Christian Photographers Community

Very nice, Al.  I didn't even realize that was a song; I had seen it many times on the backs of funeral folders, and it's a wonderful poem.  I hadn't read the later verses, either.  Thanks for that.

Well, I have started on my gift wrapping!!  Yea!! 

I think we are going to Garden tomorrow, should get the shopping completed.  This week has lots of things on our calendar!

Thank you Al.  Good night everyone!

LITTLE BABY BOY

God's only Son spoke creation long ago
Made the stars to twinkle and the sun to glow
He fashioned the heavens and made the earth
Left glory of the highest for His lowly birth

Cold the night air over the Bethlehem din
The crowded streets, no room at the Inn
Precious babe in womb, to go on not able
Mary found shelter and gave birth in a stable

O starlit night of such wonder and awe
When shepherds looked above and angels they saw
Telling of a birth in heavenly light glowing
The Saviour in a manger where cattle were lowing

A message of joy, they spoke of peace and goodwill
To the shepherds that night on a lonely cold hill
Still the message rings out again and again
There is peace and hope and goodwill to all men

The baby birth proclaimed from angels on high
Was of Jesus the Saviour who was born just to die
A manger of straw made up His first bed
A cold stone His last when in tomb He lay dead

No longer babe in a manger or man in a grave
He is King on His throne and willing to save
Goodwill towards you, hope peace and joy
From eternal God once that little baby boy

Colin Moffett

Thank you Colin. 

QuoteNo longer babe in a manger or man in a grave
He is King on His throne and willing to save

This is so true, too often we think of Him as a baby or dead saviour on the tree, instead he is the I AM.

We are struggling to "dig out".  There are 4 foot driftf around John's truck and our van.  John has called the farmer that helps us with this but it will take some time.  The winds were heavy last night, we wondered if the spruce tree at the front of the house was solid enough to prevent it falling over.  It didn't this time.  RuthV has her car stuck half way up her driveway.  Thing to realize we don't have driveways that are 2 car lengths long.  They are long and windy.  I pray they can get it blown out and the car moved safely.  Ruth if you come here today perhaps you could let me know just how long the driveway is?

Time to sing.  Perhaps another fun  one?

We for sure have a white Christmas

No internet again!!  Hopefully tonight!!  Snowed in and no internet!

Etta Sue we need to get out and take pictures!

We are just ready to leave for Garden City.  See you later.  (Still not a flake of snow here!)

I opened the laptop around 11 and the internet was on!  So here I am.

I decided to take Ivalou and my trash by car today since I didn't want to 'hop' snow drifts to Ivalou's house.  Well, I drove in her driveway and she has a drift across her drive as high as the hood on my car.  So I had to 'hop' after all.  But the trash is out and my feet were frozen since snow went down into my boots. 

I just got through eating some lasagne that was part of our dinner Saturday evening.  It sure is good!  I can't image it being better when fresh!  The place makes their own pasta so that really means fresh! 

Tonight is our Christmas party at Photo Guild.  My turn to drive.  So far, I am going to venture out.  The roads seem open.  And traffic seems to be going pretty good.  Just not taking this one road since it is narrow, hilly, and drop offs on the sides.  Will stay on city streets even though they aren't in the best neighborhoods of Anderson. 

I am staying warm but earlier I looked at Droid and the weather chill factor was -1°.  Brrr!  Actual temperature is 16° now.  I know that isn't as bad as way north...hi, JudyB...but bad for Indiana.

My friend in Mexico sent me an old photo to see if I can work on to sharpen and make a better photo.  I love doing that!

Keep warm, folks!!

Well a major job that I have been dreading is done.  John is home so we tackelled it together.  I love working with him we work well together, anticipating each others moves.

Janet I will send you some of our snow.  Etta Sue I am glad John is not driving in this.  He drove out of your area not long before it hit.  Good weather all the way but the snow followed him.  You can blame him or us as this weather front is coming from the artic.  Brrrr it is cold, and the wind is colder.

Time to sing again.

JudyB: Thank you for the lovely Christmas songs!

We are partially dug out. Everett said he did about 160 feet; we have approximately 220 feet. I dug the car out and backed it down the hill into an area I cleared at the bottom. The wind is still blowing so I'm sure we have more work to do later.

The driveway is comes up beside our house, at the low end of the lawn for about 160 feet and then turns right, up a fairly steep hill to a flat area between the barn and house. In order to plug the car in, during the winter, I need to get it past and beside the end of the barn. At -15 degrees C  (5 F), the car starts, so it's not critical that I get it up the hill tonight.
   
We do have a snow blower attached to the tractor, however it's a puzzlement to Everett and he finds he can get more done with a manual shovel

Hi everyone.  We have had some snow flakes today, just a few widely spaced flakes and you can't even see them on the ground or anything else.  However, it is very cold and has been windy here today.  I used my neck muffler to cover my throat and it sure felt good.  We even moved to a table at McDonald's that is away from the windows where we usually sit.

As soon as I got home from coffee this morning we packed up the car and took our daughter back to her apartment in Atlanta.  On the way we stopped where she needed to pick up a prescription for the drug to help control the pain from the neuropathy in her legs.  Otherwise she would have had to take the bus and train and another bus to pick it up and then reverse the trip.

