SATURDAY SOJOURN

[DeeClutter]

This week is a journey to Christmas for many of us. May your sojourn be speedy, organized and full of peace.

DD and I have been up since 5:20. We're going to the north side of the city to watch the procession of "Wreaths Across America" to leave to go to Bushnell cemetery. Guess the procession is quite impressive. Know they're gathering at 6:30 and leaving at 8. (We thought they were leaving at 7).

DD and I went to EPCOT last night to watch the Candlelight Processional. The "Allstate guy" was the narrator -how nice to hear that deep bass voice reading the Christmas story. Enjoyed that immensely. On our way out we noticed that near the entrance there were fountains dancing to music (all Christmas right now). Sat and watched/listened for about 20 minutes. Mesmerized!

DDIL#1 called while we sat there to ask dd a question. Told us that right now DS-R is scheduled for surgery on January 16th unless they can find a cancellation to get him in earlier. So hope this surgery is successful. They're not very hopeful right now -so praying for a 'miracle worker'.

Time to leave -will be back later. Have our church Christmas party at 2. DD has to go to Bradenton to visit gd15. (Who is NOW trying to get off Phase I -which is usually accomplished in 1-2 weeks, she's been there 8) because there's a dance coming up and she wants to be able to attend. Too bad life isn't made up of events that we can always work toward.

[Twins' Mom]

I'm hoping my only sojourn today is to PT with dMacs and back. DD is doing the trip to Mobile today. Elizabeth - actually no, we're not close - it's about a six hour drive for her. I just wish it wasn't pouring rain today! Dh made her a hotel reservation in a very nice hotel and paid for it using Marriott pts. She'll have to pay for parking and incidentals but I'd prefer to know she's in a nicer hotel. She has a dfriend going with her and we know her family somewhat.

I'm going to have to wrangle dMacs into my Honda Pilot today, I'm hoping between him and his harness with handles over his shoulders and hips we can get him up there.

Going to read the paper first.

[Lynlee]

Sounds like nice activities Dee. Prayers for DS-R. and DD and DGD. Wanting things to be different - may the be a greater change than manipulation. I'm guessing that even working up thru the Phases there could be a backwards motion if the action and attitude does not suit the phase.

I've had a rough couple of days. Someone posted this link to me. Maybe it could help othes too. http://www.diycouturier.com/post/472496 ... when-youre

today - washing in and out. sheets changed tonight. Feeding neighbour's cat so that and my ddog helps too.

[Sadie]

Hello Dear Ladies,

Lots of rain here, temps are not bad but the rain makes it cold.

Ivy wanted to say that we are still waiting on finalizing DH's insurance. Have called the company a number of times. They are waiting on the government to do their part which hasn't happened yet.

Also I'm not doing PT for shoulder until after the surgery. Doc said my shoulder is in such bad shape that PT will not help. Lost some range of motion, cannot bring my left arm to the back at all. Like there is no way I can tie an apron. Did some tests of strength with Doc and she said compared to my right arm I have lost some strength too. I am in pain all the time, most of the time it is at a 4 but there are bursts of sharp pains at times that I would rate as a 10. I have the sharp pains if I turn a door knob or turn on a faucet. Doesn't happen every time but it makes me skittish to do things.

Got to get ready for work.

Great day to all!

[Twins' Mom]

((Sadie and shoulder))

Dd is off and on her way. I prevailed on her to drive my car instead of the Toyota Corolla. Mine has been serviced recently and has almost new tires, while hers is overdue for an oil change and other servicing and has been mostly parked and undriven for four months. Maybe I'm being silly - she was a little put out with me. This will also make it easier to get dMacs to PT, speaking of which, I need to get going!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

(((Sadie))) I'm sorry this is such a long journey for you. Lynlee knows all about long journeys and may have some words of encouragement. On the other hand, maybe there aren't any words of encouragement to be had. That's okay, feel free to come here and rant is you need to.

This is not a misery-free space. It is a space where one can state what's on one mind without judgement, not to find an answer but to simply let out emotions. Forming a post forces us to think over what is bothering us and put into words the crux of the matter. You will be heard but not judged.

