Hypothetically Speaking . . .

If you received a Christmas card that was funny more than serious, and maybe had a photo like the one below, would you be amused? What if the card also had a funny letter that went along with it? Would people get it? I mean, it's obvious that someone went to Goodwill and spent $13 getting funny Christmas clothes to make fun of bad Christmas cards, right? 


Just wondering. Somehow sending out my Christmas cards has become a bit awkward this year.

Freelance

I got myself a little job. I say little because it doesn't pay well and might be over at the end of the month. It may be a little job, but I've had a lot of fun doing it. Actually, I could say this job was an answer to a prayer I didn't even know I was praying. A little bonus blessing just in time for Christmas.

So, what is this big/little job? I've been doing some freelance writing for a new values-based family website that is about to launch.  The beta version is available now. It is called FamilyShare. I've written ten articles so far, and I'm going to do about five more.  If they get a new budget and need more content, I think I can do some more writing next year.

Most of you know I was an English major in college, and then an English teacher, but it's been quite a while since I've written more than this blog.  I have three articles up on the website now, with several more just awaiting some editing and graphics work. Speaking of editing, one editor has added some commas where I wouldn't, and taken some away where I didn't.  So if you see a funky sentence, assume that wasn't my original intention.  I'm not sure what to do about fixing it!

Here are some links for you to see what I've been doing, if you'd like!

5 Health food basics

Family game night

Making exercise fun

Making some lists

Here's a list of my lists:

1. Various menus and ingredients
2. Gifts left to buy (This one is getting shorter and shorter!)
3. Christmas card recipients
4. Housecleaning tasks (Not much getting crossed off here.)
5. Articles to write (for my short-term writing gig)
6. Calorie counts (Dieting in December is brutal.)
7. Crafting projects to finish (or start)
8. Ways to be nice (aka service projects)
9. Teacher gifts and goodies
10. Neighbor gifts and goodies
11.  Gifts to wrap (all of them)

It's been fun to sing Christmas songs to the girls (Kara and Kate) before bed.  They often ask for Santa Claus is Coming to Town, so the lyrics are stuck in my head.  I do feel like Santa Claus this week, making lists and checking them twice, trying to decide what stays and what can go this holiday season.  I'm getting a lot done, but not enough done, but I've decided not to sweat it.  If you get our Christmas card on December 28th, I apologize.  You see, I'm trying to have a holly jolly Christmas, and so far it's working!  I'm also trying to avoid making things like truffles and fudge as long as possible, but the fudge is calling me.  It's like a siren song. 


How's your holiday planning coming along? 

Thankfulness

I had a very nice Thanksgiving.  The day itself was great, and the week leading up to it I spent a lot of time pondering the many things I have to be thankful for.  I've often said that my life is so blessed I really should never complain about anything.  My problems are small compared to so many others.  As our world becomes smaller (not literally), and our culture more global, I am more aware of how much I have, and how much others struggle.  I am so thankful for the basic necessities of life.  For water, electricity, a roof over my head, ample food, clothing, and all the "stuff" I need.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the amount of choices I have.  It might be nice to have less.  So this Thanksgiving, the dialogue in my head (because I am always thinking and talking to myself) went like this:

I am thankful that my dilemma is what to make for dinner out of many choices, not how to find food to put on my table.

I am thankful that I can lock my doors and feel safe at night.

I am thankful for a husband who loves and respects me.

I am thankful that although my oven doesn't work perfectly, I have an oven and a kitchen inside my house where I can prepare meals.

I am thankful that although my back sometimes still hurts, I have access to good health care and a bed to sleep on at night.  I don't have to do back-breaking work all day to survive.

I am thankful for the water that flows abundantly from my tap, and from the sky in winter in Oregon.

I am thankful that I have shoes for my feet, and for my children's feet, even though Kate refuses to wear shoes most of the time.

I am thankful that Kyle has a great education and a great job.  I know I can have one again someday too.  We have suffered just a little during the recession, with no raises at work and the value of our house dropping. So many more people have been jobless for long periods of time and have lost their homes.

I am thankful that my children can ride a school bus to school every day and get a decent education.  They don't have to worry about war in their neighborhood, factions that don't believe girls should be educated, etc.

Here are some snaps from our Thanksgiving Day.  My sister Shauna and her family moved less than a week after Thanksgiving, so we really enjoyed our time with them.  Jillian helped me decorate.  I was so pleased with the way things turned out.  It was good to take the time to celebrate.

 Jillian should learn not to take photos like this and leave them on the camera. 

 Our pretty table

 The bird!  It turned out juicy and delicious.  Best we've had in several years.

 Jillian models our turkey headbands.  Always a favorite!

 Our fam.  Kate currently hates photos.

 Makin' gravy.  Mmm, it was good!

 Shauna and Jonas.  Jonas should also learn not to take silly photos.  

 Me and my main squeeze Seth.  I'm going to miss this little guy!

Hayden and Jillian (who ran their first 5K race on Thanksgiving morning!) fight over the wishbone.

And I'm thankful for anyone who is still reading this blog!


- Amy