Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 14^th was our Christmas cantata, The Lost Star.  The storyline was Caspar, one of the three wisemen (played by Dwayne), was returning 40 years after he found the Christ child.  He was returning to Bethlehem to bring him riches.  His servant girl (played by Katrina) shared with him how Jesus had been crucified and rose again the third day. 

The night before the cantata was the first time the choir heard the drama portion.  It wasn’t until Sunday morning as I sat in the choir loft and looked around to a sea of faces…some familiar and some not-so-familiar that the impact of the cantata hit me.  Caspar in all his Persian wealth could not purchase his way to Heaven.  He defended his “religious-ness” to the servant girl until his eyes were open and he saw…he TRULY SAW for the first time that God’s love came down in that manger when Jesus was born.  It was at this time that I thought back to my 9-year old self and how I recognized that I was a sinner and that God was presenting to me a free gift, I only had to accept it and ask Jesus to wash away my sins.

A confession, a chair, and snow

I have a confession for you.  And I want to begin this post with my confession and then move on from there. 

I've been kind of overwhelmed the past two weeks.  First with my role in the Christmas cantata.  Ann.  Overwhelmed, negative, and quite a downer.  The biggest hurdle for me was her incorrigible lines to the "nice" couple about their lack of children.  Saying these lines (and yes, I am aware that they were fictional lines!) outloud caused me quite a bit of grief.  It wasn't until I figured out who my "Real-life Ann" was that I could finally get in-to-character.  It took some pondering...but once I figured out who she potentially could be in real life, I was set!!!  [It still made me sad that she "said" these hurtful things outloud...but I told myself, "Some people don't filter and consider their words before they speak them."]

My second stress was my mom's surgery today.  The Lord worked a wonderful miracle and she was able to have the entire surgery (pardon my phonics :)) lap-row-scop-ic-ally.  I taught 2nd grade.  I break things down phonetically.  It's what I do.  :)  And don't lie, you like it!!!! 

Currently I am sitting in my living room at my desk...but not in the traditional way that one would assume that I am seated at my computer desk...you see, I've not found a computer chair that I like.  I'm looking for a wooden chair.  Are you wondering, Why in the world does Angie want an uncomfortable wooden chair???  The answer is two-fold...A) I don't want a super-comfy chair as I will end up spending too much time blogging (GASP! She said that outloud!!!) and/or pinning fabulous crafty things on the Pinterest website.  [Did you know - 27,000 people joined Pinterest in the month of November?  It was one of those early morning trivia things on the radio.]

Where was I?  Oh, yes the chair.  Soooo not having a computer chair, I dragged in a taller cafe-style chair from my kitchen.  I'm seated in the kitchen chair with my feet propped-up on the ottoman.  The keyboard is in my lap and I am typing away.  And actually it's quite comfy.  I could go for this set-up...but I do think I'd like to find a wooden chair BECAUSE...... B) I saw on Pinterest a cute painted chair idea.  I could coordinate my chair with my living room decor.

I cannot believe that there is only one week until Christmas.  I'm going to miss having my tree up.  My favorite thing to do in the morning is pour a mug of coffee, plug in the tree, and sit in my over-stuffed comfy chair and wake-up.  I will miss those soft white lights.

A big winter storm is headed out way.  It's estimated time of arrival is Thursday, December 20th at 9 a.m.  They are calling for anywhere from 2 to 20 inches of snow.  Nice.  I am trusting the Weather Bug website and my co-worker's aching back.  Something is a-brewing and it ain't my coffee.  I am hoping we get around 6 - 12 inches of snow.  You see, I LOVE SNOW!!!!  Tonight at the gym, the guy next to me was talking about the weather and I informed him, "I love it that it's going to snow!!!  I hope we get a foot!"  He looked at me like he was a small child and I said, "There's no Santa."  There is a Santa.  Technically, there was a Santa.  :)  The gym guy about fell off his elliptical which would've made for a lovely blog post and I have a feeling I would've nervous laughed.

I love the snow.  I love waiting for snow.  This snowstorm reminds me that I should go to Woodman's and make sure I pick up some more coffee, supplies to make hot chocolate, and ingredients for soup.

Tomorrow night is Christmas caroling!!!!  ...and there's a chance of flurries.  How perfect - caroling and flurries.  (Be still my beating heart.)

I hope you've had a lovely Tuesday!!!!

