Will Be Right Back!!!

Tis the season to be Jolly!!! That is what Pete and Petey have been doing...spreading Christmas Cheer to some kids.  We are all about spreading the joy of Christmas this year, and letting everyone know that there is someone who cares.  So after we have made several more surprise visits and things settle down, we will be back to the blogging world with details.  Until then...Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!!

Delayed Christmas!!

Our Garner Family Christmas got delayed until January 1st due to snow fall earlier in December. We had to have it out at the rehab where Mark's mom is recovering from a broken hip. It was a joyous time and a sad time. Mark's mom won't be coming home after rehab this time. She will be going to assisted living. It felt a little awkward having Christmas there instead of their great room or the sun room, where all 22 of us Garner's find ourselves gathered every Christmas holiday. No big spread of food laid out by Grammy or lots of fruit and candy that Peepa had bought. There was no festive Christmas tree and none of Grammy's handmade Christmas items decorating the house. But once our family arrived and all the little babies and kids got there the awkwardness was forgotten, and the true spirit of Christmas filled the room. Little children still squealed with delight over their goodies and we all still got to spend time with each other. One heart breaking tradition was broken this year...Mark's dad didn't give out the presents. This was the first time in Mark's 50 years that his dad didn't call out the names on brightly wrapped gifts and bags. I got that honor this year....and I did feel honored as Jim (Mark's dad) asked me to do this. He has dementia, and he realizes his limitations. I felt honored, but also sad that he was relinquishing his title of "Santa" to the family to me. Along with Jessica and Anna (two of our nieces), we handed out our presents to each other. What great time we had opening and watching others open the gifts they received. The little ones were such a joy to watch, as they brought out every single item out of their bags. Mark and I fixed each great niece a huge bag of goodies. I loved watching them examine each thing that we had carefully picked out for them. They are all such a joy and delight. We have a wonderful family that just seems to take over for each other when we get tired and weary and everyone just rolls with the changes of life.

Mark's parents, Jim & Nell Garner with their great granddaughter Makynlee. Nell is still at rehab recovering, but she has a great outlook, and never complains.

Makynlee with her daddy Timmy.

This is a baby doll. No really it is our great niece Madelyn. She is so sweet. I could just eat her up. Isn't she the cutest thing you have ever seen.

Jim...my father in law and my buddy. We stay with Jim during the week, and he is so funny despite his dementia. It is sad at times how much the disease robs him of some things in life, but I hope is that Mark and I are giving him a fuller life with us staying with him. I just love him to death. Peepa is in his official Christmas attire. Green sweater vest and red socks (I should have gotten a picture of them) This was my 18th Christmas in the family and this has been his outfit long before I got in the family. Everyone expects him to be dressed this way.

This is Anna (our niece) and her family. Mitchell, Mikaylyn and Autumn. I wanted to have a picture on this blog of all our great nieces. Mark and I have so much fun buying for them through out the year. Mitchell is our hunter and I give him deer reports of what I see in the back yard around the pond. I don't know why he hunts in the woods. He could just sit on the porch and see more action than he sees in the woods. LOL

Uncle Mark holding Baby Madelyn or has her daddy calls her "mini me", because she looks just like her daddy. She is the sweetest baby ever....always smiling.

This is my Sweet Cheeks, Kate. She is such a doll baby. She pulled out a book from her bag, and before I knew it...we had read it 2 times. In all the things in her bag....the "suckas" as she calls them were her best thing. She loves suckers and I just kept buying them and putting them in her bag of goodies.

Anna helps me pass out all the gifts. She is such a good helper.

Our niece Courtney...doesn't she look beautiful. She is just too sweet. We just love her so much. She is so much fun to be around, and she loves to cook. We got her lots of cookie cutters and a decorating bag with tips. Plus a couple of cookbooks. One was Rachel Ray's Kids Cookbook.

Our niece Jessica put together a family cookbook for all of us. She gathered family recipes from all of us to compile this book. It is something that I will treasure always. I can't believe she found the time to do the cookbook for us. She is married, works full time and just graduated with her 4 year degree in Business.....along with other concentrations attached to the degree (in other words, she is really smart). I love you Jessica and thank you for doing things that helps us treasure our family. Our family is unique to say the least, and not in a bad way...in a GOOD way. WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

Grand in All Ways

This Christmas season was just GRAND in so many ways. We got to spend a lot of time with our families. I got to see some family that I had not seen in quite a while. So much good food that it was crazy. It was a relaxing time. I am so thankful that we started our shopping so early this year. It took so much stress off of us. We were free to do more little things. Also, we didn't freak out when life threw disasters our way. We had things a little more together this year than any other time. That is why I like to preplan everything that we do. The only thing this Christmas was the weather. 70 degrees and stormy...not exactly weather to get you in the mood for the season.