I attended my Monday Men's luncheon and had a great time of fellowship with my friends.  I came home and took a nap under my electric blanket.  Will stay inside until morning and stay warm.

I have been seeing on the news the bad weather for you all North of us.  We had several counties in Northern Georgia that cancelled school today because of the snow.  Hope you are all careful with the snow shoveling.  It was shoveling snow in Maryland in 1987 that signaled to me that I had heart disease.  Fortunately, I didn't have a heart attack at that time but remember my kind neighbor coming over and lending a hand as it was a heavy snow. 

Al, thanks for the devotional and Judy thanks for posting the various hymns and seasonal songs.

RuthV, does your car complain when it starts and it is so cold and hasn't been plugged into the heater for the night?  We had such a heater on our car when we lived in Alaska in the late 60s as there was no garage available.

Etta Sue, hope you are able to get to your photo guild meeting tonight.  My wife is suppose to have her quilt guild meeting tonight but feel certain she will not be going as it is just too cold for her to get out when she doesn't have to do so.  Glad you got your Internet back.

Colin, seems like old times seeing our poem here on CP.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Janet, hope you enjoy your participation in the play at your church.

We did our Christmas Cantata last evening and it was pretty well attended and the folks were very kind in their praise.  It did go very well and the orchestra was great.  We did have a very unfortunate thing occur during Sunday School yesterday in that someone entered our church office and stole the money, cash and checks, that had been collected to pay for the Christmas dinner last evening.  They also stole two credit cards.  The money had been left in an envelope in a desk drawer and not locked up although we have a huge safe.  They don't usually lock the office during Sunday morning but expect that will change.  Fortunately nothing else was taken or damaged. 

I am almost embarrassed to tell you that our temps were near 60* again today!  Sweatshirt was just right!  And--if it isn't going to give us any moisture, I would just as soon it stay like this!

Larry, so sorry to hear of the theft at your church.  We had a similar incident a few years back, and since are much more careful about leaving any money unsecured.  Now, should you pray that God will punish the offender, or give the money as unto the Lord, and pray the thief will be convicted of his/her sin and come to know the Lord through this experience.  I think the latter, and the Lord will repay the money to the church in His own way.

We are attending a Seniors SS Class Christmas party tonight at the church, should be fun.  We Seniors have felt totally left out of things for the past 5 1/2 years under former pastor, so it is nice to have something for us this time.

I popped back in to thank Colin for the lovely poem, and to say--don't be a stranger!  We miss you here!

Colin:  Your poem was food for thought. Thanks
Janet:  Please enjoy your lovely warm days.
Etta Sue: I remember those snow banks very well. 

We got more snow, wind and yes the drifting.  On went the winter coat and boots yes it is winter

I went to Bolton for an appointment then had a couple of errands while there. Tomorrow it will be back over to Bolton to get the van rust checked for the winter.  Before or after I then will have to go to the dealers to have a tire checked Mel says that I must go but he was not to pleased with something they had said to me the last time.  He does not like the bitting words but when I get them he does not remember to understand.

Al: Thanks for starting the week with Psalm 56.

Ruth John can help him with the tractor, he was raised on tractors and will help if asked.  I hope the wind doesn't undo all the work you have done.

Sorry to hear of the loss Larry. 
Often we don't plug in the car till the temp really drops.  When we get to _40 we need to plug in.  Today John said the car grumbled a little but started.

The farmer came and blew out our driveway today.  Lloyd has said that he will look after it for us for the season.  With my shoulders I am unable to do anything as far as shoveling goes.  I pray the sind doesn't undo all that he did.

Time to sing

My goodness we are all sleepyheads today.

I was speaking to Ruth Ann last night.  She asks for us to be praying for her and her family.

I didn't drive last evening.  One of the girls called and asked if I would like for her to drive.  She has a newer car that has positive traction or whatever.  I don't know if mine does or not but it really takes common sense and thinking ahead in this weather when driving.  But she drove anyway.  I was glad all except I drove to Kitty's and had to get in a cold car to come back home!

This weather is bad.  It is slick out there due to rain on Saturday evening and then the temperature dropped to single digits with snow.  So there is ice under the snow.  Salt won't work in low temps so only sand will help intersections and roadways.  Then a plow comes through and there goes the sand!  Only higher temps will help this.  And the present temperature of 16° isn't helping today.

Even my heat pump was blowing cool air in the house so it is shut off for now.  Between the solar heat, the electric fireplace and the furnace, I am warm and toasty. 

Tomorrow morning I am to leave at 6:20am to take a church lady to a surgery center for a colonoscopy and whatever you call it that they check her throat also.  She's to be there at 6:45am.  Her DIL will be coming later but said she couldn't get Edith to the center that early.  But I will stay until someone comes or bring Edith back when they release her. 

Then at 2pm, I am to go to church and help sort Christmas Cards.  Our church has boxes to put your Christmas Cards to members in...no stamps that way.  Then my Sunday School class sorts them, puts rubber bands around them and then they are passed out this Sunday.  Real nice that way. 

