On the 18th Day of Christmas

On the 18th day of Christmas (aka Sunday), I decided to un-deck the halls. This was part of my Winter Self-Care. I was noticing what was thriving (lower left on chart). Granted, we have an artificial tree. But still I figured it was time or I'd end up delaying it until Super Bowl weekend or something!

There's such a difference in decking the halls with enthusiasm during Advent. Preparing and anticipating Christmas.

Now I have the tree down and decorations put away and all we have to anticipate is... maybe 3-4 more months of winter! Hey, that's reality in Wisconsin.

I'm sure a lot of us are in the same boat, er ice shack or whatever. Take some ideas from the Winter Self-Care chart and try to keep some optimism.

It you'll try it, I will, too. We got this!

The Countdown Begins

Hello, December! Advent is here and we are officially counting down to Christmas. 

That's the only nice thing I can say about today. Since it was cold and the snow was back. Just not a ton of it this time.

And well, it's Monday. After 5 days away from my work desk, let's just say I had digging out to do – unrelated to the weather.

Did have a nice adjustment at the chiropractor after work. And now I am going to quickly catch up on the last two weeks of The Voice before tonight's live-ish episode. 

And I'll have to be sure I have snow brush in the car and maybe emergency snacks for the morning commute! 

Have a good week and a thoughtful Advent season, everyone!

Snowy Advent Prep

After all those over-the-top forecasts on Saturday, we ended up with about 5 inches of snow in the Rapids area. A nice backdrop to the Christmas decorations I already have in place as Advent begins.

Since hubby was up at the crack of dawn removing snow here and at his dad's, I had no issues getting to church this morning.

Of course, I had to take a few record-keeping photos before I left.

Our wreath is in a new locale this year. When we got it delivered, we realized we didn't want to pound a nail hole in our brand-new siding. Duh! Looks quite festive on the deck.

As the sun was rising, I tried to catch in our solar lighthouse. My mind saw it better than it turned out, but oh well.

After church, it was a quick day with the kiddos who understandably wanted to get on the road so they could get back to Dubuque in daylight. Especially since they got twice as much snow as we did.

Then it was just trying to relax and watch football. The Vikings are sucking and my fantasy football team is logging its first loss. So yes, before 6 p.m. I am throwing in the surrender towel and going in the basement to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie or two.

This is how I do my snowy Advent prep. May we all have a blessed season!

Coming Soon...

This year our church did something a little different for Advent. Several of us members contributed to an Advent devotional. We were each assigned a day and Bible verse and asked to write a short devotion and prayer. Today happened to be my day so I'll share what I wrote...

Luke 1:76-77 

And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

Coming Soon…

Sitting in a movie theater with a popcorn bucket in my lap, I’m startled (as usual) when the booming voice of God comes over the speakers, narrating the trailers for the next great flicks that are “Coming soon...” Sometimes we say, “Eh, I’ll skip that one.” But other times we smile and say, “I can’t wait to see that!”

When the elderly priest Zechariah and his barren wife Elizabeth were blessed with a son, he was not only an unexpected miracle and an answer to prayer, but he also had a job to do. As John the Baptist, he was to prepare the world for the greatest show of all – the arrival of the Messiah.

These days, with the convenience of television commercials and social media platforms aplenty, he’d have a much easier job of spreading the word. But I can guarantee it would not be as effective as personally baptizing each “audience member” with water and forgiveness. 

This season, sit back with your popcorn or Milk Duds, and wait patiently for the “new release.” Instead of giving it two thumbs up, press your two hands together in prayer and thank God He sent His son for our salvation! 

Today's Prayer

Lord, help me cut through the clutter of noise this holiday season so I can hear your message of hope and salvation once again. Please prepare my heart and mind for what’s coming soon. With gratitude, amen.

It Came Upon a Cellphone Clear

Oh my gosh, this has been the story of my life lately. Are you sure you trust me to host the family Christmas tomorrow? 

We had dinner tonight with some friends. I zoomed on the menu but didn't need to take a picture. This time. However, here's a few recent labels...

In my defense, I could read the separate label with the poundage, just didn't know how long to heat it up. Now I see I'll need to take an additional photo to zoom into the correct temperature setting!

We also needed to replace a bulb in the bathroom today. After all this work to zoom in and focus, we still weren't 100 percent sure of the wattage, but we went with 40. 

And don't get me started on the Advent calendar. It was a challenging month! I texted pictures to Carter some days. For example, for this one, I asked him if this was a stocking hat, a bag of money, or a fat cat wearing a scarf. For the record, it tasted like chocolate!

