The Day After

Christmas Day has come and gone and all of the decorations scattered throughout the house and yard are being gathered up as we pass by them to and fro. The tree is still up and lights burning but all the gifts are gone and Christmas dishes put away. The manger scene is usually the last thing I pack away; leaving the "real meaning" of Christmas displayed until New Year's.


I braved the crowds, rainy weather, and my feeling of not wanting to go shopping, to travel to nearby Enterprise to look for a Christmas tree on sale. I didn't go until after lunch and I almost didn't find one. I saw a beautiful 12 ft frazier fir (pre-lit with white lights) at Lowe's and stood in awe in front of it. It had a price tag of $500. I could only imagine a room big enough to display a tree this size. While I was standing in front of the big tree, a young man walked up and asked the sales clerk if the tree was on sale. He said, Yes, make an offer. And the man bought that giant tree for $100!! I would say he got a bargain. The only other tree was 9 ft tall so I had to move on. Found a Douglas fir, 7 ft, 650 multi lights at WalMart and I got it at 50% off.


When I got home there was a roaring fire in the fireplace and I was happy. We took down the stockings earlier so we could build a big fire.

This morning at brunch I made a "to do" list to accomplish before Jan 1st. I'm not a list-maker so this was an unusual move for me. I am also starting a list of things I want to accomplish in 2008. I'd like to take a computer graphics course. I want to scan some of our old color slides and put them on CD's before they fade away. I want to do this myself so I have to look for some equipment. We are signing up for a 10-week fitness program called "Scale Back Alabama" at Opp Hospital beginning Jan. 7th. Jim and I participated last year and enjoyed the meetings and learned a lot. 


I have some Master Gardener projects to work on and several unfinished projects to complete. We're planning a big family gathering in the NC mountains in June to celebrate some birthdays and anniversaries in our family. While I was going through my "to do" list, I couldn't help thinking about some of my friends who sit at home, day after day, and just wait to get older! Not me. I don't have time to waste; too many things I want to do while I still have good health.

Christmas Day has arrived - at last!

Christmas Day arrived at last. I can't believe we slept until 7:30 A.M., late for us. It was dark, raining, and thunder rumbling. I got up first and turned on the Christmas tree lights. Jim put on coffee while I helped James get up and get dressed. Then we settled down in the living room next to the Christmas tree and began to open presents - before breakfast. First James looked in his big red stocking and was so excited to receive 10 bars of Ivory soap. I captured him waving it in the air!
Then he started opening his gifts from "Santa" that had been under the tree for several days, "To: James; From: Santa". And then came gifts from family and friends. One favorite was a set of videos about trains from a friend Bucky who lives in Panama City, FL. He is a retired policeman and has a hunting lodge at Danley's Cross Roads and we see him and his family when they are here for awhile. He
knows that James is a big fan of trains and railroads. He has been watching these videos all afternoon.

You will notice he is wearing a new Clemson cap, a gift from his brother Bill. James' niece Nerissa is a freshman at Clemson. James likes Auburn and they are playing Clemson in the Peach Bowl. He said he guessed he'd wear the Clemson cap and his new Auburn sweatshirt that day. We visited the Clemson campus in November to see Nerissa and her apartment, etc. Now James is a big Clemson fan!





In the next photo you see James looking at one of his many big books he got for Christmas. Ally gave him 2 train books, Lizzie gave him one, and he got one from Santa. Bill's girls also gave him a large book "Santa Claus". Caroline thought James would like it. He is a big fan of Santa's.








Not everything under the tree was for James. Jim smokes a pipe and needed a new one, really bad. There is no place to buy a pipe in Elba, AL! A local service station orders pipe tobacco for him - Borkum Rif whiskey flavor. He was so excited to get 2 brierwood pipes from our oldest son Ronnie and family.




And Jim got something else he has wanted for a long time - an air compressor. He knew he was getting this because he was the one who ordered it. But we wrapped it when it arrived and he didn't see it until today. He promised to use it to dust "hard to get to" places, including behind the computer, etc. Maybe he'll try it out one day soon. He also got a 5 ft ladder which was a surprise and Santa left it out front behind the bushes last night. Now he can reach light fixtures to change bulbs, etc. His 8' ladder was too tall. And to reach things on shelves, etc. He has a step ladder but it's too short. Santa usually leaves practical things for the two of us. James was kinder and gave him a bag of his favorite candy, Tootsie Rolls. He got books and other nice gifts from other family members.



I received a beautiful lightweight fleece robe from Cindy and Ron and a beautiful red silk scarf from Lizzie. And a kit of bath products from Ally. Liz and Chad gave me a nice "grandparent legacy" journal to fill out. I always love to get the good-smelling products from Cindy and girls at Christmas time; things I would never go out and buy for myself.

I had asked for some new stainless steel flatware for Christmas. I spent a long time looking for just the right pattern, etc. and didn't give much advance notice. Jim ordered some online and it arrived Christmas Eve. He thought he wasn't going to get it in time.


