Almost Christmas
I am still trying to figure out where in the world 2007 has gone? Has somone found it? I hope everyone is feeling the same way about this year.
My kids, are SO excited about Christmas. My daughter, Savannah keeps asking, "is it Christmas eve yet?" NO Five minutes later,...."what about now?" Still no.
Mikey is trying to figure out what the presents under the tree are.....he's not going to figure them out. Little does he realize his mother was a pro at figuring presents out that were under the tree. Mom got me good one year and I think it was about Mikey's age when she decided to do this little trick. She was so tried of me being able to "shake" presents that she put double "to and "from" labels.....on the good stuff that she knew I had been wanting. It worked really good, because when I saw the name (which it could have been her name, a family friend's name or whatever) I would just quickly pass it by. After all kids scan the presents real quick to see their names. IF they don't see the names....they couldn't be bothered. She got me good that year.
Christmas time for me is wonderful. I have always loved Christmas. Mom was never too fond of Christmas all that much. It's not that she wasn't fond of the holiday, but for some people Christmas brings back memories of tradegy. Despite that, she always made my Christmas's fun.
When we lived in St. Andrews at 83 Harriett Street, we always had a HUGE tree. Mom would make popcorn. And I would sit up on a stool with a needle and thread stringing popcorn. The rule was...string one.....eat one. Sometimes we would add cranberries to the string. I would also set at the kitchen table with all my crafts and her and I would make holiday decorations. I was probably about Savannah's age (4) when mom showed me how to make a snowflake. I thought that was the greatest creation ever. We made paperdolls.
At some time before Christmas a friend of the family, Alley Cat or Mary would pick me up and we would go shopping. I would save up my money and they would take me to the stores in St. Stephen so I could get mom a few gifts. One year I remember I bought her a "red" phone. If any of you knew mom, you knew she liked red....so for a 7 year old it was the perfect gift...and just the right price 5-10 dollars. She loved it. But after awhile the phone would make a crackling sound...so when it did that she would always bang it on the edge of her nightstand. Always warning the person on the other end..."Stand back" and "WHACK WHACK" worked like magic.
Seemed like every Christmas there was always a funny story her and I could recall about the previous years. We would always have a good laugh. Even though she is not here this Christmas I at least have the memories of previous Christmas's
Last week (Tuesday) an off duty police officer working a special duty at a grocery store was bruttally attacked by an individual. He stabbed her 10 times. This Christmas she will be spending it in the ICU at a local hospital, with her family and friends close by.
We are all hoping she gets better soon, but she is going to have a long recovery from this. At last word (yesterday) she was stable but still critical. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family.
Growing up when I felt down about situations that were going on with me, or whatever the case maybe, mom always said, "Just remember Adrienne, out there somewhere someone else is going through far more difficulties right now." How true How true.
The world is a scarey place. I look at when I was a child growing up to how my children are growing up. WOW. As a child I was able to roam where ever I wanted in good old St. A. Granted I have moved from there, but still, letting my children out of my sight is not an option. We live in a small town and it still will never happen. Of course there were things my mom taught me, "don't candy from strangers, don't get up close to a car etc." We have had to teach our children the same. We have had to teach my son about drugs...oh yes Grade 4 kids are using drugs.. Isn't that a nice thought. We have even had to talk with our daugther who is only 4 about not leaving the yard, and all that wonderful stuff.
Every night on the news you hear about another child abduction. Hubby and I kind of joke about it, that if anyone grabbed our daughter the squeal alone that she has developed will bring dolphins from the Atlantic Ocean to her. BUt it's also a serious issue not just around here but everywhere. No town or city is safe anymore.
Sorry to dampen this blog, but it's just scarey.
On a lighter note....I got a blackberry. Oh yes and I am all ready addicted to it. I am in contact with anyone and everyone on my hip. It keeps my life organized. When I am out in the field I can yak it up with family and friend back home. I even have a navigator on it. LOVE IT. Now if the thing would do my laundry...sort socks and do my dishes I would be in heaven... ha ha.
Well that is all for this blog. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