I am already planning a few surprises for the upcoming New Year. I intend to spoil those little nieces even more. Hopefully, I will get to see them more. Been thinking about my resolutions for the new year. Looking at my life and seeing what changes I would like to make this year. I have a growing list. LOL

It has been just the grandiest of all Christmas' this year, and for that I am very thankful.

Serious but soooo Funny!!!

Last night after leaving my mom and dad's, we decided to read our candlelight service aloud. It is the full account of the nativity story. We lit the Jesus candle and turned all the lights off. We had Christmas hymns playing in the background as we read the account of our Lord's birth. That was the serious part. The funny part is everytime we read about someone coming to see baby Jesus, Lilly would run into the room like she was in a nativity play. Then when we read about how each person departed, she would run out of the room. I mean this dog would run in and stop at our feet like here is the angel you just read about. She did this the whole entire time we read the nativity. It was a serious time, but Lilly made us laugh. She is a funny dog.

Change of Plans!!

Today was suppose to be The Garner Family Christmas. I say suppose to be, because it didn't happen. Mark's brother and sister and all their families got snowed in up in Davidson County. We will have to reschedule. Thinking about doing it the first Saturday in January. I like that idea...it prolongs the Christmas celebration.

Our church is exchanging gifts tomorrow after service, then going out to eat. I thought we were doing it next weekend, so I have got to go and get my gifts this afternoon. Going over to the church to set up our candlelight service this afternoon. Then tonight we are getting our surprises ready for everyone at church.

Lately, I have been every busy doing extra stuff. Not a bad thing...a good thing. We have been able to help more people and ministries this year than any other year. Due to the Lord blessing us so much this year. Also, we were very prepared for the Christmas Season, so we could take on doing a little more. I have really enjoyed helping gather things for Fed by Faith. I think I am more of a collector of things. I love gathering up goodies for a worthy cause. I sent my cards to St.Jude's this past week and I really enjoyed doing that. It was fun gathering them all together for such a worthy cause as that.

Sent 2 ladies a Christmas card that I kinda know, but not that well. They are Mark's parents friends. One lady use to own "The Matthew's Market". I will have to blog about it sometime, because Mark has such fond memories of that place. They are both widowed, so I picked up 2 special cards for them.

Got more stuff to make me some more earrings. I love making them, and I need some black ones as well. I don't know that it is cheaper to make them or not, but it passes the time away.

Went to the library and checked out all non fiction books with Christmas themes. Just finished reading "Christmas Thief" by Mary Higgins Clark. It was a great book. All the other books are by Debbie Macomber. So you should see my books I have read list grow.

Almost home now. Been writing this blog in the car as we travel back to Wilmington.

Snow a No Show!!!

I anxiously awaited the snow that there were so much talk about today, and nothing, nada, zip not even one little flake. It did sleet on me as I was out early this morning and I raced home only to have it rain all day. We went and bought groceries last night, only because we had to...but there were snow bunnies there buying Food Lion out. I wore a path to the sun room all day to see if it were snowing. I was glad the weather didn't get bad. I still got to go and perform at Center United Methodist tonight. I had a blast. They were so nice and friendly there. I tell this story about a PA, and there was a PA in the audience...he was a good sport.

This is the Christmas tree at the church where I performed tonight. It was beautiful and it spun around. I loved it.

I did get to stop in at the "Treasure Store" today and found this suit for Mark for $5. What a deal. Will probably cost us $12 to get it dry cleaned. lol A great day over all, but I am tired and ready for bed.

Mail Call!!!

Today in keeping with the "Mitzvah" theme this month, I am heading to the post office. I have 2 packages to mail. They are going to 2 of the sweetest little girls. One is getting a Christmas count down puzzle. It is so cool. It starts with Dec 16th and goes through the 25th. You remove a piece of the puzzle everyday. This little girl loves puzzles, so it was perfect. I popped in The Learning Express, and came out with presents. The other little girl is getting a CD. Not just any ordinary CD. This has songs on it that has her name in the songs. That is cool. I know she will like it because she loves music. Can't wait to hear how they both liked their gifts.


Now for some sad news. We have had a death in our family...my laptop said goodbye to us Friday morning. Seriously, it is like a death. A part of me was missing Friday. First thing every morning I turn that computer on. Went to Costco's Friday night and bought a new one. So, guess what Mark and Tracey got for Christmas. Also, our microwave has said goodbye to us as well. No complaints there it is about 20 years old and has been moved like 10 times. Microwave grave yard for it now.

We spent most of yesterday in town shopping. Went to Best Buy for a stereo that we can carry around. Actually got one that will play our MP3 player as well. Listened to lots of Christmas music, and that has really gotten me in the Christmas Spirit.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day.

Woohoo!!!