I chose Oneida "Julliard" pattern and got four 5-piece sets for everyday use. I will pack up all my mismatched flatware and save it for someone's cabin or college dorm. Today we used the new silverware and our Christmas dishes, even though it was just the 3 of us here for Christmas Day. We had a good time!

I have been inside all day - a record for me since I am an outdoor person. My feet have been "tapping" to go walking but we have had rain most of the day. Maybe tomorrow.....

Christmas Eve is here!

Today was a very special day. Not much going on but just the fact that it is Christmas Eve made it special. The mailman was late and when she finally got here, she brought 3 packages. Two of the packages contained my Christmas present from Jim, James and Bill. I wondered why they were so anxious for the mail to arrive! I went shopping this afternoon for things to put in James' stocking. He insists that Santa will bring him things in his stocking. I found a Batman figure that has moveable parts. I even saw a Batman cap (baseball cap). I almost bought it but remembered that he would want to wear it every day! So guess what I got instead... 1 package of 10 bars of Ivory soap!!! He loves to use Ivory and his dad hides the extra soap since he uses so much. I am going to tell him he can use all 10 bars at once if he wants to!! And I got a package of 4 new handkerchiefs. He doesn't like to use kleenex. The problem is he forgets and discards the handkerchiefs and they soon disappear. Now just think about this; a batman figure, handkerchiefs and 10 bars of soap! Who but James would want all that in a stocking.

Some family friends dropped by with gifts for James to put under the tree. One was a bright red shiny, jeweled Christmas ornament from a church friend Ruth Anderson Inman (who is almost 90). She is the step mother of the writer Bob Inman from Charlotte, NC. She brings him a new ornament every year - always red since that is his favorite color. Our neighbor Pat brought him 3 different varieties of bubble gum in a Christmas bag. Another neighbor brought him a 4-piece ceramic train that he has on the table by his TV set.

Tonight we went to communion at church. As we arrived a large gathering of the Stephens family was leaving - Daniel and Rhonda Jacobs Stephens and their children and grandchildren,  and Daniel's sister Lucia Grantham and her children, grandchildren and her ex-husband Kenneth attending with them. What a great family coming to worship. We were there with Doug and Elaine Vaughan Martin and 2 of their grandchildren. As we were leaving another large family group was entering the church. This was such a special time to go kneel at the altar and receive communion from our pastor and good friend, Stanley Carter.

The best part of today was receiving an email from our youngest son who arrived in London yesterday with his 3 daughters after travelling all night from Charlotte, NC to visit relatives of his deceased wife. A bad fog made getting from Gatwick airport to north of London a 5 hour journey by train and bus. Took almost as long to get to sister in law Julie's house as it did to cross the Atlantic! Then today we received from Bill a photo of the girls taken before they left on their trip. Nerissa (18), Katie (16) and Caroline (12). It has been 11 years since their mother died and they keep in touch with her family as much as possible. They return Jan. 3rd.

Sunday before Christmas - 2 days left

It was a normal Sunday; getting up early to read the newspaper, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. But today was a little more special. We would be wearing Christmas outfits today. James wore his navy suit and white shirt and one of his Santa ties. I wore a black Christmas sweater with red skirt and white blouse. Jim wore his choir robe once he got to church. The church was filled with red poinsettias at the altar rail. The crowd was "expectant" as many families had loved ones visiting and everybody was busy greeting the guests who were home for the holidays.


I opened my church bulletin for the order of the service and my eyes rested on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" to be sung by Kenneth Baker, an annual event everybody looks forward to each Christmas. But today there was an air of sadness because Kenneth's father, Winfred Baker, passed away on Saturday morning and his funeral was today at 3 pm. Kenneth was not at church today. Pam, his wife and our church organist had surgery on Wednesday, and was not at church today either. I have known Kenneth's father and mother (Dot Young) all my life. They were neighbors to our family in the Curtis community. Their 4 boys were just little fellows when I left home in 1952. The Baker and Young families lived near the schoolhouse. There were 14 Baker children and now only 1 is left, the youngest sister, Lillian Baker Taylor.


Tonight we went to church for the Advent Carols and Lessons. The organ was silent. A choir member, Lois Holt, played the piano (beautifully) and only a small group attended the service. The music director went home for the holidays and Pastor Stanley Carter read the scriptures and led the singing. Outside some of the church members were participating in a live nativity with music playing in the background.

Today was a sunny, cold day and James is getting excited about Christmas eve. We will probably go to church for communion at 5 pm. It will be a long day for James tomorrow. Maybe he will sleep late. You know, I am looking forward to opening my gifts too!


Our youngest son Bill and his 3 teen-aged daughters are in London today, arriving there early this morning from Charlotte, NC, and spending 8 days with relatives. Talked to our other son in Austin, TX today and they are spending Christmas at home (except for the oldest daughter who was at a ski resort in Calif. this week-end and in Laguna Beach, CA for Christmas with her friend and his family). So it will just be Jim, James and me here for Christmas this year. We'll get up and open our gifts and watch the Christmas parade at Disneyworld.


