Generational Gathering

We had a Christmas gathering a couple of days ago. My grandparents came,

who by the way, have been married for 73 years as of December 18 ( he is

92, she is 88).

There were also cousins, first, seconds and thirds. If you lost count, that is

4 generations. We ate, ate and ate some more and then played games-the

board kind and cowboys and indians.

What a blessed time and a wonderful gift. No store bought gift can ever

have as much meaning. ...................and life is good!

Winter Vacation

Today was the last day of school for this calendar year!! A two week winter break to celebrate Christmas and spend time together.

My mind drifts back to a carefree time in my youth when Christmas break was such a warm and exciting time. The celebrations, family gatherings, long days at home just to play and read. The remembrance of what gifts I received, if they fit or not or what they cost is long gone, but what remains is how good it feels to have been loved and just to be home, safe and secure without a worry in the world. Ahhhhhhhh! These are the memories that I also want my children to enjoy.

In years to come, it will not matter if they were given a sweater or a scarf, what foods we ate and drank or how much it all cost. What will matter is the difference that we make in the lives of our children (the non-material differences!)

M.E.

Bargains and Burdens

...........the answer to a "Bargain Burden".

I found this designer jacket on sale at 90% off, yes you read that correctly. Regular price was $129.95, mine for $12.95. I could NOT pass it up. However, the pin stripes in it were light gray and magenta. The jacket is a dark gray. Not the easiest colors in the world to match. After a year of hanging in my closet, I found this gorgeous piece of magenta fabric and made a skirt, in less than one hour. Perfect match. The entire outfit cost less than $20. As the executive in charge of all matters of housekeeping in my home, maybe I will wear this to work tomorrow!!

SIMPLE THINGS

I love it when children are excited about simple things. We
had friends over for lunch and socializing. My eight year old wanted
to go Christmas caroling at the neighbors. For two days, she planned
how it would be, the books we would use and what we would wear. We
needed to "look" like Christmas carolers....and we did!

Getting ready for Christmas

Seeing this old fashioned truck with the tree loaded on the back set the mood for putting up my tree and decorating. I would love to have this truck and drive it with the tree up my long country driveway and carry it through the front door. Oh well, it sounded nostalgic!

Instead, we pulled our storage bag off the top shelf of the barn, my son put the artificial tree together and my youngest daughter put the lights on. We always put it together one day, let if "fluff" for a day or two and then decorate. Waiting on the "fluff" today.

A NIGHT OUT--just the two of us

Price of tickets to NCAA basketball game--reasonable. Price of a soda--outrageous. Price of food at the game--ridiculous. The fun we had and memories we made--PRICELESS!!!!


My son had never been to a college basketball game. So, while in the city for a science exhibit, I took him. He was in awe.

The game was great! The Cards made easy work of the the FIU Panthers.

The new stadium and all the entertainment during the game was wonderful.