Now it's Friday.

Well...it's the same old same old Friday.  Yup...Mi kids were to arrive this afternoon...Yes were.  4 out of 5 are sick.  So...things change.  Woo...was I ready so now it's moving the food to the freezer.  Soon will be lambing time so I'm not holding my breath for Christmas 2017.  It could happen in March or April or next weekend.  I'm letting them call the shots.  So...today was Andrew and Noah time.  Noah was in a funk when he got here.  Not sure exactly why but I do know that he was trying to create something and didn't have the things he needed.  So...after a conversation...He wanted to make a Noah doll.  And...we did.  So...diversion helped a great deal.  There is now a Noah doll with shirt pants, jacket, hat...mittens and boots.  A call to talk to Kimmy happened.  Got to watch that kido.  He knows their 9 digit number.  It continues to be very cold and trips to the Y continue.  So...that's about it for now.  Missing my Mi grandsons but I'll get over that at some point.  There is hope. 

It's Wed.

Yes...Christmas weekend was the best.  I love being at ease and able to take in ALL the services.  No hurry, no worry.  Sun. morning...good sermon and great music.  Sun. evening 3 services all different.  The crowd was a little slim.  I think for most folks think one service in the morning is enough.  well...not for me.  For those of us who attend more than one and there are a few of those...the church provides a meal.  And it was very nice eating with good friends Christmas Eve.  Christmas day...I made sweet rolls and apple pies and froze them ready for this weekend.  Doug and I exchanged gifts.  Today I did a little cleaning in the sewing room and that lead to more cleaning then I've done in a long time.  The cobwebs are fewer in number.  Continue to go to the Y twice a day.  This morning it was -1.  brrr but that doesn't make me stay home.  Tomorrow Thurs...is usually soup kitchen but the church canceled for this entire week.  That is the first time since I've been doing soup kitchen...17 years.  Woo...Hope the guys can find some food.  Doesn't seem right but I don't make the rules.  So tomorrow...finishing up some food for the weekend.  Mi, kids coming Fri.  Andrew and Noah will be here and the fun begins.  I love doing the family thing on New Years weekend.  Stockings are filled and hung.  The place looks quite festive even though there is no tree in sight which makes more space for all of us.  So...Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year as well. 

Sat. and the big weekend.

Yes...it's coming.  Tomorrow it's probably 3 services at church.  Could be 4 and that might happen. 
All is ready for Sun. morning.  And then it's a little of this and that for the next three.  5, 7:30, and 10:30.  And then it's Monday and a quiet day with supper at Kat and Eric's around 5.  I might do some baking sometime on Monday.  I've been spending time at the Y the past two weeks.  Diabetic numbers are returning to something close to acceptable.  Woo...I can't do one goof and the numbers get out of whack.  So...Good numbers are a huge goal at this point.  I can get at least 3 miles in at the Y with usually 1 1/2 mile in the morning and 1 1/2 mile later in the day.  I love that place.  It has great new treadmill equipment and is not crowded.  So that's it for now. 

It's Monday .

Yesterday was another big day.  I love it when I'm busy and that was the order of the morning for sure.  We get to church at 7 am...get all the pastries ready for folks which means at least 10 plates full of goodies.  Doug makes about 7 pots of coffee and pitchers of juice...tea and more and we have three other folks who also help getting ready for folks.  Panera is so good to us giving all of their left overs Sat. night at 9pm.  What we don't use at church goes to 3 different shelters.  Larry...who is part of the crew is having surgery Wed so his not being with us will really be noticed.  Good music...good sermon continue.  We had an extra long rehearsal Sunday and that will continue Thurs. and next Sunday getting ready for the Sunday evening Christmas eve service.  Almost every Sunday brings a new setup during Advent in the sanctuary for some reason.  Today was no exception. For the coming Sunday morning and the three services Sunday evening we're trying to make it as easy possible for all.  Sunday morning...one service.  Sunday at 5 families with children and that service is entirely lay planed and implemented with children and youth participation.  Then 7:30 communion and 10:30 music and lessons and carols.  I spent about 2 hrs at church this morning with the preacher and the sanctuary set up.  It looks stunning and I think should work for all with just a few easy changes.  A little touch of something can make all the difference visually. 

Woo...I spent a day last week wrapping and filling all 9 stockings.  I usually do that Xmas day or so because we have our celebration on New Years weekend.  But...I'm done with that.  Still need to get some gift certificates.  And then DONE for sure.
 I'm looking forward to working on the last banner I have identified as needing help.  We're using it for the first time in about 30 years and people are really understanding the message of light it brings.  But it is old and time for a bit of snapping up.  So...after Xmas...that's my job.  It's finally found a place to be used which  is a wonderful back round for the Advent Candles, I was unable to find until now.  Woo...It is a Doris made and she would be so happy to see it used again. 

It's Friday again.

 Funny how Friday keeps coming around.  This week was pretty quiet.  Woo...what a gift.  Got a hair cut.  Woo...the air is pretty cold.  Made a cheese scone this morning and froze 3/4s of it.  We would eat all of it in a day if I didn't.  Walked at the Y this week...morning and late afternoon.  It's a 3 mile day.  Little by little.  Sugar numbers have improved wonderfully well.  Now...I've got to keep at it.  Did a little Xmas shopping.  I think it's just about finished.  Yesterday was soup kitchen with wonderfully well mannered folks eating with us.  Love it.  Last night was choir practice.  Woo...we have work to do before Xmas eve.  It's 30 minutes of singing at 10:30 and then again during the 11 o'clock service.  I think it's my 49th service.  Didn't go to church on Xmas Eve. the year Doug was sick.  Made a pot of Chick/Veg soup.  It smells delicious.  So...that's it for now. 

Brr

It snowed today.  Not much but there is a little white outside.  This week was lights week.  Woo...Lights in the kitchen, dining room, living room, outside...Love it.  I think the kitchen lights will stay up all year.  They are on the shelf that lines two sides of the kitchen and really makes the clear glass sparkle that's on the shelf.  Also...I managed to get 35 votive made for the advent candles at church.  That should be enough for at least 3 years.  Simple thing to do 5 at a time.  Did some rug braiding work and managed to break the lacing needle.  Dumb thing to do and I ordered another one this afternoon.  Need to keep braiding and lacing.  I'm also making a renewed effort to walk at the Y.  There are new machines and I really don't have a very good excuse not to do that.  I think my diabetes behaves better when I get some walking done.  It's 30 fast minutes...watching TV so the time goes really as fast as my steps.  Not much on the schedule for the coming days.  Yahoo. 

Up Date.

Wonderful day of music Sun.  First Sunday of Advent...the church looked stunning.  What fun and excitement.  Lots of  goodies for Hospitality time Sun.  LOTS.  and just crumbs left.  Late Sat. afternoon it was  St. Luke's Meth. Church for a wonderful evening of music with Sylvia McNair.  What a gift of music she brings.  And such a genuine person full of love.  And the choirs were just as good. Sun. evening went to Sec. Presby. for Lessons and Carols.   Today I was a bit lazy.  We made a trip to the Mamlin's and brought 6 trunks home with us which will eventually be sent to Kenya via folks who will be going there.  Tomorrow we're taking Sarah Ellen and Joe to the airport with 8 more trunks that will go back to Kenya with them.  I took the back seats out of the van and we'll haul 6 and 2 more will go with Joe to the airport via his rented car.  That's our afternoon work.  One more thing that must be done this week...making votive candles for our Advent Candles at church.  That's about it.  It's really a good feeling to not be on a tight schedule.  Love slow sometimes.