Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Combine a shortened time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, two annoying illnesses (which means they weren't serious but still kept me down), one ice storm after another, six days of work... and what do you get? Seriously out of touch with the reality of Christmas timing.

Christmas Eve begins in a matter of hours and I am not ready. There was more I was going to do this season of Advent... sigh. I suppose the sugar cookie cutouts can be of January snowmen or February Valentine's Day hearts.

We were out early for an appointment and then drove to Cracker Barrel for breakfast... a rare treat. I love breakfast "out". Then we stopped by another store so I could use a gift card to purchase a few more jars... similar to those I keep my flour in (only smaller). Tradition mixed in with necessary appointments...

At first we were in the midst of a beautiful snowfall and the world looked quite like a Christmas shakeup globe. Unfortunately before we were able to drive home, it had turned to sleet and freezing rain. I don't remember the last time we had so much ice in December.

I'm finally feeling human, as if my head is once again a part of the rest of the body. I am coughing and sniffing, sneezing and wheezing... but I feel better. There was no sofa time today, although the thought of my flannel sheets is already tempting this evening. I can see cold medicine and turning in early a definite possibility.

With all the hits on my immune system recently, I've decided not to work at the beginning of the next semester. As a friend told me on the phone yesterday, what I'd make those two weeks is not worth her having to visit me in the hospital. Since she is a nurse, I had to agree...

I'm having to play "catch up" here at home, so I wish you now a very Blessed Christmas. May the knowledge of Him who entered this world as a baby at Christmas to become the Lamb of God at Easter... fill us all with adoration.

Thank you all for your friendship... when you sit down with a cup of tea and finally get to rest a bit and ponder... or read a book... or sip Pumpkin Spice Lattee's this week... think of me joining you and chatting. :)

I'll be back on Friday, God willing and the creek don't rise (or freeze over).

Picture: Christmas Glow; allposters.com

31 comments:

Anita said...

Merry Christmas to you, Brenda.

Vee said...

Thinking of having a chat over tea with you is a very pleasant thought indeed. I am so glad that you are feeling better and I do pray that the weather settles for everyone, everywhere.

The Merriest of Christmases to you and yours, Brenda!

(Love your friend; she makes such good sense.)

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Brenda!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas too. I am sooo looking forward to Christmas with the kids and grandchildren. That will completely make my Christmas. Enjoy being with your family and this holy day. It sure does sound like a good idea to step back and get your system back in shape before embarking on working again. Maybe by that time the weather will have warmed up some too!! Jody

Peggy said...

Have a great Christmas! Try to enjoy the holiday even if you didn't get everything on your list done.

Peggy
http://pegslifeinthebuttonjar.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, dear Brenda!

I have already made your Lemon Squares recipe twice. Yummy! Thanks for posting it on your recipe blog!

A prayer will be going up for your healing, from Canada, right now...

debbie said...

I'm glad you're feeling better.I've never met you but you have been a great inspiration to me. I wish you all the blessings of Christmas. And ahealthy happy new year too!

Kimberly said...

Merry Christmas to you sweet friend!

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a blessed and restful Christmas. I agree with your friend. Take care of yourself and recharge! And thank you again for the daily encouragement I've been gleaning from your writing. (Have you thought of writing a book?)

Linda Nichols

Anonymous said...

Hello, It is lovely to drop in for a quick visit. Someone I respect very much said you are a kindred spirit, Jewels. I have stopped by once or twice before but the days seem to fly by me and haven't had time to visit old or new neighbors. Thank you for the encouraging words you have written for me to store away and ponder later. Merry Christmas and God Bless you. Cynthia

Marianna said...

A very merry Christmas to you.

Abounding Treasures said...

Merry Christmas Brenda to you and your family :o)

Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas from Tennessee, Brenda and family.

Thankful for the reason we have Christmas...reminding myself to slow down and give thanks.

Dee

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Merry Christmas, Sweet Friend!

Joyful days of celebration I wish for you and your family. Our celebrations begin early tomorrow with the arrival of grandma in the morning and then my sister and her husband later in the afternoon. We will be celebrating for days and days of wonderful CHRISTmas.

Blessing to you as we all gather at the crib to worship the King. : D

Angela said...

Your sitting right beside me right now, as I sip my morning coffee. Blessings beloved sister this Holy Season. Your in my thoughts and prayers..((hugs))

DebD said...

Oh I'd love to sit down to a cuppa with you, Brenda. Hope you have a joyous day.

Lallee said...

Merry Christmas, Brenda! I see I have MUCH catching up to do here. May you have a healthy and joyful day.
Big hugs,
Lallee

Linds said...

Merry Christmas, Brenda!

Cheryl said...

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to a very special lady. Thanks for your wonderful words each day.

Carol from Manitoba

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Brenda, I'm so happy to read that you are feeling better!

Very Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Manuela

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

Have a very Merry Christmas! I love your posts all year long. May you, hubby and Christopher have a wonderful, peaceful day!God bless you and all you do to inspire us!

Sandra said...

Merry Christmas Brenda!

Unknown said...

Merry merry Christmas, precious Brenda. Love and hugs, Brenna

Susan B said...

Dear Brenda,
I wish a very Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas dear Brenda!
My family is staying at my sister's beach house, a street over from where I grew up. So many memories here, and with a view of the ocean from the house to boot...we are having a nice Christmas week. Love you!
joanna in not-sunny-anymore-Ca. :)

Angela said...

I thought of you last night during Mass.....they played your first song on the playlist!!! I LOVE that song so much! I REALLY need to add it to my play list. I'm busy preparing Brunch, and turned down my playlist to come here and listen to yours...((((((hugs)) Merry Christmas

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Enjoy your day!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas.
Thank you for your site such a warm cozy feeling. I come here after a tiring day and am refreshed. May He Who is our all in all give you that warm cozy feeling tonight.
Blessings and shalom,
loy

Anonymous said...

Digger of oceans, polisher of stars
Hanger of planets and Healer of scars.
Sparrows' Mortician and Passover Lamb,
Feeder of ravens; Condemner of sham.
Cana Wine-Maker; Creator of light,
The Author who gives glad songs in the night.
Lover of children, Dispeller of dark.
Designer of blooms and soft willow bark.
The leaves' Architect; Songwriter for birds,
Clean Rose of Sharon and Keeper of herds.
Thunder-Exploder on cloud-shrouded peaks,
Painter of sunsets and babies' pink cheeks.
Maker of heroes, those out of the wild,
Dry desert Gardner and Bethlehem's Child.
Weaver of rainbows and bottler of tears,
Tinter of orchards and tulips' bright spears.
Galilee-Walker and calmer of waves,
Full Seed of David; Conqueror of Graves.
Sower of springtimes and Breather of wind,
Calvary's love-gift to all who have sinned.
Larzarus-Raiser and Magdalene's friend
Captain and Guide at the river's last bend.
Gadarene's Escort back home from the tombs
Builder of mansions with Heavenly rooms.
Abraham's Fruit Tree; Gethsemane's Door;
Christ, All-sufficient... and more, so much more.
Heaven's Attraction... the main Citizen,
The Church's Bridegroom, the endless Amen!
~Author Unknown

Jesus is all this and more! Merry Christmas!

Sue said...

Glad you are feeling better,since starting blogging in Aug. I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Blessings,
Sue