Cathy's Grace Notes

Happy Birthday and more!

It's been a while since I have posted here, have been posting status statements on Facebook as it is easier to post a sentence or two. But here is the news:

• Lovely time at the beach. We loved being on the bay side. Beautiful sunsets, constant changing of the water and effect the weather had on the bay, from fog to white caps.  Weather could not have been nicer on a couple of days where we could actually sit on the beach and take in the warm sun.
• On the flip side, we left on New Year's to come back home with Mom being puny. Friday morning, she woke me up telling me she was sick. So we went to the emergency room. Severe urinary tract infection with a white blood count of 21,000. The weekend was  HARD.. she was one sick lady. Monday morning we saw a turn around. Her white blood count is up, but it is better. Now we are working on getting the strength back up so she can get home soon.
• We got a Wii for Christmas. Wii are enjoying it. Wonder how many injuries from Wii Sports are the doctors seeing?
• School has returned into session and it has collided into Christmasbeachhospitalschool. I tie tie.
• Today is my birthday -- 53 years old!

Dancing on the water

We spent an afternoon at St. George Island State Park, watching the beauty of a winter beach. Others were doing the same, some coming from up north, to escape the winter, but also to see the birds as they winter or migrate even further south.

We did get a little lesson in about tidal pools, and how they occur (and this may have not been "official tidal pool", but it gave us a moment to discuss how they work.

At one point, dolphins, close to shore, showed off for us playing hide and seek with their fins. Those were quite exciting to watch, but my camera never got to capture them.

However it did capture this.....

Dessert? Uhm, no.

Rachael and her cousin thought it would be a good idea to build a gingerbread house today. We have been waiting for the perfect time, and this seemed to be it. A ten and an eleven year old seemed to be able to put one of those directions. Well... maybe.

The building of the house began and things had to "set" --- so they left to allow it to do whatever it needed to do. They were all excited about their "dessert" to eat after the creation was finished.

Well, the quiet time we appoint for an hour after lunch occurred.  My "hour" lasted longer, and some "work" transpired.   Here is our dessert.... Think I might pass...

Diva wrap or scarf

diva wrap tilli tomas, originally uploaded by catnipper.

Diva Wrap Pattern by Deb Barnhill using Tilli Tomas Disco Lights. I used one skein of the yarn --- the scarf is over 5 feet in length. It's almost all knit and very easy to memorize!

On the Bay

On the bay -- our Rachael.

Friday Five

It's Boxing Day!

Whatever that may mean to you, I invite you on this day to simply share five things that today, December 26th, will bring for you.

1. It's also the feast of Stephen. :)
2. It's the 2nd day of Christmas.
3. It's the first day of our place away on the bay.
4. I'm with part of my family and for that I am very grateful.
5. I am so very thankful for the many blessings I have.
And now a little music for the feast of Stephen.

A Christmas Version of 1st Corinthians 13

A Christmas Version of 1st Corinthians 13
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

(Author Unknown)
Hat tip to Julie at Miss Glass is Half Full...

O Gracious Light

On a quiet Wednesday morning...

Beginning of Christmas vacation and for that I am thankful as I know there are others who are not able to have this time to refuel and regroup. And there are those who find this time gets even busier as we near December 25.

Last night I attended the Service of Light at our church --- the church was illuminated by candlelight and was beautiful. Fifteen minutes of silence was beautiful to the ears, with the occasional interruption of the outside world to remind us that there are those who do not have the opportunity to experience silence as something beautiful.

Facebook - I'll be honest. I've been there alot. Interestingly, I have found people on there who I have not seen nor heard from since grade school. I have experienced many blessings on there I would have NEVER expected. You know who you are if you read this!  In addition to the old friends, I am delighted to see my children and their friends on there and watch as they share with me their lives through what they write and the photos they share.  It's a whole new way of experiencing our little world in a big way!

Pandora --- I had not used it for a while and I was impressed with the improvements in how we can tweak our own stations. So my quirky likes and dislikes can be fed and purged as I listen to my personal station. On the flip side... I have exceeded the amount of music I have added to my IPOD that I allow myself for Christmas music each year. Shame on me.

On the knitting front - I am working on a Moebius cowl - once I got it going, it's been LOTS of fun, but it took me quite a few trials to get it right.  I am knitting it in black so it is not going to photograph well. Sigh.... but I might try it when I finish it.. soon...

And for those of you who have sent me Christmas photos of your children -- they are treasures. They make me smile and give me tears of joy more than you know.

And how are you???

Here I am... not that anyone asked!

I think this is going to be a blips and dots post....

• A coworker passed away after a valiant battle with breast cancer. She has now gone to be with her Maker. She will be missed.
• I am trying diligently to feel and observe Advent with my body and soul. (and mind). It's not easy. School is packed with "how can be make this season be merry with as much stuff as we can pack into a couple of weeks, plus there is so much we can do and it is is the end of the semester and the children are all worked up because tis the season to be jolly, and oh if we could complete these activities because it is the season and let's not forget the Christmas program ... and.. and.. and... get the picture???
• Knitting gifts. My loving family... hear this.. you may get a ball of yarn as a gift for that incomplete project, but I am going as fast as I can.
• Several people I have reconnected with on Facebook, one I haven't had contact with for 40 years. How's that!
• Seven more school days before we are out for the Christmas holidays.. but who's counting?
• Not going to make my 50 books total for 2008.  I'm ok with that. Sort of.
• And what are you up to this week/month? Let me know you visited.