Slacker

I've been slacking with my blog.  I've had plenty of time to type something up.  I just haven't made it happen.  So today's the day.

Nothing special going on in my world today.  Except that I got a picture of sweet little Xavier visiting with Santa.  That was the best part of my day.  So I'll share it.

In the first picture, he's checking Santa out.  Gotta know who's holding him.  In the second picture, he's probably clearing things with Mom to make sure all is well.

Personally, I think it's a very sweet first picture with Santa.  And I hope you get everything you asked for, little man.

I've been chatting it up with my big brother, Alan, about our plans to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra next week.  We're deciding where to do dinner and which route to take to avoid construction.  I'm starting to get excited.  It'll be me, Mom, and Alan.  Should be a good time.  And the start of another long weekend.  I like that too!

I've already started my fundraising for Relay for Life.  I've raised $385 of my $500 goal.  And last night, I finally mailed 20 donation request letters.  So I should get to $500 pretty quick now.  Then I won't have to worry about fundraising at all through the spring.  I'll be able to focus on the Survivor Dinners that I'm helping to coordinate.  One in Martin County on May 10th; one in Daviess County on June 10th.  Lord, bless those events.  Amen.

Hopefully I find the time, no, MAKE the time to blog a little more often.  And I won't have to call myself a slacker anymore.

Merry Christmas!

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

 

[I sang this during communion at mass today...though not nearly as well as Fernando Ortega does here.]

I love the haunting, yet peaceful melody of this song.  (It speaks to my somber mood this weekend.)  And the words are beautiful and especially appropriate for the Christmas season.

All I Want for Christmas

- someone to share my life with, a soulmate that loves me and thinks I'm beautiful, even when I'm not.
- a clean, organized, comfortably decorated, warm and cozy, softly lit home with the light scent of vanilla and burning leaves.
- employment for my friends and family who aren't working and want to be.
- a successful Relay...and no more cancer!
- no more depression...for anyone!
- self-discipline, a diligent work ethic, patience, and a humble and kind heart.

Christmas Toy Store Sponsored by Area Christian Churches

[copied from the Martin County Journal]

The Christmas Toy Store will be held on Saturday December 8, 2012 in the fellowship hall of the Loogootee United Methodist Church, 208 West Main Street, in Loogootee. Again this year the event will be a truly community Christian event because it is being co-sponsored by the four Martin County Catholic Churches, the Loogootee United Methodist Church, the Hindostan United Methodist Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Loogootee, and the Shoals United Methodist Church. If any other Martin County churches are interested in participating, please contact Curt Johnson at 295-4985.

The Christmas Toy Store is full of all kinds of toys donated by parishioners and church members, local businesses and the Crane Navy “Toys for Tots” program. Last year two free toys were given away to around 646 children. There were also bicycles and lots of “stocking stuffers” that were given away. Eligible shoppers and children – Parents and legal guardians ONLY (changed this year), who reside in Martin County, are eligible to shop for eligible children. Children are eligible for toys if they are 18 years old or younger on December 25, 2012 and a resident of Martin County.

Sign-up locations and dates – Sign-ups are from October 31 to November 30, 2012 at the following four locations. Do not sign-up more than once.

-St. Vincent De Paul Store, 516 Park Street in Loogootee

-Hoosier Uplands, Main and 2nd Street in Shoals

-Loogootee Library

-Shoals Library

Shopping times for the parents or legal guardians are from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Shopping times will be assigned as 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00 a.m., etc until the last shopping time at 2:30 p.m. People will select an available shopping time when they signup.

Christmas Candlelight

The 12 Days of Christmas [in art]

a partridge in a pear tree

two turtle doves

three french hens

four calling birds

five golden rings

six geese a-laying

seven swans a-swimming

eight maids a-milking

nine ladies dancing

ten lords a-leaping

eleven pipers pipping

twelve drummers drumming

You know Christmas is over when...

...you can save BIG on next year's Christmas decorations.

...Christmas inflatables are sadly deflated.

...the fridge is FULL of leftovers.

...Christmas trees are no longer green.

...Santa finally takes a day off.

...Valentines' Day sales advertisements start popping up.

Christmas Light Show

There are lots of examples of this throughout YouTube.  But I like this version of this song.  Enjoy the light show!

Music: (May There Be) Peace on Earth This Christmas

We sang this song at midnight mass Saturday night.  It's pretty much a standard at our midnight mass.  We don't sing it with the jazzy flair of this recording.  Ours is much simpler.  But the words are absolutely gorgeous and epitomize the blessings I have for everyone at Christmastime...and throughout the year.  Enjoy!

May there be peace on earth this Christmas
And may the bells of joy ring loud and clear.
May your dreams of love for each other
Come true and live from year to year.

May there be peace on earth this Christmas.
And when the evening shadows fall,
Let us ask God when we pray for a lasting peace that day
When the world would get the greatest Gift of all.

Seven Word Status

Animal Christmas

Not a creature was stirring?

This one's for me, right?

I want four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge...hold the pear tree.

I'm hiding from Santa.

Are you freakin' kidding me?!

Problem...no room in the stable either.

I'm just helping keep baby Jesus warm.

I want to put the star on the top this year!

oooo, shiny!  I have to have it!

Somebody had too much eggnog.

This IS my happy Christmas face.

Letter from Santa

Joy

Have I ever mentioned that JOY is my all-time, most favorite world in all the world?!  Well, now you know!  And outside of falling in love or welcoming a new baby into the world, when do we feel more joy than at Christmastime?