2005: A Look back through my eyes

Bethany tagged me for this reflection of the year 2005.

What did you do in 2005 that you've never done before?
I evacuated for a Category 5 hurricane, the biggest one on record in our country, wondering if my husband and home were ok. Praise the Lord for watching over both! I also began formally educating my oldest child and am thoroughly enjoying it!

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making any resolutions last year. I would like to make a point to have more Bible study fomyselfef this year, as well as eat a bit better than I do (less chocolate).

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, both my sisters-in-law, Amie and Rachel, my cousin, Carri, and a few friends. Also, my closest friend here is about to give birth. Maybe she'll have the New Year's baby!

Did anyone close to you die?
No, not anybody relationally close, but close as in proximity many people died due to Hurricane Katrina.

What countries did you visit?
The one and only U.S. of A.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
I'd love to have some more patience with life in general and more discipline to spend more time in the Word and with the Lord. I'd also like to have more fellowship with fellow believers. That is something I really miss!

What date from 2005 will remain etched in your memory and why?
August 29, the date hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc to the place I currently call home. I will never forget that date along with the whole week following. I hope to never live through a nightmare like that again.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Learning to trust God with everything in me that He was going to protect my family and my home. Also, teaching my daughter how to read, add and other things has been a great achievement!

What was your biggest failure?
I feel like I didn't always give my husband and children the time and attention they needed. And of course, not spending enough time with the Lord.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thankfully! Just a few sneezes and sniffles!

What was the best thing you bought?
Probably our new 2005 Ford Focus. I love that little car!

Where did most of your money go?
Probably frivolous things like going out to eat and books.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My 6 week visit to Michigan this summer. We got to see most of our family and had a big old family reunion! It was such a blast!

What scripture is a theme of 2005?
Proverbs 3:5 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart'.

Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? I am happier. There is alot of devastation and sadness surrounding my area but I am trying to keep a positive spirit.
b. Thinner or fatter? Probably the same. I haven't seemed to gain or lose any weight, although it seems all my pants are loose on me.
c. Richer or poorer? Probably a bit richer. My husband gets a raise every year and we have had a blessed year, although we're by no means rich!

What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had spent more time on the floor playing with my children, reading to them, getting down on their level.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Playing on this darn computer!

How did you spend Christmas?
We went to church, came home and opened gifts and I cooked a big dinner for my husband, children, father-in-law and I. We had a fun day!

Did you fall in love in 2005?
Well, even though the children often get under my skin I seem to continually, daily fall in love with the little things they do!

What was your favorite TV show?
I don't watch any TV so I don't have a favorite, although everybody tells Zach he likes like Raymond from 'Everybody Loves Raymond', so I'll just pick that;).

What was the best book you read?
No question about it, 'Created to be His Helpmeet' by Debi Pearl.

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2005?
My children and their sweet voices singing through the day. I am not sure I have discovered anything musical this year. Well, I did become addicted to The Sound of Music songs!

What did you want and get?
Well usually when I want something I get it. I don't usually have alot of things I want, so its really no big deal. The one thing I really wanted was to go home to Michigan for the summer and I did get to do that!

What did you want and not get?
Patience, patienpatienceence! And I wanted a piano. And the restthe teh rooms in my house painted. But that's ok, there's always 2006!

What was your favorite film this year?
I have a terrible memory when it comes to movies and the ones I've seen. I really liked the movie Dreamer, and a recent one I saw was Yours, Mine and Ours.

What did you do on your birthday?
My birthday is August 30. I sat at my friend Sheila's house in Panama City, FL, wondering if my dh was alive, and if my house was washed away. I then took the children to eat at IHOP and we probably shopped for nothing in particular. I was just trying to pass time and make life a bit normal at that time, but I was a wreck! I also saw another friend that lives in P.C., Nancy, who cooked a wonderful dinner for the kids and I!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Um, I try to be content in all things. There are many little things that I could dwell on, but I will be content with all that I am blessed with! So many here still do not have a home so I choose to be thankful!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Well, I'm not big on fashion trends. I just try to dress comfortable, in jeans and a nice shirt. Of course I like to look nice and presentable too.

