Christmas traditions

I am sitting up in bed on a very wet (almost stormy) but very muggy Saturday morning. Window open and curtains blowing, kittens running everywhere, and Mingus on the floor at the side of the bed.
An on-line conversation with a cousin last night prompted me to think about Christmases past and the things which we did as a family that have been passed on through the generations. Even though we are cousins, we didnt really know each other as children - we certainly never spent a Christmas together that I am aware of - but she had similar traditions to me and has continued them as well.
I recall the Christmases of my childhood. The long hot heady days leading up to the 25th when me and my three brothers seemed to enjoy each other more than usual and peace and tranquility broke out in the home. Not that we fought very often - I don't recall more than one or two skirmishes as children - but Christmas seemed to bring a special flavour. We would spend days cutting out old Christmas cards and recycling them into new ones to give to friends at school. A bit of glue, a bit of glitter and hey presto, we would create masterpieces. That smell of glue remains for me as part of the "Christmas smell".
We didnt have a Christmas tree until I was about 10. Until then, we always made our own decorations using crepe paper, lots of balloons and old Christmas cards and wrapping paper.
Another memory is picking and shelling peas on Christmas Eve. We did this every year - probably ate more than we shelled but there was still plenty to go round and it kept us occupied for some time. Mum must have been driven mad by us on Dec 24 - it was the only night of the year that we wanted to go to bed early but of course with excitement and expectation we could never go to sleep. It was always too hot and we would toss and turn for hours.
We put pillow cases at the end of our beds and eventually we must have gone to sleep because they were always full in the morning and we never heard or saw Santa come. Mum laughingly tells me that one Christmas we woke up less than an hour after Santa called and she had to be the Christmas grinch so that she could get some sleep.
Every year, we got a new towel, and an orange (in those days, oranges were a real treat). There were also the usual clickers, whistles, etc as well as the one special thing we had asked Santa to bring. Early in December we would write our letters to Santa and Mum would offer to post them. We didnt always get everything we asked for but we always got at least one thing. One year I got a yellow silk handkerchief which, although I quite liked it, I found a bit odd. I still believed in Santa at that stage and I can remember saying to Mum, "I wonder why Santa gave me this?" Her reply "Didn't you ask for it?" I had asked but had no idea why - I was probably just making a list!
In those early days, we opened presents as soon as we woke up and I don't really recall what we did for the rest of the day. But as we got older, family time together became stronger and more important.
I will continue this in another post later today .....

Why Jesus is better than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,what's your name?" ... JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ... JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ... JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ... JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.
Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

Christmas Newsletter 2009

Once again its that time of year when we all express surprise at how fast its all gone ….. one day I will find something original to start my Christmas newsletter but it wont be this time round …. I just don’t have the imagination tonight.

It’s been a year of change for me. I started 2009 unemployed and not sure what the future would bring job-wise. I enjoyed the lovely long summer pottering around home – both gardening and quilting with 10 hours a week working at Community House. That was a lifestyle I would have loved to continue but unfortunately it doesn’t pay the bills. However, it did make me realise that I really would prefer not to work full time any more.

Mid March I started working full time as Programme Administrator to the School of Design at Whanganui UCOL … sigh, 40 hours a week! I found it hard being tied to the job for those set hours after years of relative freedom and flexibility. I had to give up the Community House work which saddened me as I really enjoyed the work environment, the people and the work itself.

Six weeks later I learned that the Wanganui Labour office was going to re-open for 20 hours a week but with nothing definite on offer I had to just sit and wait patiently. My patience paid off and in June I started back in my old office working for the Labour Whips and two Labour MPs. I was also fortunate that Community House had not filled the vacancy when I left, so I trotted back there as well.

So, now I work 30 hours a week, Mon – Thurs and love it. Having a three day weekend is highly recommended J

It’s amazing how you make your budget fit your income….. I changed my spending habits and have learned how to make my pay last the whole fortnight. I wish I had learned these 12 years ago when I started having to live on one wage … my savings would have been worthwhile by now. Oh well, it’s true – it’s never too late to learn.

On the home front, I lost two very dear companions within 6 weeks of each other. Frstly my bichon Muffin (12 years) died very suddenly at Queen’s Birthday weekend followed soon after by my 18 year old cat, Skye. That left Mingus who really did miss his friends as they were already here when he first arrived. He had never been an only animal. Two weeks ago, two little kittens – Mr Norris and Missy Molly – arrived. They are now 9 week old bundles of fluff and mischief. Mr Norris is a lovely ginger orange and Missy Molly is various shades of grey. Both are affectionate and want to be wherever the people are. The kittens and Mingus have started playing together which is very pleasing.

Grown up children and grandchildren continue to be my greatest delights …. Having so many so close is such a blessing. My 14^th grandchild is due in May next year – just as exciting as when the first one was on her way. This little one is Hannah’s third child – another boy which she is very happy about. We also have a wedding to look forward to - Alice-May is marrying George in February so that will also be a special occasion.

Mum and Dad continue to do well at 89 and 86 respectively. Mum had a hip replacement earlier this year and has continued all her activities, including gardening, sewing, craft club and driving various friends from place to place. She is amazing. Dad has slowed down and seems content just to stay at home.

