Christmas...

I was SO blessed this year! My mom & dad are the greatest. My dad cooked a HUGE Christmas feast (think we ate for days on it). We had a couple of friends over & it was really nice. There was NO family drama this year (imagine that!).

My boss gave us scratch offs in our Christmas cards. One of mine was win a GRAND a week (which I didn't win). I was joking that it would be hilarious if a 3 year old gave me a new job. I would have to be a nanny for a year for free! lol

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day...

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
(SORRY!... couldn't resist.)

Excitement of Freedom...

I woke up around 4 AM on Monday AM & couldn't go back to sleep until 6:45. By then it's almost time to get up. I think I was excited that I basically had a 'new' job (even though it wasn't technically new) & couldn't sleep. I then woke up at about 3:30 this AM... think excitement again. You have to realize that after working at the plant for over 4 years, it's like a new lease on life. The plant is not the greatest place to be or the nicest environment. Go Figure! is a great place & everyone is like family. We have a good time & all love to be around each other. Plus, we have the joy of a 3 year old. =)

Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuncdzVat5g

Cute Kids...

Paige, my friend Melissa's daughter, came over & spent the evening with me. We went to Walmart & bought a pizza, stuff to make cookies & brownies. We came home & got busy getting the pizza cooking & mixing the batches of goodies. We decided to make the brownies for her to take home to her mom & dad as her Christmas present to them (she was very proud!). We ate & watched a Christmas movie that I had recorded on Lifetime. Paige loved all the animals!... dogs, kitties & turtles. I wonder what she would have done with the horses? Maybe next time.

Party or Scrooge...

I went to the plant & we were having our Christmas party, plus bbq lunch. I didn't know the plant was only working until lunch that day, having the party & getting sent home. Most of them had not worked most of the week & were called in Friday to work, for the party & receive their paychecks. Some of them only received 8 hours on their paycheck. My coworker told me she guessed she would be the one to cut out early today. Actually, we were supposed to be taking turns having days off while we were slow but I was the only one taking days off. I already knew they had temporarily laid off 2 workers (not counting one this summer b/c they wouldn't let her return to work on light duty after her surgery). My coworker told me I might want to take the same option since there is really no activity in the office either. She gave me a temporary lay off until 1/26, with the option of filing unemployment. I tried to get them to commit to letting me work 19 hours/week to stay off unemployment... no go. I was not scared or upset. I knew God had a plan & had it all worked out in His own way. I believe this is a way for me to go on & start more of my 'new life'. I did apply for a good job on Thursday evening, just pray I get it.

Why Me or Good 4 Me...

I was really upset Wednesday evening at my 2nd job. This one girl was in the back talking to Kathy & soaking up all the hours she could get while she was on vacation. As it stood, my schedule looked like I was only going to get 6 hours for the 2 weeks of holidays. I went home & was SO upset. I vented to my mom & Gail & then went home to chill out. Before I went to take a shower, I started having a serious talk with God. I said Lord, you know my needs & that I need to be able to work as much as possible. I told Him that if He's there & listening, I needed action on my job & quick. The next AM, I was at my 2nd job & it was just Kathy & I. She wanted me to make the hours to post on the door. I asked her, well when do you want me to work? She said, I need you to work as much as possible. Praise God! He's still in the prayer answering business. He is our Provider!

Twisted Tuesday...

Let me back up to Monday... Mom tells me that she received a phone call. You guessed - it was Scott checking to see how she was doing. He apologized for not calling her sooner & of coarse promised he would get to see her soon. Then, I get the joy of talking to him after work. Towards the end of our conversation, it was almost like he was starting to break down & almost, well soften towards me. It's really sad that his whole life is worst than an upside down cake in a tornado. Later in the evening I received a surprise text from Katie. We chatted a bit about this & that & she told me she is scared about what is to come in her life. Poor kid - you have to wonder, does she have anyone level headed to talk to?!

My Great Monday...

I had a GREAT day today! It started out with breakfast with my best friend, Gail. She brought me a fabulous warm breakfast with coffee (it was really cold outside). Then, I had a surprise visit from my favorite little brother. He treated me to a warm lunch. Plus, I got to work at Go Figure! all day (no cold plant today).

The weather outside was frigid from the roller coaster winds. When I got home, I ran to get my kitties out of their cages outside b/c they were crying so much. I bundled them up in my sweater & took them to my parent's back porch. I think they felt like they had a new lease on life! I'm sure they are snuggled up in their big carpeted kitty tower.

A Friend...

Most of us would say a friend is there for you in good times & bad... not just when the sun is shining. If you were in a crowd, would you go up to your friend or wait for your friend to come up to you? If your friend didn't find you & come to you, would you find them & go up to them? When is the last time you called a friend & said, hi - just wanted to see how you were doing today? Or called to say, would you like to come over? How about lunch? Friends usually help us thru our highs & lows but shouldn't they be there during smooth sailing too?! Just a thought about friendship & letting our cluttered lives get in the way of our friends!

Catfish & Cool Friends...

This evening was our Church Christmas Banquet. We had it at Catfish Parlor. The food was good but the friends were the best. I sat between my usual church girlfriends - Mel & Debra. As usual, I got in trouble for being the loudest... but hey, if they were jealous we were laughing so hard - they should have sat at our table. We had 2 great comedians across from us at our table.


After the banquet, I had to run around & make sure to get pics with my 2nd Mom's. Sis. Hudspeth tucked me under her wing during the hardest times for me. She released me a few months ago. Even though I have stumbled a few times, I have flown by myself pretty well.


Sis. Karen Brown is the craziest mom of all. She always has a special hug for me & tonight she had lots of kisses for me. She praise sings on the platform next to Gail so they are right in front of me during service. She 'signs' me lots of I love you's & gives me lots of smiles. At times, those little gestures helped carried me through the hardest times this year! Wow - I am so blessed to have such great friends.

Winter Storm...

The wind has been blowing like crazy tonight & it started raining. It has even been sleeting & it is COLD! Burrr... the heater is on for sure. I think it was about 80 today & has dropped into the 30's tonight - only in Texas! I think it's going to be in the 50's tomorrow so I will be dressing warm. I doubt there will be anything noticeable on the ground in the AM but if there is, I will post a photo.

Here's the photos:
Out my front door...

Mom & Dad's Dog - Little, enjoying the brisk morning.

Here Today...

...And Gone Tomorrow! A great Christian lady from church passed away Sunday AM. I just saw her on Thursday evening at church & then she fell very ill on Saturday evening. We were contacted for urgent prayer. I knew when my phone rang Sunday AM that it was bad news. I'm so sad for her family. Please keep the Ballard family in your prayers. The funeral is Wednesday AM.

LIGHTS...

The wife had been on his case to get the Christmas lights up for weeks. They're up now but for some reason she will not talk to him.

My Little Brother...

Here is my best buddy, more like my little brother. He keeps me going in rough times & keeps my fingers doing the walking (texting!). He has BIG shoulders to cry on & ears that listen. Then, it's always followed up with some advice. =)
Love Ya Bro!