Us

Yesterday's dress rehearsal was rough but I honestly believe Trudy...when lamenting to her about my off dress rehearsal performance, she said, "Oh honey, if you didn't throw-up or pass-out, you had a great dress rehearsal.  The performance tomorrow will go great!  Don't worry!"

I like this picture of Ann and Evelyn.  Throughout the program, Ann looks to Evelyn for affirmation about her over-booked/over-scheduled/over-Christmas frenzied state.

A fabulous Saturday

Technically it's a FABULOUS weekend...but I shall start with today and flit-around randomly about my weekend events. 

Slept in.  I didn't think I had it in me.  Normally I intend to sleep-in and then the ball o'fur (affectionately named Maggie) leaps on to the bed and wakes me from my sweet slumber.  On work days when I forget to click the alarm clock "ON" - I am thankful.  On weekends when said alarm clock does not need to chime, I'm not so thankful.  On the weekends, threats of "you can become the lining for some nice slippers" slip forth from my lips.  I'm not nice when I am forced awake from my slumber before the appointed time.  Also, you should probably let me consume one cup of coffee and take a shower before speaking to me.  You've been warned.  (Ask my mother!)

8:01 a.m.  - it was a beautiful thing to read those numbers on my alarm clock.

This morning I have a couple errands to run...and then play practice this afternoon.  Other than that -- nothing but watching Christmas movies and making some soup.  Isn't this grand?  (Contented sigh.)  I love my simple, little life.

Yesterday I was able to go shopping for our Adopt-A-Families.  What a fun day out...fun but tiring.  Wow!  My 5-1/2 hour marathon shopping trip was exhilarating and fun...and I do feel that I spread some Christmas cheer down East State Street.  At each store, the clerks and cashiers were sooo helpful!  A shout out to the Target cashier that rang up 6 separate transactions so as to help me keep everything straight and in order.  Only one gift was unable to be purchased...which with the help of Amazon on Monday, I intend to check that off my list.

How in the world does Santa do it?  That's what I want to know.  The big guy in the red...man, kuddos to him for all that shopping.  I bet he knows his way around internet shopping.

Last night was game night!!!  Funny store about game night...
At 4:30, I was all out of sorts - mostly because...
A) I had consumed a VENTI hot chocolate (sans vanilla and whipped cream) at Starbucks.  For you non-Starbuck's drinkers [GASP!  I know of atleast one blog-stalker!!!], Venti means "Large"!!!!!!  It also could be translated, "FABULOUS!"  Just sayin'...
B) Upon returning to work, I was thrown in to a meeting about our filing system.  Exciting times.

...at 4:30, my sweet co-worker yelled over my cubicle wall, "Have a great weekend!  See you on Monday!"  I replied, "Wait - WHAT?  It's 4:30???"  I, then, proceeded to put on my coat. 

While putting on my coat, the new guy (who will call "Wayne") said, "Do you have big plans tonight, Angie?"  Too which I replied (as I turned away from Wayne), "Yes, it's game night."  Apparently my voice was muffled because when I turned back around, Wayne was starting at me - that dumbfounded kind of stare.  I asked, "What?"

He replied, "You are in a GANG?  Gang night?"

Insert me laughing.  "No, Wayne, GAME night!"

The window girl interjected, "Wayne, Angela only talks like a gangsta!"

And I skipped out the door.

Clearly - do I look like that kind of girl that it's a gang?  Ummmm...unless this gang is a rowdy bunch of Baptists that love Jesus and Christmas...oh, and knitting...and coffee...and dark chocolate.

Honestly - do I seem like a girl who is a gang?

I laugh everytime I think about it.  It's great.  I will no longer be able to look at Wayne without laughing -- which could be bad because his cubicle is directly across the walkway from mine.  Oh boy.

Now I shall skip ahead to tomorrow...Our Sunday school lesson is based on Luke 2.  Yeah -- the birth of our Lord Jesus!!!!!!!!  After church, I intend to pop in a Christmas movie and relax.  It's something I started doing when our choir practices became extended.  After choir - evening service - which I absolutely love.  It's very family-ish on Sunday nights. 

And this brings us to Monday...work and then the gym.  Next week should be a week of normalness...meaning "back at the gym" like a good girl.

I do need to work on a Wild Hydrangea scarf...and here's hoping Ebay will deliver the skein of Magic Potion yarn.  [I've not ever knitted with the M.P. colored yarn.  It's Starbella so I imagine it's going to be FABULOUS!!!!  It's pink, tan, black, and white...I have a very bad feeling that I will become smitten with it and then log back in to Ebay and purchase another skein...  Which leads me to a semi-rant of why doesn't the local yarn store carry this color???  I had to purchase it on Ebay...and thankfully shipping was free and it was 50 cents cheaper than at Michael's....50 cents cheaper AND delivered to my doorstep!!!!  Technically NOT my doorstep as our mailbox is down near the street...but you know what I mean!!!]