But I am in today.  No where for this person to go!  I have leftover lasagne and leftover mac and cheese for lunch.  Good eating today! 

Hi everyone.  It was really cold here this morning, down to about 18 when I went for coffee.  It has been nice and sunny and the wind hasn't blown today like yesterday so not too bad.  I had a meeting this morning but don't have to go anywhere this evening.

Our daughter got out early and went to her doctor appointment at Grady Hospital.  When she got there the power was out and they were seeing no patients today.  So she has to wait until Thursday and then wait to be seen. 

Judy, glad you have been in touch with Ruth Ann.

Etta Sue, your weather sounds terrible.  Sure glad you don't have to depend on the heat pump for your only source of heat.  I thought I was going to freeze when we lived in Maryland and had only a heat pump,especially when it froze up.  Couldn't ever seem to get warm in the house.  Certainly nice of you to take your church friend for her medical appointment.

Janet, I am sure our church will survive without the funds that were lost in the thief.  I just hope it wasn't a member of our church.  A police report was filed and the members are asked to provide information regarding the checks that had been used to pay for the meals.

Ruth, I am not sure what a rust test is?  Are you required to do this by law or is it just something that you want to have done. 

I'm not feeling up to par today, and it's been a busy one.  I hope I'm not contagious (don't think I am) as I have Beth's dinner to attend tonight--like, right now!

Larry Having the van rust checked means that it is getting a rust protection coating on it. With the amount of salt and calcium that is put on the roads we need to do something to protect our vehicles.  Also the de-icer that is put on to stop ice buildup on the roads, eats away the coating on the wiring of vehicles.  Not pretty.

There was so much blowing I had to shovel off the ramp and sidewalk...... Not a good idea.  Now to get into pain killers!  lol

Etta Sue do you know where Solway MN is???  That is where John is heading.  Thankfully the snow has eased, but the blowing is still a bit of a problem.

Janet hoping you feel better soon. 

Time to sing again.

Father, I pray for whoever stole the money, etc.  I pray You'll bring them to disgust for what they've done and then to repentance before Your Throne. Oh God, use this, I pray to bring glory to Your Name through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Janet - I don't think you're contagious, and I hope your disease isn't either!

Hey Al  a friend was asking how you were last night.  How are you doing?

Thanks for asking, and thank him for asking.  I'm still trying to get rid of the last vestiges of this cold that I contracted a couple of weeks ago, but otherwise I'm about as good as can be expected considering the condition I'm in.  I don't go out and run any races.

OK Al I will tell her that when I call next week.

I'm happy to report that I'm feeling better today, although still have a sore throat.  Strange--dry cough and throat pain, maybe it is just because it is so awfully dry here.

The dinner last night was nice, and Beth had four guests, which made her happy.  They were: me, her sister Diane, her college friend Mindy, and our wonderful chiropractor and friend, Forrest Saxon.. The food was good, she received lots of attention and love from both her guests and the girls who care for her there.  Nice to see Beth having a good time. 

I am trying to get errands done today, busy as all of you are, I expect.  After today, things should slow down.  We do have the Christmas program at church on Sunday night, in which I have a 10 minute speaking part, so have some practice to do.

Must go, see you later!

Hi everyone.  It has been a gloomy but warmer day here.  It was 35 degrees when I checked not too long ago.  We did our usual things for Wednesday, i.e., Bible Study, a time for coffee at the donut shop and then Pat and I went to lunch at a buffet place that is very reasonable and has a good variety of food.  I will need no dinner this evening.  I do have choir practice this evening but have had a nice afternoon rest period.  We may have some freezing rain later today so do hope to get home before that starts, if it does.

Judy, am listening to "O Holy Night".  That is one of my favorite Christmas pieces.  Thanks for the info on the rust.  That is something we don't have to worry about down here and we don't see cars that have rusted out places.  However, I do remember that from other places we have lived. 

Janet, nice to read that Beth had a delightful time surrounded by family and friends.  We all need someone else to show they care for us and that is why friends and family members are so important to us.  Glad you are feeling better.  That sounds like quite a speaking part you have at your church Christmas program. 

Al, glad to hear that your cold is better.  Take good care of yourself.  I doubt that we hear anymore concerning the theft at the church.  Our police are too busy to concentrate on things like this.  We were figuring this morning that there must have bee $600 or more involved in the theft.  Just hope it fed someone and not a habit, which is, unfortunately, more likely.

Good evening, I have stopped in for a visit, while I wait for part of our dinner to cook, then back to the kitchen to finish.

Larry:  As Judy said getting the veh rust checked is our attempt to extend its life and no it is not compulsary. it cost me $130.00 and if it works then it is worth the money.

It was coffee with the group this morning some were missing One couple was going to another town to give some Christmas cheer and it is with sadness another a former school bus driver is in the hospital which does seem to be very serious.

On the bright side it was a cold but sunny day the beauty after a major storm.

I agree Ruth the bright sun sparkling and reflecting off the snow was magnificant!

