November's End

This month has zoomed by like a rocket!  It is November 29th!  Where oh where did November go? 

We had a nice (small) Thanksgiving with my immediate family.  This was the first time in my life I've spent Thanksgiving without my grandma.  Since she is in the nursing home we didn't get together with the rest of the family.  So, for lunch it was just myself, mom, dad and Renee (my sis).  The girls (my nieces) were with their aunt this year.  The nice part about this change in tradition was we didn't have to rush around to be anywhere.  Dad and I worked on my house for the better part of the morning.  Then, when we would normally be eating lunch, we took a load of stuff to my sister's new house to start her move.  Next, came the wonderful and beautiful feast prepared by my momma!  It was yummy!!  Afterward we moved another load of stuff to Renee's new place.  All-in-all it was a good day.  I did have a couple tear moments though when thinking about grandma, but we all got through.

Friday morning we left for St. Louis for MYF 2011; Missouri Youth Fellowship otherwise known as Missouri State Youth Convention.  This year's theme was 'Think Venti' or 'Think Big'.  It was an awesome convention.  The speaker (Megan Hutchinson) was wonderful.  You held on to her every word.  Our worship leaders (Alanna Story) were equally as wonderful.  They really led us into worship!

Note:  had a great drive to/from St. Louis without getting lost!

Now onto December to-do's.  There are SO many.  I think I have something to do several nights of every week and every weekend; school Christmas program, church Christmas program, caroling, Silly Stitchers Christmas party, MOVING, and probably something I've forgotten.  If you're out and about you should try to attend one of our Christmas Cantata's:

Sunday, December 4th @ 2PM:  Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church, Gainesville
Sunday, December 4th @ 6PM:  1st Baptist Church, Gainesville
Sunday, December 11th @ 2PM:  1st Christian Church, Gainesville

Until next time . . .

Visit with my Grandma

I took some time today to go to the nursing home and visit my grandma.  It's hard to find the time to go out there since I never go to West Plains.  But, I know our days are numbered so I want to soak up as much granny-time as I can get.

Grandma is 91 and has dementia.  I think I'd be forgetful, too, at 91 years young!!  She does pretty good.  She still knows who most of us are.  Those of us she remembers, she knows our names and who we belong to.  When she sees dad she always says, "Hi Gary, that's my baby!"  He's her baby boy :)  You ask her if she loves you and she says, "UHHH HUH!"  Of course, she has her good days and bad.  Yesterday, now that was an awesome day!!  She spotted dad and I as we came down the hall and knew right off who we were.  This was a happy moment.  She was full of hugs and kisses.  We sat and chatted for a good visit.  She cut up with us, laughed, joked, smiled...all things she hadn't really done on any other visit.  She acted like the granny I grew up knowing.  Such a sweet memory added to the memory bank :) 

I'm thankful for that time with her and doubly thankful she was having a good day!

Until next time . . . 

Well Hello November!

Wow, I can hardly believe it's November 1st already!  Where did this year go?  Did anyone see it or enjoy it as the year zoomed by?!  It's strange how it feels like we were just coming into March, the fields were greening up, the leaves and flowers were budding.  Now, we're near the end of Fall, and a spectacular display of color I might add!  The leaves are turning brown and the fields and flowers are going to sleep for the winter.  Oh, the cycle of life! 

This is the time of year for hayrides, bonfires for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, woodsy smells of Fall & Autumn.  Next to Spring, it's my favorite!  It also seems like a very busy time of year.  It's almost as if we're little ants trying to get as much done as possible before the cold of winter sets in!  haha

Even though the year has been fast, October was an enjoyable month.  Work continues on my house remodeling.  Thought sure I'd be moved by now, but still have a few weeks work.  It's hard to get things done rapidly if weekends is the only real time I have to work on it.  Hopefully I'll be in by Thanksgiving.  Mom informs me I have to cook the turkey so I best be in!!  Haha

My sis has since purchased a home and a couple acres.  She's been painting; that's all she really has to do in order to move!  So, both Collins girls will be moving around the same time. It's strange, but a good change in our lives!  She's moving about three miles north (off the C Ridge) and I'm moving one mile south (still on the C Ridge).  I'm excited for my sis.  She bought a really cute place that has so much potential. 

Christmas cantata is in the works.  It's a beautiful piece this year.  It has several Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels songs in it!  It's AWESOME!!!  Can't wait til it all comes together.  I love to sing!! 

Somewhere in all this busyness I found the time to date.  Yes, that is what I said; date.  But that's all you're getting right now.  And don't give me a hard time about it!  I don't like people to fuss!  hahaha  We're really still just friends, but it has to start somewhere.  It's been a long time since I've been on a date (nine years!) so I've forgotten how!  I guess all I can be is my goofy self and see how it goes.  That's who I am. 

Have a wonderful November and Thanksgiving season.  More and more we have so much to be thankful for.

Until next time . . .