Merry Christmas everybody!

Karen gave me the idea when she said she got a snow flake on her toes. I just had these put on my thumbs, the rest is red. I am sooooooo tired of always having crappy nails, especially when I go home and am going to be seeing my old friends. So, after feeling horrible about them all through Thanksgiving break, I vowed to have them done for Christmas! I am just hoping they last. I haven't quite figured out how to be still afterwards, you can tell I am typing. I so want to be a girl, but on these kinds of things, the tomboy in me peeks out! Anyway Karen, hope you don't mind. They make me think of you when I look at them, so if you do mind...tough!;)-

Now, more importantly, I hope all of you have a very special Christmas. And we all remember to keep him in the season. Merry merry Christmas, and have a Happy and safe New Years!

Is it weird that I cried when I put my new bed together? My first what I call, "grown-up" bed. I was sitting there looking at my headboard, and started crying. I realized at first that I was happy. Happy that I bought this beautiful bed on my own, happy that I put it together by myself, happy knowing that I worked hard to pay it off. So, I dried my tears and finished up. But before I knew it I was really crying. Crying because I was also sad. Sad because I put together my bed by myself, sad I made another significant purchase without my husband. I am glad that I had God to help me with the whole thing. He definitely helped me put it together, cuz if he wasn't I would have threw a few fits. I am also glad that he held my hand through my tears. And now I have a beautiful new "grown-up" bed.

It's been awhile, it feels like since I wrote anything. So, a few updates about what has been going on with me in the last week. I went to my first Women's Bible Study from my church last Thursday night. Of course, I was late! I got lost trying to find it. But it was great, just like in church, everyone welcomed me in without overwhelming me. I recognized many of them from church, and a few of the ladies I had met last Sunday were there. My teacher, who I supervise was there, along with a former teacher of mine. So, there were enough people there I knew to make me not as freaked out. We talked about Christmas Traditions, which was very interesting since my family doesn't have very many, and those we do center around food. All in all, I felt like this is the right place for me to be. I look forward to actually getting to know these incredibly sincere amazing women. I am baking cookies this weekend for the lady who works for the Mission. I don't get to bring the cookies to the Mission myself, because when they are going I will be at work, which is a bummer. But I at least feel like I am doing something good outside of me. Jan talked to me again about the Craft Group, and me and my two teachers were laughing about our silly projects that we could bring, for example I have three coats with buttons hanging on their threads that I just don't fix because I am lazy! But I really do think I want to learn how to knit, so it will be fun.

The next big event for me is I have been planning my Wine and Appetizers Party for a while now, and it is just right around the corner! Next Tuesday night! Yikes! There has been so much going on, that I haven't written you all about it. I will break it all down for you, and welcome any suggestions that I have missed, since I am not an experienced party planner by any means. Karen really gave me the inspiration for what I am doing after reading about one of her parties she gave in Bama. So, here goes. Like I said it is Wine and Appetizers, with some Silpada Jewelry mixed in! I love Silpada parties because they don't put on stupid presentations or games. There is no pressure to buy. They bring a display of many of the best pieces, and you get to try and wear anything you want! The rest of the time you mingle and have fun. Towards the end they do ask if anyone wants to buy anything, and if several do, I get some free jewelry for being the hostest with the mostest! My favorite part!:) Anyway, I loved loved the bamboo wine plates Carey got Karen for her burfday, so I went and bought some green ones for my party. They are perfect, because I don't have a lot of places to sit, so several people will have to stand. I also bought some new wine glasses from World Market, I didn't have a set. Oh, and I got some really cool magnet Europe inspired Wine Charms. They go with my Europe picture wall in the Dining Room. Now the Appetizers part of the party. I picked several easy recipes from my 5 Ingredients/3 Easy Steps cook book. Recipes include: White Pizza Dip w/French Bread, Monterey Jack's Dip served with chips, Quick Mix Dip served with Veges, Sausage Balls, Olive Cheese Balls, Tumbleweeds (dessert), and Red Hot Christmas Punch. I will be adding more little desserts on my own. I only have about 8 people coming. I split each of the recipes up in twos, meaning there will be teams of two people bringing ingredients and making the recipes together. It is all a surprise. I handed out cards with half of the recipe on each. They don't know who they are making it with, or what they are making. I will work out a schedule so each team has a time slot to make their recipe. This way, we have a continuous flow of apps throughout the night. So, what do you think? Seriously, what do you think! I have lots still to do. I need to reorganize my newly painted office, clean clean clean, and get my schedule written. Did I mention I need to clean? And do some shopping? And I am sitting here writing this blog?! Yikes, I really need to get going.

But before I do, I just wanted to say that yesterday, as you may know, was Sue's funeral. Karen, I was there in spirit, but it killed me to not be there. My mom was suppose to go in my place, but the prospect of bad weather scared her so she didn't go. I haven't called, because I am trying to keep a respectful distance. I know Karen has much to deal with right now. I am missing you though. I know you are getting through this, and you have support. I am thinking and praying for all of you.

I will miss you Sue. Until we meet again.....

Another Church Story

I walked into church a little mad at myself for once again being late for the before church prayer and the divvying up of serving tasks.

I haven't made it once for this.

But, I am early for church when this happens, so that's good.

I was, however feeling like I am still looking in.

So, I made myself go stand by myself in the hall where everyone is coming in. Before I could get my prayer out to God, someone approached me.

This someone happened to be the Pastor's wife.

Instantly, she started taking me around and introducing me to several ladies in the church.

Before I knew it I was accepting all these invitations!

Some of which you will laugh at, like the crafty group I said I would be a part of:) Ha!

Why did I say yes to that?

I guess I just so badly want to get to know these people, I will almost say yes to anything.

I also found myself telling this nice lady that I will help her bake cookies to give out to the Mission.

I was invited to join a Women's group that meets once a month on Thursdays.

I think I am the most excited about this prospect.

They meet this Thursday night.

I was invited to a coffee thing tonight for new people at the Pastor's house, but I am not going to make it to this one sadly.

I think I overwhelmed myself today.

So, cookies, ladies and knitting (they're going to teach me) for now.

God is really moving.

I have never been to a church so welcoming before.

I love it!

Bobbi made this for me, and one for Karen. I just had to share it, because it is so pretty and unique! She said she used the inspiration of my coffee shop for the design. I can hardly wait to wear it there! Thank you Bobbi for being you.