What kept you sane?
Who said I was sane?

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ashton Kutcher

What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't usually get into politics, but it really irked me when the Hurricane Katrina thing became a political issue and everybody was blaming the President!

Who did you miss?
I missed my family, of course, but not having had many friends here, I really missed my friends and church from North Carolina. And my friend Jamie, my absolute best friend who I will get to see in a little over a month!!!

Who was the best new person you met?
My friend Robin has been a blessing in my life!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
It is something I already knew, but was brought to the forefront this year: to treasure your famand adn enjoy them; not to take life for granted; not to place so much emphasis on material items.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
It is one of my favorites, called 'Who Am I' by Casting Crowns:
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt,
Who am I?
That the Bright and Morning Star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart,

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done,
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are,

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean (ocean),
A vapor in the wind,
Still You hear me when I'm calling,Lord,
You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am.. I am Yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin,
Would look on me with love,
and watch me rise again,
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me,

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done,
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are,

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean (ocean),
A vapor in the wind,
Still You hear me when I'm calling, Lord,
You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am... I am Yours,
I am Yours. I am Yours,
Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours.

I tag Amie, Anne, Beth, Heather & Marisa.

Winter Wonderland?

I want to know where my winter wonderland is! It has been nice here, in the 60s and 70s. The other day we had a picnic outside and the kids loved it! I am not complaining, it just doesn't feel like winter!

Christmas

J loved his Darth Vader toy!

G was dancing to the tunes of his new music blocks and H was ecstatic to have a Barbie dollhouse.













Amongst all the excitement of gifts we attended church in the morning, celebrating the birth of Jesus. A young girl sang the song, 'Happy Birthday Jesus' and all day long I heard H singing that song! We enjoyed singing some carols in church and the good message on Faith, Hope and Love (which I missed as I was out in the foyer with G). We also sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and talked about it being the day we celebrate Him being born. Christmas Eve we opened one gift and read about the Wise Men bringing gifts to Jesus. Friday night we went to a live nativity which was real neat. I enjoyed cooking a huge meal for us all and we really stuffed ourselves. I did manage to 'mess up' my mashed potatoes (that I had posted on here awhile ago), by adding too much cream cheese, but the guys thought they were wonderful (Larry had like 3 helpings)! Hope you all had a blessed Christmas as well!

