" It's One of THOSE Years "

Tomorrow the Christmas decorations are going to start getting packed away. It's just one of those years. I have in the past left them out until after New Years Day and I have also taken them down the day after Christmas. Just depends on the mood, if ya know what I mean.

Actually, had I not put them out before mom passed, I would not have put them out at all this year. I didn't even get a tree. I just couldn't do it. The spirit was just not there this year.


I did however manage to add to my Christmas decoration collection this year. Again. I keep telling myself year after year that I have enough already. But I can never seem to listen to my own advice!


I started out with one nativity that my mother had given me a few years ago. It is one of my favorite decorations. And now I have five. I really wasn't trying to collect them, but when Ginny and I went thrift shopping, well you can guess the rest.

This is the one that mom gave me for Christmas a few years back. I remember being so excited because I didn't have my own Nativity and thought this one was quite beautiful.




I also acquired two Nativity's that were mom's. One she had since I was a teen. But they will all be neatly and safely packed away this week. I just don't want to look at them anymore.

I will put my sewing machine back in it's rightful place on the dining room table.




I would like to start focusing on baby Jack's quilt. He is so sweet and into everything. Also, very much a mama's boy right now.





We had a quite Christmas this year. Except for the little one's I don't think any of us were overly enthusiastic about Christmas this year. But we were together. That was the important thing.

" Sorry But I Couldn't Help Myself "

While I do realize that this photo isn't what you would consider
Full of the Christmas spirit,

I just couldn't help myself.
I loved it.


I do hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas.

" Seasons Greetings "

Hello everyone. I feel bad that I haven't kept in touch with all of you. I wanted to let you all know that I am all right. I have a new look thanks to my daughter, Ginny.
She is home for the week and this has been a help and a comfort to me.

The last few weeks have been very hard on me. Many of you have already experienced what I have been going through, so I know that you understand how I have been feeling. It truly has been a roller coaster of emotions. I thought that it may ease up with a little time but discovered that it has actually gotten a bit tougher with Christmas approaching.

All the while life goes on and there has been loose ends to tie and business to take care of. All of your lovely comments have helped me so. I don't want to drone on and on as I love you all so much and want you to enjoy this wonderus time of year.

I am going to post something that will hopefully make you smile. I got the idea from Eileen at " Ummas World ". I hope that she doesn't mind. My daughter Ginny, put it together for your entertainment and I must admit that when I saw it, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Before you watch this, I have to tell you that my son in this video was the one that made us laugh the most. He is super conservative. This would be totally out of his realm. But when he see's it, I think it will make him laugh as well.

Love to you all and I do hope that you enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

The site won't let me embed it, but all you have to do is click on this link or copy and paste it in your browser and you're on your way to a hilarious video!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/t2zIJdHbadcaRhvC

I haven't felt like blogging at all under the circumstances.
But here I was awake at 4:00 a.m. this morning. I have learned not to fight sleeplessness anymore. So I felt like just sharing a few thoughts.


I am going to try not to make this sad as Christmas time is upon us. Despite how emotional I have been feeling, one thought that has continually crossed my mind was how much my mom loved Christmas.

She would understand our families sorrow but I know that she wouldn't want us to be sad at this time but instead rejoice in the glory of Jesus' birth.

You know as well as I do that this will be a huge challenge for our family this year.
Truthfully I am feeling anxious right now just thinking about it. But I do believe that if I try to focus on the true meaning of Christmas this year,
I , we , will make it through.

My family has given me so much comfort these past ten days. My daughter Ginny will be back home in five days. I am counting the days. If you've read this blog before,
you may remember me mentioning that she was born with a gift of lighting up a room.
A special aura surrounds her.
I do believe that that light will come in handy this visit home.

One of the things that I learned about my mother after her passing was that she was far more spiritual then I had already known that she was. I have been reading through her bibles that she wrote all over in and a journal that she kept. A spiritual journal.

I thought that I had a strong faith. But I do believe that she put me to shame in this aspect of life. Mom never tried to force religious beliefs on any of us.
She did give us a foundation but never nagged about going to church. She let me find my own way.

And when we did find our church home a few years ago and Katie was confirmed this past spring, I know the pride and joy that filled her heart.
All three of my children believe in the Lord Our Savior.

The two eldest have not yet found their church home. But I like my mother will not force the issue. After all , it was my mother that taught me at a very young age that God is with you where ever you go.
He is always there.

On that note I am going to end this with a verse and a prayer that I found in one of mom's prayer books. I read it last night before bed. It gave me comfort.

Jesus' Victory over Death

He will swallow up death in victory;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears
from off all faces.
Isaiah 25:8

Father, right now, standing at the grave of one I love, I cannot be consoled by any words. I am capable only of weeping for my loss; all I can feel is despair and anger that my loved one has been ripped from me. I am in shock, stumbling through my paces, letting others guide me during these horrible hours.

And yet this is a battle already won. Jesus through his death and resurrection, has conquered death, " that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:15). I know this, Father. I believe in this. Be with me today as I grieve. Wipe away my tears and give me faith in these dark hours,
for the victory is already yours.
Amen.

" Thinking of All of You "

I just wanted to let all of my beautiful and loving blogger friends how truly amazing all of you are to me.

I am still in a surrealistic mindset right now. Please forgive me and know that I miss all of you.

And most importantly, Thank you. Your words and condolences have been a tremendous comfort to me. Probably more than you even know.

I will be back someday I am sure. And I do hope that we will all meet again soon.

Love and Blessings, Di

" Anna Mae Evanoff "

February 20, 1937 - December 5, 2009

I don't know what else to say except that I am completely numb
right now.

I just found out a few hours ago that my mom passed away in her sleep
Last night.

I can't think and I can't feel anything.
I can't even cry.

Arrangements will be made tomorrow.

I love you mom.

" Odd Yet Interesting "

Just a short post tonight.

This week we went to church to decorate for Christmas.


There were several trees and a Nativity to set up.
This is Katie and her friend Natasha,
doing their part.






Then we took a trip to the hospital as Katie sprained her
wrist whilst roller skating in P.E. class.

Along with three others. One who's wrist was broken.

I should never have signed that darned permission slip.

Kate is not in a very graceful stage lately.

She is still able to talk on her phone however, texting
has proven to be a bit challenging.

On the bright side, her new splint matches her new quilt
quite well don't ya think ?






Remember paper mache? Sure you do.

Remember how messy yet fun and magical it was?

Katie's art class was able to experience the fun first hand.

The first photo was the project that Katie worked on.





This next one gave me a sweet tooth.

I know, I have been having too many of those lately!






And this one I thought was monstrously
Large!





The things they do with paper mache these days!

It was an interesting Art Show to say the least!

On the way home I took a photo of the little downtown area
where I live.





It was an odd yet interesting week.

Sort of like these photos!

" I'll Admit It , I'm Envious ! "

My eldest daughter, Ginny, thinks me silly.

Perhaps corny.

Maybe a little old school.

Probably very old school.

But I don't care.

What I really am is envious .
She blogs about happenings in the Raleigh North Carolina area.

She recently blogged about " The Raleigh Ringers ".

A hand bell orchestra that I would love to see in person.

She , while she has the ability to see them in concert,
has never done so.

What a waste. What a shame. Shame on you Ginny !

You must go see The Raleigh Ringers !

I must go see The Raleigh Ringers !

I find them fascinating.

Perhaps someday I will be fortunate to go see
The Raleigh Ringers.

In the meantime, Forgive me.
I am envious.