The purple-silver-sparkly scarf is going in the mail today!!!!  I hope the recipient loves it.  I think it turned out delightful.  Oh - and yesterday when I was Christmas shopping, I found more colors at JoAnn's...which I refrained from buying.  You see, here's what happens...when I see yarn, I don't see the actual skein...my friends' faces pop in my head...soo instead of red variegated, I saw a former student.  Instead of seeing a pretty gray, I saw my bestie's face.  It's a wonderful gift.

Have a delightful weekend.

Terrible Dream

Sooooo last night, I had my first dream about the Christmas cantata.  Honestly, it seemed like I dreamed about it all night long...I'm not sure how dream sequences go...but SERIOUSLY - it felt like it was all night.

First of all the setting:
There was a huge wooden floor - similar to the layout of Fireside Dinner Theater, if you've ever been there.  

There were round tables set up (kind of like a wedding reception) surrounding the stage.  The tables were covered with white sparkly tablecloths and the centerpieces were red and green.

The stage had a huge red curtain.

In the beginning of my dream, I noticed that I was wearing a red Christmas dress.  When I say "red Christmas dress" - I mean that I was wearing a dress similar to Rosemary Clooney at the end of White Christmas.  Pretty, yes, it was.  Not following the "Dress like a Christmas caroler"  instructions of my fearless Choir Director.  (Sigh.)

I was un-nerved about the dress especially when I looked on stage and noticed my fellow actors/actresses wearing Caroler-ish clothing.  It's at this point that I noticed Lauren was wearing a cute outfit and not her SPECIAL outfit so I said to myself outloud (because apparently, even in my dreams, I talk to myself outloud), "Angie Good - this is a dream.  Lauren looks normal.  I wonder where she got that fun Christmas outfit!"  

Another sigh, you know - for good measure.

The dream continued. 

I, then, had to work through a maze to get to the stage and I kept getting lost and confused.

The dream - at this point - turned into a nightmare.

I spent the rest of the time wandering around.  I ran into all kinds of characters...

Right before waking-up, I found my spot on stage and then I realized I had forgotten all my lines.  ALL my lines!!!

The thing is - I'm not stressed out about the program.  I know that it's going to go well.  The Lord is going to help us.  Apparently subconsciously, I need to process my worst fears.  (Sigh.)  I just wish it wouldn't happen in my dreams.  I prefer visions of sugarplums and warm & cozy Christmas dreams.

Cracking.

I've not been in a Christmas cantata since my college years which was awhile ago.  I forgot that the weeks proceeding the program, you start to crack-up.  I don't think it's the pressure - I'm not nervous about my lines.  I'm just all jittery.  And NO, I've not consumed an unsafe amount of coffee...however I am considering decaf for the next 3 weeks (give or take a day or two).  

My problem might be two-fold...the program and then a top secret project I am working on.  Hmmmm...the combination plus the fact that Starbucks has those super-cute, red holiday cups out...and my co-worker, the enabler that he is, has offered to buy us said coffee.  (Sigh.)  

I'm losing it.

In honor of my slightly cracked-up-self, I am taking tomorrow off to go a-thrifting with two friends from church - Stephanie and Julie.  My goal tomorrow is to find a horrendous Christmas sweater.  The kind of sweater that people will look at and think, WOW - that girl is not afraid to make a statement.  (More like an exclamatory statement - I HEART CHRISTMAS!!!!)  I kind-of wish my character in the Christmas program was loud and bold like a funny sweater but she (my character) seems more like the "Soccer Mom" or "World's Best Mom" sweatshirt kind-of lady.  Not sure if I will run with that notion...but that's what she seems like to me.