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Well, the internet was out again.  Three nights in a row.  They said it wouldn't be on until 9pm tomorrow but it is on right now.  I did ask to be compensated on my bill so I am suppose to get 4 days credit! 

Just glad I have the Droid to keep up with some things.

Taking the lady to her surgery this morning was interesting.  First, I have an indoor temperature thingy that tells the outside temp.  At 3am it was only 4 degrees.  Then I couldn't go back to sleep because .... what if the garage door is froze shut?  What if the car won't start?  Finally I decided if that happens, I will call her and tell her I can't take her.  But all was fine.  It sure is dark at 6:30am and I have never been to her house after dark.  Glad I turned in the right driveway.  No street lights in the country.  We got to the surgery center with 2 minutes to spare.  And her DIL came at 8:30am like Edith said she would. 

When I came back home, and got in the door, I smelled a strange smell...then it disappeared!  Then I went to church this afternoon to sort Christmas cards and smelled the same smell when I came in the door.  I got to thinking/worrying....what if it is a gas leak?  I called my niece whose husband and son are on the fire department to see if fire departments have gas sniffers.  She called me back and yes, they do but I live in a different county than them so they told me to call 911.  So I did and was told to leave the house and watch for the firemen.  I did and walked back from Ivalou's...in the snow.  Anyway, no gas leak.  And it is determined that I have a dead mouse or chipmunk in the crawl space by the door.  Also by that door is the hot water baseboard register where water pipes come through the floor.  I could smell the smell by my coat rack...also a register there.  And here in my chair...a register here.  So I am relatively sure that I will wake up in the morning since it isn't a gas leak!  Thank God, no gas leaks!

Okay...that's it!  Who knows if I will have internet tomorrow or not!

back again

Janet:   I tried to chase a cold and or flu away and so far kinda yes but I have been left with a dry cough.  Last evening I tried the ginger and honey mixture before going to bed and I did not cough all night I will be doing the same again tonight. At first I did not think it would work but I guess it did.

Give it a try and let us know.

I have all the fixings for the family fruitcake recipe - don't laugh about it, this one passes the taste test & isn't like a brick.  Anyway, neighbors said they missed fruitcake so I thought they might like a loaf.  It bakes for hours in a slow oven with a pan of water for moisture.  You can always dunk the pieces in melted chocolate!

Almost every letter to friends is ready.  I don't want to add any more on the card list because it has become a two or three day event for me to write personal notes on the back of what Don has printed.  It is a stop and go thing and I had to clear the table twice for company so it becomes a not so fun thing anymore. 

We are over 20 inches behind in snow for this time of the year.  It is lightly snowing now.  JudyB and RuthV:  In Minnesota, I used to clear a two lane driveway the old-fashioned way and then the snowplow would dump the biggest load right in front - sometimes, I just gunned the engine on our Suburban and went through that pile of snow.  Good luck getting in and out this winter - oh, it isn't winter quite yet. 

Al:  thank you for reminding us to pray for the sinner as well as victims. 

Colin:  We do appreciate your lovely poetry.  Thank you.

I had a post ready to go and it went poof.  Have a good day everyone.

Judy, I thought I felt a bit of a breeze - must have been your post blowing past.   

Hi everyone.  It is a chilily, rainy morning here in Georgia.  We had icing in certain parts of the area.  Our choir practice was cancelled last evening although think it was probably all right.  The director started out and ran into black ice so decided it wasn't worth the risk of it getting worse.  She lives in the upper part of the county and the church (and we live) is in the lower part.  She had already received notice the 11 of our choir members weren't going to be at the practice.  We have been practicing what we will do on Sunday and the director thinks we can put final touches on it if we get a full 30 minutes of practice before the service.  

It is suppose to get up to 50 degrees today and that will be appreciated.

I have a clear schedule today except we are meeting friends for dinner this evening.  As far as I know this will just be dinner and not a game of dominos afterwards.  I will work on some projects here at my desk and just have a quiet day.  Pat is making some caramel corn so we can give some to the two couples we will be having dinner with tonight for a little Christmas gift.

Carol, your fruitcake sounds tasty.  I like homemade fruitcake.  Hope you get some snow before long.

Ruth, hope you are feeling better today.  Hope your rust treatment does the job.

Etta Sue, glad you didn't have a gas leak but expect you will be smelling the mouse for quite awhile.  I don't envy you.  It sounds like you weather is very unpleasant.

Judy, now I wonder what you said in your lost message.  Thanks for the Christmas music you have been posting.

I feel really lousy today.  Coughed all night and the whole inside of my mouth and throat are sore.  So I finally gave up on home remedies and had Darrel call the doctor for an appointment for me, but they can't see me until tomorrow morning.  Ugh.

This is so unfortunate because our g-grands are here this week, and I don't want to expose them to anything...............

Larry that last one I remember singing in the Junior Choir with Rudy leading.  To this day I love to hear childrens voices singing it.  

I can't believe my internet has been on for awhile.  Hopefully it is fixed for good now.  Seemed that when the sun went down, so did my internet!!

And yes, I woke up this morning like I thought I would.  Also woke to all white again.  Snowed last night and snowing right now!  But warmer.  My pine trees are beautiful with white snow on each branch.  It is so pretty but why can't we have pretty snow in July when it would be warm enough to enjoy it?  Hunh?

