The First Lady Participates in the White House Christmas Tree Delivery

HERE COMES DECEMBER

DECEMBER STARTS TOMORROW.  The end of the year will approach so quickly. I'm not sure I should care.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP AND DECORATED.  The front door decorated.  S l o o o o w l y  the interior decorations will appear like magic.  December is just about here.  21 degrees outside. SO cold.  Not excited about the temps dipping.  Not excited at all.  Whaah.  Not crying, but hoping for more energy to get what needs done, done.  Pacing myself as best I can.  Gathering ideas about Christmas cheer and wintery wonders.  

THIS WEEK has December 1st on the calendar with winter weather nipping at our noses.  Temps are in the 20s and it is so cold it hurts.  Making plans for this month as I sit here in my comfortable recliner.  Daily cleaning throughout the house continues and thoughts of Winter can't be excused.  The day is in motion.  Sun shinny, but cold on the Prairie.  Going for a drive would lift my spirits as I can see the wide open spaces across the landscape.  The landscape colors are plentiful.  The quiet is refreshing to my soul.

I'll make an effort to drink water through out the day.  Take a drive so I can get out of the house for a little while.  I plan to walk on the treadmill.  Go through some Christmas decorations. Wash some laundry.  AND take time to think and pray.

This past year.  Have mercy.  What have we been up against?  2020.  HUBBY retired from employment and we would do our best to adjust to not having an income and having to go to health insurance that broke the bank.  January through July would drain our savings to pay this insurance plus everyday living.  We made it though and here we are into the month of November with December starting tomorrow.  We have been victorious so far!  ADJUSTING to a different way of living.  Again.  Trudging along reevaluating how to do this phase of LIFE.

Embrace knowing that one must be flexible or one will break.  Hopefully not breaking a piece at a time over a long period of time.  It happens for some.  You break.  Let go and stay flexible. Letting go can be a learned technique.  Take a deep breath and live.  Remind yourself that God is in control and have faith in his care.  Talk to him daily and sometimes remind him of his holy word.  Remember.    

JANUARY:  2 grands have birthdays.  On New Year's Day, I was ill with what I thought was the flu.  We had gone to spend time with my Mom on New Year's Eve in which I noticed I had an upset stomach as we sat at the table playing a board game.  At bed time, we were sleeping on an air mattress in her living room.  I had a weird dream about lettuce people!  I woke my husband up when I started talking in my sleep.  We both fell back asleep except I woke up ill at sunrise. Our visit was cut short, but knew it was best to return HOME.

I was ill to my stomach for a few days but also had a nagging cough that would not go away.  The coughing was not quieted.  Cough suppressants didn't work.  I'd continue coughing throughout the month and finally go to my Doctor on January 31st.  Antibiotics.  I'd take two rounds of antibiotics. 

FEBRUARY:  3 Grands have birthdays.  Still not completely over this horrible cough, I'd sleep in my recliner instead of my bed.  Thought it best to stay away from hubby.  In February, we'd go to Arizona to see my brother-in-law on his death bed.  My husband was able to see his little brother alive on Sunday and Monday before he died early Tuesday morning.  We'd help with the funeral arrangements.  Arizona's weather was pleasant and because of the distance we traveled to get there, we decided to take a few days longer getting HOME.  This is when we went to Tombstone, Arizona.  I  regret not staying longer.  The truck traffic going to Phoenix was beyond horrible.  Adrenaline drain while driving.  We'd return HOME a different route and it was by far the better choice.  When we returned HOME, I was exhausted.  We'd rest.

  

MARCH:  In March we went to spend some time with our Oklahoma family when the social distancing would kick in.  Before returning HOME, we made a grocery stop to purchase toilet paper.  The word was out that there were shortages.  We were not without.  The small towns on the way HOME were like ghost towns.

We began hunkering down in March.  First time to hear this phrase SOCIAL DISTANCING.  My oldest son introduced me to it.  Stayed HOME and was alright with it.  The local grocery store offered curbside pickup with day before pick up order turned in.  We placed our order on line and picked up some groceries.  Also the local pharmacy would do HOME delivery. We started doing this and have continued to do so.

APRIL:  Daughter has birthday.  The day we finally went to Topeka's Sams was out of the twilight zone.  The store was almost completely empty of shoppers.  There was no need to social distance because there were so few peeps in the store.  Wearing a mask started.  8 months and counting.

Wearing an oversized hankerchef at first then had a couple of material mask made through mail order. Graduated to paper mask that pop out of a box with social distancing and wearing gloves. Now I sanitize my hands with sanitizer and wipes after being in a store around people.  The hand sanitizer is economically feasible.  Wiping down items before they are put away in pantry and fridge.  This continues.   

MAY:  Spring time in the garden with Irises in full bloom!  Many events are cancelled due to covid.  Grand daughter graduates from High School and I watch her graduating program on the internet.  This was a bitter sweet moment.  Talked to her by computer call.  Bittersweet.     

