Christmas 2008- With Pictures (Finally!!!!!!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! "GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE."

~Tiny Tim, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

This has been such a wonderful Christmas. It's my first that I've spent away from my family, and so it was with mixed feelings that I greeted the season. I was sad to be away from so many people I love, but also so happy to be with so many wonderful loved ones, right here.

Christmas Eve was fun. During the day, we cleaned, we shopped, we did the general scurry to prepare ourselves for the evening. Diane and I sweet-talked our wonderful Dungeon Master (Rachel) into playing for a while. We had some good laughs (our characters are elven sister and we act...well, like sisters!!).
In the evening, Mary, James, and the girls came. We each got to open one gift. Mom Olsen read the Christmas Story, we prayed and sang Christmas songs. We ate a delicious spaghetti dinner and played games late into the night, well, at least, Diane and the girls played late into the night. I fell asleep pretty quickly (I stayed up a bit too late the night before and I was beat!). Mary, James, and Jenny usually go home and come back on Christmas morning, but because of the weather, Mary and Jenny stayed with us, as well as Molly and Alyssa. It made for an interesting evening.
This morning, we were awakened by a very insistent and excited Jenny. She said, and I quote, "Guys, you have to get up RIGHT NOW. Santa came and that means it's time to get up!!! I mean it. NOW!!! RIGHT NOW!" It was exactly 7am. We gradually dragged ourselves downstairs and opened our stockings. Then we ate breakfast and the girls became our Christmas elves, or "elfses," as Jenny said. They passed out presents and we all enjoyed ourselves and our gifts. After presents several of us, myself included, took naps while the kids (and Diane and Rachel) played with they're new goodies. Eventually, I joined them in the fun, but only after a good long nap!
Mom Olsen made a delicious Turkey dinner and we watched some TV together (and I blogged). Mary and family are now debating going home or staying here (the weather outside truly is frightful) and I'm making plans about what I'm doing for tonight and tomorrow. I was supposed to work tomorrow morning, therefore, I was going to go home tonight, but the snow isn't supposed to stop until at least midnight, so I called Teresa and let her know I wouldn't be able to make it for the morning shift. I have to make it back down to Pocatello by 4pm tomorrow because there is no one to cover my shift at the shelter (I'm the sub for the day!!). Then it's back up to Rexburg on Saturday for the Olsen family's first whole family Christmas celebration in a bunch of years (since Dave and family moved to Oklahoma. They're back now, hurray!!)
I got to talk to all of my family in Maine and Kentucky last night and today. I miss them and they miss me, but it's a good Christmas and we're together in spirit, if not body.

There are many people who I won't get to talk to this Christmas, and I hope they read this, so they know how much I love them and miss them and appreciate the role they play or have played in my lifeIt's been such a wonderful Christmas. A Christmas of changes, both good and bad, real and imagined. A Christmas of first and lasts, starts and finishes, happiness and sadness. But even with all of the changes, one thing stays the same: The spirit, the reason for the season; the birth of the Savior. It's such a magical time, a celebration of life, of salvation. May we all remember the truth, the reason why we celebrate. It's not all about the gifts, the food, the parties. It's about the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, born in a manger in Bethlehem. May the Lord bless you and keep you through this Holiday season and all throughout the year.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow!!!!

It's just snowing everywhere!!!

My mom reports that they've gotten at least 17 inches in Maine over the last few days. They canceled a couple days of school for snow down in Kentucky, and we got at least a foot last night and it's still coming!!!

I got all ready to go to work this morning and then got stuck in my parking lot. Diane had to get dressed and come out to rescue me.

I drove .35 miles without ever going anywhere this morning!!!!!

I got to work and sat outside the locked office waiting for all the snowed-in people to make it to work. Then I hung out at the office for a couple hours, waiting to see if my client would show, but his mom finally called and said she couldn't send him because of the snow. A bunch of people canceled services today, and there were some workers who couldn't make it in.

They didn't really have any work for me, so I decided to go home, only to have to call my boss and ask him to push me out of the parking lot, because I was stuck AGAIN. 10 minutes later, I finally make it home (it's usually a 2-minute drive), only to get stuck yet again trying to park. Wonderful Diane rescued me again, though we finally gave up on pulling into the parking lot and just parked on the side of the road behind her car.

I am officially going NOWHERE for the rest of the day.

There seems to be no end in sight for the snow, here at least.

It's gonna be tricky going, tomorrow when we head up to Rigby for our Christmas celebrations, and even more tricky if the weather doesn't clear up by the weekend, when I will be making several back-and-forth trips between here and there for work and celebration stuff.

Wish me luck!!!!

I agree with Juanita, when she said that "snow is a four-letter word." Along the lines of the ones you don't say in polite company. You know what I mean.

So, wherever you are, please be safe and careful as you travel in the tricky winter weather.

God speed!