Not planning on doing anything today but work on a projector for Sunday at church.  The lady that is doing the communion meditation had the pages of a story book copied by the secretary.  I got the flash drive yesterday with the pages on it.  51 pages.  And I have to crop, color saturate, resize, sharpen, add a border, and resize again on each photo.  Then put them in a Power Point Presentation so it can be used on the software that the church uses for the projection system.  Glad I am running the projector Sunday and will have to remember to tell Sue to read slowly or I won't be able to keep up!  Just a small project...yes, sure...

That's it from central Indiana.  And to answer JudyB yesterday.  I have never been to that part of Minnesota.  I have only been on the west side of Minnesota and that was summertime so it was beautiful!

Pat:  I just started to answer the recipe forwarding and will send one on to you.  It is an easy & always nice recipe for a group. 

The bread machine is ready to make some Christmas bread and just have to time it right.  We went to Home Depot and bought some lumber so Don can make a hardy shelf and we came home and he fixed scrambled eggs and bacon for lunch.  He just defragged the laptop today too. 

Jeanne:  I am going to send a recipe on to you - it is something Pat did last year and we all enjoyed the new recipes.  Usually, I don't care to participate in these forwarding things but this one is very nice. 

Janet I hope you are feeling better today, but the doctors visit is a good idea.   There are so many bugs going on here too that I feel fortunate to have so far stayed well.

Carol my bread machine gave up the ghost.  It was about 15 years old when itdied.  I now use my regular KitchenAid with the hook attachment to make bread, using the same recipe and method as with a bread machine.  It turn's out quite well, the only difference is I have to put it in a pan and let it rise then bake.  When it comes to bread my son-inlaw Heather's husband makes the best bread I have ever tasted.

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Good Evening;

Janet: My home remedy is working at least to stop the cough.  I did cancel a dental appointment until sometime in January giving the cold time to be gone. Yes I have increased by vitamin "C"  as well.

Earlier in the day I phoned my aunt to tell her that we had been invited to spend Christmas with Sue.  Her reply you will need to keep your eyes open for a gift as I want to give Sue something.   Bless her heart.

Mel & I did go out earlier in the day to do some errands, he needed a shovel and I bought oranges & grapefruit from a traveling truck(fellow) that has a route going to different towns with the fresh fruit straight from Florida. So fresh and so good.  Then to Shoppers Drug Mart and the Dollar Store before heading home.

Oh Boy there is more snow to shovel.

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I have a dentist appointment today.  Be back later!

What I always think is a small project turns out to be huge!  The Power Point wouldn't work in the software...I think it is too big.  So I 'pasted' two images together and now have 25 images to load into the software for Sunday's communion meditation. 

I called Kitty and asked her if she would like to go for pizza.  She said she could if she was back home by 6pm...since she had a Webinar to watch at 6pm.  I looked up webinar since I didn't have a clue what that was.  Like a seminar but on the web.  It had something to do with painting on the computer which Kitty is into.  So Kitty and I had pizza together.  I took her the three pairs of gloves that I crocheted for her as stocking stuffers and some Party Mix.  She brought a scrapbook she is making for g-daughter, Katie, for me to see.  Later I got an email from Kitty saying that Bob was enjoying the pizza she took home for him AND the party mix!

Today Ivalou and I are getting our haircut.  Then Ivalou needs to go to WalMart for some things.  I am sure I will return with some things also. 

Warmer today but more snow last night.  23° and the sun just came out!  That always makes it feel warmer.

Hi everyone.  It has been a busy morning but plan to slow down for the rest of the day.  We had coffee at the senior center this morning and then 4 of us went to the gym and walked.  I walked about 3/4 of a mile without any problem.  I came home and then went back to the gas station to fill one of the cars and then to Kroger's for a list that Pat had prepared.  She is getting ready for Christmas so went ahead and bought two hams that she is going to bake and some other items.  The produce has really gone us.  I paid $1.30 for one baking potato.  Came home and put the things away and am now ready to rest the rest of the day.  Pat just left for a meeting and then will go out to lunch with some friends.

Last evening we met two other couples at a buffet and enjoyed a nice meal and good conversation.  One of the couples had no business driving after dark, and it was also raining, so I drove their car to their house and Pat brought our car to pick me up.  

We are having a beautiful day here with the sun out and the temperature up to 39 degrees.  There is a little wind but not gusting.  

Janet, sorry to hear that you are down sick.  This is a bad time of the year to have a cold or flu.  

Carol and Judy, the talk of making bread really makes me hungry.  We have a bread machine but Pat seldom makes it.  Usually when she does she turns them into sticky buns, which are very tasty.

Etta Sue, reworking over 50 graphics is a big job.  Hope it is going well.

Ruth, glad to read that you are feeling better.  We have a Dollar General store not far from us that just opened a couple of months ago.  It went in where a drugstore had failed.

I am still alive and coughing.  Ugh.  Ruth, give me the particulars on the honey-ginger mix, please.  I have some cough syrup but it tastes HORRIBLE.  