Highlights

1. G is quite the little helper, at only 16 months old. He now will push a chair to the sink and help mommy out. He has always enjoyed the vacuum! He is so good at picking up! The other day at Wal-Mart he even helped put the grocery items onto the counter! Sometimes I think he's a better helper than both his brother and sister combined!
2. Last night I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some wrapping paper. They were out! They had been out for days! How can Wal-Mart run out of wrapping paper? Good thing Dollar Tree was right there, with ample supply! You gotta love the Dollar Tree;)
3. Yesterday I went to the commissary on the base to buy some groceries. I sat in traffic for probably at least 45 minutes. I wondered if there was an accident or something wrong with the bridge. Well, as I was listening to the radio they announce that the Imperial Palace casino had their grand opening and that traffic was backed up. It was quite sad to me that most of these people were sitting here waiting to gamble. I guess they had to turn many people away because they were at capacity! So what I was hoping to be a quick trip turned out to be a long day, but I did enjoy the Christmas music on the radio!
4. It is great to see many people still in the 'holiday' spirit! You see FEMA trailers decorated. People are out in the hoardes at the stores, along the roads, etc. I noticed not as many homes are decorated as last year, but there still are quite a few. It is great to see that despite life still being turned upside down for many of these families they are still celebrating Christmas.
5. The other day J helped me vacuum and he vacuumed the whole living room floor for me! It is great when these children get old enough to help out and pull some weight around here!
6. We had the most unreal evening on Wednesday. Awhile ago Zach had gotten an email at work about some Christmas party for children put on by the Boy Scouts. I told him to sign us up, but didn't really know what it was all about. Well, it was Wednesday night. I was apprehensive not knowing what it would be like (and the last Christmas thing we went to where the children got to pick out a gift for their parents had all Mardi Gras items-yuck). Then it was in an airplane hangar so my apprehension grew. But let me tell you that it was utterly amazing. Two Boy Scout troops (one from California and one from Illinois) came here to share this evening with us. It is called 'Good Turn' and every year I guess they do a 'Good Turn'. Well, after Katrina they decided that they wanted to come to Keesler AFB to help us out. They made this amazing, emotional video (I had the biggest lump in my throat to keep from crying). You can watch this video by going here and clicking on the link for it on the side. They had a dinner for us all, and had the kids sing Christmas songs. In front of the podium was pink backpacks, blue backpacks, wrapped boxes and a tree with oodles of unwrapped toys underneath. They also had these huge gift packs with two diaper bags for babies. Each child was to get a backpack and pick a gift from under the tree. Each backpack was FILLED with toys. Not cheap toys either. Both the older children received portable CD players! H also received a little radio, a jewelry making kit, hair ties, a handheld electronic game and other little things. The toy she picked from under the tree was a Disney Barbie, Belle. J received this neat monster-type truck that does tricks, a handheld game, a Spiderman toy and other items. G's two diaper bags were filled with all sorts of baby things! It was so overwhelming! We walked away with so much! As I drove home I just wanted to cry. It is unreal to see such love poured out to us. They were truly honored to come and give to us military families and we were so blessed!
7. The house repairs are coming along. Now that Zach has time off it should go by even quicker. The roof is already repaired! Larry sure is a hard worker out there! I am hoping that they will take some time off from it all this weekend to do family things. There is a live nativity I'd like to see, and in Mobile there are these gardens that they decorate beautifully for Christmas that I wouldn't mind going to. With Zach having had worked 6 day weeks for the past couple of weeks I feel like we're lacking on family time! He has been enjoying watching movies with his dad every night though! I'm not a big movie fan so I am trying to get us all to do something besides veg in front of the TV! It's Christmastime afterall and I want to celebrate the birth of our Lord throughout the weekend, not just on Sunday.
8. I haven't figured out if: a. people are slower on sending out their Christmas cards this year b. people aren't sending out Christmas cards this year c. the mail system down here is just backed up and slower or d. i'm just not receiving my mail. Usually by now I have received many more cards, some people never miss a year, so I'm wondering what is going on! I know it took awhile for us to get the card from my father-in-law!
9. H just loves the song 'Sleigh Ride'. She calls it the 'horsey song' and gets pretty excited when it comes on the radio. I have to admit that I am quite partial to that song too. Usually I just stick to the lovely songs reflecting Christ's birth, but we played this song in band one year and ever since I've just enjoyed it!
10. Larry, my father-in-law really seems to be enjoying my cooking. It sure makes me feel good! When I first got married I wasn't even sure how to read a recipe! I have come a long way in 6.5 years! I have to admit I've only made two big meals so far (Baked Ziti and Layered Enchilada Pie), but I have many more on the schedule. I did tell the guys last night though that the cook is off until Christmas. We have too many leftovers that need eating and I know we'll have many more after Christmas dinner!

Well, that's some of the highlights of my week! The list was much longer than I intended it to be!

On the Other Side

Ok, I need all your help. Everywhere 'national' that I turn for news about Katrina displays things about New Orleans. The levees and things like that. I never see anything national about Mississippi. Maybe its because I live here and I'm greatly affected, but that disturbs me in some ways. I hear about the levees breaking, I saw the pictures of the flooding. I read that N.O. didn't get the worst of the storm. So what about us that did? We may not have had the extensiveness of flooding as N.O., we may not have had levees that broke, but we did have severe damage. Houses completely wiped out. Gone. All that is left is a slab. Some houses still standing but completely gutted out. Now, N.O. had damage but alot of their flooding was because the levees broke (and how this is a problem with our government is beyond me, but that is a whole different point). They broke because of the storm, I know, because of the surge, wind, etc. But all of the damage hear was natural. No broken levees to cause flooding, it just flooded due to the surge. Anyway, I get tired of seeing N.O. in the headlines all the time. Now our local news, I get plenty of coverage. But what I want to know is what you all see where you are. Do you mostly see New Orleans, or do you still see things about Mississippi too? Inquiring minds want to know!