[Nancy]

Ours was last night to drive around and see the lights!
I have been out to the hens pen 2x today I forgot their water so I had to go back out and take that out. I refill a V-8 jug with warm water and take it out and pour it into an empty ice cream bucket. Today getting some new hens 4 for the spring eggs in a rotation of hens one of dd's friends is cutting back. I love getting new hens for Christmas!

H. Said something about cleaning gutters.
I invited dson to particapate in our first ever hoilday turkey cook off! Time tba!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I'm awake. I've printed off the grocery list for Christmas. Back in the 'old' days it was part of my HGP so I didn't get hit with a big grocery bill. Now that it is only dh and I, I don't mind the big hit as much so put everything off to the last minute unless it is an item I see on sale somewhere or that is hard to get so I start looking early.

I have a turkey and dd is coming on the 27th so we can have it then. Or if she doesn't want it, we'll have it on the 25th and take it with us to CM's house. She'll have 11 or 13 for dinner that night (still waiting to see if her dsisil is coming with her partner.) So far, there's a roast. We'll need a vegetarian option as well. At this point, I'm just down for plates and anything that will make cleanup easier.

[helia]

Yes, apt title for me. This week will surely be a sojourn to Christmas, Dee! I hope to get most of my Cmas tasks done this week -- on top of everything else. . .will be interesting.

Not properly cuops but wanted to give gentle cyber ((HUGS)) to Sadie.

It is snowing here!! About 1 inch or so on the ground. 18* and it is blowing a bit. . .. I am back from my first set of errands for the day: taking dd15 to synchro and then picking up a ham from the honeybaked ham store for small group tonight. Despite the weather I saw at least 3 runners.

SO, my poda:
- a.m. routine
- wrap gifts for Calif. friends
- get their package in the mail
- pick up dd15
- perhaps more Cmas shopping. The streets are bad - haven't been plowed yet - so I may just wait on this. .. Or I might just get one errand done.
- laundry
- small group at 5
- dh wants to go out for coffee (again!) after small group
- perhaps paperwork

I think I may skip Hebrew on Monday; dgirls band concert is Monday. GG needs to be at the school by 6:45, so I'm just not seeing getting home from Heb. class at 6:20, getting dinner on the table, eating, girls changing, and leaving again by 6:30. . . Fortunately, dd15 is planning on skipping synchro Monday, as are the other band members in synchro. Also, I'm bringing a meal to a friend receiving chemo that afternoon.

Off I go!

[DeeClutter]

DD & I were wondering this morning, LynLee, if there is a backwards direction, if she fails to 'maintain'. Doubt she can keep that attitude very long.

Went to see the "wreaths Across America" cavalcade & it was well worth the wait. Police escort all the way so they moved at a good clip. Hundreds & hundreds of cycles before & after the tractor trailers. Think dd said they were laying 10,000 wreaths just at Bushnell. This is the day that they are laid at Arlington Cemetery as well. Think that's where this all started. Know their giving is down, so fewer wreaths this year, but very impressive nonetheless.

DD has gone to Bradenton for family day with gd. She'll be a tad late but at least her 'running' will be done today.

We have our church Christmas party at 2 and I have mini-dogs with barbecue sauce & pineapple going for that. (Easy )

Making my l**t and checking it twice for what needs to be accomplished this month -mostly before Christmas. Dawned on me the other day that when our church (north) set the annual meeting for Jan. 19th that the secretary and I have to have these books ready to hand out on the TWELFTH!! That means I have to have everything to her ready to print (after she and the pastor have proofed everything) by the 8th. Deadline for reports to be in is supposed to be the 1st. But the financial reports have to wait for banks. Made a call to our Moderator and explained that next year we have to NOT bypass the By-Laws and keep it at the 4th Sunday of January. It was only then that she realized as well, that we hand the reports out a week ahead. May not happen this year and they'll have to take some extra time to read things over before the meeting starts.

Just remembered I need to find someone to take oranges (from church) to DS-A's tomorrow. Hmmmm...better get on it.