The doctor said this stuff is not contagious, which surprised me.  She also said it is bacterial, not viral, and that my lungs already have some stuff in them, so we need to get it headed off before it turns to pneumonia.  I have had that twice, sure don't want it again.  I kept bugging her asking if it is contagious, and told her that I need to go to the care home and sure don't want to expose those people to anything.  She said go ahead, it will -be fine.    I got a z-pack to take for 5 days, and some cough lozenges.

Oh!  We finally got a little skiff of snow!  Not enough to cover the ground, but at least we know it CAN snow.  Temp was 34 when I was out.

Janet at least if ut is bacterial, you can take antibiotics.  I pray they work quickly!

Larry maybe you can figure out how to use the bread machine.  John's dad always was the one to make bread. Is is really quite easy.

I picked up the 3 flosses I need to finish the X-stitch I am doing,...Time is running out!   

My brain is foggy from lack of sleep.  Maybe it was the chocolate I had after a Chinese meal.  Now is not the time for me to cut fabric for a table runner.   

Fruitcake is finished here and I am bringing one loaf to a neighbor.  Don is in the basement building a shelf for a t.v. so the DVD or whatever it is called can stand underneath.  I can't keep up to this techie stuff.  Even my Yahoo mail is acting up again. We brought a quilt I had made for our grandson since he is now an Eagle Scout.  He was happy & surprised.  Tiny bit of snow all day.  Great hassle with Comcast over suspending our television - it took several phone calls & just wears you out.  They don't listen or read anything you write. 

Larry:  the bread machine is easy, just put things in order and push a button.  Easy Peasy. 

JudyB:  Don't fall off the treadmill. 

We were going to drive neighbors to Loveland today but he caught a chest cold so they want to go next week instead.  There is a fantastic cheese place they have never been before, you walk into a huge refrigerated room. 

Janet:  Don't forget homemade chicken soup. 

Carol For having a foggy brain you are quite coherent!  But I understand not wanting to cut when you feel like that. 

I am baking today.  Boterkoek or Dutch Buttercake as well as several loaves of bread.  We have a pot-luck after service on Sunday.

Back later

Before leaving to go out earlier in the day a picture of Christmas mice came on the computer screen, I had made these a couple of years ago,   This prompted me to purchase the ingredients to do the same again this year something a little different to take with us tomorrow as we are having dinner with a friend and children will be there.

Janet:   Hope that you are checking in, the ginger and honey that I put together was  11/2 tsp. or so of ginger powder in a small dish then I added enough honey (creamy or liquid) the kind does not matter to blend just like adding enough milk to make it moist.  I could have added 3 tsp. or so of honey. then have a tsp. or less when needed. It did not taste of ginger per say but it did keep my cough quiet all night.   I have also used it in the day.     Good Luck     

Back to making my Christmas mice.   

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Well Kassie fractured her ankle today.  A silly accident, nevertheless she is in a boot till further notice.

John is home.  We had a late supper, and now are heading to bed.  We are both tired.

Hi everyone.  It is a cold, rainy 37 degree morning.  I heard sleet hitting the window during the early morning but it has turned to rain.  I just returned from McDonald's and it was nice and warm in there for a change.  Apparently they had been having problems with their heating system as last week it was cold in there every morning.  I plan to get out one more time this morning and then stay in the rest of the day.  I see there are a number of football bowl games on TV.  That will be my exciting day.

Judy, so sorry to read that Kassie had fractured her ankle.  Hope it is not paining her too much.

Ruth, you confused me on your Christmas mice.  Is this a cookie or something that you had taken a picture of for your computer? 

Carol, years ago when we lived in Vienna, Virginia, our next door neighbors in the townhouse we lived in owned a cheese shop in Tyson Corner's Shopping Center, which is a big shopping cneter outside of Washington, DC.  They had all kinds of cheeses.  I know there are a whole lot of cheese types that I have never tried.  Hope the fog clears today and that you had a good night's sleep last night.  I know that the bread machine is easy to use.  You can even get the ingredients pre-packaged and if I remember correctly I have made bread on occasion.  I can still remember my grandmother, on my mother's side of the family, making homemade bread when I was small and what a wonderful smell.  If bread gets much more expensive we may have to start making our own bread.  We were at Panera Bread Company a couple of weeks ago and I saw they had some bread that they were asking over $7 a loaf for.  I did buy a loaf that was over $3 and it was good.  Their bread has no preservatives in it.

Janet, glad you are not contagious.  Hope today finds you beginning to feel better as this is a tough time of the year to be ailing.

Guess that is it for today. 

I just received this from a good friend and thought it was something I wanted to share with you all: 

One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share.

Halfway through December we were doing the regular evening things when there was a knock at the door.  We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful ceramic lamb inside.  We looked at the calendar and realized that the 12 days of Christmas were beginning!  We waited excitedly for the next night's surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realize that the lamb was part of a nativity set.

Each night we grew more excited to see what piece we would receive.  Each was exquisitely beautiful.  The kids kept trying to catch the givers as we slowly built the scene at the manger and began to focus on Christ's birth.

