Surprise! Surprise!

Babygirl has pretty much resigned herself to living upstairs; Maestro lives downstairs. Once in a while Maestro will venture upstairs to check out things. Once in a while Babygirl will venture half way down the stairs to see if the "black beast" is still hanging around! I think Maestro thinks Babygirl is a big, fluffy squirrel!! When Maestro and I take walks and he happens to see a squirrel, he just about dislocates my shoulder as he makes a bee-line for it. Well, the same thing happens if he sees Babygirl peeking down the stairs. I'm not sure just how to convince him that she is not a squirrel. If I am upstairs and Maestro follows me up, Babygirl dashes under my bed and hisses at him. He is very curious about her and sticks his nose under the bedskirt to get a better look. When I go upstairs each night to go to bed, I tell Maestro, "Go to bed" and he pretty much understands and finds his spot in the kitchen or livingroom to curl up in and that is the end of it until I come down the next morning. He really is a good dog--even if he and Babygirl don't get along....yet! Babygirl, on the other hand, sleeps on my bed, starting out on my chest, and then curls up next to me. The other night, I was awoken by loud barking and chasing! It seems that Babygirl decided to get off the bed and, lo and behold, Maestro had decided that he was going to come upstairs and sleep on the floor next to my bed!! When she jumped off the bed, she landed on Maestro; Maestro began the chase! Babygirl didn't know in which direction to run--first down the hall, with Maestro in pursuit, and then back into the bedroom!! After much barking and hissing, I managed to convince Maestro that his rightful place to sleep was downstairs!! Now I better understand the term -- Scaredy Cat!!!!

The Nutcracker - Ballet

Our Red Hat group went into "uptown" Charlotte today to see The Nutcracker! I had never seen it before...and I didn't realize what I was missing! The ballet was mainly performed by the North Carolina Dance Theatre with music by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. We went to the 2 p.m. matinee and I wished that my granddaughter Emmalee could have joined us! There were so many young girls in the audience, totally enjoying the show! Emmalee has taken ballet for several years now and I am sure she would have been very familiar with the beautiful and graceful moves by the dancers! My, oh my, those dancers were so light on their feet...they looked like feathers floating down to the stage! After the show, it was fun to stand in the lobby and watch all these young girls (and even some young boys) prance around imitating the ballet they had just seen. There were young students included in the production...some even younger than 7 year old Emmalee!! If you ever get the chance to see the live production of The Nutcracker...I encourage you to go and take your children!! This "young" woman thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the fantasy!!

Just One More Poem...

I've always enjoyed writing, but as I got older, other things distracted me...quilting, crafts, etc. This is the third poem I wrote and found in my papers recently. As we are in the holiday season, I cannot help but wonder if the majority of people realize what it is we are really supposed to be celebrating. The emphasis from retailers and media is materialistic "things". Things we think we need...must have; but after we have them, we tire of them quickly. Just look at the toybox of toys your children have. I'm sure alot of them were "must haves" at the time, but now they are stored in a box and mostly forgotten. I get tired of the commercials that say that in order to be happy we have to have this pair of jeans, or that car, or this special perfume. That was the reason for composing the following poem.

"Tis the Season"

Yes, it's come around again

to that time of year

When, as you look around you,

the world is "selling" cheer

The brightly colored decorations

all glimmer in the store

The trees, the lights, all catch our eye

commercials say "You NEED more!"

We make up our gift lists

and check the papers for a sale

Only 15 more days 'til Christmas

have the cards gone in the mail?

We're sure to do our baking

for there's parties to attend

The children's Christmas program --

Oh, not old Scrooge again!

Yes, this is the time especially

we find ourselves "strung out"

But wait a moment, take a break

What IS Christmas all about?

Reflect upon that wonderful night

in Bethlehem, so long ago

When a certain babe was born in a stable

and the stars had a special glow

The stars shone so very bright

the shepherds stopped to stare

Then angels told them to begin

their journey over there

Little did the shepherds know

this child was born to die

That He'd be punished for our sins

but then, rise up and reign on High

Yes, Christmas time IS here again

and the world would like to see

Us focus all our attention

on just the festivity

Oh, there's nothing wrong with enjoying

the holiday and festivities

Just remember WHY we celebrate

I'll tell you -- listen, please

What we really need to realize

as we celebrate Jesus' birth

Is that He came to offer salvation

to everyone on earth

The greatest gift ever given

was to all of us from God

Accept His gift -- You'll be glad you did

He's Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Jesus truly is the "The reason for the season!" May you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas 1975

Well, I wanted to scan the picture that goes along with this poem, but I seem to have misplaced the printer driver disc. You know, this getting "older" stuff is for the birds!!! Anyway, a while back I shared a poem that I wrote quite a few years back and told you that I would share another one. Since it is now December, I decided to pull out the poem that I wrote a couple of years after I gave birth to Melissa (our middle child). Andrea, the big sister, drew a picture that goes with the poem. Andrea, the artist, drew a beautiful picture of me holding the baby next to the decorated fireplace and the Christmas tree next to it. Stockings are hung on the mantle and a fire is blazing in the fireplace. Melissa decided to come into this world on Christmas Eve day! Andrea was being cared for by her grandparents, and I wanted to be home for Christmas for her. And, guess what........ ta da........drum roll........the doctor let me go home the next morning as long as I promised not to do a thing (like I would be able to...HA!).

CHRISTMAS 1975

I still remember it so well

so now to you I'll tell

My story of Christmas 1975

When the true meaning of gifts came alive.

My Christmas shopping was finally done

Right down to the very last one.

Each gift selected with the greatest of care

I sighed as I plopped into my favorite chair.

Preparations had to be made weeks before

Decorations, the tree, and -- yes -- vacuum the floor.

The cookies, breads and mince pie were all made

And each piece of clothing in my suitcase I laid.

Plan ahead -- freeze your meals, the information sheet read

So visions of meatloaf danced in my head.

The names and phone numbers were all written down,

The goodie bag, lollipops, and a brand new nightgown.

I had everything in order, so I took a bow

Even the doctor said "Any day now!"

Would I be early, or would I be late?

Like a child waiting for Santa, I just couldn't wait!

Tom was instructed where the gifts he would find

And then I said, "Dear, I think it is time!"

So Andrea was taken to Grandma's -- everyone's eyes were a-blurring

At 2:30 Christmas Eve morning, not even a mouse was a-stirring!

Christmas Eve morning, at 10:05

Melissa Joy Goodwin finally arrived!

Our gifts to the family would all be given...

But this was God's gift -- sent from Heaven.

Our tiny baby girl was perfect through and through,

Mom and Dad were exhausted, but very happy, too.

Andrea, too, would have a gift that would please some...

A sister she could love for many years to come.

The second gift that came our way,

Was being able to go home on Christmas Day!

Wow, it will be 33 years ago...and it seems still like it was last year! How the time does fly. Now Melissa has three children of her own! Andrea, I wish I could have scanned your picture...even at such a young age, you were very articulate in your drawing!