My favorite Contemporary Christmas Songs

I love music. Everyone who knows me, knows this. I'm always singing, humming, or whistling some little tune. There's a soundtrack in my head, narrating everything I am and do. And my favorite music of all is Christmas music. I love all of the classics: hymns, carols, choral arrangements, just about everything. But some of my favorite Christmas songs are the ones more recently produced, much more modern and contemporary than your traditional Christmas tunes. Some are inspirational, some, just plain funny. Here are the lyrics to a few of my favorites...

The Gift by Garth Brooks
A poor orphan girl named maria
Was walking to market one day
She stopped for a rest by the roadside
Where a bird with a broken wing lay
A few moments passed till she saw it
For its feathers were covered with sand
But soon clean and wrapped it was travelling
In the warmth of marias small handShe happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine
She fed it loose corn from the market
And watched it grow stronger with time

Now the christmas eve service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light
And all of the townfolks brought presents
To lay by the manger that night
There were diamonds and incense
And perfumes
In packages fit for a king
But for one ragged bird in a small cage
Maria had nothing to bring
She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of him

Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness
Maria, what brings you to me
If the bird in the cage is your offering
Open the door and let me see
Though she trembled, she did as he asked her
And out of the cage the bird flew
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new
Just then the midnight bells rang out
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
Whose beauty was fit for a king

Now maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade of notes sweet and long
As her offerings was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightingale's song

The Christmas Shoes by NewSong
It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes
And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus, tonight.

He counted pennies for what seem like years
And cashier says son there's not enough here
He searched his pockets franticly And he turned and he looked at me
He said Momma made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me SirWhat am I gonna do?Some how I’ve got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I layed the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget
The look on his face
When he said Momma's gonna look so great.

Sir I wanna buy these shoes, for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful,
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

I knew I caught a glimpse of heavens love as he thanked me and ran out.
I know that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight
I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

All I want for Christmas by My Chemical Romance
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you

I don’t want a lot for Christmas there is just one thing I need
And I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I don’t need to hang my stocking way above the fireplace
Santa Clause won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas day
And I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh baby all I want for Christmas is you, you baby

I wont ask for much this Christmas
I wont even wish for snow.
I’m just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe
I wont make a list and send it to the North Pole for St Nick
I wont even stay awake to hear the magic reindeer play
Cause I just want you here tonight, Holdin on to me so tight
What more can I do
Oh baby all I want for Christmas is you, oh baby

Oh our lives are shinin surrounding everywhere
Where the sounds of children’s laughter fills the air
And everyone is singin' oh I hear those sleigh bells ringin'
Santa wont you bring me the one I really need
Wont you bring back my baby to me
Oh I don’t want a lot for ChristmasThis is all I’m askin for
I just want to see my baby standing right outside my door
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, you, its you, you, oh baby
All I want is you [x4]You, you, you, you, you

I Want A Hoppopotamus for Christmas
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

(Short Music Interlude)

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian

(Short Music Interlude)

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

My Christmas List by Simple Plan
Santa is coming tonight
And I want a car, and I want a life
And I want a first class trip to Hawaii
I want a lifetime supply Of skittles & slurpees and Eskimo pies
I want a DVD,
A big screen TV
Just bring me things that I don't need

[CHORUS:]
'Cuz now it's Christmas
And I want everything
I just can't wait
Christmas So don't stop spending
I want a million gifts, that's right
Don't forget my Christmas list tonight
'Cuz now it's Christmas

Somebody take me away
Or give me a time machine
To take me straight to midnight
I'll be alright
I want a girl in my bed
Who knows what to do
A PlayStation 2
I want a shopping spree
In New York City
Just bring me things that I don't need

[CHORUS]
I wish I could take this day
And make it last forever
And no matter what I get tonight
I want more
It's Christmas and I want everything
I just can't wait
It's Christmas and I want everything now
Christmas
And I want everything
I just can't wait
Christmas
So don't stop spending,
I Want a million gifts, That's right
And I can't wait 'til midnight
Don't forget my Christmas list tonight
'Cuz now it's Christmas...

Where are You Christmas by Faith Hill
Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know

I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh
If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of ChristmasStays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

There are lots more, but I can't find lyrics for all of them...or maybe I'm just lazy...Some of my other favorites include:

Dominique the Christmas Donkey
Santa Baby
Angels Among Us
I Farted on Santa's Lap
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy

...and lots more. I love music. Could you tell?? And I think I'm bored because this is what I am doing while at work. I actually get paid for this??? Wowies...hahahaha.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Shopping and Celebrations

Today, Diane and I finished the last of our Christmas shopping. HURRAY!!! The stores are jam packed and traffic is terrible. We shopped together, stretching our meager earnings to make sure everyone gets something for Christmas, even if it's something small. I very willingly let Diane wrap everything, cuz I'm quite terrible at wrapping, and I made all the labels. We got our packages mailed out yesterday, which probably means they'll be late, but it's the thought that counts, right?

