Christmas yet to come.

 Hi Friends!  

We had such a nice weekend!  Patrick Jr. came for a visit!  We have exciting news about Patrick and his family, they are moving to Omaha!!!  Everything has fallen into place beautifully!  The job, the house, the timing...just perfect.  Wouldn't it be nice to know that and really believe it as you are approaching a big life change???  I know God tells us that he is working it out for the good ....  but gosh, we humans are such doubting Thomas'.

Okay.  So yeah.  I forgot about our clothes.  haha.....

But I got the photos!!!

*****

Do you remember when you were young and you would ask your father what he wanted for Christmas?

And he was always say, for us to be good or not to fight?

Plus there was the fact that when he wanted something he would just buy it for himself.

Well.  We are there now.  At a certain point. We have all the stuff we need.  Except for Cornishware. 

( I actually have a box stuck in Memphis, for some odd reason. It's been there since Dec. 2)

In fact, do you want some stuff.  Come on over.  You can have some of mine.  I've run out of room.  

During covid I have been stocking up, but the cabinets are full so I call putting the bags of paper towels, toilet paper and groceries under my piano my overflow area.  

Too much stuff

Too much stuff

More than enough

More than enough.

(three blind mice)

Thank you Elisabeth Elliot.  

I caught Katie singing this yesterday as we unloaded the groceries!!!

Emma and James and girls are coming to town tomorrow and so are Matthew and Melinda and boys!  

We are so happy to be together this year.  

Katie will be twenty-one on the 24th and she asked her sibs to come and celebrate with her and it worked out just great for everyone!!!

I will try to cook delicious and easy meals.  

We will make Patrick's cookies.

Hope there will be some sledding and maybe a little bowling.

And I'm sure the guys will find a football game to watch.

I have saved watching White Christmas so we can watch it together!

I'm counting my blessings.

Oh my gosh!  Tiny hat with big pompom!!!

Thank you mom!

Yes, I have a full size FP barn.  It moos.  

This ornament is the cutest.

A shiny bean to remind me of our fun visits to Chicago at Christmastime.

This little gal is on my card this year!  

Such a pretty ornament!  Thank you Nancy!

Little Matthew made this CUTE Rudolph!

Grade One!

Sending love to you dear ones.

I feel at peace and that's a good feeling to have in my heart.

Merry Christmas and love to all,

Donna Elsie

Dear Baby Jesus.

"It

I have always loved the Mary and baby Jesus Christmas songs.

These two are my favorites from Amy Grant and the Judds.

You don't hear these as often as other popular songs.

Enjoy these beauties.

Encourage one another,

Donna

kiss goodnight

 I got my Covid results just before dinner last night and I was Negative!  

My husband has never been so relieved.  So very relieved!!!

Let the kissing commence!

Encourage one another,

Donna

Hugging

 

I didn't realize the impact of hugging until a few weeks ago.  

Because of Covid my husband and I forgo our little kisses hello and goodnight.  I don't like it but I know Patrick is very cautious about germs.  He has kept a little bottle of Purell in his pocket for years.  I, personally, am a hand washer.  But I hear from him when someone comes to work with a cold.  It drives him nuts. 

So because of Covid, we cancelled our anniversary trip/wedding for niece Sarah in Phoenix.

But then my sister Nancy's daughter died and I wanted to be with everyone for the funeral in  Phoenix.  I put away my fears of flying during covid and being with large groups.  I wore a mask and social distanced as much as possible.  Washed my hands a lot and did not hug and kiss.

The waving hello was awkward and felt terrible.  It felt rude.  It felt selfish.

So I started hugging a little bit....I just needed to.  I felt so much emotion with this physical touch.  I was connected.  Instead of feeling fearful and building a wall,  I felt love and care.  

I am thankful that I have been raised with lots of hugging and kissing.  

Imagine growing up without it...what kind of person one would be if they had grown up without kind gentle physical touch.  That's pretty tragic. 

 

                *******

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Katie was at our house and baked a Graham Cracker cake to take to her boyfriend's house.

On Friday night she came down with Covid.  She has a mild case so far.  But of course she unknowingly exposed me.    Patrick and I both went to get tested and Patrick got a negative result already but I have not gotten my results yet.  I feel fine and do not think I have it.  I'll let you know when I hear about my test.

I have been taking lots of vitamins and have ordered Hydrocloraquine and Zinc from Americas Frontline Doctors to have on hand.  From what I have been told, one does not get any treatment from the doctor.  Just told to quarantine.  You are told to come in when you can't breathe.  I'd like to stop it before that if it is possible.  

I will also let you know my experience with the HCQ and zinc.

Like I said I do not have symptoms so think I am covid free.  But I'll let you know.

Happy December friends! 

Sending hugs and prayers!

Encourage one another,

Donna Elsie