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

3 more days til Santa comes

It's getting close to Christmas eve when that jolly ole man arrives. When I was little, he would come early in the evening before we went to bed and we would get to take one toy to bed with us. We didn't have heaters or central heat, just a big fireplace in one room, so I'm sure that's why Santa arrived at night at our house so we wouldn't be getting up too early on Christmas morning. I remember one Christmas we were all gathered in Mama Wilson's room around the big fireplace when we heard a noise outside (the wind was probably blowing hard) and they told us to be real quiet, that it was probably Santa arriving. A little later daddy went out to see and came back to the room and said it was Santa and he had left toys under the tree in the "front room". I remember that one of my younger sisters got a metal gray cat on wheels and everytime you pulled it it would say "meow" over and over. I was glad when the voice box wore out! I probably helped it along...


James loves Christmas and still believes in Santa. He's pictured here with Santa at the Elba Christmas festival on Dec. 8th (James' birthday). We are spending Christmas at home this year - alone. Our son Bill and his 3 girls are en route to London today to spend 8 days with relatives of Bill's deceased wife Barbara. s, CA for Christmas with her friend Chad and his family. Our son Ron and his wife Cindy and their other daughter Allison are at home in Austin this Christmas. Another granddaughter from Austin, TX is in Bear Mountain Resort, east of Los Angeles.  Ron is working so other employees can be off for Christmas this year. So we are here without any of them this year. It will seem strange not to be with any of them at Christmas. We saw everybody when we were in Austin in October and Florence, SC in November.

Tonight the three of us will be in a live nativity at our church downtown. I'm not sure what part we will be playing. Maybe the old shepherds! James said I don't look like a shepherd or wise man and I'm too old to be Mary. I'll just cover up my head and be a donkey or something!

5 Days 'til Christmas

Time really flies when you get old. I don't know what happened to the 3 days since I last posted a message! I'm glad I'm ready for Christmas. Today was a fun day. My brother Perry and his wife Carol invited us to go
out to lunch at a restaurant in nearby Luverne. We had a good time 




 
talking about our family members. We stopped by a country church on the way home, in Bulloch community, to show Perry where our great grandmother Sophia Antoinette Woods Wilson and great great grandparents (James and Mary Ann Wilson) are buried at Friendship Baptist Church cemetery. They were glad to know this.


Then tonight was a sad occasion. Went to the funeral home to visit with the family of our neighbor Gus McCall. I grew up with his wife, Janice Crocker McCall, out in the country. The Crocker family lived in a big white house and they said I told someone once that they must be rich since they lived in a "painted" house". It's funny that they remembered that. I didn't know they were renting the house. They had a big family; 4 girls and 2 boys. Their father farmed as did most of our neighbors. The girls, Ethelene, Janice, Fay and June, all live in Elba now and they are all beautiful ladies with silver hair. Their brothers Ralph (my age) and Willie Ray also live in Elba. Their father was living until a couple of years ago. Gus once told me that if he ever remarried, it wouldn't be a "Crocker" girl, that they all worked too hard and made him feel guilty. I think that growing up in the country made all of us feel that we had to be productive and work.


Gus served on a submarine in the navy and loved going to annual reunions of his unit. He told us so many stories of his navy days. Last year he brought our son a cap with the name of his submarine on it. When they gathered in Louisville, KY, he visited the Slugger baseball factory store and bought James a wooden minature baseball bat. He and James were special friends.


In the future, when I look down the street I will be looking for Gus and his red pickup backing out of the driveway, coming up the street and honking and waving to us. Farewell to a good friend.

8 more days 'til Christmas

I remember how damp and cold it used to be around Christmas time. Well today was no exception with a low of 27 degrees last night. December is much warmer than it used to be. But that might be due to warm cars, warm homes, warm clothing, etc. I rode a school bus to school for 12 years and I remember how cold they were - no heaters on them. Only 8 days until Christmas and how fast time flies now that I'm older. I think we used to get out of school 2 days before Christmas and probably went back soon after. I don't remember any long breaks.


I was thinking about the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" and wonder where you would find 8 geese a laying? Or 9 maids a milking? I remember how anxious our boys were for Santa to hurry and come. Their dad would never let them open a single gift until Christmas morning. We always got up early and opened Santa gifts before breakfast. We would save a few things to open later.


It was so cold when we lived in Minneapolis in the late 7o's. James was so afraid Santa would get stuck in the chimney. We put the fire out before we went to bed. One December in MN we were watching a tV program about someone breaking into a home and stealing all the things Santa had left under the tree. During the night James got up and went downstairs and put all his presents in the hall closet. When we went down the next morning, all of James' packages were gone! We didn't know what happened until he came downstairs and went to the closet and put them back under the tree. He said he was afraid someone would break in and steal them.


One Christmas in Texas it snowed on Christmas eve and was beautiful the next morning. We gave Bill a rifle and had planned a trip to west Texas to a deer lease for him to use his new rifle. He was disappointed that we couldn't leave right after breakfast. We had to wait for the snow to melt on the highways. And by the way, he killed his first deer the first day we were there.


Just 8 more days and I think I can wait. I have finished my shopping, etc. and will just sit back and wait for Christmas to arrive.