Fun Friday: Shop and Shop...Then Go Shop Some More - It's Christmas!

So. I chose the above picture today to remember how lovely my house looked when all my lights were working. Which, OF COURSE, is no longer the case. Can you guess which lights aren't working? Uh-huh. Apparently there is a demon living in my bushes that is struggling to come up with ANY Christmas spirit WHATSOEVER. Don't you hate it when that happens?

Today is a BIG shopping day for me. My mom and I will be out most of the day. Me - trying to finish up odds and ends, plus some extras just added to my list at around 7:00am by my dear husband. Thanks, Babe, love ya. Mom - trying to get a real idea of what everyone has on their list for her to buy.

For instance, Robert has asked for a camp stove. Well, my mother doesn't own a camp stove, has probably never used a camp stove, and honestly, more than likely, doesn't even really know what a camp stove is. I mean, I know that all of that is definitely true for me. I figured a camp stove at least resembled a real stove top, maybe just portable, right? Nope. It's much smaller. Actually, I would've named it "Stove-in-a-Can." There it is.

In other news, one of my bonus sons is graduating tonight from EMT School. Yay! We are so proud of him. I think he really loves his work and I'll bet is great at it. Go, John!

Also, tomorrow night is the big Christmas dance at Riley's school - the Jingle Bell Ball. Omigosh!!! They've been talking about this weekend for months and planning the wardrobe. Less than 3 years ago, I was very concerned that Riley would never remember to wear deodorant and lacked the ability to match clothing colors. My, how things have changed! We put together his outfit weeks ago - this dance is kind of semi-formal - and even yesterday he was concerned that maybe another color shirt would match Morgan's dress better. Anyway, they are all very excited and I will hopefully have some good pictures to share with you on Monday.

Then, this Sunday evening is our church's Christmas party. We've invited 3 missionaries to come as our guests. There's going to be lots of yummy food and great fellowship. Actually, I just remembered I'm supposed to be writing a poem for that evening. Hmmm...add that to my list here....OK.

Finally, late Sunday evening my brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Alexandrea, will be getting here from Wisconsin!!! Yay! I absolutely can't wait. Their arrival is actually one of my favorite days of the holiday season every year. Paul is a professor at a university, so they usually get to stay for almost an entire month. It's so awesome!!! Also, they'll be introducing a new dog to the family this year, Sutton. Half St. Bernard. Yeah, big. Did I mention that I can't wait?

Yes, big weekend for me and while ALL of this is going on, I've been contracted to write a 6-book graphing series, 1st grade reading level. Uh-huh. Not the best timing you say? Well, when you're a struggling writer you take the work when it comes, am I right?

My take: Whew...I'm already tired. Check in on Monday and see if I'm still alive, will ya? I wouldn't want to be unconscious under the Christmas tree and no one realize it. And, yes, that could really happen at my house!

Happy weekend, be merry!

So today's recipe is my mother's "go to" dessert, meaning when she makes it, everyone "goes to it," and it is gone. So yummy! Try it this Christmas!

Buttermilk Pie

Ingredients:
1-1/2 C sugar
3 T flour
1 stick butter
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C buttermilk

Directions:
1. Mix sugar and flour. Melt butter and add to sugar and flour.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
3. Add vanilla and buttermilk, mixing well.
4. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then continue baking at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Are You Ready to Get FESTIVE?

OK, this post is going to be short.

Not that you guys aren't ultra important to me, but I have somewhere to be 9:00. And that's already not going to happen.

Tonight is the fall festival at our church. I'm so excited! I promised I'd be there around 9:00 to help out, so...

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!

The above picture is one of my contributions to the cake walk at the festival. They are ginger pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing and a candy corn on top, and, honey, they are good! I thought I'd post them even though there is the possibility that some of you may think I need to go to a support group for pumpkin fans.

My take: Hey, I love pumpkin, what can I say? Also, whatever you're doing tonight, I hope you're doing it with family and good friends. Have a great time and be safe!

No West for the Reary

I'd like to start today's post by sayihg to all those affected by Superstorm Sandy, I am praying for you all and hope to see things restored quickly. Although I have never been through a superstorm, I have been through 2 large hurricanes, so I have some idea of what you're going through. God is with you.

Now, the above picture is not of me. I don't think it is, anyway, but it might as well be. Here's the thing: I'm still exhausted and I don't really know what to do about it.

Do you ever go through periods of your life where you just can't keep up? Please tell me you do, I'd hate to think I'm out here by myself. I honestly feel like I'm wandering through some maze and only turn down the next row when I bump into the wall.

I'm serious, I'm just wandering through life right now, running to whichever fire seems like it might be the one to burn the house down. A few weeks ago I really had a good routine going, really felt like I was getting things done most every day. Now, not so much. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

I think it all started with the fact that I took 2 really quick trips, hours away from home. You know how trips are; when you get home, you have to catch up. The trouble is, I have so much going on NOW, I don't have time to try to catch up on the things I missed. Plus, you're tired from all the driving. So, I usually just end up lying on the couch in the fetal position singing Kum Ba Yah. And....that doesn't help much. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

What to do, what to do? And, what's worse...THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!! Now, here's the thing, I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!! They are my absolute favorite time of the year. But, if I don't get a handle on things and get some real rest, by the time the fat man shoves himself down my chimney, I will be tucked away in some quiet little nut house. Hopefully a clean one with Direct TV. And WiFi. And a really good cook. Where do I sign up?

Another depressing thing is that it's been cold here the past 2 nights (YAY!), but it's supposed to warm up some tomorrow (BOO!), and we haven't been home in the evenings to make a fire (DANG.) Talk about kicking a girl when she's down. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

Things aren't going to get much better this week, I can tell you that. I have my first PAYING writing assignment due on Monday and that's going to take precedence over EVERYTHING else this week. Except tomorrow, when I head down to church to help get ready for our first outreach, a Family Fall Festival (hereafter known as FFF...I'm in a hurry, OK?) AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

My take: Maybe I can stay in pajamas on Saturday if I get all my writing done. That's definitely motivation for me!!

Time to Appreciate

October is Pastor Appreciation month, did you know that?

Well, it is and that's just what we did yesterday at our church.

I have mentioned that we have just recently changed churches. The process was very difficult because I'd been at the same church for over 40 years. But, now that the change has been made.....ahhhhh, it's so good!

Our new pastors are one of my best friends and her husband. They are the kind of people others flock to for two simples reasons:
1. They love people
2. They are real

In the 3 short months the church has been in existence - they always say they started with a building with carpet, nothing else - already over 100 people call it their church home! We are having so much fun! Our pastor is awesome. His sermons are funny, powerful, and relevant. The worship is amazing and the service seems to fly by each week. They go to all kinds of events with us, including youth events, like football games, UIL competitions. Most of our church family also eats lunch together EVERY WEEK after service - how cool is that?

The thing is, our pastors want to be a part of our lives, not just on Sunday. They want the whole package - to journey through life with us. In short, life is just better.

My take: I'm so thankful to be a part of a church FAMILY, a place where we all can just live this life together, through thick and thin, good and bad, holy and not-so-holy. Here'a a shout out to my pastors, Brent and Terri, I love and APPRECIATE you! So, so thankful for you! Greater things are to be done in this city...