JUNE:  Son has birthday.  My trips to the outside world have increased and by Spring, I take drives through the park.  3 Family picnics in June and lunch with a couple of my friends.  

JULY:  Son-in-law and Grand have birthdays.  4th of July spent at HOME.  Celebrated turning 65 mid July!!!  Insurance shifted to medicare.  A sigh of relief.  The cost of insurance is still there, but it is less which helps the expense of it.  We reevaluated our budget.  The emotional side of this will take some time to catch up with it all.  

The covid death counts continue to climb and I find it disturbing that our President says so little about the deaths, but is willing to talk all day about his campaigning and rallies for re-election. Disturbing.  He carries on as if nothing is happening in the world but his campaign.  

I watched much about President Trump on the television throughout 2020.  First the Impeachment trial where he was allowed to stay in office.  Read, read, read much about him. Watched many videos about him.  Read books.  Pause.  I know more about him then when he won the 2016 Presidential election.  Made my heart hurt.  Sad.  Then I watched hour upon hour of the White House Coronavirus Briefing where our President used this coverage as a campaign platform.  Made me sick especially the day he showed a film to the reporters about how awesome he was doing during this pandemic.  Terrific Trump.  Yes, I will pray for our leaders. 

 

The 2020 facebook wars became nasty.  To wear a mask or not?  Religious liberty taken away?  It is disturbing to me how many Christians are alright with the character of this man because he says he is pro-life and supports Israel.  They willingly turn a blind eye to his degenerate behavior because they are not voting for a pastor.  Moral character plays no roll in this?  Then what does one believe about morals?  They don't matter?  They do matter.  They should.  I know that the shedding of innocent blood is wrong right along with lying.  Both are an abomination, a disgusting thing.  

AUGUST:  Grandson has birthday.  Hubby starts rebuilding screened in porch.  Celebrated 46 years of marriage by having an outdoor's meal with Kansas family.  Since we were not able to celebrate our daughter's 40th birthday, we shared 40 plus gifts with our daughter allowing her to open 40 packages with her childhood memorabilia inside.      

SEPTEMBER:  Daughter-in-law celebrates birthday.  Attended Cross Country events where we are outdoors and distanced from loved ones.  Did phone visits and computer chats.

OCTOBER:  Grandson celebrates birthday.  During Autumn we made two very quick trips to Oklahoma, but social distanced the entire time.  No close contact.  Indoors cleaning a must. Still not on top of it all.  I'm slow.  It's a energy struggle for me.  Cheering myself on to get done what I can.  Praise the Lord, I'm in motion.  Kitchen overhaul. 

 

NOVEMBER:  Son and Granddaughter celebrate birthdays.  Continue cleaning, day dreaming and praying.  The election took place and of course we do not know the final results yet.  Another first in many.  Thanksgiving break and great food.  Christmas tree up early! Deciding on presents.  Looks like checks to loved ones.  This will make the season so much easier than shopping on line or by catalog.  No crowded spaces to navigate.  The Living room rearranged.  

DECEMBER:  Husband will have birthday.  A month of prayer, song and cards.  More decorating.  More organizing.  Hunkering down for the WINTER.  Baby Jesus's earthly birth celebrated and praised.  

JANUARY:  ???

It is my desire to continue organizing the entire household.  Revamping Retirement Cottage started.  Shedding some pounds and shedding more junk.  Read.  Sew.  Write.  Play.  Bake and cook.  Clean.  Transform.  Pray.  Being.    

God bless you.

 HOME LIFE is for me,

                                        d 

SUNDAY PRAYERS

 

Chapter 13 of this book shares God's promise of eternal life through HIS SON Jesus.  FAITH...Believing in Jesus becomes your assurance of salvation.

Not by works or rituals, but by FAITH.  Belief.

How many times have you been fooled into believing it requires bondage to works with the giving of money to receive God's favor, abundant life and life eternal?

How many times have you been lied to that you are not good enough to receive salvation without cleaning yourself up first to receive God's forgiveness and abundant life?  Have you been told that you must first clean yourself up before receiving salvation?  In order to be born again/saved in which you have a spiritual birth, you must pay with money to be forgiven?  Have you been told that you will not know in this life if you are accepted by God so you must hope and wish for the best by doing good constantly and giving money?  

You CAN KNOW while alive that you are saved and when you pass from this world into the after life that you will make heaven.  Salvation does not come through money or works.  Salvation comes through believing the Lord Jesus is the son of God.

Many church systems promote that the road to redemption is through works, laborious rituals, the giving of money, tithing, trapped in bondages, self hate and not through Jesus alone.  They have lied to you.  Truth is it is through him that we receive new life and salvation.

Many religious systems want us in bondage to them.  In debt to them.    They promote that you have to return to their ministers week after week to stay in the good graces of God.  They promote that you do not have the Holy Spirit residing in you unless you partake a wafer administered to you by their people and you can only have the Holy Spirit for 10 minutes then you lose him and have to return again for another wafer to have Jesus's presence in your body.  