I am loving my garden and gradually getting it as I want it – a mixture of flowers, fruit and veges. When not in the garden, I could be in my sewing room working on a quilt. I always have at least one on the go – at the moment there are four in various stages of completion and I have promised myself not to start another until these are finished.

It’s the family “off year” for Christmas this year so it will be a very quiet one. Only Hannah, Ari and Cyrus will be around on the day itself so we will do something a bit different to celebrate. My brothers and their families are going to spend the day with Mum and Dad so we may end up there too.

I hope that you have a very happy Christmas and that 2010 brings fulfillment and happiness. I love to hear from you all and catch up with what is going on in your lives.

God bless

Green Fingers

In recent years I have really started to appreciate flowers. Always happy to receive them, I have now started growing them. There is something special about being able to give flowers to another person - for whatever reason needed. This gladioli is one of about 12 growing in my garden this year. Its the only one ready for picking. The colour is a glorious red as seen in the photo. Two others have shown their colours - one is lavendar and the other is a varigated yellow/gold. Not ready for picking yet but hopefully they will be by the weekend. Also growing this year are dahlias - all colours - carnations, miniature roses, sweet peas and two other flowers with latin names. All lovely for picking.
In more practical terms, I also have veges growing. This year I have tomatoes as usual, courgettes, spring onions, cabbage (or broccoli), celery and capsicum - oh and an egg plant. I have never grown an egg plant before but since I have discovered how to cook them, I now want to grow them. Yum. On the fruit side, I have strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, tamarillos, pepinos and passionfruit growing. I love fruit that is different and that the grandchildren will also enjoy.
Kittens have come to check out what I am doing as per usual and are making typing very difficult. (Tell me something new LOL)
More later ...

Saturday mornings

What is it about Saturday mornings, breakfast in bed and books? As long as I can remember I have loved being able to take my breakfast back to bed and spend an hour or so just reading and enjoying the "sleep in".... no sleeping ever happens though :). I usually wake at my normal time but instead of having to wake up properly and focus on getting ready for the day, I can just relax and take my time. Sheer bliss. Back in bed, I pull the curtains so I can see the world as it passes my house, pile the pillows up behind me and disappear into a book - usually a biography. Today I am also indulging in some computer time and being distracted from to time by two bouncy kittens. Mr Norris gave me a fright at one stage as he climbed up from the foot of the bed, took a wrong turning and ended up under the covers attacking my toes. Then he got lost and I had to rescue him.

As I write I am listening to Christmas songs ... old time favourites sung by a variety of artists including of course Bing Crosby and Dean Martin.

Am off to the markets this morning with a friend so I have to get up now. More later

Disaster averted

There is nothing worse than a blocked toilet - especially over a weekend. So when I noticed last night that the bowl was filling up to the top and taking ages to empty after flushing I did what most Kiwis would do - lots of plunging! Usually that works but not this time ... so instead of my usual Friday morning sleep in, I was up before 8am ringing plumbers. Thankfully I found one very quickly and now (at 8.57am) he has now been and gone and everything is working as it should be. Disaster averted. I was hoping I wouldn't have to knock on neighbour's doors when natured called :)

Last week I had to get my brakes repaired - something to do with feet (or was that shoes or heels?). That cost a lot of money! The mechanic said something about steel on steel so I had better pay a bit more attention to those strange car noises you hear from time to time. LOL

They say things come in threes but I am going to break that cycle. No more please.

I want to do a bit more Christmas shopping today. I am mostly organised but there are a few things still to do. All the grandchildren are finished and I have even started wrapping - what a nice feeling. Most of the gifts will be opened before Christmas as this is my "off" year when everyone goes to the in-laws for the celebrations. It will just be me, Hannah, Ari and Cyrus here this year. We will do something special.

Well, up early so may as well do something useful. More later...

Two little kittens were playing happily by themselves until I sat down with computer on my knee ... now they are trying to play tag on my lap. Sigh ..... (I love it really). But this is the reason this blog has got off to such a slow start as its hard to concentrate under such circumstances. It's taken a week but Mingus has started to play with the kittens. He bounces at them and they bounce back. Yesterday one was playing with his tail while the other was patting at his ears. I will try and capture another such moment and post it for all to enjoy.

My mind has gone blank but if I just keep rambling on, something interesting might make its way via the keyboard to the screen.

Received a lovely surprise today from a very dear friend. She remembered I love Christmas and all that goes with it, and sent me some lovely glass decorations for the tree. Beautiful. Thank you Kay. Even though I dont have a tree up this year, I will find somewhere to display them. I really love glass and wish I had more room to display it at home. I have had to put some of my glass collection away while the kittens are so silly but if I had a choice, I would have twice as much out in my living area.

One day I want to turn a spare bedroom into a treasure room - displaying all the things I love but can't put out in the living area because of space restrictions. It will be like a little treasure trove and somewhere I can sit and just enjoy all the special bits and pieces. Many of these have been gifts from loved friends and family.

It's raining again - I am more than ready for some summer! What has happened to the lazy hazy days of summer we used to know when I was just a kid. I remember going swimming from Labour Weekend onwards.

Will have to stop typing for now ... Mister Norris has fallen asleep on my right arm with his head snuggled under my chin. Missy Molly is on my knee. More later