The hustle and bustle of this season seems to be draining my gray matter. Several times, I’ve even forgotten what day it is. A woman in her late 80s was complaining about her memory the other day, yet she knew the exact date and I didn’t!
I need to get real and go over my gift list. Fortunately, it isn’t very long. I don’t send out many Christmas cards, other than to the sales force at David C. Cook, my publishing house. But then I think, am I forgetting someone? I have a girlfriend in California I’ve known since high school; I addressed the cutest card with a fluffy kitty on it, because she loves her cat so much. Which leaves my cousins and aunts … I just called my 93-year-old aunt (not my 98-year-old aunt) which I’ve been meaning to do but kept forgetting. Writing this post reminded me!
I do not want to make light of serious forgetfulness, like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia related conditions. Several people in my life suffer from this so I am used to being with my beloved friends who have lost much of their memory. And their spouses, who live with stress and disappointment.
On a lighter note, I did find a lost item recently. I should be too embarrassed to admit it, because I have absolutely no idea how a small wallet ended up in a drawer of our couch’s side table. I’d like to think one of our grandkids spotted it on the floor and put it there, because I have absolutely no recollection. And I’d searched the house thoroughly for six months. Except that one drawer, apparently.
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| A festive front door |
I notice our neighbors have twinkling lights outside, festive wreathes, and decorated trees. This weekend we hope our grandkids will bring their parents over to help us trim our tree, but first we need to erect it! And carry our decorations upstairs. And hide the unopened boxes filled with presents purchased online that clutter the front hall. And gather snacks for them to eat! My husband and I decided that if our grandkids didn’t come over we wouldn’t bother to trim the tree. Does that make us into a couple of Scrooges? We have both been so busy, but at least I’ve amassed a collection of presents, still in their boxes. Not many stocking stuffers yet.
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| Don’t know what’s inside these boxes I ordered! |
How are you doing? Enjoying the season? Taking time to contemplate the meaning and purpose of Christmas? Rushing around amid frantic shoppers trying to second-guess what recipients want? Leave a comment below and enter to win a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. If you already own them, either would make a great gift! To enter please leave an email address. Winner has one week to respond. USA & Canada!
Congratulations to Karen C, winner of the charming “three sisters” towel and a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. Thank you, everyone who entered and for your many comments that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Doing okay.angelachesnut246@gmail.com
Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
We are only ahead in the deco dept. because I knew we only had a week at home, before heading out for another 3 week assignment (I follow my husband around for his work), so we put up one of our fake trees in the front window and a few wreaths and garlands. Then, because I knew I would be in this hotel for the 3 weeks prior to Christmas, we purchased a new mini-tree & some lights and decorations to add a little Christmas spirit to our room. I’m now excited to be going home on Wed.–a few days earlier than expected! It will be nice to have most of a month at home, before we start this crazy travel schedule once again–sure glad we have a family member who can stay and keep our home occupied while we are gone so much.
I would love to win one of your books–another book to read on my travels is always a great thing!
Vicki
vmarney at hot mail
Aren’t you clever, Vicki? And organize! Thanks for your comment and good luck in the contest!
I would love to win. Hope you have a merry Christmas.
I hope you have a very merry Christmas too, Emily! To enter the contest please leave an email address or contact info.
Stress can cause memory loss. I keep telling myself this as I struggle to remember all the things I need to do. I pray for grace from friends and family. May you have a blessed Christmas, Kate.
On our morning walk I couldn’t recall the name of two shrubs we passed. Until an hour later. Thanks to you, Judy, I’ll blame my memory lapse on stress! May you and your family also have a blessed Christmas.
I guess I am doing ok.I woke to another day.As far as Christmas shopping,I haven’t went and probably won’t.Decorations are still in the box and I just don’t have any energy to get started.I hope everyone that reads this has a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Thank you, Jackie, for spreading glad tidings! I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous new year! One convenient thing about not putting decorations out is you don’t have to put them away.
Most of the shopping is done, except for food. But no decorations are up. Hopefully will get that done in the next day or so. I just read my first Kate Lloyd book, Leaving Lancaster and it won’t be the last. Really enjoyed it and would like to win one. Thanks and God Bless. Have a Blessed Merry Christmas.
I’m delighted you enjoyed Leaving Lancaster, Phyllis! To enter the book giveaway please leave an email address or contact info. May you have a blessed and merry Christmas!
We finally got outdoor decorations an I found my outdoor wreaths yesterday. Got all I can get decorated. Will hope and pray my back will heal and next year I can decorate a bit more outside. Oops! I still have a few nativity sets I need to place about! Merry Christmas and a Gods Blessings to you and yours.
Thank you for writing! Sorry your back is bothering you. No fun and I can imagine it is slowing you down. I just found our outdoor wreathes today, where I left them last year, and put them up. Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas!
I am doing ok. I really am trying to keep to a small Christmas and take time to enjoy it. As I get older I find the gifts are really secondary I want to see and enjoy my family not worry if I got them the right gift. And with the economy what it is I don’t want them to stress over gifts either. I personally want to take the time to put Christ first.
I would like Pennsylvania Patchwork if I would win
Thank you
Merry Christmas!
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
You sound like you have your priorities in the right order, Jackie! Thanks for writing and entering the contes.. Good luck!
Tree and decorations are done. Wrapping almost done. Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas program at our church last night! But still have to bake cookies and make fudge. All in all- I’m doing good! Thanks for the chance to win one of your books! Merry Christmas!
rcourts@twc.com
Thanks so much for entering the contest, Tammy, and for making my mouth water thinking about those cookies and fudge! Good luck!
Just put my tree up. Can’t seem to find the spirit this year. would love to win. impicbb@juno.com thanks valerie monschien laux
You may certainly enter to win a book without any of the spirit! I think getting your tree up is quite an accomplishment! Thanks for writing!
I have had a carefully structured plan to get me to the Christmas finish line on time. I set goals and, so far, have accomplished them. Decorating one weekend. Shopping another weekend. Wrapping last weekend. This weekend is baking. I work full time in retail, so I am out amongst the chaos all the time. It is fun most of the time and I really enjoy it, but working full time requires me to make sure I get the other things that need done squeezed into the little bit of time that I am not at work.
Karen C.
sweetnessnlight@comcast.net
You are organized, Karen! Wow, you’re a busy lady. Thanks for entering the contest
Hi Kate, still enjoying your blogs. I too, sometimes get overwhelmed with it all. It would fun to be able to relax and enjoy everything, but there is definitely that busy-ness with the season, no matter how much we would like to not have that. But I love it, regardless and look forward to Christmas each and every year. I have read Leaving Lancaster and know that Pennsylvania Patchwork would be every bit as good. Thanks for the chance to try!
I also enjoy Christmas, in spite of the hustle and bustle and the feeling that I’ve forgotten something. I’d love you to read Pennsylvania Patchwork, Sonja. Good luck!
wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2014
Why, thank you very much! Merry Christmas to you and yours and a happy new year!
I’m ordering on
Amazon for gifts; gift cards; and some gifts to sponsor charities (Christmas ornaments and lotions) Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you! I must say I have never used online shopping more than this year, but purchased one item locally, to support a local business. It’s hard to resist Amazon with its low prices and free delivery … Your idea to sponsor charities is an excellent one.
I would love to win the Tea Towel from Lancaster. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for visiting my blog, Esta Mae!