This teaching goes against God's word.  I believe God's word over religiosity.  I don't lose God's favor or God's presence ever.  He is my constant companion which comes from being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as savior.  I have his Holy Spirit within me.  I am saved...not in the process of being saved.  Not saved, lost, saved, lost, saved, lost.

God's Holy Spirit is who cleans us up and teaches us.  You'll receive the Holy Spirit when you personally believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  We receive forgiveness through Jesus.  It's not by works that we receive forgiveness.  

It's through believing in Jesus that we receive.  

  d

O MIO BABBINO CARO

Yesterday was a very slow day for me as I listened to opera.  Opera.  For a non-operatic person there are a couple of songs I quickly recognized and admire.  I opened two youtube screens at the same time listening to two different singers sing O Mio Babbino Caro.  A soprano aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi (1918) by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto by Giovacchino Forzano.  

While listening to Maria Callas on one window and Montserrat Caballe` on a different one, I synchronized the two as they sang very closely at the same speed of the aria.  It was fun to hear these two artist sing at the same time the aria from different time periods.  

The magic off technology.  Both singers have passed away, 

but their music remains behind for us to enjoy.

When I hear recordings I don't always know the lyrics.  I may just like the tune.  Deciding to know what the lyrics are, I could follow along knowing what they are singing about.

A 1919 recording of this aria by a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised operatic soprano Frances Alda is on wikipedia.  Imagine a recording from over a hundred years ago.  Soundtracks have immensely improved through the years, but I find this amazing that sound could be recorded at all especially a aria.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_mio_babbino_caro

ANOTHER TUNE I LIKE is Nessun dorma.

Have a blessed LIFE,

d

GOOD BYE THANKSGIVING ~ HELLO CHRISTMAS

LOVELY THANKSGIVING DAY we had.  Phone calls and video chats to loved ones.  The TAKE-OUT MEAL we had was delicious and I didn't have to cook or clean up. Which I am THANKFUL for.  A quiet afternoon and nap.

The twinkle lights are lit on the CHRISTMAS TREE.  A goal reached.  I need to run the vacuum over the floors where parts of greenery fell.  Kind of like strands of Easter grass in the Spring except it's Christmas decorating time.  Spare pieces of greenery needles end up on the floor.  

As December approaches, if I'm not careful the month will get away from me.  The weeks are flying right on by to my amazement time vanishes so quickly.  Making plans to help me stay on course and have as smooth of a Christmas month as we can have.

☝CHRISTMAS TREE UP before Thanksgiving and decorated on Thanksgiving Day.  Earliest time we have ever put a tree up and decorated the front door.  It just felt right this time like getting a head start on it before December.  A little boost that's uplifting.

☝Outside doors decorated with door hangings.

☝This week I will get our Grand children's Christmas ornaments in the mail.

☝Inside decorations out.  Continue decorating the house!  

☝Nativity Scene out.

☝CHRISTMAS letter written and printed off.  

☝CHRISTMAS Cards and letters mailed.

☝CHRISTMAS Groceries purchased.  Don't forget the eggnog.

☝Baking goodies begins.

☝CHRISTMAS GIFTS distributed.  Simplicity kicks in as I will not be shopping for LOVED ONES.  Covid careful.  The check will be in the mail.

☝Bible readings and music all the way through the CHRISTMAS MONTH.

*******************************************************

The Christmas Tree decor changed Thanksgiving Day.  I could not find my stash of Snowflake ornaments anywhere.  They're here in the house or carriage house somewhere, but where I don't know.  Because we have shuffled so much stuff since we have been here, things are still not as organized as needed.  The snowflakes are hiding. hummmm.  They won't melt.

After Hubby decorated the front doors, I asked him if we had more of the teal, chartreuse, and gold ornaments?  Yep.  Suggested that we go ahead and use these colors on the tree this year.  He agreed, so we have our Christmas Tree decorated in these colors instead of snowflakes. LOVE IT!  The tree matches the theme on the front doors.  A nice accident.

  

Sometimes a happy accident turns out to be the better thing than what was planned.  Have to be flexible to enjoy the changes.

A lovely Thanksgiving and ready to enter the month of Christmas festivities.  The birth of baby Jesus is remembered, thought about, praised and celebrated.  Light of the world JESUS. Messiah, lamb of God.  Wonderful Counselor.  King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I choose JESUS over this world.

Thank you Lord for HOME LIFE, homes, family, peace amongst the storms.  

Onward,

d  

 

We were HOME ALONE this year for Thanksgiving Day and social distanced. This was truly a different way to spend Thanksgiving.  I had ordered meals for us last week that we'd pick up through a drive through because I thought it would make the day run smoother for staying HOME.  

Spent a little time looking at pics from years gone by.  This made me a tad bit sad, but also THANKFUL to have had so many great Thanksgivings from days gone by with LOVED ONES. Perhaps 2021 will be to where we can spend time together once again.  I hope so.  I can HOPE can't I?

This year we dined on a take out box that the Council of Churches sponsored.  The meal was very good, actually. 

 

                    THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!

d