One Last Look at Past Christmas Cards

Today, I've allowed the memories of Christmas pasts to become more than just snapshots. Snippets from this one and that one all run together. A day or two away from the children and presents and trees with lights, and my emotions are able to flow uninterrrupted.
I unearthed some of the old Christmas cards that I had been searching for.



We called the first house we lived in "the old house" so when I will refer to the "old house" you'll know I'm referring to the days when my brother and I were the only siblings, before I was five.  



Santa came to see me once in the old house. Maybe it's the old reels in my mind that I remember or maybe it was really just the 8 mm films that we watched over and over again.  Either way, I can see it clearly.  Santa was really Mr. Phil (Moye) as the family at home would know. We were the lucky ones because Santa always came to see us on Christmas Eve while we were riding around looking at lights.  In the old house, Santa came once while we were saying our prayers. He brought my brother a cowboy suit with a holster and cap gun. He even got the black boots and cowboy hat and a rifle too.  I got a baby in it's own carrying case. 
Daddy was always sad at Christmas.  We always went to see our cousins and grandparents on Christmas Day.  One of my earliest memories was of going to my daddy's brother's house. I couldn't have been but 3.  It was Christmas but there was no one home. It was quiet and I still feel sad thinking about it.  I remember talking loudly and mama shushing me. Daddy put me up on a yellow stool and peeled an orange for me.  He was crying. As a child, I never understood this.  I remember many times asking Daddy, "Why are you so sad?  It's Christmas."  He'd say, "I don't have family anymore."  I always said, "But you have us."  Later, some 40 years I learned why Christmas was so sad. He lost his best friend and brother that day, Christmas 1963.

Mama made our clothes.  I remember seeing pictures of this dress.  It was red. We all got Christmas pjs every year.  Pajamas, underware and shoes were the only things we wore that came from a store.  



Mama saw a coat she wanted for me in the Sears Christmas Catalog. She made her own pattern from newspaper and daddy said, "You looked better than the Sears Roebuck Catalog."

My most memorable Christmas was the year we all sang around the piano. I wanted to create a memory moment so I lit candles. Someone forgot to blow them out and we awoke the the smell of burning wood.
 Our baby brother died in an accident a couple of weeks before he turned 6.  Christmas was never the same again.  We stopped going to the cousins house and only went to see Granny and Granddaddy.
It's the melancholy rainy days that make me ponder years gone by. 
Happy New Year 2016!




Merry Christmas Darling
Carpenters
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas Darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmasing with you
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But ev'ryday's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it ev'ry day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I wish I were with you
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you

Pardon The Progress

We are heading to Georgia for a few days.

I pray the rain is gone and the flood waters are receding.

I am putting away the Christmas stuff 

a little at a time. 

It feels good to find some method in the madness.

It takes a little "stringing-and-strowing,"

as my mama would say, 

to get things in order.

Anyone else ever heard about, 

"stringing and strowing?"

Spell-check says "strowing" is not a word.

Maybe it's GA slang.

I understand the signs

"Pardon the Progress."

Yesterday, I was cleaning out one of the two closets 

that exists in this apartment, and I had 

the entire bedroom full!

(I would not dare show you!)

It's still a work in PROGRESS!

I cleaned out the magazine basket.

It was full of Fall and Christmas issues. 

Kinda empty now. 

You know, like the feeling you get when it's all put away,..empty.

Gone is Santa, cups, mugs, and pitchers.

Everything is back to normal...

is there really such a thing?

Barbara Johnson, a Christian writer said, 

"Normal is just a setting on a dryer."

I agree.

I'm so ready to find a house.

This was home for 30 years.

We're locked into this lease for 5 more months!

I'm praying for contentment.

Until then...

This is progress. 

At least, we can get open the closet door!

What does your "progress" look like?

See Ya Next Year!

The Week of Christmas

We've had a busy week as I'm sure all of you have. 

It was all I could ask for!

Mommy finished some shopping and I kept the kiddos.

I did some baking 

and then we had a tea party.

I kept the baby for mommy to work on Monday.
She played so hard that she fell asleep while eating.

We had our Family Christmas on the 23rd.

My daughter-in-law read the Christmas story.

And then we opened gifts.

Connor is the perfect age to enjoy it all!

He wanted to open every one's presents. 