Last night I had to tell myself to stop laughing so I could fall asleep.  I kept thinking about my lines and Lauren's lines...and then there was all the laughter during practice...not to mention, a certain someone's comments about the altos during choir practice.  Look - we're nice [the altos].  We're not trying to take-over the choir.  We're just doing the best we can do.  And if our best is picking a note that is lower on the scale and sounds good - well, did I mention it was our best?  :)

My brain hurts today.  Not a headache hurt.  Just a wow-I-have-a-lot-to-do-today-but-can't-stay-focused...  AND I THINK I JUST FIGURED OUT WHAT MY PROBLEM IS...well, one of my problems...I TRIED THE STARBUCK'S CHRISTMAS BLEND COFFEE TODAY!!!!!  Why, oh why?  I know what this stuff does to me - it's powerful.  When I say "powerful" - I mean, it's DANGEROUS!!!!!  Totally dangerous.  One time several years ago, when I was young and didn't know any better, I tried a small coffee (plain coffee) from The 'Bucks and it did this very same thing to me....made me unfocused.  DRAT!!!!  The coffee has taken all of my focus and jumbled it up like a tangled knot of Christmas lights.

Did I mention that my brother is coming to visit in 2 more wake-ups?  Last night we went over the list of To Do's that I would like ta-done.  (Smiles!)  We are going to paint the bathroom and kitchen.  I've decided to not paint my bedroom for the moment.  That can wait until spring.  :)  I think Bry was pleased with this bit o'news.  We're also going to look for a storage contraption for my linens.  And I've asked him to help me remove the blind hardware from the windowsill.  I cannot figure out how to finagle a screwdriver in there to remove it.  It's very narrow and the gap is small and I'm confused.  

We may try baking some gluten-free Christmas cookies.  The trouble with baking is that I like to sample what I bake.  (Sigh!)  I suppose I could have one or two...that wouldn't hurt.  :)  

Did I tell you that I figured out - I can make gluten-free buckeyes (those peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate - YUMMMMM!) and gluten-free no bake cookies (the chocolate, peanut butter and oatmeal treats)?  Yep.  I did.  I hope they turn out...if not, the squirrels will be enjoying a special treat.

This reminds me of something - and yes, it's random - is throwing an apple core out the window of your car littering?  Here's my theory --- if a raccoon can eat it, it's not really littering.  I throw out apple cores all the time.  The only trouble is - I feel a little guilty because if the raccoon is not bright, he might get ran over.  Catch 22!!!

My brother, the dear that he is, is bringing me out an extra computer tower that he has been building or has built...something like that.  What a great guy!!!  He said, "Sis, you need a computer!"  :)

Choir Robes

One of the last songs we have to work on for the cantata is a conglomeration of a bunch of carols.  One such carol is a peppy version of Go Tell It On The Mountain.  It's fabulous!!!  

Several weeks ago, Lauren and I decided that in the true spirit of Go Tell It On The Mountain, we should wear choir robes and clap!  You know -- really get in to it.

 

Last night when we were practicing it, to help keep the tempo, our choir director started clapping at which point I told Lauren, "See -- he's ok with clapping!!!"

Also, it should be noted - I would prefer purple choir robes.  :)

Just plain random :)

From the beginning, I want you to know this blog post is totally, unabashedly random.  There.  I have said it outloud. 

In the Christmas cantata, we are singing O Holy Night…ALL the verses.  O Holy Night is my most favorite Christmas carol.  In college, we sang it acapella.  It was beautiful.  The Dale Horton auditorium – 3,000+ college students – it was magical and one memory that I cherish to this day.

Last night at the gym, Lauren and I discussed a plethora of topics.  My favorite topic was winter driving…and how everyone should buy a horse and sleigh or a snowmobile.  People drive so crazy in the winter – and if everyone owned winter-approved/prepared vehicles, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many accidents.  We both concurred that the flurries on Monday were a blessing…as usually the first snowstorm (normally the 1^st – ish of December) is always a big dumping of white stuff…the flurries were nice because they did not afford anyone the opportunity to careen off the road.  It wasn’t good for tow truck business – but good for everyone else.  Why do people (and I shouldn’t say ALL people)…Why do MOST people who own SUVs think that they own the road and that slippery roads are non-applicable to their vehicular’s ability to remain between the solid lines painted ever-so carefully on the road?  Why is this?  I will never understand.  And to those SUV owners that do drive in such a manner as to cause the girl with curly hair much fear and trepidation, they should be forced to take another route.  They could clearly set-up routes for dangerous SUVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles – it could be like those off-road testing sites that you see on commercials.  Have you ever read the smallish print at the bottom of those commercials?  They usually have a disclaimer.  I remember the first time I read it – I just cracked-up!!!

I’ve started working on a new scarf order!!!  It’s for the speaker from our ladies retreat.  5 scarves – solid red, solid black, red variegated, black-red-white combo, and “Autumn Leaves” (burnt orange, forest green, brown).  I could not find solid red at my normal yarn hang-outs soooo I purchased it online  and since the postage was the same if I ordered one or three – I decided to get three and knit two of them for gifts. 