An Unexpected Visitor

My baby is 16 months old.
It has been 2 years and 1 month since I've seen this visitor.
I've often wondered and waited, and now she is here.
'Aunt Flo' has returned.
Happy early Merry Christmas to me!
I am a bit relieved and apprehensive at the same time; both happy and sad.
So far she is behaving herself and doesn't have me writhing in pain. Maybe finally after my 3rd baby she will be nice to me!
Not like you all needed to know, but it is a pretty big event for me:)
Never have I gone 2 years with not seeing this visitor!

All Services Cancelled

I've been hearing talk lately about how churches are canceling their services on Sunday because Christmas falls on Sunday. They're talking about how Christmas is a family day and you don't want to take time away from your family. Ummm...yeah....let's get up at 5 am the only Sunday out of the year to open presents from 'Santa Claus'. Let's not go to church because its Christmas. We need to thank Santa for our gifts and play with our new toys. Oh, and all the family is coming over for dinner so we need to keep busy in the kitchen. And football will be on. And parades. We can't miss the parade. I just don't understand. Why would a CHURCH cancel its service on CHRISTmas??? It is the day we celebrate the BIRTH of Jesus, our Lord, our God! I'm sure Jesus is pretty sad about this latest trend of the church. My father-in-law is a devout Catholic and I was asking him about the Catholic church because I know that no matter what day Christmas falls on, be it a Wednesday or Friday or Sunday, they always have a Christmas mass. Shouldn't the Christian churches be the same? Shouldn't we go to church on Jesus birthday to celebrate, to worship. I know that I will be there on Sunday! Now I also wonder when I will get the turkey in the oven, when will we open gifts, etc, but the most important thing is to celebrate Jesus that day and one way I will do that is by being in church. Thankfully our church is having a service on Sunday! I really would like to go to a candlelight service on Christmas Eve too. It's a tradition I'd love to keep. So we may be getting our double dosage this coming weekend! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Grandpa Has Arrived!

Well, Grandpa is here! The kids are so excited. They can't stop talking! Right away they ran up to him, even little G lagged behind the other two seeing what the excitement was! Right away J was asking for gum (the last time we were in Michigan Grandpa had given him some gum) and H was asking for presents. Greedy little kids! But, the airline lost one of his bags. They said to call at noon but it still hasn't been found. We're hoping they find it. It has all of his clothes (including clothes to work in), his digital camera, his paperwork for all our house repairs, his new glasses and dentures. What a mess! H was excited to give him the grand tour of the house, and she even woke up when he did this morning, which was an hour earlier than usual! I'm hoping the excitement wears off soon because the bouncing off the walls and non-stop chatter tends to drive me nuts after awhile. Poor Grandpa! He's used to living alone!!!

P.S. Today is Zach's birthday! Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

