Wednesday, December 28, 2011

holidays

It has to be a holiday when a full time college student and mother of two does not even boot up the computer for over five days.  Yes that does mean that I will have to double the time on my mini mester course for the next week and a half, but I really did need the break.  My hubby was here for three full days, and when we only see each other about 36 hours every two to three weeks, it was very nice to spend some real time with him.  That was a gift in it's self. 

I was able to enjoy time with each of my girls and watch them enjoy their gifts from Santa.  At one point it was great to see them both sitting on the floor with pens and colored pencils designing dresses and geometric patterns instead of electronic games and MP3 players.  To me that was the best part of it for them.  Other than the endless reruns of Christmas movies (which I love) we had a very low tech Christmas around here.  Not to say that we didn't get high tech gifts, we just enjoyed the simpler joys of being together instead of us all running to the corners of each room and loosing ourselves into the techno world. 

In a way it is sad that I turned the laptop on again today and the girls will once again be plugged into their own world.  However that is why they call it a holiday, it does not last forever.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas Spirit

It seems like the Christmas spirit has hit my house.  I have been wrapping the things that I got for my girls all day long while watching Christmas movies.  We had a very nice lunch with a good friend and celebrated the fact that we all get to sleep in for a little more than a week since we are out of school (well they are).   Money has been very tight the last month or so and I have an almost empty fridge, with no money left for grocery shopping until payday.   THANK YOU, so much to the local broadcasting station, a local grocery chain, and a local furniture outlet.  I heard a small spot while driving the one time I was out of the house today, and they were scheduled to give away Christmas dinner for anyone who needed it, just be there until they run out.  I am extremely humbled to say that I did go and get one, and then they were very kind and let us get one for a neighbor of ours who struggles as well.

It was wonderful to see my little girl, not so little anymore as she is 12 and as tall as I am, think to ask about a neighbor since we were there and they would not be able to make it themselves.  I have always tried to teach my girls to do things for others when possible.  I am pleased that they have learned the lesson well.

Charlie was an angel that I met in one of the other towns we have lived in.  He was a homeless gentleman who had the most beautiful blue eyes.  When I looked into them it reminded me of my father.  Over the course of a about a year I would do little things for Charlie, like buy a coffee for him if I stopped for breakfast.  For Christmas one year we gave him a bag with a package of new socks, deodorant, peppermints, and water.  I was so blessed to hear him tell someone one day as I dropped off some sandwiches, "this is the angel who gave us the socks for Christmas".  Charlie had only kept one pair for himself and gave the rest to his friends.  I did not interact with Charlie as much as I would have liked to, and he has passed on now. I do hope that Charlie is watching over us because he does still bless me every time I think of him.

Merry Christmas to everyone who believes.

Monday, December 19, 2011

new to blogging

Ok, that sounds like an overused title, however it is the the truth in my case.  I have been very much a computer avoider until I started back to college.  Since then I have gotten better at using the computer for everything from homework to papers, to even learned how to use power point for slide shows.  I will admit that mine looks very elementary, but considering that two years ago I would have said "power point, what's that a super laser pointer?"  I think I have progressed nicely.  I am looking for an outlet for my opinions that some solely from my own view on life around me.  If you do not agree with me that is fine, however I am not here to add to the conflict in my life.  I hope that if you do decide to read my post you will enjoy them, maybe even chuckle once in a while.