Just Call Me Mrs. Claus

I was at the VA Home the other day walking down the hall. As I was passing one of the residents he asked me if I believed in Santa.

(An aside here. I don’t believe in Santa. We don’t even do Santa at Christmas.)

I had no time to give a response though because he kept on talking:

” ’cause you’re going to get dirty coming down the chimney
when I ask for you for Christmas.”

YES. HE. DID!

All I could do was continue to smile politely and sort of shake my head and be on my merry little way. Although dirty that has to be the most clever pick up line I’ve ever heard.

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HO! HO! HO!

CLAUS

At The Manse

As part of my political hobnobbing I recently hung out at the Governor’s mansion. I should tell you the whole story though.

  • The Governor was nowhere around, although his wife was shaking hands at the door with the biggest, most ginormous, festive door knocker necklace slide I’ve ever seen.
  • I can’t even tell you our governor’s name or political affiliation. Shameful I know.
  • I was in tourist mode with info sheet in one hand and hot cider in the other.
  • I was with the Helmsley Housewives as we escaped the housewife role, if just for a couple of hours one night.

The mansion was beautifully decorated by different businesses around the state. We all agreed that it would be nice to have our house decorated at least to a small degree by someone else. And we all agreed that this wouldn’t happen with our husbands in the line of work they’re in. My favorite room was the garden room, which was decorated in black and white. Sounds a little “off” for Christmas, but it was whimsical and stylish. Two traits that I aspire to attain. Quirky and last year just doesn’t cut it in fashion or decorating…

My second favorite room was the dining room, which you can see in the photo below (btw, thank you Alaina for tricking out the photos). It was decorated in oranges and browns. What is it with me and nontraditional Christmas colors?

Our night ended with dessert at Applebee’s and a little woman talk. Enough said about that. My husband reads this blog…

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Sweater Fest ’08

So the Helmsley Housewives had their big night out on the town at none other than the Sweater Fest ’08 (thank you to whomever coined both of those great terms). I donned my little black dress and sparkly shoes with no hose (just in case you were sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the verdict). The other housewives were stunning in their black attire as well. Ain’t no way we were wearing sweaters. Some of the ladies even had Christmas pedicures to set the mood perfectly. And for the record, the only Christmas sweater I saw was on a man…

As most office parties go (truth be told, that’s all this ended up being) there were lots of people, lots of talking from the stage that sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher, prizes, table centerpieces to give away, and drink stealing by the staff. Oh, and a little bit of dancing. That’s all you really need to know. Nobody cares about these things unless they’re actually there. I’ll leave you with a couple pictures.

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Clicking on them will probably blow them up to just about life size. And thank you so much Mom for coming all the way over here to watch the girls. Happy Birthday!

Could She Even Comprehend?

I think every mother can attest: once you find out you’re pregnant for the first time (or are going to be able to adopt that precious child) there’s not much more that crosses your mind in the passing months until the birth. Almost every waking thought is spent on that child. What will he look like? Will she be healthy? At what stage of growth is he at? What is the baby thinking about? What can she hear? Will I be a good mother? Am I supposed to eat this?

Try to imagine what Mary was feeling. Whether you believe in the virgin birth or that her baby was the Messiah, Mary did believe that. We know that Gabriel visited her and told her she would be pregnant with a son: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:31-33)

Mary got to think on these things daily. For. nine. months. Can you even imagine? Did she worry and second guess herself like so many first-time mothers do? Or was she at peace knowing that if God called it to be then it would surely happen? Mary was younger than you and I. What wisdom and calm did she possess? Her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) I don’t know about you but I’d be freaking out. I’m pretty sure that’s why God didn’t choose me to undertake that specific event in history.

The Jews knew to expect a Messiah. Mary knew that a Savior was coming. Did she understand the Scriptures enough to know what all her son, the Son, would face? Did she think upon His Godliness? Or was she just excited to be able to cradle a squirming baby? Could she comprehend that the screaming infant would one day have to die because he was the Messiah? When she kissed his little forehead. . . could she really comprehend Who she was kissing?!?!

After the shepherds came to see the baby in the manger they went off to spread the news that the angels had told them. The Bible says that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) As I think about the whole situation, what else would there have been to do other than to think deeply?

I was listening to the song “Mary Did You Know” (by Mark Lowry) on the way home tonight. This particular version is sung by Kathy Mattea. Her voice powered me back to the night Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Mary did you know
That your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new;
The child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you?

Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
you kiss the face of God. (Oh God, why couldn’t it have been me!?!?*)

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child your holding
Is the great I AM.

Would it even be possible for a human to comprehend these heavenly things while it was presently happening? Do we even try to attempt to think on such lofty things in this time of year in which we’ve decided to celebrate this history-altering occasion? This is what Christmas is about! The beginning of a life that brought us a direct path to God! Mary had nine months and then thirty-three years to ponder. We give ourselves a day, or a month at the most. I think I should have titled this post “Can We Even Comprehend?”

In humble awe and admiration with expectant hope to fully comprehend someday,

*That was my thought as I was typing out the lyrics. Oh God, to be able to kiss Jesus’ forehead as a baby. I wouldn’t be worthy enough. One day I will get to worship at His feet though.

Magazines vs. Blogging

No official post tonight. I’m taking a break to look through all these magazines I signed up for.

Garden & Gun: where they’re featured Duck Gumbo.

Lucky: where they’re no doubt featuring long-sleeved jump suits with hiney windows.

In Style: where they’re featuring all things beautiful and out of my price range.

A couple of local Montgomery magazines. Pictures to follow if they’re worthy!

Not So Crafty photocard tip

So, I mentioned yesterday that I’d give you a tip (that didn’t involve crafty stuff like glue and scissors) on how to use all of those photo cards you get each holiday. They don’t just come in at Christmas-time anymore do they? Birthdays, Easter, moves…almost any occassion warrants a photo card to be mailed out (not by us, mind you, I’m too cheap). And family letters arrive in abundance as well.

I got several good tips from you in the comments section so I’m going to include those here before I let you in on mine:

Nicole puts all of the photo cards she receives in a scrapbook. That way she can look back over them each year.

Rachel‘s grandmother would reuse cards as tags on the next year’s packages.

Susie reminded me that e-cards are not only cheaper but are a greener option. Susie, have you been reading my mind to know that as much as I hate to admit it I’m trying to be greener?

My tip: We keep our photo cards and letters in our sideboard in the dining room and look at a different one every night at dinner. We pray over that  family before dinner bringing up any specific concerns we may know about the family, or asking for general blessings for that family.

This was not something my little brain came up with. I read it in a parenting magazine last year (or a Focus On The Family magazine…) and we thought it was such a great idea. It hasn’t created world peace, but praying for others does remind us that everyone and every family has needs, whether they be dire or mundane. This helps me to break out of my little self-made box and remember others.

I guess what I should start doing is cutting up some of those cards after the year is through and turning them into gift tags, while sticking others in scrapbooks. That way as little waste as possible makes it to the trash can. So, if you want me to pray for you send me your picture. You’ll be our treasured dinnertime guest every once in a while.