Catching Up.......

Whew....what a week!!

Between faculty meetings in our school district regarding newer,tighter security because of the Ct tragedy, the students being a bit "high" from pre-Christmas and Kwanzaa holidays approaching, my daughter's homework load and field trips to perform for nursing homes and malls, which meant extra laundry because they had to wear their Select Chorus Tee-Shirt for all events, and the baking, wrapping, cleaning, etc that takes place the week before Christmas, it has been crazy around here!!  and of course schlepping her to and from her ballet classes, buying groceries (although Dave did a little shopping for me on Saturday....yay!!), and menu planning for Christmas afternoon......the list goes on and on at our house as I'm sure it goes on for you!

I want to catch everyone up on what's been happening around our house............

.........we've been a bit worried about my dad since he's had a cold that is lingering and a small procedure that he needed done had to be put on hold for now........but he seems to be coping ok with the grieving process. I know the holiday will be tough for him and his anniversary is 2 days after Christmas so Dave and I and the girls, and my sister Hope and her husband will be going down to Dad's that day.  Dad and Mom would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  I guess she will watch us help Dad get through the day from her spot in heaven!  We will also see him on Christmas day at my youngest sister's (Jill and her husband Mike and 2 girls) house.  My sister Joy and her son Luke will join us there as well.  So all 4 of us girls will be together on Christmas afternoon with our spouses and children.  I will definitely being taking pictures!

..............There is no snow yet in eastern New York State. In fact, this past week has been rather mild with temps in the mid to upper 40's. I have been able to work out with my power-walking for 3 good days and I plan on doing more after work on Thursday and Friday.  Hopefully on Saturday I can continue although I heard we MIGHT get some white stuff by then. We've had some dreary, rainy days so I've put the Christmas candles to good use!!

..............I've heard from several friends with special Christmas cards and family newsletters...I always love that.  

..................my college girl, Courtney,  will be home by dinner time on Friday...just in time to celebrate Claire's 14th birthday!!  We are praying for her this week as she writes her exams......it is so hard to believe that her 1st semester of her 2nd year of college is almost over!! Time really does fly by.

...............I am enjoying a wonderful novel but I doubt I will finish it by the end of the Fall Into Reading Challenge final date (the 21st).  It's on my side bar. Actually, I am reading TWO good books right now:  GRACE by Max Lucado, which was NOT on my original reading list and Eve's Daughters by Lynn Austin which I happened to see at the towne library and it wasn't on my original list, either!  One of the books I've been waiting for since early October was finally available to me on Monday. It is Patricia Cornwell's latest one.  I won't start that one until Eve's Daughters is complete. My goal is to have it completed by Friday evening. We shall see.........

Are you all set for Christmas?

Have you been participating in the Fall Into Reading Challenge and if so, how are you doing with your list?? I think we need to be done by the 21st...the first day of winter...the longest night of the year!!

I hope to see everyone back here on Friday with the Friday Fave Fives. 

Until then, enjoy the days leading up to our Savior's birth!!