When that evil thought wins ....

What a day! Ever catch yourself thinking that? I did, and it was only 6:28 a.m. this morning!
The day started ordinary enough..alarm going off. Me stumbling into the other room to shut it up. (we learned we get up quicker when we can't hit the snooze button) Next move is to get our middleschooler up.
That can be a chore. This child is a non morning person.. Anyone relate? In the darkness I ponder which to flick on? The big light hanging from the ceiling fan..or the lamp. Go with the second choice as I realize that little brother has climbed into bed with big brother over night..uggh.
"Good morning sunshine!" I whisper into his ear... (non-morning people love that!) I gently shake him from his slumber. "Five more minutes Mom!" is the reply. "No, get up now.. " I mumble as I walk out of the room. He props himself up and looks at me. My job is done, or so I thought.
Padding downstairs it occurs to me that I didn't pack lunches last night. "uggh" I say loud enough to wake the puppy. Middleschooler, and now lunches postponed I mozey over to the kennel and let Sasha out.
Sasha doesn't approve of the ice and snow still being out front, so she makes quick with her morning business. Once inside, with a treat being slobbered all over, I remember to go upstairs and re-wake up the middleschooler. All is quiet as I ascend the stairs.
Okay, let's flash to me.. you know how in cartoons when a decision is being made a little devil pops up on one shoulder gives his spill, then the little angel comes out and does the same? Well, this is what is going on with me as I climb the stairs.. knowing my kid is still snuggly in bed, when he is to be up, dressed, eating his breakfast. By the top step, I've succombed to the pirate in me and a little wicked grin comes over my face.
I truly believe the little brother is part pirate too, as I take that top step he hears the floor creak, and pops up. (he is a morning person like me!) Remember his brother is sleeping peacefully next to him. Lamp still on by the way.
"Morning Mom! Is it time to get up?"he says " Not yet, but you can come down and watch some cartoons if you want." (because what I have planned for your brother, you don't need to witness)I think to myself. Little brother pops up, gets out of bed and pads his way over to me. "whatcha doing Mom?" I said nothing. Remember the pirate part? Here it comes..
I am in the bathroom in the hallway upstairs between the bedrooms, filling a big glass full of ice cold water. Little brother pops his head around and sees what I'm doing. "Mom!" Then I see it.. my own reflection in my little man's eyes and face as I recognize the same mischievious smirk on his face as is still obviously written all over mine. (Pirate)
As I walk back into middleschoolers room, I decide to give him(middleschooler) a sporting chance. "Wake up! Time for school" I say in a sing song manner. No response. Okay, I think... one more chance..
I pull the covers off.. Now my middleschooler was out.. I mean out in la la land. He didn't respond.
This is all tooooooooo much for little brother as he is now gleeful! I decide to end this dance as I hear the clock sounding off in the background that we will indeed be late if I waste any more time.
SPLOOOOOOSHHHHA! cold water making contact.. has an instant response unless of course you are in a coma. I almost felt sorry for him. Full contact.. I mean this kid is jolted from wherever he was in la la land to the land of the morning people!
Me and little brother? Oh, we are hysterical. I'm trying to be reserved, but it sure is hard to supress a laugh after such a mission is completed to such satisfaction! Little brother? Oh he is having the best part of his day!
" Can we wake him up like this everyday?" little brother manages to say amongst fits of laughter. (laughter is good for the soul right?)
All this noise wakes Dad bear who was in on the whole thing. No he didn't participate, because if he had.. there would have been no warning.. no glass .. it would have been a bucket.
My middleschooler is torked. Who can blame him? I can't. It must have really sucked. I mean really... hee hee.
Guess who's up getting dressed? Dad is now talking to him about his choices and now there is a breakdown in the whole area of getting dressed.. pants are too short.. long.. no belt.. oh he's standing on one.. ha!
I left with little brother to go downstairs and pack lunches..
What a way to start my day!

Let the Christmas Cheer Begin!

Let the Christmas Cheer Begin!

 

 

‘Tis the time of year to get Christmas pictures taken, sign endless Christmas cards, attend multiple holiday functions, shop, cook, bake, travel, and shop some more! Let’s not loose the real meaning of Christmas while hanging lights, and caroling. It is easy to get too busy buying, and shipping those gifts to miss the real GIFT of the season – Our Savior’s birthday! Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the entire world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them,

Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born today in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

And they came with haste, and found, Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 2 verses 1-20.

 

From our family to yours… Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Neighborly Christmas

Well, its the first of December and yes, we have a Christmas tree up. Why? Well, we host the neighborhood Christmas party every year since we moved into this neighborhood. It helps us reconnect beyond the friendly waves we share year round. I originally started it so we could get to know our neighbors better. There was already a couple that hosted 4th of July, and one for Valentines Day.
We live in a great neighborhood. Folks are ready and willing to watch your home for ya, should you take a holiday away. We have experienced this and have gladly done the same for others. I've never lived in a place before where folks are so free to give you a key to their home. The trust here is just amazing!
Once when I was at work, I got a call from my neighbor across the street, he asked me if anyone was supposed to be at our home. I didn't think so, and told him such. Bless his heart, he had the guys plates run that was taking a break in our driveway. "That person has no business being there, didn't he see the Neighborhood watch sign?" were the words coming out of the phone. I smiled. We have the pleasure of several police officers living in our area also. They are but a phone call away.
During the year, we call each other when we find sales on gardening and landscaping supplies. We have been known to go out of town together to pick a batch of blueberries for a Fourth of July celebration. Any extras from a sale, or the garden - brace yourself for they are coming to your door! It is grand to know that if you are short an egg or cup of milk, it is a pleasure for them to come to your aid!
One set of neighbors found out our youngest takes our recycling to school, now he takes theirs also! We count our neighbors when we count our blessings!