Wish me luck tomorrow! Or maybe I should say, wish my in-laws good luck tomorrow! Just kidding. My recipe cards are pretty legible. Mostly.

Advent-urous

It seems strange that since I've been counting UP to the number of days working from home during the pandemic that now I'll be pivoting and heading the other direction. Oh, not to return to the office. It's time for the countdown to Christmas.

Let the Advent Advent-ures begin!

I seriously do miss selling Advent calendars for the school German club fundraiser. Now I just search the cupboards and freezers for treats each day. Can you say "no portion control”? It's not the kind of Adventure my scale needs.

December is also signaling the winter sports season. I say that knocking on wood since with everything else in this crazy year, we can only count on what's happening today. Too many unknown factors to let us look too much further.

So I took Advent-age of a "game on" situation and went the Assumption girls basketball game. Crowd sizes will continue to be limited all season but I'll get to a few to shoot photos for the school and the yearbook. Tonight was stressful game agains rival Auburndale. We lost in OT. Ugh! Jessie (above) was double digits in points so I'll spotlight that one photo. 

Hey, OT means it's past my bedtime. I'll look at the other 500 photos tomorrow. That gives me something to look forward to... since there's no German chocolate in the house.

Happy countdown to Christmas!

Seven-plus Swans A-Swimming

Seven swans a-swimming?! I heard you groan. Don't worry, I'm not going to take my blog through the 12 days of Christmas. Though I have before.

Today's swans a-swimming were literally swans a-swimming on Lake Wazeecha when I walked around it today. This family here is a mom and day and their 7 swan kids... a-swimming or something. Ended up seeing 16 so I guess it was a perfect day for them to rest on their way South. 

I won't be able to walk around the lake tomorrow since it's "return to work after a 5-day weekend" Monday. So I don't know if we're transitioning into the geese a-laying part of the song. I guess there were way more 6 geese today on the lake, laying around doing nothing, if that counts.

It all makes sense this is happening since this is the first Sunday of Advent and we've got all kinds of Christmas excitement to both experience and look forward to.

When I saw this single ornament hanging from a tree along the walking path, it just spoke Advent to me. Is this the first of many ornaments along this path? Or the only one? It's the start of the beginning, if that makes sense, like pregame before the Vikings game (by the way, their victory actually aired on TV here today. Thought I'd throw that in there). 

While the NFL season is pretty hopeless for some of us, at least we know Advent is always a season of hope and wonderment. With a very happy ending, er beginning.

Were there more ornaments on this trail today? I won't tell. Every individual should experience the faith, hope, and magic of Advent in their own walking shoes. 

On their own path.

#advent #countdowntochristmas

Tis the Season... But Which One?

If this is how winter is going to go, I'll take it! Crazy but it is apparently going to be warmer on Christmas than it was for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Again, I'll take it.

The warmer weather created some fog this morning. Pretty anyway.

I guess that the sun burning off the fog is a sign of longer days. Starting now!

Before we get ahead of ourselves on what season it is, know that it IS Advent for sure. Enjoyed a wonderful cantata by our church choir this morning. I miss choir. I wasn't in it this fall since I had too much going on – including some travel. Might resume in January. We'll see.

After church, I was planning to get my car washed. Because that's what you do on spring days. The lines reflected that it was definitely a spring day and everyone had the same idea. Do some Christmas shopping then swing by the car wash. On my third trip to town, I was finally successful in finding a short line!

Not everything was successful, though. I stopped at both McDonald's and Culver's in town just looking for an eggnog shake. In both cases, when they said, "We don't have that," I swung right out of the drive-thru line and was on my merry way.

How can we have car washes like spring and Valentine's stuff on the shelves at Walmart already, but nobody has a stinkin' eggnog shake in this town? Grrrr.

At least I had a photo shoot this afternoon that confirmed it's still the Christmas season...

This little one is a brand new granddaughter to a friend of mine. She was a doll and it really lifted my spirits.

That and the nice weather. And a Hallmark movie. (Don't think for a minute I don't know what season it is!)

The Least of These

My Advent column for this week's church bulletin...

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"

–Matthew 25:44-45

On my recent trip to Seattle, I was astounded by the number of homeless people “living” there. I had not considered the Pacific Northwest a mild climate location, but I guess it is. Enough so that people seeking a warm place to lay their head have been arriving by the busload over the past several years. Apparently, Seattle had a policy of sorts to be a “welcoming city” for homeless.