My favorite co-worker is celebrating a BIG birthday this Friday.  He’s turning the BIG 5-0!  Since he finds great joy in picking on me about the size of my coffee mug, when I saw the clearance mugs at Starbucks, I determined which one would make the best b-day present for him…the one labeled “VENTI 20 OUNCES”!!!  The cup is huge!!!  He’s going to be sooooo strung-out on coffee.  It ought to make for interesting blog posts.

I’ve been thinking about my favorite kiddos and how we would bake Christmas cookies…perhaps this year, the Lord knew that I would be missing said munchkins so He impressed upon my heart to say “yes” to the role in our Christmas cantata.  The most convicting thing about the cantata is the cast of characters are in a frenzied state and have “forgotten” about the true meaning of Christmas.  They are over-scheduled and maxed-out.  I don’t want to be THAT girl.  I don’t want to end up so busy that my life is nothing more than a commercial for 3 kinds of crazy.  It happens so subtly…and I don’t want to be like that.  I want others to see Jesus…afterall, it is HIS birth that we are celebrating.

Elizabeth George wrote an amazing study on the Proverbs 31 woman.  WOW!!!  I’m about 30 pages (give or take 5) in to the study and I’ve already had my pretty little toes stepped on more than thrice.  It’s going to be one of those life-changing studies…I can just tell.  Her heartfelt approach to studying Scripture is such a challenge and encouragement.  Along with this study, our Wednesday night study is about different women of the Bible.  We are concluding the lesson on Rahab’s life tonight.  There’s so much to glean from these wonderful women.  My cup runneth over…and over and over and over...

Two surprise scarves will be going in the mail – one to southern Indiana to a sweet 3-year old and one to Hixson, Tennessee.  The fun part about sending off surprise padded envelopes is hearing the recipient’s reaction!!!  The Indiana-bound scarf is pink & delightful just like Reagan.  The second scarf is variegated purples with a hint of silver. 

WELL – I was thinking about quitting coffee.  I know, I know…you’re heard this story before, right?  Infact somewhere on the right-hand side of my blog, you will find a 7-day journey in which I thought/considered being coffee-free.  After 7 days, I just couldn’t find any sense in giving up my beloved.  Well – this second attempt was supposed to begin on Monday, November 11, 2012.  In my brain, I calculated that 6 months from November 11^th would be my birthday – what a better way to celebrate another year than by drinking coffee.  It would be a milestone to make it 6 months.  And let’s be honest – it would be a milestone to make it 2 weeks, let alone 6 whole months.

It didn’t happen. 

It was a fleeting thought. 

Sunday night (the 10^th), I thought I should give up coffee for 6 months and see if I feel any different.  I drifted off to sleep and had peaceful dreams.  Those dreams were interrupted at 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning.  When my eyes focused on the digital display on my alarm clock and the numbers 3 + 30 came into focus, I threw every notion of giving coffee up right out the window because…

A)  I woke-up freezing cold.  I forgot to turn my furnace back on after I painted on Saturday.

B)   It was 3:30 A.M.

C)   Did I mention I was freezing cold?

I clicked “ON” on my coffeemaker and haven’t regretted that decision.  J

Happy Wednesday, Blog-Stalkers!!!

Randomness...it's been awhile... :)

Well, friends...I am more than halfway through with Lysa TerKeurst's book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God and I have to tell you - I believe this book is potentially life-changing.  Her truths are not anything new under the sun...they are just spoken from an honest heart.  A heart that like mine is prone to not always say "yes" to God.  I appreciate Lysa's honesty.  Today she shared, "Condemnation leaves us feeling hopeless and worthless.  Conviction invites us to make positive changes in our lives."  I want to remember this for...well, for forever.

I noticed, as I marked an "X" through yesterday's date, October 23, 2012 that Christmas is just 2 months away!  Wow.  Where did the year go?  I've been pondering the last 10 months.  What have I learned about myself?  About God?  About the people I am closest too?