Merry Christmas to me!!! Today I got some Chick-fil-a coupons in the mail from my great pal, Amanda. I was so thrilled. Chick-fil-a is one of my favorite restaurants. I especially love the chicken, egg and cheese bagel and one of the coupons was for a free bagel. Woooohoooo!!! I love it. Thank you so much Amanda. You will never know how much your thoughtfulness touched my heart.

Traditions!!!

Today started out with a great big breakfast. It was so yummy, and then we went back to bed. Didn't get that much sleep last night. After another little snooze, we got up and got ready. Went to Kohl's for some jewelry for myself. I have some performances coming up and needed some more jewelry. Got a beautiful black antique scroll bracelet with red rhinestones plus some black and red chandelier earrings. I am now set for my performances. After Kohl's it was off to Texas Roadhouse for some lunch. Then to New River Pottery to buy a small tree for our house here. I am not here that much, so I don't want to do a lot of decorating, but I want something up. Found the perfect tree and got all the trimmings. After that it was to Michael's for more beads...I am addicted to making the ornaments. Then we went to hhGregg for my Christmas present...shhh!! it's a secret. lol. Then to the Ulta store, where because of a sale sign mix up, I got 2 free bottles of OPI nail polish. Now I have polish to match my outfit. YAY!! for me!! Was going to see the 4 o'clock showing of The Blindside, but the parking was so full; and we were tired. Decided to go on home. Stopped by Zaxby's to pick up dinner.

Came home and put up the tree and decorated my dining room table. I still have my Willow Tree Nativity set to put up, and the outside to do. Got a new flag featuring baby Jesus on it. A new mini flag that is green with a red "G" and red dots. I will decorated outside if it ever stops raining.

It keeping with the giving something everyday...I think what I did qualifies. I gave a lady at Kohl's my place in line. At Michael's I gave a lady a coupon...I couldn't use 2 and they expired today.

Now we are doing our usual Christmas tradition...watching Christmas movies. Junk food and the greatest movies ever. Tonight it was "Christmas Vacation" and "Home Alone". It makes me what to spread the Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas all.

Frantic Lives

Lately, I have observed people as I have been out and about in town. Everyone seems to be frantic or in a hurry. Snatching things up in the store, mumbling to themselves or yelling at someone on a cell phone. People dialing like speed demons to find out little Susie's size. Yes, it is only 22 days until Christmas, but slow down and enjoy this time. I can't say that feel sorry for those running around like a chicken with no head. I have had my gifts for months. I hit major sales at the change of the season. All gifts gotten except for some gift cards. My cards have been addressed for months...just need some stamps. Only decorating left to do, but I don't go overboard on that anymore. A few meaningful things displayed is all. I have to have things preplanned in life in order to function...I guess that is my OCD. Good thing I plan, because look what has happened to us in the last couple of weeks. I hate to waste time, that is why I have problems sleeping. I plan to leisurely enjoy the season this year. I am sure there were no frantic people except Mary and Joseph that first Christmas night as our Savior came quietly into the world. Can you imagine not being able to at least be in a bed to have your baby...and just not any baby. It was all planned. You really need to get "The Tale of Three Trees" if you don't have it....excellent book. It kind of helps you see what treasures that you hold in life. Treasures like Salvation, family, friends and health to name a few. Take time this year to enjoy the treasures that you hold dear in your heart.

I have been making these ornaments this week, and I have had numerous people to ask for instructions...that is a problem. I don't have instructions, because I was shown how to make them. I also found out that writing "how to" books is not my thing. I can't even write out the instructions for them. I did sit down tonight and package some of these ornaments for my old high school friends and some friends I worked with at Camp Mundo Vista in 1990. A little something for those who have left me with such fond memories. Some times it is the little things that you do that makes you so memorable to others.

On Your Mark Get Set...GO!!!

What in the world makes people get up and go out shopping at midnight after Thanksgiving? I have never understood the fun in this tradition. To stand in the cold with strangers (who are crazy as well) for some bargain that you may or may not get. To me it is like the retailers are the "puppet masters" yanking every ones string. Holding out deals in front of you, making you drool that most of the people in line don't even get. People get rude and nasty when they "think" they are about to save a few dollars. I mean people have died on this day from being stampeded to death!! I don't get it. Maybe the reason that I can't wrap my mind around this is because I have been shopping since May. I have about 2 more gifts to buy and I know what those are and no one is putting gift cards on sale. I shop a little along, then I am not broke at the end of the season nor do I have "scared to open my mail" credit card anxiety in January. A friend one time stood in line 5 hours to get a $10 digital camera. Know what they got? A $10 crappy digital camera that took horrible pictures. Boy, wasn't that worth the wait in line. I will just let everyone else snag all the good bargains, as I stay snuggled down in my bed. I am prepared this year. Almost all shopping done, all Christmas cards addressed, and lots of goodies baked and in the freezer. Let the Christmas season begin!!!