Yucky Day

Granddaughter H has inflamed ribs. She has  a lot of pain but taking her meds and staying in bed. Grandson Q is home with a stomach bug. While everyone was outside building a snowman last night he was hugging the bathroom throne. He is feeling some better today. Baby E brother "J" spent the night with Megan's family last night. I had fun playing with him and hearing that adorable laugh. We had a few inches of snow last night but its raining now. Suppose to be more snow tonight and in the morning.... I hope so! The road will probably flood today as its been raining hard. Mixed with all the snow that melted from last week the road will be a mess. Thankfully I have no where I have to go and can just sit back in the tiny cabin and enjoy the weekend. Hope you are staying warm, dry and safe. Have a blessed weekend! Leaving you with a few photos from Christmas.

Happy Day After

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had a servere wind and rainstorm which left our road flooded. That was fine as I enjoyed watching the grands dig into Christmas at 5AM before going back to the cabin for a nap before lunch. Megan fixed a huge Christmas dinner at noon.Grandson read the Christmas story from the Bible and granddaughter said the blessing. Meal was wonderful and after cleaning up I headed back to cabin to watch movies and relax. Enjoyed a quiet afternoon till the road was  passable to Melody's to see the grands there. I had a very blessed Christmas thanks to family and friends. Rusty and Troubles even had gifts to open and are enjoying thanks to some very special friends. The snow is almost gone but the temps are staying cold so maybe we will get more soon. Stay warm and happy!

Merry Christmas

A house to clean, a few errands to run, a few presents to wrap, a Christmas gathering to drop the grands off for, pick up Melody from work and then Rusty and I will be settled down with Christmas movies and a good book. That will be my Wednesday. The snow melted alot today and the snow that was predicted for Christmas has been changed to sleet and freezing rain. Am hoping there are lots more snow storms coming my way this winter. As it gets closer to Christmas I hope all the hustle and bustle has settled down for everyone. I wish a stress free, happy, loving, laughing, peaceful Christmas each of you. May your Christmas wishes come true and may we all remember the reason for the season and say a thank you for that special blessing. Merry Christmas blog friends and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Catch Up

We still have snow and I am still loving it. Some of it melts during the day and that turns to ice each night making for rough mornings if you need to go anywhere. There are still people without power in western NC. We are some of the fortunate ones. I am at Melody's and camera is at cabin so no photos of snow or packages yet.
I received a package full of yarn, material, set of bed sheets, a absolutely adorable primitive santa that fits perfectly in the cabin, a beautiful devotinal book and other wonderful goodies that warmed my heart from Connie. She doesn't have a blog but has been a wonderful internet friend through my blog and emails. Thank you so much Connie and Rusty is loving his teddy bear!
Kelly and Alex surprised me with a huge package of beautifully wrapped gifts. They said Santa left them but I know these ladies. They are very very busy with their farm plus working nights at the hospital and it touched my heart they took time to think of me, Rusty and Troubles. They have a beautiful farm in Maine. Click on their names and check out their blog. I have had the pleasure of meeting Alex. She stopped by Hidden Haven last year and we had a wonderful visit. Thank you again ladies for your friendship, your words of encouragement, and the gifts sitting under the cabin Christmas tree. I can't wait to post pictures of the book Pea sent in the book swap. Its a beautiful story of The Nutcracker but the graphics of the book will take your breath away. The grands pick it up off the coffee table everytime they visit and drool over the pages. I love it Sis! Thank you Marci, Kelly &Alex, Sheri, Connie, and Mary for the beautiful Christmas cards. Your sweet notes brought tears to my eyes. They are hanging across a shelf with 2 vintage stockings. I have a picture of that too I will post. I am very blessed to have such sweet, kind, loving friends.
Baby E is very at home at Melody's. She is spoiled of course but we all love holding and talking to her. We love making her smile and laugh. She is getting to stay with them more which is making everyone happy. Grandson Q went deer hunting and shot his first deer. His dad says his hands were shaking so hard he don't know how he hit the deer and they were still shaking 30 minutes later from the excitement of getting his first deer. There are pictures of that too. I will be posting photos for a week when I finally get to download them.
Rusty is doing better about going outside for potty breaks but will not go for a walk or stay outside. He is not a snow or winter dog thats for sure. He looks so funny trying to walk and keep his feet off the cold, wet ground at the same time. Troubles is always in trouble but loves the snow and will actually go outside and just lay in it. I spend a lot of time picking up things he knocks off tables, shelves, etc as he goes exploring. I still fight for a space in bed between Troubles and Rusty. They seem to think they should have first choice and I should find a spot that doesn't distrub them. This season has its ups and downs but when I take time to remember the true reason of the season and how blessed I really am its actually a very wonderful one. Have a blessed, happy Christmas and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Spell check isn't working so forgive mistakes

