On Christmas Day we had supper at my folks’ house, with the rest of the family- it’s always so much fun to spend time with kids, especially on holidays. They’ve got so much to say, and I just love listening to them say it.
For example Reid, who just turned two, is crazy about anything John Deere – his dad is a farmer and drives a John Deere tractor, so he has every reason to think they’re great. When I asked him what he got for Christmas, he said, ‘a trike-cycle’. When I asked him if it was red, he just looked at me and said, “no, it was gween”. What better color for a trike-cycle?

Do you remember the Cosby show episode where Rudy asked Cliff what a bunch of letters spelled? he told her ‘zrbrt’ and then proceeded to give her a razzberry on her cheek. Ever since, I’ve given my grandkids and other beloved children ‘zrbrts’ on their cheek or neck; they’ve learned that if they hold their chin up, it gives me more room under there, and then watch out! the noise is great, and the look on their face is even better. Thank you, Bill Cosby, for helping me make good memories with these wonderful kids.

Why is it that we feel so much younger than we thought our parents were at the same age?

Of all the things I regret, one of the things I wish I could change would be to go back in time, and find out more about my grandparents’ lives. I remember vividly so many things about my mother’s mother, like watching her stand by the sink washing dishes, singing ‘hey, good lookin’ by Hank Williams. Or that she always loved to drink Dr. Pepper – I wish I could find a bottle that looks like the ones from my childhood.

So I had to ride to Greenville to meet a friend/client for lunch, and to pick up some copies of her newest book, fresh from the printer. We’ll be shipping complimentary copies out to newspaper religion editors and some other folks who might give us a good review and some publicity.
I love riding my bike, and I especially love riding by myself – very freeing to not have to worry about anybody else but myself, going at my own speed, whether it’s 45 or 75, seeing what I want to, stopping when I want, and just being on my own. It’s also a lot of fun when it registers with passengers/drivers in other vehicles when they realize that’s a FEMALE riding that bike… most of them are not surprised, but every once in a while, you get some VERY funny faces. I don’t care if it is almost 2009, it still seems to be a novelty for a girl to be riding her own bike.
anyway, we had lunch and a great visit; then back outside to pack everything in my bags (and pockets) and head back. To come back home, I have to take a bridge over the interstate; for some reason I got in the wrong turn lane, and only after there was no way out of that lane, did I realize I was headed onto the interstate, instead of back towards Highway 10, which is what I wanted.
I had two choices – either go into high panic mode and just sit in the middle of road, blocking traffic, or hitting the interstate and getting off at the next exit, about 15 miles away. Panic is not my usual way of handling things (well, maybe sometimes after everything is over), so I just tooled on down the ramp and onto the interstate, headed for Ft. Deposit.
Not really a big deal, except that was my first time on the interstate by myself, the traffic was very heavy, and there was quite a wind blowing. I did okay, except for one incident, when some traffic was merging onto the road, and I moved over into the left lane to give them room- some nimrod decided she needed to be my back bumper decoration and hung right behind me until I could get a clear space to move back into the right lane.
Not much a 600 pound bike and rider can do to a large sedan, other than scratch it up a bit in passing, and I don’t do that kind of thing. If I could have told her a few things, I might have, but she was laughing and cutting up with her kids as she passed me- I still am not convinced she saw me, even though I was directly in front of her – I could have spit backwards and it would have hit her windshield.
I did get lots of smiles and waves from other vehicles, especially the three guys trailering their bikes somewhere – and it was a nice ride, anyway, despite some people showing their ignorance.
When I did get off at Ft. Deposit, a very nice clerk at a gas station gave me directions back towards home that did not include getting back on the interstate – I figure there’s no need pushing things.
So now I’m home, got to see some new areas, got a very nice ride in, and still home in time to walk the dogs, get supper started and more importantly… GET BACK TO WORK!

We were at my MIL’s house last night for our Christmas eve celebration. My hubby’s three sisters were there, along with most of the rest of the family.
I’m sure Christmas at most folks’ houses was like it was at ours- not as much extra money to spend on gifts, and not doing as much traveling. I’ll admit, I’d allowed that to make me feel like Christmas wasn’t coming this year.
But after we got there, and I started talking to the kids, I felt much better. Tanner, 2nd grade, whose letter to Santa made the paper, had to decipher one part of his letter (they print them just as the kids spell them- so cute), and we discussed his wishes for an all Alabama Christmas (I’m a big Auburn fan).
Then granddaughters Chloe, Destiny and Neveah all had to tell me what Santa brought them (he comes to their house a night early, because of blended family issues). Granddaughter Laynie also told me her latest news – she has a wonderful imagination and she always perks me up.
Grandson Hunter, who is a teenager now, is one of the sweetest, most polite young men you’ll ever meet. Even when I asked about the website I’d heard was devoted to his girlfriends, he went along with the joke, teasing me right back. He’s so good with his little sister, and a natural when it comes to taking care of his new baby brother.
And speaking of babies – who can turn down a chance to cuddle with a baby? They always have a smile or a giggle for you. We were lucky enough to spend last night with two babies, both as cute as can be.
Don’t let the economy or your surroundings steal your Christmas – remember that there are people out there who love you and don’t care if you’ve got a bunch of money. They love you because of who you are to them.
And remember that the real reason for our celebration is a special baby who was born a long time ago, and who gave us all the best Christmas gift ever- because He made it possible for us to get past our own sinful natures and become a part of God’s kingdom.
Merry Christmas!

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