The cottage is in need of a white glove scrubbing.  I have this scheduled for Saturday and I am actually looking forward to cleaning and organizing.  A couple of times a year, I get this itch to go through and sort through stuff and pull out and clean (when I say "clean" I mean thoroughly scrub).  It's great.  My biggest goal for Saturday is to thoroughly wipe down the walls - especially in my bedroom and living room - as those are the two rooms that I intend to paint first.  I've decided on colors...Eddie Bauer's Clean White for the kitchen, EB's Oatmeal for my bedroom, and EB's Almond Oil with Oatmeal for the living room and bathroom.  I really liked Avocado - but it was really green...like the inside of an avocado.  (Duh!  Perhaps that's where they got the name!)  In college, we were told not to wear green to a job interview - as green tends to make people irrate.  I just can't figure it out.  The leaves in the spring - green.  Kermit the Frog - green.  Finding a $5 bill in your winter coat pocket - green.  Celery - green.  All those things are fun and "happy."  Oh - a Christmas sweater - red AND green.  I just don't understand.  Even though I don't understand, I've made a point to never wear green to a job interview.  Actually wearing green makes my eyes greener.  Hmmmm...

Friday is our stamping activity at church.  It starts at 6 p.m.  There will be snacks, stamping, and chatting.  I'm hoping to create a Fall-ish theme...with pumpkin candles, fall-ish paper goods, yummy beverages: warm apple cider and decaf coffee.  This year - I'm going to have a couple of cards in Stamp-A-Stack fashion to help the non-stampers.  Plus bonus - if no one stamps them, I already have the pieces and parts cut out for easy assembly.  My mother did not raise a fool.  A nutcase.  A girl who laughs outloud.  Someone who is kind.  But not a fool.  :)

I want to put on my blog so as never to forget - I do not like French Roast coffee.  I bought a bag last week at Woodman's thinking I would give it a whirl.  I'm trying to branch out and not get stuck in a rut.  I find myself week-after-week buying the SAME groceries...  The same chicken breast, the same salmon, the same blah-blah-blah.  Soooo to change things up, I bought French Roast coffee.  Good idea:  Change things up.  Bad idea:  Tempt fate and try different coffee.  ICK! ICK! ICK!  I suffered through the entire bag.  Each morning, I watched as the canister got closer to empty...and each morning I told myself, "Maybe tomorrow will be the day that I run out!"  I hoped against hope.  Today was that day.  Yahooooooo!!!

Oh - I've decided to take a halfday of vacation in December.  I'm going to use this day to write out Christmas cards, make cookies, Christmas shop, and/or watch Christmas movies.  I'm thoroughly looking forward to a day off in the month of December.  You see, I don't usually take a day off - other than the allotted holiday days off...not this year.  This year, the cantata has convicted me and I am going to have an enjoyable, non-hectic holiday.  I mean seriously - that is what Christmas is all about.  It's about being a blessing to others.  And clearly - I cannot be a blessing when I am running from here and there and exhausted and stressed.  As our song says, "There's no fa-la-la!"  I want this Christmas to be Christ-centered.

Well, I think I shall click PUBLISH and put my randomness out there for the world to read.  If not the entire world than just YOU - my wonderful blog-stalker.  Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts.  And for those of you who comment and/or send me messages on Facebook and email - I appreciate the fact that you wonder what is going through my pretty little head.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Christmas Cantata

I've accepted a speaking role in our Christmas cantata.  I honestly had absolute peace about doing this.  I must admit, at first, I was apprehensive.  I've been known - in times past - to say "yes" just for the sake of being a blessing.  Turns out that sometimes the Lord wants you to say "no" so that someone else can say "yes."  I've been learning this on my journey of life.  It's taken me a bit...but, by George, I believe I have caught on...maybe a smidge-bit.  :)

Anywho...my character's name is Anne.  She's kind of negative.  One of her lines particularly breaks my heart - she tells another lady (who does not have children) that once this other lady has childre, she will then know the meaning of being busy.  It always makes me sad when people say insensitive things like this...I know that the people in the script are fictional.  But in real life -- THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!!  Some people aren't able to have children and when you make general statements like this - it hurts.  Same thing when you tell a single person that married people are more busy (i.e. more important) than they are.  We all have a special place and purpose.

My character and I would probably not be close friends...  or maybe we would be close friends if I took the opportunity to be REAL and let her know how hurtful her comments were/are.

(Sigh.)

I've been on a card-making binge (for lack of a better word).  I believe I have over 100 cards made.  Several are for Christmas...  You may remember that last year, I did not send cards...well, truth be told, I think I sent 5.  Tops.  This year, I've been working diligently to get them ready to go in the mail in a timely manner.  "Timely manner" means before Christmas Eve.  

Well, there are sooo many other thoughts running through my pretty, little head...but I am out of time. My break is coming to an end so I will have to let you go.