On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were in place--all but the Baby Jesus.  My 12-year-old son really wanted to catch our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them.  He ate dinner in our minivan, watching and waiting, but no one came.  Finally, we called him in to go through our family's Christmas Eve traditions.  But before the kids went to bed, we checked the front step - - no Baby Jesus!  We began to worry that my son had scared them off.  My husband suggested that maybe they dropped the Jesus and there wouldn't be anything coming.

Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve. There was a feeling that things weren't complete.  The kids went to bed and before I went to bed, I again checked to see if the Jesus had come - - no, the doorstep was empty.


In our family, the kids can open their stockings when they want to, but they have to wait to open any presents until Dad wakes up.  So one by one they woke up very early and I also woke up to watch them.  Even before they opened their stockings, each child checked to see if perhaps during the night the Baby Jesus had come.

Missing that piece of the set seemed to have an odd effect.  At least it changed my focus.  I knew there were presents under the tree for me and I was excited
to watch the children open their gifts, but first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child.  We had opened just about all of the presents
when one of the children found one more gift for me buried deep beneath the limbs of the tree.


He handed me a small package from my former teaching companion. I had been her Sunday school teacher for a couple of years and then, when she was asked to be a teacher herself, she requested to work with me.  I had learned over time that she and her family didn't have much for Christmas.  Of necessity she and her husband focused on their children.  It sounded like she didn't get many gifts to open, so I had always given her a small package -- new dish towels, the next teacher's manual -- not much, but something for her to open.

I was touched when at church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation.  As I took off the bow, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness and sacrifice in this giving me a gift.  But as the paper fell away, I began to cry.  There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus!  He had come!

I realized on that Christmas Day, that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don't expect.  The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another.  We had waited and watched for Him to come, expecting the dramatic "knock at the door and scurrying of feet" but He came in a small, simple package that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love.

This experience taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open our hearts and actively focus on the Savior.  But we will most likely find Him in the small and simple acts of love, friendship and service that we give to each other.



This Christmas I want to feel again the joy of knowing that Christ is in our home.  I want to focus on loving and serving.  More than that, I want to open my heart to Him all year.


May the spirit of Christ be with you and yours
this Christmas and always. . .

I was moved while reading The Upper Room devotional this morning.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if you had the 'smell of Jesus' for others?  What a way for others to describe you! 

Janet ~ I am praying that your meds will conquer your yuck so that you will enjoy Christmas.  The weather changes can really do a number on us!  That's what I blame it on!

JudyB ~ How is your cross-stitch coming along?  I know it will be beautiful and much appreciated for the recipient.  And it wouldn't do for me to bake breads and yeast rolls.  I wouldn't fit in my kitchen!!  Sorry about Kassie's ankle.  She will get attention now for Christmas!

Carol ~ I love fruit cake but like it moist...not dry like cake.  While at the beauty shop yesterday a lady was talking about a fruit cake that she bought at WalMart.  I got two of them there and it is perfect for me!  Small pre-sliced moist fruit cake.  Yumm!

Ruth ~ Kitty makes Christmas Mice with cherries with stems, Hershey kisses, melted chocolate, slivered almonds and red gel in a tube.  She puts them in cupcake papers.  I have helped her make them a couple of times.  So cute and the kids loved them!

Larry ~ Thank you for the '12 Days of Christmas' story.  Very touching.  When I read something like that, I think...'Now why didn't I think of that?'  Thanks!

Well, I got my hair cut yesterday.  We left at 11:40 and didn't get home until 5pm.  And all we did was get our hair cut, eat at a Chinese buffet and WalMart!  Ivalou is so slow when she shops but I sit up front when I am done and play on the Droid.  No problem!! 

And today is a nothing day.  Yay!!  Well, I am doing some laundry but that's it!!

Etta Sue, enjoy your "nothing" day.  I have all sorts of little chores to do.  Nothing major or difficult, just things that need to get done.  You know...  the kind that it's so easy to put off.  Until it gets to the point where there are so many of them I need to dedicate a day to just that.  Now, isn't that exiting?   

Jeanne Lee ~ Exciting or not, I like my leisure days.  I only have a tiny tree and bows on my deck for Christmas decoration.  I figure the less I decorate the less I have to take down and put away and that leaves me more time to reflect on the reason for the season.  The firemen the other days has been the only people in my house in December.  Do you think they noticed I didn't have a big tree up and decorations everywhere?

I am all ready for church.  I am going in early today and next Sunday since I am running the projector system.  Another beautiful morning with hoar frost everywhere!  Looks like a white out out there.  Cold...16°.  Hopefully the new year will bring warmer weather to this area. 

Hi everyone.  We have a cloudy but not rainy morning.  I see it is down to 30 degrees but the house seems warm.  We had some extra warmth in the house yesterday evening as Pat decided she couldn't put off cleaning her oven any longer.  It is self-cleaning and really gets hot but this time of year that is no problem.  She was admiring how clean it was this morning.  Guess it doesn't take a lot to make her happy.

