Two Thirds Through my Holiday and What do I have to Show for it?

I was laying in bed the other night thinking that if I went back to work on Monday and my coworkers asked me what I did on my holiday that I would most likely bore them to death...

What have I done?
1. Spent over 5 hours in a doctors office between 2 visits.
2. Shopped with my kids.
3. Looked at computer systems and bathroom fixtures with my husband.
4. Watched my husband demo our bathroom.
5. Watched movies.
6. Finished Showdown and Levi.
7. Started reading "Maybe Life's Just Not that Into You." and "Eragon"
8. Worried about my sick dog that puked all over my light carpet.
9. Cleaned said carpet.
10. Played computer games.

At first I thought, boy I live a boring life but then I thought of things I did that brought joy into my life this Christmas season...

1. Took supper to Jenn and John and got to see their beautiful baby girl, Imogen.
2. Went out and looked at Christmas lights with my family and then played dice all evening.
3. Had the neigbhours over for lunch on Christmas Eve.
4. Ate out for lunch every day the first week.
5. Celebrated my cousin's birthday.
6. Shared Christmas supper at my dad's.
7. Enjoyed smoothies every morning with our new blender.
8. Talked to my sister, Holly, for an hour on Christmas day.
9. Took the dog for walks.
10. Kissed and hugged my girls to the point they are most likely sick of it...but I'm not...

Okay, in someways maybe that is still "boring" stuff to relate to my co-workers BUT it's my life, and I love it .... so there.

I look forward to another year of loving my children and husband, celebrating friends and family birthdays, celebrating the new babies that have and will be joining us on this earth, watching interesting movies with my daughters, sitting in doctors office waiting for my daughters or my turn while I get some quiet time to read my books, playing with the dog and taking him for walks, and hopefully continue to grow in my need and love for God.

Friends...

I've been thinking about the importance of friends these last few days and how God has given me some great friends. I've had people that were friends, and then have lost them through the years, friends that I've known since public school, newer friends - all bring a different perspective and "flavor" to your life.

I have a friend I've know since Grade 1. We have gone through times of not keeping in touch and then reconnecting through letters years later. It's always great to get a letter from her and see what has been happening in her life. She has taught me perseverance in friendships.

I have friends that I met in public school. We've been able to hang on to our friendship also through the years of not staying connected. One has moved to Moose Jaw - so every year Debbie and me travel down there just before Christmas to spend the day visiting with her. They've taught me your never too old to try new things. One just recently got a tattoo and the other is still planning on going backpacking through Europe for her 50th birthday... Can you guess from the pic who is who?

I have friends that I've met in University, by being bold when I was shy and approaching a familiar face in the hallway that was awash with strangers. Through her I met 2 friends. One I ended up being roommates with, one was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and even now though our lives are busy we make a point of going out for coffee once a month. We have each lost a parent over the past few years, different circumstances for each of us but yet a common link. They have taught me that sometimes you need to work at keeping in touch and that friendship out weights bad days and bad moods, that you slog through them and love each other anyway.

Then I have a couple I'm friends with that teach me even when you haven't seen each other for years, it's just like time never past. That you can spend a whole weekend inside visiting and never see the sun until the day you leave and your totally okay with that because it was just so great talking to each other and sharing. That time and distance doesn't diminish friendship.

I have some internet friends that I have never met but now have known for years. They have taught me to be open to friendship in the oddest of places and even if you have never met doesn't mean that you don't have an impact on each other's lives.

Then I have my more recent church friends. Some I'm more close with then others, but they have all been there for me through thick and thin and I love them all. Some have taught me to just be myself and love life, some have taught me to keep relying on God to get me through, some are just a great voice of reason and understanding. Friends who I can't imagine getting through life without.

Thank you Lord for friends.

Saw this while surfing the web...

God is a little like General Electric He lights your path.
God is a little like Bayer Aspirin He works wonders.
God is a little like Hallmark Cards He cared enough to send the very best.
God is a little like Tide He gets out the stains that others leave behind.
God is a little like VO-5 Hair Spray He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is a little like Dial Soap Aren’t you glad you know Him? Don’t you wish everyone did?
God is a little like Sears He has everything.
God is a little like Alka Seltzer Oh, what a relief He is!
God is a little like Scotch Tape You can’t see Him but you know He’s there!
God is a little like The Copper Top Battery Nothing can outlast him.
God is a little like American Express Don’t leave home without Him!

Couch potato?

hmmm...I haven't written for awhile - have I turned into one of those Facebook addictee's that have neglected their blog for the thrill of sending Hatching Eggs and playing Scrabble?

...gulp, I think so either that or I have nothing to say.

Adjusting to my new job, training the person at my old job = being tired and not really wanting to do much in the evenings. Which kinda sucks as it's Christmas time and I should be out visiting with my friends or fighting for a parking spot at a mall. Instead I log unto Facebook and play some scrabble, then lay in front of the tv turning into a lovely couch potato.

I don't like it! I feel that I am neglecting family and friends, and my house.

I went and got groceries today which included baking supplies in the hope I'll get in the baking mood. Didn't...but I did get all my Christmas cards done and sent today (including Christmas letters for some of them). My decorations are up, and 1/2 my presents bought (I'm stuck on the girls, for once I haven't a clue what to get them and they are not offering up lists yet either). So maybe I haven't been as much of a couch potato as I thought I have?

Either way, here I sit enjoying the lights on my Christmas tree, the candles softly glowing, the quiet of the house ...

Thank you Lord for my job that has so eased our financial issues, help me to be a better stewart of it; thank you for a warm bed to cuddle up in on cold nights, thank you for Christmas lights, quietness, love; thank you for friends to visit with, family to hold on to, dogs to get annoyed at; thank you for the reason for the season - your son, his gift, his life, his love, his sacrifice, his daily presence. Please watch over and protect my mother in law, keep her safe, help her to be happy, give my brother in law the wisdom to look after her.