I got creative today!

I am happy at myself! I created not one, but two digital layouts of the pictures I took of my niece and nephews last weekend. I was reading my scrapbooking magazines and felt the urge to come do some digi-scrapping, and here's the result. I'm pretty happy with it - especially considering that this is only my second ever digital layout.

In other news, I am NOT ready for Christmas yet, but I'm getting closer. Unfortunately, the fates are conspiring against me - the husband of one of my fellow choir members passed away and his funeral is tomorrow, and the choir has been asked to sing, so that will take some time out of the day. I'm just hoping I can sing - I've been coughing pretty badly the last couple of days, but so far, so good - I haven't lost my voice.

Here's wishing everyone out there a very merry Christmas!

Good news...

In the past couple of weeks, we've gotten some pretty good news from several different people. First of all, we found out that my mother-in-law is coming up from Arkansas to visit for Christmas. This is good news because it's probably the only Christmas for a long time that all of her kids will be in the same general area for Christmas, since Brian's brother and his family just moved to Saginaw temporarily while he looks for a church and Brian's sister and her family will be moving to Boston after the new year (which isn't all that great of news, because we'll miss them, but is good news because Bill will enjoy his new job). Secondly, we found out that both of my sisters-in-law are pregnant and due sometime this summer, so I'll be an aunt twice over again next year. That's good news - more kids to spoil! :) And Christmas is just a couple of days away - also good news, because it means the nerve-wracking part of preparing bell solos and knowing that by the time Christmas Eve is over my brain will be fried will be over soon, not to mention that we get to spend time with both of our families.

Anyway, while I was thinking about all of the good news we've gotten lately, it made me think about Christmas, too. Lately I've been kind of bah humbug-ish - tired and kind of crabby, and just not in the Christmas spirit. I didn't really care if we put up a tree or made cookies, or any of that stuff. I was (well, still am) sick of the traffic in town and the way people get really crazy with their driving and cranky in line behind you (like the lady behind me in the self-checkout at Wal-Mart who counted my items and made a huge deal out of the fact that I had more than 10). But then I stopped, and had a blinding flash of inspiration (it's a good thing I can touch-type, eh?). I realized that I was acting more like the Grinch than anything, and that I need to focus on the real reason that we celebrate Christmas. It's not about Santa, or shopping, or slapping stuff on the tree so you can win the best decoration prize. It's not about the inflatables, or the blinking lights, or the presents. It's about love, and about compassion, and about being a better person, even if I don't remember that all the time. It's about what out department at work is doing - adopting a family and making sure that they have a good Christmas, but even then it's not about the "stuff" - it's about being able to help someone who needs it. I'm amazed at what we've been able to do for our Christmas family - a single mother with four kids under ten years old. And it makes me feel good to know what a great bunch of people I work with, because I know that none of us are doing it just to mark it off on a checklist as something you "have to do" at Christmas time. That's what Christmas is about - taking the time to help those who need it. It's also about letting the people you know know that they are loved and important to you. So here's to my friends and my family. I love you all and cherish the fact that you are in my life. Have a merry Christmas, and may Santa bring you everything you want!

Bad to the bone...

I know, I know - I've been a very bad girl - no posts for 11 days! It's just been a little crazy around here trying to get ready for the holidays (and prepare two bell solos) while still going back and forth out of town. I'll make it through, though, and I'll be sure to post again soon. Until then, stay warm and cozy - and out of the winter storm we're experiencing right now. Yuck!

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me...

Since I need to get back to my encyclopedia before I totally forget about it, here goes....

C

Cookie Monster: I just had to add him because of my title for this post. I'm so glad the rumors about him changing into the Veggie Monster were just that - rumors.

Cool Websites: I love to find cool new sites, usually from other people. My current fave - freerice.com. You can improve your vocabulary and donate food for people who need it at the same time. Who wouldn't love that?

Commas: Very important things, but it's also possible to have too many of them. Many, many written passages are ruined because of comma overusage. It's a sad thing when people get comma-happy.

Cole: My youngest nephew. He has been through so much in his short two years, it's amazing. I can't imagine going through everything that my sister- and brother-in-law have been through with him. He was born with kidney problems - one didn't function at all, and the other one functioned at only about 25% capacity. He had a kidney transplant last year, and is doing very well, but it was pretty scary for the first few months of his life.

Cooking: I didn't know how much I would enjoy cooking until I moved out of my parents' house. The chance to do more than just the basics was exactly what I needed - I've branched out, and cook a lot of different things that were never served at our house when I was growing up. And you know what - it's fun!

Comments: I love to see them! Please don't be shy! :)