Still Down
Looks like I may be back Sunday. I hope! I miss you guys!

We had a great Christmas at home. The boys were amazed that Santa actually came! (They knew he had been there because of the cookie crumbs on the plate). Colin got 5 of the 10 requested body parts. He said, "Well, Santa didn't bring me everything I wanted, but he brought exactly what I wanted on the parts he brought!" Whew.

I'm in full swing planning for our church's ladies retreat, which is happening VERY soon. My dining room has been transformed into retreat central, even before Christmas has been put away! My new year's resolution? No new volunteer work for 2006.

I got a bicycle for Christmas! It is a metalic powder blue retro bike, deserving of a white wicker basket with daisies for the handlebars (and don't put it past me!). I'm going to try to take it out for a turn around the lake this afternoon. If you're driving by and see a big old-fashioned bike jittering back and forth and scaring all the children, that's me.

Tuesday is tonsillectomy day for little Spencer. He's slightly scared. I'm pretending I'm not scared. I'm scared. Not of the procedure so much, but the anesthetic. Also, I don't want to see any look of terror on Spencer's face, so I'm scared about that. Of course, we'll arrive in the morning and come home around lunch time, so the reality is that it is a simple procedure with nothing to worry about. (Unless you read the legal cases everyday like I do, which makes me psycho).

Anybody going out on the town tonight? OKC has a great event downtown, but my family is too "homebody" for that, so we'll be home at midnight. )I would go if I could get even one of them to go with me! I tried to get someone to go with me just to look at the lights last night, and I couldn't even swing that!)

My time at the office is over. Hope to be back soon.

Happy New Year to You All!!!

The computer is still dead, but mainly because I've been way too busy to play with it and get it fixed. I'm actually suspecting it is a bad power strip. I've scheduled Wednesday for computer repair day. Hopefully I'll be back then. Meanwhile, I've found some fun things I can't wait to blog about.

I think I may be done with my Christmas shopping, except I haven't found the model of a bacteriophage for Colin. I don't think it is possible. I was going to email the Ellen show, which made a walnut costume for a little boy who wanted to be a walnut for Halloween. I thought they could probably help me out, but I've waited too long. Drat.

I'm also still searching for a few models of body parts like a muscle, a liver and brain, so if any of you out there have one, PLEASE let me know!

Last night we had our annual block party, our favorite party of the year. We have Christmas dinner together, tour our homes and then return to the host's home for dessert and coffee. We have several parties throughout the year, so we're all pretty close and the evening just feels like Home for the Holidays. It also helps us get our houses clean and decorated a week before Christmas so we can relax! Yay!

Thank you to all of those who have offered assistance with this computer problem. If a new power strip doesn't fix me up, I'll be taking you up on your kind offers!

Down and Out
My computer is DEAD. D. E. A. D. Dead.

Everything else is fine (well, except our heater is out, too...but we have blankets).

I miss you all and hope to be back soon!

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!

-from one of those emails (author unknown)

Where Did I Put That Article?
It is a small thing, really. The thing is, I didn't get the memo. I don't know when it happened or what committee made the decision. I'm still suprised after all these years (that would be three years).

Just when DID the snack become, simply, "snack"?
And when did "snack" become the plural of, well, "snack"?

No longer does one say, "What did you have for your snack?" but, "What did you have for snack."

"I'm bringing snack today" instead of "I'm bringing the snack" or "I'm bringing snacks."

What did you guys have for snack?
Colin brought snack today.
Oh, what is snack today?
They're having cheese for snack.

So, does anyone else know when this happened? Why did it happen? Is there simply too little time in the day to waste on articles? Is it just the way hip mothers of grade schoolers talk these days?

I refuse to change. I hold fast to my square English usage. I will fight the fight.

The snack will prevail.

As usual, Quinn says it much better than I ever could.

End of the Spear is a story about the martyrdom of five missionaries Mincayani, a Waodani tribesman from the jungles of Ecuador. When the five young missionaries were speared to death by the Waodani in 1956, a series of events unfolded to change the lives of not only the slain missionaries' families, but also Mincayani and his people.

The film is a production of an Oklahoma company (Every Tribe Entertainment). Put it on your calendar today!

Pillow Talk
"Mommy, I'm a little jealous of Spencer."

"Why?"

"Well, why did he get his picture in the newspaper? He's not even famous. All he had to do was sit on a swing and I've been working very hard and I didn't get in the paper. I mean, I've been studying for three years and he just sat on a swing. It's not fair."

(Mommy laughs out loud, accidentally). "Are you famous?"

"No, but Spencer's not famous, either and he didn't even go to school. It isn't fair."

"Well, you know, you don't have to be famous or work hard to get your picture in the paper. You just have to be in the right place when the guy with the camera comes by."

"But, I was just right there beside Spencer and he only took a picture of Spencer."

"Colin, I'll bet there will be a whole book about you someday."

"I know. I'm already writing it."

How Much is That Puppy in the Street, There?
James was driving to work Wednesday when what to his wondering eyes did appear but a little puppy in very busy street, struggling to get up. To the side of the road, James spied a group of young children, screaming, crying and yelling to the dog and the passersby. Nobody slowed down except James. He stopped and got that puppy out of the road.

The dog had been hit by a car and its back legs were broken. It was bleeding. The children were crying. Seems they opened the door to get in the car for school and the puppy ran straight out into the street.

Not only does James have a soft spot for animals, it was his father's birthday. James inherited his love for dogs from his dad, and it was only appropriate to stop on this day and help the dog and its family.

James drove the mother and the puppy to the nearest animal trauma center (Neel Veterinary Hospital, and they assessed the situation. The minimum: $500. The woman broke out into tears.

Long story short: James told the Vet he would take care of it. The dog is alive and well today. James asked me to give this to him as his Christmas gift this year.

The final bill at the hospital was nearer to $800, but they were so touched by James' generosity, they capped the bill at $500. Thank you to the people at Neel!

I know some people are thinking this is just an animal and not worth so much money. I know the money could have been used to help people instead. But, I'm proud of James. Perhaps he restored some faith to the family and the employees at the hospital. He restored Christmas for those children. Perhaps they will remember how one stranger changed them that cold November morning way back in 2005.

And I think it did some good for James' heart and mine.