Sleep baby, Sleep

Lately I have been doing alot of thinking on breastfeeding. See, I still am nursing strong with G being almost 16 months old! I'm certain the other two were completely weaned by the time they were this age. Which is ok. With H I followed the books and did everything on 'schedule'. With J I was a bit more lenient, holding off on baby & solid food a bit longer, but still following 'the rules' of things, so to speak. With G I threw the schedule out the window and nurse on demand, co-sleep, etc. I read this great book by Sheila Kippley called, "Breastfeeding & Natural Child Spacing". That's what got me motivated to try things the more 'natural' way. I mean, God designed my breasts not just to nourish my child, but to comfort. I wanted to be the soul source of comfort for my baby, not anything else (no pacifiers, thumbs, etc). And I'm sure back in the Bible days Eve and other mothers didn't stick something plastic in the baby's mouth to soothe them. Or send them alone in a room to sleep for hours on end. They probably completely nourished that baby, the baby never leaving the mother. So, this is what I tried. Let me tell you, G is such a mamma's boy. We are so close and he is so loving. He is so calm and well-mannered. My other two children were too, though. There is something so special about watching your baby sleep next to you, or to wake up and put his chubby little arms around you, smiling into your face. It is the sweetest thing to wake up to! I really enjoy it. But, at the same time it has been 16 months and I want my bed back. Zach and I have gotten quite used to the little guy in the bed, with us having hardly any space! We have managed, but I know Zach is more than ready for G to be in his own bed. And the stinker will NOT sleep in a crib! He will play in it when I shower but that's about it. And G cannot fall asleep without 'mama' in his mouth. So, as I sit and type on the computer late at night oftentimes he is attached to me falling asleep. Sometimes I don't mind but there are times when I would love a free hand! Some people tell me I need to wean him, and there are times I want to, but at other times I don't want to. And honestly I don't even know how to! It is so different from nursing the other two! Plus he still nurses at night (after all he is right next to us in bed). He nurses so often I still haven't gotten the good ol' cycle, Aunt Flo back yet. In ways I am very pleased with this nursing on demand thing, but in other ways I often question if I will do it the same way again. I think it will be weird when he is 18 months old and I'm not pregnant (because I was when the other two were that age). And maybe I seem crazy, but I don't want a huge gap between him and the next baby... Anyway, just some thoughts I've been having. I guess I just need to rest in the fact that this is one season in life that is really short. And I need to enjoy it. God has blessed me with the joy of mothering my baby and I need to bask in that joy. Before I know it he will be 5, 10 or 20!!!

Here are H and J with former NFL players Troy Drayton and Reggie Givens. As you can see they were a little leery to get near these huge guys! I would be too;)

My Girl on TV!

There are many different organizations that have come down to help out in the area. On Saturday the children had the chance to get a free gift from some very generous people. Well, lo and behold my dear daughter ended up being on TV (if only briefly). You can read about it here, and watch the video. H is the little girl in green after they interview the man. It is very brief, but hey, its exciting! I'm next to her in the pink sweater, but you can barely see me. Just wanted to share! I'm going to try to post a picture of them with the NFL players when I get the chance to put them on the computer!

I'm Tagged!

Amie tagged me for this Seven Sevens MeMe, so here goes.

Seven things I hope to do before I die:
1. See more of my family come to Jesus.
2. Be a Proverbs 31 wife.
3. Have some more babies.
4. Meet some grandbabies.
5. Learn how to sew.
6. Go on a cruise.
7. Go overseas.

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Whistle.
2. Leave a bed unmade or something (other than toys) lying on the floor.
3. Go one day without talking to my mother!
4. Swim.
5. Draw.
6. Live without chocolate...I eat at least 1 bit of chocolate every day.
7. Stick to a shopping list...I always end up buying something not on my list.

Seven things that attract me to my spouse (significant other, best friend):
1. His love for God.
2. His nice body & wonderful, kissable lips.
3. His knowledge of the Bible.
4. His willingness to help others.
5. His playfulness & helpfulness with the children (bathing them, feeding them, etc).
6. His love and devotion to his family.
7. His sense of humor.

Seven things I say often:
1. I love you.
2. Be patient.
3. No.
4. Be quiet (the children seem to talk in the loudest voices right in front of your face, so I need to continually remind them to talk quieter).
5. What do you say (reminding them to say please, thank you and sorry).
6. Hey!
7. Share.

Seven books or book series I love: (besides the Bible)
1. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
2. Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury
3. Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke
4. The Heritage of Lancaster County Series by Beverly Lewis
5. The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
6. Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers
7. Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl

Seven movies I would watch over & over again:
1. Sarah Plain & Tall
2. The Sound of Music
3. The Notebook
4. Beaches
5. Cheaper by the Dozen
6. The Patriot
7. It's a Wonderful Life

Seven people I want to join in this "Seven Sevens" meme:
I'm not certain if 7 people even read my blog (and if they do they may not have a blog). So, for those of you that have a blog and read this, you are now tagged!

