Memories of Christmases Past

Yes, I know that it is now January 17 and Christmas was almost a month ago but this is a post that needs to be written instead of just inserted into my 2016 Blog book as I've done with other photos.

I always decorate early for Christmas, well, early for me! As soon as we've had our Thanksgiving, always on the 3rd Sunday in November, I love to bring out my favorite Christmas things. And they are always up for a couple of months. When Spencer was a child I usually had to *quick-take-down-Christmas* so we could have his birthday party on the 22nd! (And, yes, they are still up this year.)

I have A LOT, TOTES-FULL, of Christmas decorations. Many of them never emerge from the dungeon... I just don't have the heart to get them out. So about 4 totes are labeled *YES*.When I saw this lovely, living in one of the *YES* totes, I knew I wanted to put it out this year.

Decades ago rotten rodents got into the, then, cardboard box of Christmas decorations and chewed holes in this treasure, along with other items that are irreplaceable.

Reading this tag that my Mama taped there 43 years ago feels like a message coming through time. I know she still wishes me love, peace and joy. She knew all too well the heartache that comes at Christmas time when you have loved ones who have gone on before. Her mother died on December 19, 1927 when my Mama was only 14.

I briefly considered putting it on the floor, around my 3 trees, before realizing that if it was there it would get too much abuse from one *stupid-dog* Harley as he launched himself off the chair to go bark at the latest distraction he'd spied.

I settled on putting it on the chest with one of my creches on top. Why hadn't I thought about that before?

I may have hit on a new tradition. It has been so happy to have a little bit of my Mama around this season.

It's All About My Finger!

 I've said this before, I'm pretty sure that most people really don't care what I blog about BUT since this is MY blog I get to choose what goes here! I kinda like that!

I've been editing my way though my 2016 blog book and have gotten to all of the drama about hacking off the side of my finger last June with my rotary cutter. I took lots of photos, few of which turned up here, on Instagram or Facebook. I save the gnarly ones, or should I say I save my friends from the gnarly ones. The brave of heart can come read my blog book if they are really that interested.

I've added periodic photo updates on the healing process to my book. It is still startling to me how long it took to finally heal. I guess that was a whole-hunk-a-lot-o-skin to grow back. I'm just grateful for a strong and healthy body. I didn't have any infections or complications. I do still have some soreness on the outside of that poor little fingee!

I was showing Deborah and Camille my finger while they were here at Christmas time and told them that previously this had been my favorite finger.

They laughed! Who has a favorite finger? Well, me I guess! I just liked the shape of the finger, the nail bed and slight twist to it. Odd, but there you are.

So this is the healed digit tonight- nearly 7 months later.

I still have a flat, hard spot right along the cuticle where I think it is still trying to fill in that gaping hole.

But this is the one that shows just how much is still gone. It used to be plump on both sides!

And you know I always have a funny story...

We had a spiral cut ham while Spencer's family was here. It was delicious! I normally put the ham bone aside to make split-pea soup but the sliced ham went so fast that I pulled it out of the freezer and was going to slice up what was left. Deb was sitting at the counter talking to me. With my first cut I absentmindedly put the sharp blade right on the nail of that same finger...

Deb said, "Grammie, I'm taking that knife away from you!"

Thanks for saving me from myself sweetie!!

Snow Day!

Way back in December 2008 I took a photo-a-day challenge that morphed into a 25 month-long journey of a photo AND a post everyday. So when I noticed that last year, 2016, I only had 17 posts I was more than a little disappointed! Granted now I do more on Instagram and Facebook but somehow many of the wonderful photos languished on the hard drive of my laptop and the stories in  my poor little brain!

So this year I hope to do much better.

This day is the second time in the last 10 days that we've gotten a *dumper* of a storm! And all I have to say about all this snow is HALLELUJAH!

Is it a stinkin' lot of work to move 18" of snow? You bet. Do I do it all myself? You bet. I spent the better part of 4 hours this morning moving snow, erm, and then moving it again after the snowplows came through the neighborhood and filled up the newly cleaned mailbox access and driveway.

The snow is so deep that it covered the exhaust manifold of my cute little snowblower. But this little machine is a real worker. I've used vacuum cleaners that are harder to use than this snowblower! Although I really have to put my back and/or legs into it to move through the deep snow. Ah, the disadvantage of being short in stature!

Our last 3 winters have been pitifully short on snow. Now did I enjoy those temperate winters. YOU BET! But I'm a smart enough girl to know that we NEED this wonderful snow to make it through the long dry summers.

I love how the snow made these darling little cones on top of my gate posts. And since we have our attention on this side of my house I have to add that I gave up today and moved the garbage and recycle cans into the garage. It will eliminate a big stretch of concrete that has to be cleared. Fernando can just have a pleasant winter home over there until March or April. (He only has one wheel drive anyway!) 

I love my happy little winter home. I'm so very grateful for a safe, warm, dry, comfortable home!

One of the tasks that is always part of my snow removal it a clear path for our mail lady. She finally made it to my neighborhood about 5pm! The thought occurred to me to leave her a little treat. I noticed when I was out on errands later that many mailboxes are just buried.

It always makes me remember my own dear Mama who drove the rural mail route in Greenville, CA for 13+ years before she had to take leave because of her ovarian cancer.

Out With the Old...

In every calling in our church you know that it isn't a life-time position (except Apostle, and I don't have to worry about that!) So you know, going in, that you will likely only be in that calling 3 years, then it is time for change.

That change came today. We were released as a Primary presidency. I love these good, dear women that I've been able to serve with. I LOVE the children!

I've spent most of my adult life serving in the Primary AND I LOVE IT!

Last time I served in a Primary presidency, at least 15 years ago, I didn't see the release coming and burst into tears! I spent several years in Young Women's, then we moved here and I had a chance to learn that Relief Society is a safe place- with sisters who love me rather than judge me. It was a wonderful change.

JUNIOR PRIMARY

These children have been particularly dear to me. They are outstanding. I told them today that the are absolutely the best Primary I've every had. I told them to expect me to still want to give them loves when I see them.

SENIOR PRIMARY

The most wonderful thing with this group is I tell them what my expectations are, I tell them I KNOW they can do it and they never let me down!

I know that the new Presidency will be fantastic! They are all power-house women.

But I suspect that several times in the coming months I will sneak into the back and just be with these children I love.