Weekly Review December 5 '09

There's still something messed up with my computer--I still can't move photographs around. Last week I got a virus; Frank was able to get rid of it, but he had to reset my computer and ever since a bunch of things haven't been working the way they used to. So, until he figures out what's going on, I guess all my photos will be at the beginning of my posts.

The stockings are hung!

First snowfall of the year--we got about 1 1/2 inches.

Welcoming wreath

Mistletoe--Frank & I tested it out. It works!

Christmas knick knacks--nearly everything on the shelf was given to us!

Earlier today, when the snow first started to stick.

Snow just starting to come down.

This Sunday was kind of crazy, as they usually are. Frank was still feeling terrible, so he stayed home from church. I had a busy sharing time that day, but it all turned out great. I picked gratitude for the topic, and focused on being grateful for our teachers. I had purchased plain white plates at the dollar store—one for each teacher—and we had the kids sign their names around the edges of the plates with some special pens. (Once they dry, you bake the plates and it makes the writing permanent.) There were a lot of plates to do (22) because I also got plates for the pianist and music leader, as well as for several teachers who were just recently released. We managed to get it all done, though, and the plates look really cute. I asked a member of our ward who is artistic and has beautiful handwriting to write “Thank You for Feeding Our Souls” in the middle of each plate. We are going to make treats to put on the plates and give them to all the teachers next Sunday.

This week has not been quite as busy as some, although I can’t say I found myself at a loss of things to do! There’s just not a lot to write about. On Tuesday I locked Seth and I out of the house—Frank had to come rescue us! Luckily, we were able to sit in the car while we waited for him because it was really pretty chilly that day. He had gone to work at 4:00 am and he had to go back after he let us into the house, so it was a long day for him. Wednesday evening I had a Primary presidency meeting while the boys were at scouts and on Thursday I took Scott to the orthodontist and interviewed one of the Primary girls who just turned twelve. That’s about it! I’ve been busy with other Primary stuff and the usual household chores. I’ve also been trying to finish the book for book chat. It’s called Gilead, and I’m really enjoying it, but I haven’t had a lot of free moments to read.

Seth has not been feeling his best this week which means he hasn’t always slept very well. He’s had a bit of a runny nose, has felt warm, and has been a lot crabbier than usual. It could be worse, though—I’m grateful it’s not! I’m also grateful that Frank started feeling better on Monday so he’s been able to work all week.

Today it is snowing!! Whenever I’ve heard the song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” this last week, I’ve said “No it’s not.” But now it is! It started out as “slushy rain” before we woke up this morning, but by 9:00 it had turned to snow. Now it’s about 2:30, and we have an inch or two and it’s still coming down hard. I am not a huge fan of snow, as you all know, but I have to admit it’s pretty. Everyone else is THRILLED to get snow, especially the boys who are hoping they’ll get out of school on Monday (I doubt it)!

With the snow coming down outside, it’s been the perfect day to get out the boxes and start putting up all the Christmas decorations. We may even manage to get the tree up before the day is over. We also drew names this morning for our “secret service” which we do for each other during the month of December. This is a tradition we started a couple of years ago and it has become a favorite. The idea is to try to do small acts of service for and to be especially nice to the person whose name you draw. We also give each person a few dollars to buy a few treats for their person, so we made a trip to the store to pick out treats. The kids get a kick out of smuggling treats onto each other’s pillows or into stockings. We decided to do something different this year instead of our usual “Twelve Days of Christmas” secret service. Because there are many people in our ward in need (but we’re not sure who all of them are) we asked the kids if it would be ok with them if we used the money we normally would spend on 12 Days of Christmas gifts and donate it to our ward’s Christmas fund. They were all ok with doing that, so that’s what we are going to do. We still plan to pick one or two families and leave a plate of goodies on their doorstep, so they will still have the fun of ringing the doorbell and running!!

Frank did some more shopping this afternoon (he loves going out in the snow) and now he is replacing the doorknobs on our front and back doors. They were getting old and not turning very easily any more, so it will be nice to have new ones. I am going to get an extra key made to keep in the car, in case I lock myself out of the house again!

Well, this one is short but I’m sure you are all relieved that I kept it down to a few words for once!