Welcoming, yes. But able to actually give them a home, not so much. They just can’t keep up.

What do we know about homeless people? Do we assume they made bad choices, screwed up their lives somehow, and that’s why they’re in the predicament they are today? Do we give them the benefit of the doubt?

There are plenty of homeless in Wisconsin Rapids. Most of us just don’t see them. Or choose not to see them. Out there in Seattle, though, they often told their stories on signs: Lost jobs. Veterans with medical issues. Single mothers. Was I in a position to help any of them?

Sadly, my first thoughts were concerns for my safety. Even though it was just a short half-mile walk from the Pike’s Place harbor area to my hotel, homeless or no homeless, it’s a big city for a small-town girl on her own. I had to be smart and nonjudgmental at the same time.

On my last evening there, I was taking pictures of the sunset on Puget Sound. I knew I had to hoof it back to the hotel to be beat darkness. But something in that sunset spoke to me. God was showing himself in the beautiful array of pinks and oranges. Was I overlooking other ways he was showing up – through people, maybe?

On my brisk walk back, I knew I had to slow down for one person. At least one. I stopped in front of an older gentleman in a wheelchair whose crude sign indicated he’d had a stroke. I’d seen him every day but walked right on by. That time, though, I placed some money in his hand and simply said, “May God bless you, sir.”  Then went to my hotel room and prayed for him.

As we focus during Advent on the coming birth of Christ, let’s not overlook the fact that he’s already here. We just need to open our eyes – and our hearts – and look.

Fear Not, the Angels Said

On the first Sunday of Advent, it is fitting the theme for our Advent by Candelight event was angels.

Angels play a critical role in the Christmas story, first appearing to Mary and Joseph and later to the shepherds. Humans were a bit freaked out by their holy presence so the winged wonders always told the Earth people to remain calm. They were only delivering a message from God. Not trying to invade the planet.

Don't think that's the Bible verbatim, but close, I'm sure.

So angels were among us this evening in decorations, in the pastor's message, and in songs.

The way our event works, church ladies volunteer to host a table of 8. They decorate it just beautifully – angels were the theme this year, as seen in centerpiece above – and provide the dessert and a small parting gift. Since we are allowed and encouraged to bring guests, I brought my friend Cindy.

We enjoyed music by the Aspiring Acapellas group first. A very entertaining and talented quartet who provided songs and humor for a half hour. Good stuff.

We also had hors d'oeuvres and a special Advent / Angel message, and more music. And, of course, dessert!

M-m-m, cheesecake! We definitely didn't go away hungry! It was a really nice time and I'm glad my neighbor could join me!

It was also a welcome distraction. Hubby's family received some shocking news the other day when they learned his cousin's wife died suddenly and, obviously, quite unexpectedly. She was only 50 and just hadn't been feeling well. Scary as heck. And so sad for her husband (Jim's cousin) and their two daughters (just in their 20s) and grandbabies. I know Jody will spread her angel wings wide to love and comfort them.

I ran into one of Jim's aunts after church today and we both ended up hugging and crying in Wal-Mart. We just can't get over it. Just too young and too much of a shock.

Then tonight we heard more devastating news about another loved one who is very sick.

This is going to be tough holiday season for a lot of people. I'm going to do my best to focus on the Advent message of hope.

And the words we sang tonight from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing...

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.

Finals Week

Doesn't seem that long ago I was crying over my empty nest. Now, Carter has finished classes and his first semester of college is complete. He's cheering because his finals are done. I'm cheering because he'll be home for a month so the odds of me seeing him are finally in my favor.

This also means it's Finals Week when it comes to Christmas shopping (I think we're done) and meal planning (not even started). Of course, as Christmas draws near, it also means my daily German chocolate treat from my Advent calendar.

Or is used to mean that.

Here's a holiday tip for you kids: Even if you are fleeing the mainland, don't ever, ever leave your Advent calendar unattended. Especially at the office.

I knew I had catching up to do since I hadn't been in the office since the 12th. When I opened up #13, there was no chocolate... but there was a little note that said, "Sorry." Say what? When I opened up #14, there was no chocolate... but there was a little note that said, "Nope!" Now I knew I was pranked.

Opened the rest of the doors to more notes and no chocolate.

After a handwriting analysis from my CSI North Pole division, I identified the culprits – Jeff the Instigator and Cassie the Shenanigan-ator for Hire. Glad no one had to work too hard in my absence. They obviously had free time! Still brought in some coconut cookies to share with co-workers on both the Nice and the Naughty lists. And got back to the grind.

