Grocery Shopping

Today I'm shopping with a list. It makes it easier to say "No" to the big kid in my life who's always putting stuff in the cart when he thinks I'm not looking. Trying to keep him eating healthy is no easy feat. But this is the "before the company gets here" trip. Wild shopping ensues: m&m's; bread;apples;potato chips;popcorn;bugles;whitechocolate chips;meat; I know what you're thinking "that all sounds necessary" The problem is we eat all that stuff too, and don't need a bit of it. But the rest of the gang might starve if we don't have a full fridge. So, it's off to the grocery store just to make sure there's no empty stomachs over the weekend. Let's just hope we don't break the bank!

Time to Clean!

Friday is a big day here. The kids (well, 2 of the 3 anyway) are coming.

There's something wonderful about having company. Even if it's just your kids. It's my perfect motivation for Cleaning! (it's also a great way to get hubby to help, too) They do realize I'm not normally neat. They have seen my house totally askew. But there is something to be said for having clean bathrooms, made beds, swept, washed, polished, scrubbed, and put away- everythings. It makes it easier to relax. To not think about what's at home that looks this messy and even more-it makes them feel welcome! Well, at least that's the message I hope they're getting. They are so Welcome! In a way that's a take on my spiritual life too. It's Christmas season. I am saying, "Welcome, little one, to a pretty messy world, but to my heart that has turned to You. I've swept and I've scrubbed. I'ts not perfect. But I'm so glad You're here."

Let it Snow

With the prediction of snow, or freezing ice for tomorrow all I can say is: Let's ski! My cross country skiis are collecting dust. So I could use a good work out in the morning with a great ski... Well, where remains a mystery yet. The streets sometimes work if I get out early enough. The golf course can be hard slogging since no trail gets groomed there. Oh well, the skiis look pretty enough standing up next to the house. Maybe I'll just walk around and admire them. That should work. We'll see in the morning!!

The First Cup

For some 30 odd years I skipped the coffee in the morning. (In the afternoon and evening too. I never touched the stuff) What was wrong with me? I loved the smell of it. My parents always drank coffee. I could have used it during college. And it's a very social thing to do. I was always invited to sit and drink coffee while I visited, waited, or studied. Instead, I spent all my time turning it down. So what momentous event occurred to change me into a coffee-a-holic? I took a trip to England. Of all places to learn to drink coffee in the land of high teas! But that's exactly what happened. Their tea was way too strong for my taste. So in a small resurant in Coventry I had a wonderful cup of coffee. I fell in love. I became a coffee connoisseur. Everywhere I was guzzling coffee. I found: It's best drunk out of a ceramic cup. Distilled water makes it even better. Grinding my own beans fresh every morning is wonderful. Flavors are ok but I'd rather have the strong French roast kind and perhaps add some cream. No sugar. My husband knows just how I like it and can make a fine cup, though he will never drink it himself. (Odd). Now I even get Birthday, Christmas Mother's Day and anniversary presents of Coffee. Actually this is none too soon either as we have TWO coffee shops in town and I can indulge in the best kind whenever I need to pamper myself.

A poorly worded version of "The night before Christmas"

'Twas the week before christmas and all through the house boxes and wrapping paper were strewn all about. The dog and the cat play happily, no worries for them about christmas visitors yet to arrive. The baking half done and groceries yet to procure; The turkey needs to thaw, the pies have to be baked, and what games shall we play or movies shall we watch? Do I need to have a plan or can we just talk?

No snow or a blizzard has yet made a show. I'm caught in the trap that's right out my door-commerialism, and glitter only making me want more.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear-children in costumes and singing bright songs

reminding me of Christmas and the reason to cheer.

Jesus, a baby come to meet my deepest need-which I find not in presents, in trees or in glitter. Not in the snow, the elves or the baking. Christmas is quite simple it seems-

just the manager to remind me that plain is fine.

So on with the WORD and on with Good Cheer, Salvation has come as the Angels have declared.

"Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord". Amen.

Out of Control

Do you know how much stuff there is to buy out there? Hunter in a bottle, GPS systems, socks with the Husker logos, books that help us define the spirit of Christmas (that includes books about Buddah and the Moslem guy. Yikes!) I definitely need to stay away from the malls, stores, shops, sales and bargains. I keep buying and buying and...well, who really needs all this stuff? I know, I know, this has been discussed hundreds of times and I'm just now joining in? I think those 3 wise men might themselves be a little nauseated at what their initial act has created. Still, I just can't seem to stop myself. What I'd really rather do is spend time with friends and family or trip on down to Broken Hearts ministry in Mexico and help out there. Even better would be to get the family to go along with us. I keep saying "maybe next year" and then by May I'm back to buying for Christmas already. How to break that habit? Hmmm.

Knowing your stuff

So I got to babysit "the boys" today. Pretty easy stuff compared to actual parenthood. All I had to do was play! And interpret 2 year old talk. And keep the baby out of the line of fire. And know where the lunch was. That's a breeze compared to 24/7 of parenthood. I didn't even worry if the 2 year old actually picked up his toys like his parents wanted. Or if he ate his pudding before his sandwich. (He didn't really!) I'm the grandma! Now, granted I'm not giving these boys a blank check... only lots of hugs, kisses and playtime. This is much simpler than raising them to be responsible God powered adults! Their parents are already doing that job. Well, too, I might add. This whole thing reminds me of camping with my nephew. He didn't like the meal I'd fixed. But, not to worry. I didn't make him sit at the table until it was gone like I might have with my own kids. I sent him off. My kids were apalled at the "unfairness" of it. But my reasoning was that in the week that he was with us I wasn't going to change his eating habits anyway. Besides. We only had a limited amount and kind of food. He'd eat when he was hungry. He'd eat what we had just like they were. That was fine with me! So. I'm off into this new grandma thing with great enthusiasm. And by the way let me just say that this child is extremely bright! (really!) At the age of two he can identify every single one of the tools in his tool box. Wrench. Hammer. Screwdriver. Pliers. Saw. Screws. Nail. And exactly what they're all used for. Wow! Don't you think that's impressive.