We will be going to church this morning.  I need to be in the choir room ready to sing at 10:45 since we missed choir practice.  I have yet to see this group all be that prompt but one can hope.  We have been practicing the piece we will do for several weeks but the director likes to put on finishing touches at the last rehearsal.  We have been doing some special musical accompaniment to the lighting of the Advent candles this year at the beginning of the service.  It is very nice as has the choir sing a sort piece, the speaking and praying part and lighting of the candles and finally the congregation join the choir in a finishing part of the piece.

I had a nice and quiet day yesterday.  I did attend a meeting yesterday morning and the furnace was broken.  I came home chilled to the bone but finally was able to warm up under my electric blanket with a nice nap.  After church today plan another quiet day.  I will watch some football and read and rest.  Oh yes, I sure I will find something to eat as well.

Posting for Marilyn:

Hello to all my CP friends. I still don't know why I can't access the site, I even  went to a cached  copy and logged in there
but it took me back to the same page that www.christianphotograpers.com could not be found. This is really disappointing
because I miss you all so much. Is it possible that I have been accidentally blocked from the site? Would someone
who has access to that area please check on that for me?

We are all ready for Christmas, Keith will be going to California with me this year, right now he is in Portland visiting his sons.
My hand is all healed up and I am working on exercising  the thumb so that  soon I might be able to touch all my fingers with
the thumb like I can with my right hand. Right now I have some kind of a rash on that hand that I am treating with Tea Tree Oil.

I hope you are all well and ready for the coming celebration of our Lord's birthday. I got an email from Sarah's  mother that said
they don't celebrate His birthday only His death,  that Christmas is only a time for family, food, and fun. I was so shocked to hear
that from her. As most of your know Sarah's father  was a pastor for the Church of Christ. I know that  the Church of Christ
members do not believe the same as she does; It was just so strange to read her words.

We have been having some crazy weather here, yesterday we had lightening, thunder, sleet and rain, off and on all day long
with periods of sun and sleet at the same time.   Today the sun is out for now, I just hope we will be able to drive to California
next weekend with all the crazy weather that California is getting. How is is  in McKinleyville Al? What is expected there.

I hope to hear from  all y-all soon. I would be so nice have some email from my friends.

It is nice to read all of your notes. 

JudyB:  Sorry about Kassie's ankle being broken and pray it heals completely. 

Larry:  Nice story and so meaningful.  We need to hear more news like that message.

Well, I didn't sleep very much last night.  Yesterday morning, our middle son was snowmobiling with his older brother and he hit something and flew over the handle bars.  Severe puncture in the knee cap and it was smashed to the bone.  Miles out,in the wilderness, he was able to handle the snowmobile back to the house, then sat in the back seat of a truck for a trip to the clinic which is about twenty minutes at least.  Snowing heavily.  They put him in an ambulance that took over three hours to get to ER downtown.  Don and I met him along with a sister in law and one grandson. 

Hours of waiting for surgery because a climber fell off a cliff and had to use all the pain meds.  Surgery ended about 1 AM.  Things are better this afternoon and he is not so nauseous so he will be coming to our house at least tonight as we don't have stairs.  Don and I will sleep in the walkout basement bedroom.   

If you haven't been to an ER in inner city in a while, you are blessed.  Policemen all over, some patients in handcuffs, not much English being spoken, but the medical people are really kind and experts.  Heavy, heavy checking you in by armed guards.  We are so thankful for no head injury. 

It has been a long couple of days and I am feeling tired, it will be early to bed I am sure.

Larry:  Etta Sue did a good job describing the Christmas Mice.    I had made 28  I took about 14 of them when we went out on Saturday, it was something different for them and was well enjoyed, then this afternoon we had visitors and again it was something different for them and they even wanted to take a couple home to show friends, now my mouse family is almost gone.   

Mel received delivery of his P&G Christmas box, all present and retired employee's get these we sure enjoyed looking to see what was sent and again out guests really enjoyed checking it out as well.    For those that do not know P&G is the short term for Procter & Gamble.   

I try not to do laundry on Sunday but with the new hydro billing - prime and off time hours and being busy I did do a couple of loads and now the dryer is letting me know it is done.

Janet:   Have you tried the ginger?

Have a great evening and I will check in again tomorrow.

I don't post here much, but I wanted to say thanks to Larry for posting that story. Isn't it like God to take an event from our lives and totally change the focus!

Carol, what a day for your family!  I'm praying for quick healing for your son and peace and strength for all of you.

What an ordeal you had Carol.

Ruth I would love the recipe for those mice!

I wonder where Etta Sue is today?

Thanks all for your prayers and concerns. 

#2 son is dozing on the couch.  He finally admitted that his injury is a lot more than he thought - well, it is a smashed patella (kneecap) a big hole in his knee.  He slept well last night & so did we - he did need pain pills every 4 hours.  today, we will go to his house and pick up the dog who has been so lost without our son.  I need a haircut so badly and some groceries.  Everyone has been so helpful and neighbors want to help too - such a blessing to see the family take over all concerns. 

Looking at all that snow on the west coast. 

Where in the world is Etta Sue? 

Just had a call from Etta Sue saying her Internet was down and requested that I open the weekly topic for her.  That has been done and here is the link:  http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=11235.0