I guess I've passed the vacation baton to Carter, who took it eagerly.

He got home this evening and we both went (separately, of course) to the Assumption boys basketball game. Quite a night. The Royals had at least a 20-point lead early on in the game. Thank goodness after two, yes two, overtimes, they kept the victory in their hands! Good stuff.

Now I suppose I should catch up on sleep. Although it is "finals week," I am not pulling any all-nighters. It was bad enough when I signed on to a meeting at work today and the computer said, "The meeting will start in 23 hours and 59 minutes..."

What day is it? What time zone am I in?

I need that chocolate!

Advent by Angel-light

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. – Luke 1:35

Each year, to launch the Advent season, our church holds an "Advent by Candelight" event for the ladies of the congregation and special guests. Several women host a table by elegantly decorating it for 8 place settings, including candles, of course. I sat at my friend Chris' table, which was beautiful!

Typically, we enjoy some hors d'oeuvres to start off and then sit at the pretty tables for dessert and music. This year, though, we had a speaker set the tone for the evening. To tie into the theme from the passage of Luke, Bruce Van Natta shared his experience with angels.

In 2006, while working as a diesel mechanic, Bruce was crushed under a semi-truck and essentially died. While hovering that fine line between life and death, he had an out-of-body experience and saw two angels the Lord had sent to save his life. He was in so much pain, he said it would have been easier to let go and be gone for good. However, the paramedic working on him kept him returning to consciousness, telling him to fight for what mattered. When he remembered he had a wife and 4 children, he fought. And stayed alive. And had a brutal rehabilitation, learning how to walk and talk and everything in between.

Bruce lives in the Wisconsin Rapids area and now shares his testimony around the country, giving hope to those who doubt God's love or His plan for them. It was an inspiring story – and far more detailed than I shared here.

And it hit home for me.

Funny how a date sticks in your mind, but it was 17 years ago today that God saved my life, too. No, there wasn't a major accident or angel sighting. He just put a major roadblock in my life so I would stop going down the path I was on. It was not easy to change directions, but I wouldn't be around today if I hadn't. Like Bruce, I had to be reminded that there were special people to fight for.

And those two angels make it worth it every day.

'Tis the Seasons

There's so many seasons going on right now.

As Carter and I headed south and back home today, I was reminded that it was still deer hunting season. It also is Christmas tree hunting season.

Not sure if it is indicative of the deer hunting season, but I saw more trees being trailered than deer today. I hope you or your hunter found success (including tree hunting). It's definitely feeling and looking like Christmas around here!

We got home just in time for me to switch into Advent season.

This evening we had an Advent by Candlelight event for the ladies of the church. Several women "hosted" tables, decorating them and serving up dessert. Yummy,  yummy dessert!

My friend and "half" sister Chris invited me to sit at her table to enjoy the music, devotion and fellowship. Doesn't her table look pretty? The picture doesn't do it justice but it turned out funky cool on my camera phone. A very enjoyable evening.

Got home just in time to switch to Hallmark season. Oh wait, I already switched into that weeks ago. Did watch one movie I had DVR'd last night. Could watch another since I don't have to get up early for work tomorrow.

I should probably get to bed early, though, so I can wake up and have my first piece of Advent chocolate!

'Tis the season!

Jumping Ahead

One day after extolling the palate-pleasing platitudes of pumpkin, I really hate to bypass Halloween and jump ahead a whole season. But the people have spoken.

At the mere mention of Advent Calendars, several readers have inquired about ordering and wanted to know what they look like, etc.

The German students (and supportive selling parents) just got the calendars last night. Here are the four designs – 3 vertical and 1 horizontal. Right now I have 8 of each design and can get more when those sell out. The outer box is cardboard with perforated lines for each numbered day of Advent. Behind each "door" is a little piece of chocolate from Germany.

It's pretty tasty entertainment leading up to Christmas for JUST $3!

I said I wouldn't push these until later, but I wasn't expecting we'd have them on hand to sell so soon either. So if you want one or two or six, I'll drop by and you pick from what I have in inventory. Just let me know.

Probably good to get these done so Carter can sell his Assumption Music Raffle Calendars after that. I know, it's never ending. Actually, it will end. It's just that his 3 fundraisers for the year run consecutive int he fall and sometimes overlap.

No pressure to buy. I just don't want anyone to feel left out!!

Now back to my Personal Pumpkin Fest...

