Christmas Was Great

Merry Belated Christmas to everyone! I hope yours was lovely! This went went a lot smoother than last year in the whole trying to be Santa Claus part! I made sure they were sleep and got everything where it needed to be BEFORE I went to bed for the night! Dante came through big time (again) with toys for them, and I was able to buy them each something else from their Christmas lists that they wanted. Starr got the bike she has wanted for such a long time (that her father never got). So Dante gets BIG kudos from the family (and the bff) for that! He has such a big heart, I just wish sometimes I knew how much of me was in there. But that's another story...

Anyway, he got into town before Christmas and is able to stay until after New Year's so that's exciting! Though, because he says he's going to church, I won't be able to spend that night with him. It's been really great having him here though. We have spent a pretty good amount of time together. We went to the movies the other day while Leigh watched all the children for me. Then we came home and ate some Talayna's lasagna, which he absolutely LOVES. He has spent several nights here and we have just really enjoyed our time together. I haven't heard those three words again though. That sometimes makes me wonder, was it something he really meant to say...perhaps it really was the alcohol and "activities" that made him say it. Ah well, only time will tell I suppose.

Anyhow, we spent Christmas at The Officer's house, even though she had to work as usual. As a correctional officer, her schedule is M-F 645a-3p...PERIOD!! Regardless of what holiday it is. We had a great time there. It was really good this year. It sometimes make me sad, because seeing as Grandmother is 87 years old...I wonder how much longer we will have her at our gatherings. Blessedly, the women in our family can live to be pretty "up there", so we may have quite a few more years at this rate! :-) I really didn't do any shopping for anyone outside the kids this year. I just didn't really have it to spare, trying to make sure the bills are paid is what matters most. My phone was acting up, and I misconnected with Wayne that day, he wanted to come by and see Starr for Christmas. Oops! Mind you, he hasn't made it since then either!

New Year's Eve is just around the corner. I can say that, although I am not where I want to be right now (especially financially), I can definitely see the strides I have made since last year this time! For that I feel blessed. I have made some mistakes this year, of which I will forgive myself for and move on. Most importantly, I will allow myself to trust God more and follow His lead instead of my own. I believe that single decision will help me achieve my business goals in record time this year!

Because I have some things on my mind and heart right...and because I am PMSing...I will end this post now before it becomes very neagtive and depressing. God Bless and Keep you til the end of all time!

It's Almost Here

Yes, in a few days it will be Christmas! I finally put up the tree this evening! Still needs decorating, but it's a prelit tree, so that kinda helps! I even put a few red velvet bows on the outside railing, so now me and my duplex-mate match! I also rearranged my living room today as well. Oh no, this was not a minor switching-of-the-couch-and-loveseat kinda change. This was an everything-that-can-be-moved-will-be-moved kinda change! I am well pleased with it.

Whaddaya mean "Who helped me"?!?!?! Did you not see the name of this blog?

SOLOMOMMY, thankyouverymuch!

Okay, okay...the kids helped a little. They moved the toys that were in the corner out of the living room, and DJ sweep-vac'd the floor (which is his daily job anyway). But all the furniture moving and carrying of 32" TVs (old school, not flat-panel) from one room to the next was ALL ME!! Why yes...I am very proud of that!

Went to church this morning, then to Aldi to pick up a few things. That was all I could manage, considering it was like 13degrees outside with a windchill of -10 degrees to go with it!! Church was great this morning, I am really getting into it there. Last Sunday I arrived just in time to completely miss praise and worship, so I was a bit bummed about that. But I made it in time today, plus got to hear the message about "The Indescribable Gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ".
Came home and kind of lounged. There is an actual ton of laundry to do, but since I have to go outside to access the basement where the washer and dryer are there was none done today!! I'm also in the process of giving this place a good once-over clean & clutterwise too. I have quite a bit to see the goodwill tomorrow already, and will likely have more.

I did a little Christmas shopping with my sister Leigh yesterday. I ended scoring stocking stuffers and decorations mostly. Plus, I got Starr the art set she wanted and a couple of paper pads too. The "real" paper pads, like one specifically for watercolors and the other that's best for "dry media". She really is a good artist, and I want to continue to feed that in her. As far as toys go, what a blessing for Dante to have gotten so many things from their Christmas list this year! I hardly have to buy anything, which is a plus cause I won't have money til the day after Christmas! lol

He was even able to procure Starr a bike from a local bike drive they had. Yes, in case you are wondering, these gifts came from the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. No, I don't feel bad or like I'm abusing the privilege because of who he is. Honestly, had it not been for him, my kids Christmas wouldn't be so great at all. So, what I do feel is divinely blessed to have him in my life to do this for my children. But, I'll tell you a little secret. My prayer to God was that I could be a giver next year instead a receiver. And you know what? I believe God grants us the desires of our hearts, as long as it follows in line with His perfect will for our lives.

My Punkin will be here in a few days, and I can hardly wait! Just being in his embrace after a little time away is like a cold glass of water after a terribly long drought! Or better yet:

Take a deep breath in and hold it for a second. Now exhale slowly and completely, letting your shoulders and body relax in the process.

Feel that?

That's what's it's like in my Punkin's arms for me!

I really am falling, aren't I?

Guess who is sick again?

Yes, don't be jealous. It is I! My annual bout of sickness has come upon me. Let's see. It started with the severe body aches and chills last Thursday and Friday. It lightened up over the weekend, though left me completely void of energy. Monday I lounged, since I had a relapse. Christmas Day I worked for four hours, from noon to 4p. All was normal until...

Last night at about 9p when anything I had left in my stomach decided it wanted out...and fast! I slept on the couch and at 330a and 5a, I was up over the porcelain bowl dry heaving since there was nothing left in there to throw up. I debated going to work today. But since I am trying to keep my occurrences down to a minimum, I went ahead and got up. I got there about 15 minutes late and pretty much slept all day. I drank water this morning, and within an hour that was coming back up. I ate some mandarin oranges about 1p.
I was able to keep them down!! WooHoo!!
When I got home, I was actually starting to feel hungry, so I crunched on some dry cereal.
Still doing good.
Time to move up to chicken broth. I have finished a half teacup at the time of this writing, and all is still well!
At this rate, I may actually want to eat real food by tomorrow!!

So, backtrack to Christmas. It was a splendid day. I was so overwhelmingly blessed, I just could never be thankful enough. My prayer is that I can pay it forward like that to others in the near future. They got things they really wanted and totally loved. The things from work, as well as the things my Punkin brought were just absolutely a godsend. I even felt froggy enough to put up my little tree overnight, to make it even more special for them in the morning.

So that I wouldn't hear anything from anyone, I made sure my kids were dressed and well. I combed the girls' hair, and I cut Bruzer's hair. DJ is gone with his dad for a couple of weeks during school break. They looked ever so cute in the clothes they wore as well. Especially Starr, in her black turleneck, black leather (yes, leather) skirt, and long denim duster. She was too cute, and yes of course I am biased.

My sweetie came up there to my job on Christmas and brought his cute little shadow with him, his neice. I bought him a digital camera, and he was very pleased about that. He thanked me again the next day for it. She is a little doll too, the spitting image of her mother and her grandmother. I was glad I got to see him before he headed back to Memphis. We are already looking forward to my next trip down there.

So this also begins a time to reflect back on the past year and make plans for the fuure. We'll discuss that in another post...it's close to bedtime!

It's Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. Please remember in all the hustle and bustle that is the holiday season, trying to find to perfect present for everyone on your list, that Jesus is the reason for the season. What more perfect gift were we given than that?