Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

I have added a few more Christmas favorites to the Gallery. There will be "people" pics Monday morning... I promise.

REMINDER! REMINDER! REMINDER! - The Twelve Days of Inflatables begins Monday, December 13 on A Simple Life. Just one more of the many, many reasons to visit on a daily basis.

RANDOMNESS #1 - A guest on Rick and Bubba was telling a Christmas story this morning which brought back thousands of memories.

His son was in a preschool Christmas pageant. He was one of the Wise Men. As the pageant progressed, the Wise Men arrived at the manger.

The crowd became quiet because the Wise Men had speaking parts. The first Wise Man placed his gift beside the manger and said, "I brought gold." The crowd responded with the appropriate "Ahhh."

The second Wise Man placed his gift beside the manger and said, "I brough myrrh." Again, another "Ahhh."

The gentleman telling the story then told how his son, the third Wise man, walked down the aisle and placed his gift beside the manger. "Frank sent this."

Get it? Frankincense? Frank sent this. Priceless.

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, Austin's preschool Christmas program was marred by a massive nose picking marathon. He didn't miss a word of any of the three songs they sang that evening, but he NEVER stopped picking his nose... and wiping it on his little white robe.

Josh was a waver. And he wasn't selfish with his waves. He waved at me on the front row. He waved at family members sitting in other parts of the sanctuary. He waved at all the other parents and grandparents who were waving at their little darlings. He didn't miss a word of any of the three songs they sang that evening, but he NEVER stopped waving.

Oh. And his giant red bow (which the preschool choir always wore with white robes) was vertical... not horizontal. I had tied it perfectly before I took my seat, but there must have been a tussle of some sort in the back of the church before they marched in because his hair was standing on end... as was his giant red bow.

Quite simply, before Roxie's performance she was bitten by a fellow performer. That's right. He leaned down and bit hard enough to leave marks through a white preschool choir robe AND a sweater. By the time Roxie arrived on stage, she was snuffling and trying to hold it together. She didn't miss a word of any of the three songs they sang that evening, but she NEVER stopped snuffling... or glaring at the biter. It was her first (and last) choir appearance.

For the record, we had to leave that service very quickly. Once the brothers (then six and almost nine) found out she had been the victim of a biter, they were all geared up to beat up the three year-old offender. (And Roxie was all over that plan.)

It was a very spiritual and uplifting service. NOT!

But those are funny, sweet memories. Good times. Good times. I miss them greatly.

RANDOMNESS #2 - The official Christmas Card Count stands at 11. I'm not getting worried yet. (Who am I kidding? I can't even sleep at night!) If postage is a problem, let me know. I am not against swinging by and picking up my card. Seriously. I've been doing that for years!

Weekend Happenings

Today's Christmas activity is all about baking with friends. The Tuggles are coming, and we're making Chocolate Dipped Ritz Peanut Butter Cookies, Haystacks, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pecan Pies and Holiday Chocolate Covered Crackers. Sounds good, doesn't it? No matter what happens with the baking, the house is going to smell great.

Mikie, Roxie and I are going to a different neighborhood tonight in search of more unique inflatables. I think an eggnog milkshake sounds festive, but I'm pretty sure Mikie and Roxie will go with vanilla. (I'm going to pretend it's eggnog though. It's much more seasonal.)

This will be a busy weekend at the Tree Farm, so Josh will be working a great deal. He's still enjoying his job, and I'm so happy for him. However, next week is the last week before the Christmas break... which means FINALS. In between work, sleep, church, a little time with friends and late night dinners, the boy is going to have to study, study, study.

Some of the Faulkner Five and Grandmother will be attending our church's Christmas Pageant. We haven't decided which performance yet, but we are really looking forward to this event.

We have church on Sunday, but afterward, depending on scheduling, we may watch a Christmas movie, play games or simply sit around and eat everything Roxie and I baked Friday afternoon. It's a win-win no matter what we decide.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Try to enjoy something Christmas each and every day of this season. Reach out to those who are struggling because of illness, loss or other reasons too painful to mention. While Christmas can be "the most wonderful time of the year" for many, it can also be one of the saddest times for others. Take time to love on someone today!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda