Christmas Cookies

I am super pumped about Christmas this year. I really do LOVE Christmas (thanks, mom!), but this Christmas Ronnie is off. Since I've known him he has always had to work during the holiday. It's nice to know that he won't have to worry about going to work during Winter Break.

I really can't wait to share some of my winter break stories.

It seems like for the longest time, Christmas just hasn't been what it once was for me. We used to spend a lot of time at my grandparents house. Amber's guest blog spot made me think a lot about past Christmas seasons. It was mostly that awful Christmas candy (I can't believe you bought that stuff, Amber!). There was always candy at my grandparents (or in my PaPa's pocket - perhaps it's his fault that my purse weighs 30 lbs. - I feel the need to be prepared because he always was???). The cookies. Oh how I remember the cookies!!!  My Granny would always make a TON of cookies...like 10 different kinds and it was like bottomless. I guess I can blame her for my affection towards sweets (especially cookies).

However, since my PaPa passed away and my Granny suffers from Alzheimer's it just isn't the same. We don't celebrate with my mom's family. So, you can imagine my excitement over what I have planned for this evening. We have a cookie sale coming up on Saturday at our church (Annn Naz - 10AM-2PM). So, tonight Debbie, Sandy, Crystal and I are going to bake cookies together! EXCITING!!!!!! (Kate, you should bring your stuff and just bake with us!)

I always look forward to Christmas morning with my family and then we have all of Ronnie's family that gets together. We started this "Naughty Santa" exchange tradition a few years ago that I really like. What I love most of all is that the rules change every year because no one can remember what the rules were the year before. We argue about it and come to a sensible solution and continue. It's awesome!

So, as you can see I'm looking forward to whatever Christmas brings this year, but most of all I'm just looking forward to spending time with the people I love!

What Else?

Pray for me, people!

My heater at the studio is not fairing so well. 60 degrees is better than 47 degrees, but I need it to stay about 65 degrees to keep my piano happy.

So, today I had not water. We've figured out that a pipe under the display area probably froze because we didn't know to shut the outside vents (live and learn). Heater is on the wall and pipe. I'm going back to check a little later tonight. Please pray for God to warm and thaw the pipes.

I am also hoping that closing those vents will warm the place up at least 5 degrees. Time will tell, but that requires me to be patient...NOT one of my virtues.

Pick a Tiara

I have limited the selection to 2. Which one do you like better?

#1

OR

#2

In Session

That's right, ladies and gentlemen...Cairo is the only school in Southern IL that is in session today. Why, you ask? Well, that's a good question, but I don't really have an answer for you.

My agenda for the week:

• working - last week before Christmas break in Cairo
• working - last week before Christmas break at the studio
• wrapping presents
• baking cookies for our 1st annual cookie sale at church (its at Anna Naz this coming Saturday - come and get your Christmas goodies!)
• catching up on some DVRed shows
• perhaps scrapbooking a little
• and then there are those pesky things that I can never get rid of - paying bills, laundry, cleaning the kitchen

I'm really looking forward to Christmas break and perhaps I'll get a break on Wednesday or Thursday - they say we could get a little more winter weather. Not getting my hopes up, though. After all we ARE the ONLY school in session today.

This week in Cairo...

So, its been a pretty crappy and frustrating week in Cairo. Satan is stupid!

1. There was a car wreck last weekend that involved a Cairo police officer and 3 kids from Cairo. The cop was on his way to a call-lights and siren-but the kid driving didn't yield. 2 of the kids were seriously injured (I was told paralyzed).

2. 3 students/former students (17, 18, and 19) were arrested on armed robbery charges. And 1 of them is suspected in the arson of the city's chinese restaurant that left the owner and his family without their business and their home.

3. 2 former students (18 and 19) were arrested on murder charges.

4. I found out that 1 former student has HIV.

I am most certainly ready for the weekend...I know that God wants better for this city than what I have seen this week. Please pray.

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ready and waiting

I know. I know. I did SO well for a month and then no blogs for a week! What is that all about?

Well, it seems that December is just too busy. Anyone else feeling this way???? Christmas shopping, decorating, getting ready for Christmas break at school and at the studio...I just don't know where time is going these days. It most certainly isn't because I've been sleeping more.

What have I done this past week? Well, other than the normal, everyday stuff, I've celebrated a birthday for my friend Amber, went with Crys and Chris to get a water heater for their new house and have dinner (and found out that the new Altell commercial - reindeer sweater couple - was filmed at Longbranch Cafe in C'dale), I finished my Christmas project for the studio (gifts for my students). I'm sure there was more, but I am currently too tired to figure out what it was.

I promise that I will blog more in about a week when I finally get a break from everything.