the chat with him, I told them what he had to say. Justin was cautioning me to NOT listen to the first hour of our favorite radio show that day because the guest host was talking about the unopened gifts under the Christmas trees of the homes of those slaughtered in CT at the school shooting. He is familiar with that sadness, that empty feeling, and knew it would upset his mother. So he called to warn me. The ladies were moved when I told them why he called. It was so thoughtful of him to be looking out for me this far away.

I had shared this experience with my sister, Lynn, then, and a few nights later, she presented her youngest grandson, Angelo, with a stuffed lion. This lion had been on her shelf for over a decade (oh my, that sounds like a long time!), intended for Timmy's birthday the year he died. Lynn took that unopened present and gave it to Angelo, to open. I just love that. Brings tears to my eyes yet today. Thinking now about all the parents out there who have unopened gifts intended for those no longer here. I am glad to have the opened gift, the comfort of knowing that my Redeemer lives and my loved one is with Him in eternal bliss. There are no tears where he is, only bliss beyond compare, where everyday is Easter and everyday is Christmas. "How my heart yearns within me..."

Preschool Christmas program

In recent years Betty, Judy, and I have been privileged to serve as hostesses for Precious Lambs Preschool's Christmas program. This year Judy had a schedule conflict and was not able to attend but did make some wonderful cookies. Betty and Michael got the room set up, we got the cookies displayed, and I made punch for the reception. My lady friends are more creative than am I but I am no slouch when it comes to making oatmeal Scotchies! 

These are the cookies made by Judy (on the tray) and Betty's on the foam block. Oreo's dipped in white chocolate and then decorated to look like snowmen. This idea was sent to her by me!

Here are the kids starting to assemble before the program. They had the jitters in their legs for sure, and the little blonde boy cried more than once before going over to church. He is not yet 3 so this is a big adjustment for him. They are taking kids a bit younger than usual to get the census up in the classroom. Hoping for more students in the New Year!

Good times with friends

I had such a nice visit with my friend, Edda, who came over for a couple hours. It was great to have a chance to catch up on news, her recent retirement and discuss the search for some ways to spend this new free time.This is what prompted her to seek me out--since she follows me on Facebook, Edda figured I would be a good resource. She asked me for suggestions or ideas for how to serve others in the community. I rattled off a few things some of my friends are involved in which might interest her and promised to send more information as I was able to garner it. I so enjoyed our time, especially since she asked me about my church. She is going to join Justin and me for worship on Wednesday night!

This a.m. Nancy W. had asked me to join her for breakfast at Grumpy's. She came by for me and together we rode over. She had recently been entertaining a friend from her past, a man she had dated over 40 years ago. They are both now alone, he being a widower, and is not a stranger to this area. He contacted her a couple months ago and came to visit, returning twice since then. She confided that she is 'very very much in like' with this guy, enjoying the company of a gentleman. When I told Justin about this, he was so glad because he knows Nancy needs some good stuff in her life. I agree but then I have to get in line to spend time with her. That's okay---I can wait!

I told Nancy about how I spent nearly two hours with my old friend, Martie, also at Grumpy's. We did a bit of reminiscing about the old days when we'd spend our time on the patio at Johnny Carino's and in my studio at the lake house and here. Life gets in the way for Martie and occupies her time so this works out for us to meet before she has to go to work. We can often just pick up where we left off in our conversations, sometimes the same ones we had those years back at Carino's. Sadly, that place is no more, so Grumpy's will do!

A friend from the past

In a few moments someone with whom I spent much time in the past is coming to see me. Etta retired, closing her business which was nearby to my home, and is now officially retired. Already today she has been to yoga class which means she is an up and at 'em girl. She lives not far from our shared friend, Brenda. I actually introduced the two ladies to each other before Brenda even came to work for us, and they became fast friends. Brenda had then worked for the developer of our community and Etta handled the closings. Worked out great for them, and then Brenda came to work for us, which was even better.

Besides our business dealings, I worked closely with Etta when we built her home many years ago. I can remember clearly persuading her to use a vibrant  paint color for her front door when everything else she chose was safely neutral. The color was named "Watermelon" and how strange that I remember this detail!! She was thankful later for me pushing her to stick her neck out that way. 

Etta and her daughter are such good friends to Brenda that at least once, sometimes twice, a year they take her along with them to the Bahamas. They used to have access to a beach property but now they just stay in a hotel or inn when they go. It is such a wonderful getaway for them all, and a special treat for Brenda. They are so good to her, and for her!  I used to send my discarded clothing along with Brenda for her to give to a lady they were friends with in the Bahamas. One year the lady sent back a lovely necklace and anklet for me. She made the jewelry and sold it to tourists who came to her display set up along the path. So primitive an existence, and yet so grateful for my donations. 

I am looking forward to playing some catch up with Etta, and since she expressed a desire to visit my church with me sometime, this might be the first of many regular conversations! More later!

"Do not fear"

This was the theme of our Ladies' Advent Service (or ABC, as our hostesses call it) at Victory. It is such an enjoyable evening at this service by women and for women, followed by sumptuous treats at beautifully decorated tables. The best part for me is getting see all the ladies again. One lady I got to see came via iPad, as her daughter-in-law, Jenna, made it possible for Marilyn to "attend" from her home. Marilyn has inoperable cancer of the heart and her days are spent in a hospital bed set up at home. Ordinarily she'd have been in the middle of this whole ABC event, but this time, only a spectator from the comfort of her home. 

Carol came by to pick me up and direct her to our destination. We drove in misting rain which was unpleasant but not horrible (at least, not for me as a passenger!). Laurie was supposed to join us but her husband had to work last night so those plans were changed. Only the three of us signed up to attend, which is sad because it's such a wonderful way to 'look forward' to Christmas. 

Esther, seated across from me in this photo, was our hostess. She told us how the first ABC held here had 35 in attendance and this year's reservations topped 90. It is just that popular an event, with their members inviting family members and friends to share this special time with them. 

Before Carol came for me, I watched the Jaguar game. At halftime I was hopeful the Jags would be able to pull off another victory but, alas, it was not to be. At least we'll get to watch the Packer game tomorrow night which will make up for our sad Jaguar game. It was great to spend the time in worship and fellowship with Carol and the others at Victory. Such a lovely evening...