My Internal Yardstick

I have just realized that a lot of the things I "measure" are held up against Kansas.

Kansas is my home - I lived in Kansas for over 50 years. For me - this is what I measure things with.

Now being in South Carolina, I hold it up against Kansas. When people down here say that it is a cold winter, I say to myself "You've got to be kidding!! You have no idea what a cold winter is! Back in Kansas....."

When people say that the streets are icy, I say to myself "Seriously! Have you ever driven on a sheet of ice??? Back in Kansas....."

When we're in a restaurant, when I order iced tea, I am automatically given sweet tea. Well - Back in Kansas, you are given plain iced tea and you add sugar IF you want it.

It seems like nearly everything I do, I compare it to Kansas, with Kansas being the norm. With Kansas being "the right way". Interesting, because I'm sure anybody from any other state thinks the same thing about their area. I truly do know that just because I've done something the same way all my life doesn't necessarly make it correct. And I know that if some people can drive very well on snow packed roads, it doesn't make others wierd because they aren't used to it.

I know that I'll always have Kansas near and dear to me, no matter where I live. I am enjoying South Carolina very much and really am content with the location that I am in. But it will never be Kansas. There truly is - no place like home.

Christmas Notes

It's "that time of year" as we all say. It's the holiday season - it's December - it's CHRISTMAS! I have to tell you that this Christmas has been wonderful. I know that sometimes we say that it just doesn't seem like Christmas. Perhaps it "sneaks up on us" and we're just not prepared. Sometimes we are so busy with things that we just don't look forward to this time of year because there is so much to do. For me, this Christmas has been wonderful. I felt like I am mentally prepared for Christmas - in many more ways than one.

There are so many obvious things. I have been busy, like everyone else - and finding times to get the cards out and wrap gifts and decorate isn't always easy. But I've found myself really delighting in all of these things and looking forward to just sitting and enjoying the lights and the sounds.

There have been many years that I'm tired of listening to Christmas songs by December 15th. Not so this year. Each time I hear "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" it just makes me smile. I am so content in this season.

By now, the Christmas cards are out and of course everything is decorated. Cookies have been baked, presents bought and wrapped and plans for returning to Kansas are made. I'm giddy with excitement to say the least.

Last night I sat and watched some old Andy Williams Christmas shows. There was a fire in the fireplace (not really necessary in South Carolina, but we had one going none the less) and I had a cup of tea and a Christmas cookie. Was I content? You bet I was - beyond belief. Listening to him sing "I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas" just made me melt.

Do I miss the snow of Kansas? Yes I do. There are lots of things that I miss. I wish I could go with Braylon to visit Santa. I wish I could bake Christmas cookies with my daughters. But I am where I am and I am just as content as I could possibly be.

Now - with all the sights and tastes and sounds of Christmas aside - I have to say that I am the most content I have really ever been in remembering the birth of Jesus. I am content in this entire process being part of my celebration of His birth! I love the decorations and the smells and all of the trimmings that go along with the holiday. But I love most the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth - that God sent his only Son to be born in a humble stable. I am so excited to celebrate His birth - that indeed makes me giddy!

How blessed we are - how wonderful to be able to share this time of year with my friends and family - and to know that on this day......born in a stable.......the baby Jesus. For me.

Christmas blessings to each and every one.

Brothers and Sisters

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Last week, my Uncle Gene passed away. He was one of my Dad's brothers. In the past 1 1/2 years, three of the brothers have passed away.

This is a picture of the brothers and sisters - my dad is front and center with the suspenders on! Too cute!

This is a very close family - and the fact that the next time I go to the reunion in Estes Park there will be three less brothers is very sad for all of us.

This picture was taken in 2008 - and now Uncle Gene, top left, Uncle Bob, in wheelchair, and Uncle Bill (not present as he was very ill) are gone.

Family is so precious - and we are so blessed with this wonderful family. All of the cousins are very close and we will continue the family reunion tradition.




Here are the 1st cousins - the ones that were at the last reunion. I am very anxious for next May to come - so that we can gather again and talk - and remember - and "be closer" to those who have gone before us.

Introducing God - This is so good!

Things in my yard this September

By the calendar, it is fall. I do admit that the temperatures are dropping a bit - but I've not even remotely ever needed a jacket yet, little alone real shoes or long sleeves. All that said, the yard and surrounding area is beginning to show signs of fall.

This is my bird feeder - ready for the birds and also "ready" for the squirrels. They are huge culprits of food, as are the dear. This feeder is good because A. it is high enough off of the ground that deer can't reach it and B. it has a squirrel guard on it.



The plants in the yard are looking nice right now. Since it hasn't been quite as hot, they are having a chance to flourish. Also - we've had quite a bit of rain.







This is the humming bird feeder and the beautiful plant around it. I don't get many humming birds at this point. I do see one now and then, but we're new on the block and they apparently haven't found us yet. Maybe next year....



This is a random cactus in the front yard. I don't know why it's there - or why it's staying. Very random.



And speaking of rain, we have had quite a bit. Because of that, we have lots of mushrooms showing up in the grass.







This one isn't real - it's made out of concrete I believe. Kinda cute though, huh?

Patiently Waiting

This is just an update of sorts - to let you know that both Jay and I are waiting. Patiently. Sort of.

What are we waiting for? Job notification.

Jay is waiting on the Department of Energy to let them know about a contract. If the contract is approved, he will be working much closer to home. As it is now, he works in Augusta - which is nearly an hour's drive each way. We've been waiting for news of this contract since March.

I am waiting to see if I will be hired at the Community Medical Clinic. I have been volunteering there for a couple of months now - and really enjoy it. They have some hours available to hire me and my resume etc. has been presented to the board - and supposedly everyone is "on board" with hiring me - but the final decision hasn't been made yet. So I continue to volunteer.

So - here we are. Kind of in limbo - but both of us putting in our time. We're both content with what we're doing (though volunteering doesn't really bring in a paycheck, if you know what I mean). It will just be nice when both decisions are made and revealed to us.

So the foot tapping you hear...........its me. Being patient.

Fall

So, we've been in South Carolina now for 2 months but for the most part, it seems a lot longer. And now, it is fall - so I'm curious what fall is like in this area. Certainly already the mornings are much cooler. At the beginning of my walk, I almost need a jacket. I don't take one of course because my hands are already full of things: a tissue, my MP3 player and a little sack of dog biscuits. You absolutely HAVE to take dog biscuits with you if you intend to make friends. Almost everyone has a dog that they walk in the mornings - and you get to know their names (the dogs, that is) and if you offer them a biscuit, they are your friend for life. So now, as I meet them on the street, their tails start to wag and they approach you with those eyes that say "HEY LADY - WHERE'S THE DOG BISCUIT?" As a way of introduction then, you eventually meet their owners and develop new friendships. Some people, I actually only see on my morning walk - but a few I've met in other places around town as well.

OK - back to fall.

I haven't seen any leaves changing colors yet -but it is a little early. We still have the Farmers Market - but the summer concerts in the park are over. The Halloween decorations are out at various places (as are the Christmast decorations. Don't get me started.)

So all in all, fall seems to be "in the air" and I'm very excited to see the changes around here. I'll post some pictures when as visual aids when that time arrives.

For now though, I'm just enjoying the southern hospitality and new friendships.