I attended my company Christmas parties this week. Both were a lot of fun, but the A&CDC party was the best because I know more people, and Diane got to come. We couldn't bring guests to the shelter for confidentiality reasons (residents attended, too), but there were no clients at the other party, so we brought guests and played games and got presents. Vance and Geana and Callie put together a great party with great food and just all around good company!

Diane's been telling me about her family's traditions for Christmas time and I'm very excited to be a part of them this year. It's gonna be the first time in a very long time that her whole family, all the siblings and spouses and nieces and nephews, are all getting together for Christmas. We're gathering on the Saturday after Christmas. We're driving up to Rigby on Tuesday after I get done work and then I have to come back to Pocatello on Friday to work again. I'll drive back up to Rigby after work. We'll do the party on Saturday, then both come home that night, then it's work for me again on Sunday morning. It's gonna be a loooong week. But I know it'll be worth it. The wonderful spirit of Christmas is always worth the struggle and stress that the season brings.

It's a joyous season and I'm happy to be celebrating with people I love, even as I'm so far away from others I love. I pray that everyone finds peace and love and happiness this Christmas season. In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one."

HURRAY!!!

Happy day! Diane was finally able to come home to Pocatello on Wednesday, after 6 weeks of recovery in Rigby. I'm super excited and happy and just plain smiling all over. In case it wasn't totally obvious...I missed her TONS AND TONS!!!!!!

Now, we are on a mad rush to get Christmas preperations done and packages sent out to my family across country in time for the big day!! EEPS!!

Thanks to all who have kept us both in your thoughts and prayers these difficult weeks. God bless.

Frustration

Life is so crazy. There are so many people that I love and care about and there's just not enough of me to go around. Diane is having a lot of trouble recovering from her surgery, and is still unable to work, or even come home. I travel the hour and a half drive every weekend to spend time with her, but it uses more gas than we can really afford. I won't stop doing it because of that, because I know she needs me and I can't bear to be away from her for too long, but it's tough. I feel like I'm not taking care of her like I should be because I'm too busy working, but we need the money. Our financial situation is bleak and not bound to get much better any time soon.

Christmas is gonna be tough, not a lot of money to go around, but my mom is being a great help by sending me some money from a Christmas Club she set up for me. Thanks, mom. You rock.

Another big worry is my friend Anna. She's got a lot of problems, physically and emotionally, and I want to help her so much, but she's all the way in Canada locked away in a hospital. Her family is giving her SOOOO much grief and trouble, telling her she's fat and a burden and stupid, and I just want to take her away from all of the heartache and pain and bring her to live with us where she can get healthy and be happy and strong. We talk online as often as we can, but since I don't have internet at home, it's not nearly often enough. It seems like we make progress on her self-esteem and confidence, only to have something her family says tear it all down. It's frustrating and sad and it just drives me crazy that there's not more that I can do. It's absolutely infuriating.

I got some sad news today. My wonderful adoptive family, The Collins', have to put down one of their cats, Princess Ariel because she has mouth cancer. The vet gave her some medicine to keep her comfortable until after Christmas, but then they're going to have to put her down. It's so sad.

I've got so many people to pray for, and sometimes it seems that all I can do is pray, and it never seems to be enough.

Please keep us all in your prayers, if you can.

End of the Year Madness

December has come, flying at us like a sppeding train, hell-bent on plowing us over with the Christmas rush. Thanksgiving was great, even though I had to work. I got to eat dinner with the Olsen's and then head back home to Poci and eat another dinner at the Shelter with the kids who didn't get to go elsewhere for the holiday. It was fun.

Now as I get ready for my first Christmas away from home, I am both excited and a little sad. I'm going to miss my family and friends this Christmas, but I'm excited to spend a holiday with my wonderful adopted family and all of my Idaho friends.

I've been working an insane amount in the last few weeks, and it's only gonna get worse. I got done at Pier 49 and I am taking on more clients and hours at the A&CDC. I'm also still working at Square 1 (the teen shelter) a couple nights a week and on Sundays. I'm working as much extra as I can while Diane recovers from her terrible ordeal (gall bladder surgery gone terribly wrong). When she's well enough to get a new job, I might cut back on my hours some. But then again, maybe I won't...I am my mother's daughter, after all...hehehe. (If you know my mom, you understand ;)...)

I'm waiting for my laptop to stop being evil so I can add pictures to my blog (not that I have that many, but it makes the blog nicer to look at), but it may be a while...

Other than working like a dog and getting ready for Christmas, my life is pretty boring. I work, I go home, I watch movies, and I sleep. It's a pretty sad existence at the moment, but it's mine and I'm happy. That's what's important...right?

Living

People complain because I don't keep them informed about my life. A lot of people I know have started blogs, so, here I go. I don't think my life is really interesting enough to be documented, but others seem to, so here I go. For better or worse...this is me.