The Not-So-Happy Happy Meal

Today I decided to treat the kiddos to a Happy Meal from McDonald's. We've been a bit cooped up lately and I thought it would be nice to do something different. We do McD's frequently, but not Happy Meals. I went through the drive through and the sign said there were Chicken Little toys. They saw this movie with Daddy and I knew they'd like that. There are some Happy Meal toys that I don't want my children to have. So, we get home and they look in their bags. J has a Power Ranger toy. Fine. It's not Chicken Little, but oh well. H's looks a bit different and I look at the baggy to see what it is. It has a doll and a book and the book is titled 'Witch'. I was aghast! What on earth!?!? My 5 year old is not going to have a witch toy, much less book. I open it up to read the book and see what it is all about. We're not into all the cartoons, toys and all that (we don't even have cable TV), so I was surprised to see it is some cartoon on Disney. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. Of course, H wants her toy, especially since her brother has one. So, she has the doll part of it for now, but not the book. I save the book to show to Zach and will take the doll later today and pitch it. The book talks about this girl/witch having power over air and it says her astrological sign. My 5 year old does not need things like this, and I don't think Jesus would want to see something like this in our home. I decided to call and complain about this toy they have in their Happy Meals. After all, many businesses can't say Merry Christmas but 'The Golden Arches' can sell a witch toy? I tried to call the local number but only got a machine. That's when I noticed an 800 # on my cup. Now, if you don't know me, I am NOT one to do these types of things. Normally I sit by and think that somebody else will be proactive and do it. Anyway, I talked to this man who was very friendly in the whole ordeal. He explained to me that Happy Meal toys need to interest children of all ages and that they try to see what shows/movies children are into and do the promotional thing. I told him that I am a Christian and I don't want my 5 year old daughter having a toy that is named after a Witch cartoon. Like, I said he was very friendly and took my complaint. Once I thought up it occurred to me that they would never have a Jesus toy in a Happy Meal, so why a witch? I know Jesus isn't 'cool' in the worlds terms and there isn't a show to base that off of for a promo toy thing, but still... I wonder if they've gotten any other calls about this? Anyway, just wanted to share my experience today. So, buyer beware: the next time you purchase a Happy Meal make sure it is a toy you approve of!

Blah, Blah, Blah

I haven't posted in forever because quite frankly I have nothing to write about. Life has been just flying by, but not much has been happening. I will try to think of some of my 'highlights'.

• I received about $90 worth of free products from The Pampered Chef, just for hosting a show. I tell you, it is such a breeze to get some great free products. So, I've been having fun with my new 'toys' in the kitchen. I finally organized my recipes (it was a disaster) and I think I will have some new ones to try out (and that chance to use my new toys).

• We purchased another bunkie and will be putting up the other bed for the bunkbeds soon. Zach's dad is coming down in a couple of weeks to help us make repairs from Katrina, and to spend Christmas with us. He is staying for 3 weeks so I thought I would actually have a bed, not an air mattress. Maybe G will enjoy it and want to sleep with his big brother. Doubtful, but it is a hope I have!

• I just read this today and was quite disturbed about it. We are pretty much right between all of these communities. I am certain we are breathing in some pretty nasty air around here. But, I am trying to rest in the thought that God will protect us and has us here for a reason.

• Last week was such a struggle to get back into our routine of things (after only a week off at Thanksgiving time). This week I have a new perspective and we are doing a few things a bit differently. So far it seems to be going much smoother and everybody seems much happier.

• I still have no idea what to get the kiddos for Christmas. I mean I have some ideas, but I'm still uncertain. We did get them all a Jeep Power Wheels, but we'll get each three little things also. I am such a last minute Christmas person. I feel I'm doing pretty good this year though, as I've already had the Christmas pictures taken, typed up the annual letter, began making the Grandparents gifts. I guess that counts for something! Zach will be working 6 day weeks up until the 21st and then he has 2 weeks off. Doesn't give me much time to shop alone! Yikes!

• And lastly, I am once again addicted to Scrabble. I bought a PC game and I can't seem to stop playing it. At least I'm using my brain...