After stuffing envelopes for that calendar fundraiser tonight, my car did make a stop at DQ for a yummy Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. Knew I had to get my fix before I forgot what holiday season we're in.

If I need daily reminders going forward, so be it...

Commercial Break

Need to hit the hay so I am pretty much cheating on this blog, opting for this special announcement from our sponsor....

They're back.... BUTTER BRAIDS! 

Carter is selling these scrumptious pastries for the next week!

Flavors: Apple, Blueberry & Cream Cheese, Caramel Rolls, Cherry, Cinnamon (pictured), Cream Cheese, Raspberry, and Strawberry & Cream Cheese.
 
Cost: $12 each. Servings per braid: 11 (if you are willing to share with others).
 
Let me know by Oct. 26 to order. Checks payable to Assumption Catholic Schools.

Delivery date is Nov. 13 so they will be here in plenty of time for the holidays if you are thinking gifts. Speaking of gifts...

Carter will also be selling Advent Calendars to benefit the 2015 trip to Germany. Cost for those is $3 each again. They sell fast so let me know soon on that one, too. Yes, I realize it is not even Halloween yet so I will hold off on my pushy sales pitch until after that. 

And now, back to regular programming... 

Anticipation...

Remember that old ketchup commercial with the song Anticipation playing in the background? The message was clear: Some times things take awhile but good things are always worth waiting for!

This time of year, the air is filled with excitement and anticipation about many things. Sometimes we look forward to certain football games, which I'd rather not talk about, but mostly it's all things Christmas related Now that Advent has officially started, we kick that into high gear.

This evening I was fortunate to take part in an "Advent by Candlelight" event at my church. I had attended one of these with a friend at her church a few years back, but this was the first time taking part in my own church's event.

Our event is a "ladies only" opportunity. And I might add that the "younger set" like myself was under-represented. Maybe we can correct that in years to come. The way it's set up, each "hostess" sets up a table with elegant Christmas decorations and tableware. Ours looked spectacular! Then that hostess also provides a pre-event appetizer and a dessert. The appetizers were good and the dessert table offered plenty of mint options!

Besides musical entertainment from some of the young ladies of the congregation -- ranging from 8 to 18 -- we listened to a nice devotion about Advent and anticipation.

Good focus (and reminder) about concentrating on Christ's birth and second coming. It's no small wonder that when we focus our energies on shopping and preparing food, that the stress pushes the real meaning of Christmas to the back of our minds. Our challenge is to have a more spiritual mindset as we prepare for the special birthday.

It doesn't mean we have to stop shopping altogether. But if we are out shopping, could we pick something up for someone truly in need? It's fine to send out dozens of Christmas cards, too. But as long as we're sending them, is there a shut-in from your congregation or an anonymous soldier who would enjoy receiving one as well? This is what we mean about getting prepared.

When you are decking the halls, don't forget the halls of you heart. Are they ready to greet a king?

I know I have much to do, inside and out. Good thing we at least know the first time He's coming!

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know... that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Are you ready for Christmas? Depends on what you mean by ready. Am I anticipating it? Yes. Am I prepared for it? No.

And I am not alone in this.

Tonight I was among several dozen women who enjoyed an Advent by Candlelight service at my friend Jenny's church in town. Through special readings & scripture, prayer, singing and dessert (Lutheran tradition calls for coffee and dessert, you know), we discussed how we can be ready for Christmas with our Greetings, Goodies and Gifts.

Basically -- and we've heard this before -- we need to slow down and take a moment to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season... Not Black Friday deals or overzealous light displays and everything in between.

It all started with Mary.

Do you honestly think that when she gave birth in a stable that someday the anniversary of the event would evolve into the madness it is today? One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?" Like all mothers, this woman probably just wanted to give birth to a healthy baby. Although she had an inkling how special He would be, I don't think she knew the extent.

And it probably didn't matter. Just like I love my son with all my heart -- and I don't know and don't care if he will be a doctor saving lives some day or crunching numbers for a low-paying nonprofit. I just love him because he brings me joy.

In our candlelight service, we were reminded of this and encouraged to share the real Christmas story in our greetings (cards and letters), our goodies (treats we find in scripture and song) and our gifts (giving of our hearts and time).

I sat there feeling a little bit guilty knowing I have done my share of shopping for material gifts already and spend several hours today -- while watching another Viking loss -- prepping Christmas cards and letters (with little focus on Jesus) for mailing.

I hope the thought counts for something. And it's not too late to keep sharing here either.

Let's do what we can to be ready.