THE LAST FEW DAYS WITH THE WEATHER BEING MILD has persuaded me to get outside to take advantage of the warmer temps before they do an about face turning into a uncomfortable freeze. On Tuesday we drove TOPEKA's POTWIN PLACE Neighborhood. I'll return later in the month and do it all again as it is a charming place to see.
POTWIN PLACE
On Thursday we walked about the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS in Manhattan, Kansas listening to cheery music. Puts me in a Christmas MOOD. Extremely enjoyable to me.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
READING in the newspaper that St. Mary's was having Christmas festivities on Saturday with Carriage rides, I wanted to be there treating my Husband to a ride this HOLIDAY SEASON before the month flitters on by. I made arrangements with him to be ready when I returned from Marion having visited my Mother and Sister.
While in Marion, I met my Sister to shop the Hospital Auxiliary. This is always a treat for me shopping on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. I never know what I will come across.
This time, I bought turquoise rings on the cheap for my Husband and myself. HaPpY Birthday to my Hubby and MeRrY ChRiStMaS to me!
Sister buys the cutest boots around. I usually go for household things and clothing. Afterwards we took Mom for Lunch in Hillsboro at WENDYS where I had a very good Apple Pecan Salad. We ate, chatted and shopped at the Ecetera Shoppe where I bought Christmas CDs for on the cheap. Dollar General was next. This is one of the nicest Dollar Generals around with a meat market and more groceries than the average DG.
Spending the night with Mom while my Sister is here visiting, I started cleaning Mom's apartment. She needs help with this. I'll do what I can as I have physical challenges as well. Convincing Mom to lighten her load of Knick-knacs, I was able to clear some out to donate to charities. Huge headway with my Mother. Huge.
While I was gone, my hubby created a WINTER WONDERLAND in the screened-in Porch decorated with 7 Christmas trees of various sizes lit up. It was a sweet treat. Made me smile rather big. We had talked about doing this a couple of years ago and this was the year that it has happened. SO far we do not have lights on the outside of our HOME so when the trees in the porch are turned on there are some lights shinning bright to view. I'd like to leave these up through the cold Winter months. This will be a first for us.
Inside the house, he put up a second Christmas Tree in the Living room holding Hallmark Christmas Train ornaments that we have collected over the years with a few of my House/Business ornaments. It looks delightful. This second tree rotates which I wish my larger tree would do.
After the Christmas Season is over, perhaps I can find a better tree that isn't as large as the one we have had for about 25 years. When we downsize to the COTTAGE, I think this big tree will be way too large for our small cottage Living room. I'm imagining where it will go next Christmas. Maybe in the Dining room in front of the window. I think it just might fit and look nice. Shall see.
I still don't know where all my HALLMARK House ornaments have gone to. Perhaps in the junk room hidden under some boxes. If I find them, then I will go ahead and hang them up on this second Christmas Tree. If not, when I do find them I will group them with the others knowing they are together again. Having had health issues and not being able to work on getting settled makes for a more challenging time. I cringe when I think what needs done. Cringe. One cannot work 24/7 for years on end like what is needed to get caught back up. Patience and grace have to be practiced. Downsizing to have less to take care of is a must at my age.
After Supper we took our horse drawn ride in a Buckboard Wagon pulled by two Percheron horses. Magnificent creatures larger than LIFE. The ride could of been longer and I wouldn't have minded it.
Sitting on bales of hay, I listened to the horses hooves clip clopping on the roads pulling the wagon full of humans. A young couple with three children, the youngest being two, sat across the wagon from us. The little girl was bundled up in a snow suit and she just didn't want to sit still. Too much room to squirm in the wagon. The wagon had a lantern hanging under the driver's seat. A real lantern burning bright. 
The evening was magical like stepping back in time in this Family Friendly Community. The small community is supportive toward families with many children and close knit relationships. As we walked past the Christmas tree lot where Christmas Carolers were singing melodies, there were fire pits lighting up the area. By this time the temperatures were dipping.
Their Armory was open for vendors to sell their wares allowing us a chance to warm up as the night airs became somewhat chilly. I welcomed the warmth. Hot Chocolate was offered at one of the quaint shops on our way back to our auto to call it an evening.
THESE FIRST FEW DAYS OF DECEMBER have been productive. Patting myself on the back as we have our Christmas tree up and decorated, added Christmas cheers looking at lights at three different communities and spent time in a fantasy community like IT's A WONDERFUL LIFE! All in a one week span. That's productive for lil 'ole me that has low energy.
I'll be hand delivering my Daughter's Christmas box this afternoon. Relieved that my Boys received their Christmas Boxes yesterday. I hand delivered my Mom's Christmas to her while I was there on Friday. Now to work up my Christmas letter and get the cards addressed to mail. I am hoping to be victorious in this.
Dear Lord, You are wonderful and I want to spend some quiet time with you praising your Holy Name.