Still No Computer

But still enjoying the snow. Came over to Mel's to bring grands home. We have had a awesome time in the snow. Rusty does not like it at all! He doesn't want to get his feet cold or wet. I carry him to a spot I fixed with no snow so he can do his business and he is ready to go back inside. I am outside as much as possible. I love it! More snow predicted tonight so tomorrow will be a fun day.
I have so many thank yous and photos to show and hope I am back on my computer soon. I am so very blessed. You guys have helped me stop being so depressed and  see how very blessed I am this Christmas season. Thank you until I can get back with real thank yous and show some photos of some of my blessings.

Count Your Blessings Monday

Time for Marci's Count Your Blessing Monday. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and daughters. They made my at first depressing weekend wonderful.

Dianne (a lady I clean for) called yesterday trying to find someone to take her 2 tickets to see The Nut Cracker. She was ill and really wanted to see the tickets used. At first I tried to help her find someone to take them as I was helping Melody with Christmas decorations and plans. After several phone calls and no luck finding anyone able to go Melody's husband told Melody and I to take the tickets and enjoy some time together. We did and we had a awesome time! The Charleston Ballet Company did a fantastic job and the scenery was breathtaking. I am so glad I went and very happy to have a chance to spend some one on one time with a daughter.
Friday night Megan's family and I went to the winter wonderland displays downtown. I remembered my camera but forgot the memory card! Never fear though they are doing it again this Friday and I will make sure to get photos. The store windows had people dressed old fashioned doing things of the past. There was a boot cobbler, basket weaver, spinner, tatter, etc. I loved each window! The streets had old fashioned carolers going up and down. There were old fashioned carriage rides. Each shop had hot cider or cocoa with cookies, candies and snacks, We practically ate our way up and down the streets. You could have free photos with Santa and his wife, with the Grinch and elves. It was truly a walk in winter wonderland and back in time. We only got a few flurries though one town over got 2 inches of snow. Even without snow it was a nice weekend thanks to friends and family.

Tis The Season

Sandy had a good quote on her facebook this morning:

WHEN YOU ARE DOWN TO NOTHING

GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING

This is the time of year when depression sets in for lots of us. One thing we all have in common is that we suffer from emotional pain from time to time. As we are humans there is no escape from this. However, I have always been a strong believer that it's not what happens to us that shapes our life but, how we respond to what happens. Some of the greatest wisdom we can get in life comes as a side effect of our worst nightmares. Heartache can bring us a appreciation for what has been lost. Remembering what we had in the past gives us a greater appreciation of having been able to have or experience those things in our life. So if we find ourselves in the midst of emotional catastrophes, we can't just sit here and experience the pain. We need to learn from it and use it to make us a better person. I know I am going to try my best to count my blessings and not dwell on the past and what ifs. It's the Christmas season. A time to rejoice.

Tree Lighting and Caroling (part 2)

A few minutes before 7 we walked over to the town square for hot cider and cookies while we waited for the count down. There were lots of big Christmas trees all over town but the main one was waiting for its lights to shine.At exactly 7PM everyone started counting down and the town tree started shining its lights for all to seeAfter the tree lighting everyone walked across the street to the Macon County Courthouse. Our town still celebrates the real reason of Christmas and has a huge manger display by the courthouse door.We were given a candle and Christmas carols we would be singingFirst we had a prayer then we all sang Oh Come All Ye Faithful. We had another prayer and were told the story of how the town received the manger scene. We sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing. The story of Christ's birth was read then it was time to light the candles one by one.-The night ended with everyone singing Silent Night while lighting their candles from their neighbor.

Everyone was filled with love and good cheer as we all walked back to our cars singing We wish you a Merry Christmas. I just love my little town and look forward to next Friday's winter wonderland display. Tomorrow is the town Christmas Parade. I will be sure and take pictures to share. Have a blessed day!

The Day After

Had a nice Thanksgiving. Ate too much, enjoyed the family, took a few pictures I will post later. Saw a few snowflakes but now nothing. Its cold and I love it! Going with Megan's family tonight to Town Square for tree lighting and community Christmas caroling. All of downtown shops have their window displays decorated in winter wonderland theme and are staying open late. They have old fashioned carolers singing up and down the street. After the tree lighting there is free hot cider and cookies. I think it will be a fun family adventure and will take my camera along so I can share with you. Have a great day after and enjoy those blessings!