BonBon got this little one a doll stroller.

Aunt Tina gave her a talking tea pot. 

Yes, there will be more tea parties. 

Cora was busy walking around seeing what everyone else got. 

She didn't mind letting Bubba open her presents. 

She got a little people's princess castle from BonBon and Grandy.

Connor got a REAL TRAIN!

Boy was he excited!

My sister and family came from GA.

We has such a fun time. 

The kids were crazy about her!

We attended the Christmas Eve service. 

I watched our little boy sing with his whole heart.

His daddy lights his candle.

I can't begin to tell you the emotions that 

matched the song, Silent Night.

When there was little money and a small Christmas, 

I would rock my babies to sleep, and cry as I sang this song.

Now they are sharing the LIGHT with their children. 

Experiencing this moment was worth more than Santa.

and Happy New Year!

Georgia in Tennessee

Since we didn't go to Georgia for Christmas, 

My Daughter-in-law brought Georgia to Tennessee.

Merry Christmas to my Georgia friends and family 

and to all my family in Blogland. 

Bonnie:)

My Son Sings and I Sing

So what do you do when you find yourself 

looking at life upside down???

Too much month left over at the end of the money.

The rent equals the check.

Not to mention groceries and gas?

Family connections lost.

Friends far away.

Hurting people everywhere 

and no means to meet the need.

I hesitate to share my stories. 

I never want to take for granted that some of you 

will spend Christmas alone this year.  

I care.  I really do. 

I hurt.  I cry with you.

I understand depression. I know what it feels like to feel locked away.

I fight this every day even when surrounded by those I love. 

This year, I am counting my blessings that I am spending the holidays

near my children.  I don't take it for granted and I don't know if this is forever. 

It may be for just a season, but we are where we are supposed to be for now. 

Yesterday, I heard my grown son sing for the first time since middle school.

Can I tell you I cried?

Yes, I did.

He sang in all the Christmas plays as a little boy. 

I think he moved more than he sang, 

my busy little boy!

His wife sings beautifully too. 

The last time I heard him sing, his voice was changing 

and his voice was deep and low. 

I felt sure he was a baritone or bass.

I could not believe that he is a perfect tenor.

He did all the ad lib stuff and vibrato that not everyone can do. 

I was so proud of him.  

He's such a good Christian husband and daddy.

Last week, I went to dinner with him and the kids.

Christina was working and so I tagged along.

There was a bad accident and I said, "Oh we need to pray."

Connor said, "Daddy pray."

Chad started praying aloud and then Connor cut in and finished the prayer.

I am so very proud of the man HE is!

Christy, Troy and Harper surprised him

and came to hear his debut.  

Of course, let's get a picture!

This is what it looks like trying to get a family picture 

made with busy little ones,

Keep clicking,

and it will happen!

Today I sing with Mary, 

"My soul rejoices in God my Savior.

My soul doth magnify the Lord."

Winter Wonderland Birthday

Harper is ONE! The Winter Wonderland was perfect and a nice 32 degrees with blue skies. We had snow flurries yesterday. 

They did the decorations themselves with  the help of Troy's sister.

Some of my favorites, burlap and lace, ribbons and bows were used.

The lighting made it difficult to see the snowflakes banner. There were several hanging on the window panes.

The hot cocoa bar looked yummy.  

Oh my goodness, it was yummy!

The food tables was perfectly labeled with chalkboard place cards. Soooo cute!

We can't forget the cake.

It didn't stay pretty for long.

Hurry up mommy! 

This was Harper's first taste of sugar! Yes Mommy made us wait for her birthday!

Do I like this?

Yes, I think I do!

Want some daddy?

All the kiddos had a ball!

I know we did with all three of ours. You missed the picture of her smashing cake in my face! 

The venue was the coffee shop at Trevecca Nazarene Univeristy where my daughter works.

It's called 1901 Java Shop. The school was founded in 1901. My daddy, brother, sister, daughter and son attended TNU. 

The place was perfect for a Winter Wonderland Party.

It was already decorated for Christmas.

Just a few wore shots of friends and family.

GiGi

Grandpa Jim and GiGi, Troy's parents

Cora and the kiddos made a snowman!

This is my favorite, my baby girl with her baby girl.

It was a Wonder-filled day!