The JOY Tree

This is a JOY tree

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my place. A tradition I've done for many years is to put my Christmas tree up Thanksgiving weekend. Well, this year was no different and my tree is up! In addition to my big tree there is a JOY tree in my hallway! As I was talking to a friend of mine recently, it came up about all my Christmas ornaments and especially my JOY ornaments. I love Christmas and have many, many ornaments for my tree(s). I've got to the point where I can't even get them all on one tree. I've left a few off the last couple of years. She thought a JOY tree was a great idea. I didn't think that sounded too bad either so it became a reality Sunday afternoon.

Barb had given me her old tree a couple of years ago. I never did get it to the people I was going to and now I'm very glad I didn't. It fits so well in my little hallway (right outside my bathroom). There's about 30 ornaments on it and they all say JOY one way or the other. I'd like to add a couple new ones (and probably will), but it looks pretty good for the first time out.

I had to go out and buy some new lights on Sunday morning. And I didn't get lights all the way around, but since it's in a corner you can hardly tell the difference. Also my big tree has lights and garland all the way around, but there's a spot in the back that does not have ornaments (I think the JOY's belong there!).

A friend of mine drug all the boxes upstairs for me last Tuesday. They sat around here for a couple of days and then Wednesday afternoon (after work) I started putting the tree together. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to help me get my stuff up the stairs. Going down is not a problem (I can always tuck and roll) but bringing boxes, groceries, etc. up on some days is very hard. Don't believe the stories about the Golden Years! They just ain't true!!!!

Barb made a quick visit here on Wednesday night. She told me she would help get the Christmas stuff upstairs and put the tree together. She was very surprised (and pleasantly so, I hope) that she didn't have to do any of that. I had the tree halfway done by the time she got here. We finished putting it together and then went to bed. When she got up Thursday morning she started putting the lights on for me. She got them all up before she left for her Dad's for Thanksgiving dinner. I know I could have gotten it done, but bet it wouldn't be completed yet!!! I'm a little slow when it comes to climbing up and down on ladders!! I finished the tree on Saturday. Like I said, I'm a little slow. I did manage to get it pushed back into the corner where I want it. Learned a long time ago to put shiny cardboard underneath the base (it pushes so much easier that way).

Got a call from my son and his family on Thanksgiving Day wishing me a good one. That was cool! Made my day!! Everyone had something on for Thanksgiving Day this year so I had a TV (turkey) dinner and put up my tree. Watched some football (what else?) and did a little sleeping too! The tree is up (the big one), the JOY tree is complete and the majority of the decorations are put where I want them (or think I do). Sounds like Jim and his sisters will be able to come over tomorrow night and help drag all the empty boxes back downstairs. Sometimes it's a real pain to live on the second floor!!

My family (or those that can) are getting together this coming weekend at my sister's. I'm planning on that plus going to a basketball game that evening. Mike's team will be playing at home and since I haven't seen any of his teams play yet . . . thought this was a good time!! I'm sure we'll have a very enjoyable day together!!

I'd love to say that I'm done shopping but that just ain't true! I talked to Jim tonight and asked him what he and Mandy wanted for Christmas this year. He couldn't come up with anything. That was a bummer, but I'll think of something between then and now!!

Have a trip planned for Des Moines on Thursday. It's a Planner's Meeting. Guess I'll leave on Thursday morning and come back that evening. Makes for a long day, but if everything goes okay at the office I should be able to leave a little earlier on Friday. Get started on my sleep!!

I gave myself a sore foot putting up the tree. I stepped back and right on the end of one of the branches. It punctured my foot, bleed and is sore, but seems to be okay. I've been watching it closely and had our nurse look at it today at work. She'll continue to monitor my foot (poor woman) and if there's a problem I'll hike off to the doctor. What a dumb thing to do! Barb asked if I was wearing shoes . . . of course not . . . that's about the first thing I take off when I get home. I do, however now, wear slippers. Live and learn.

Have a great week all.

I just checked Jim & Mandy's blog. I have a darling granddaughter! Isn't she the cutest thing!!! I'm looking forward to the holidays and spending some time with my little Urbandale family. I'll be staying with Barb and enjoying her company too. Hope they all enjoy mine!!

I had company for the weekend. Glee, Beth & Jackson came Saturday to do some shopping. What fun to spend time with Jackson. He is such a sweet little boy. And so good. I know his mother will argue with me about being good but considering he rode in his car seat from home to my place, from here to the Mall and sat again in his stroller. He was really good. We stopped at the Humane Society at the Mall and looked at the dogs and cats. He got really excited when he saw the cats and called them by name -- his cat's name! But it's so much fun to watch his expressions and listen to him talk. He's growing up so fast. Oh, it was nice spending time with his mother and grandmother (Damma) too. We didn't get a lot of shopping done, but it was fun just getting out and being with other people.

I don't see my sister as much as I'd like too, but have been with her the last 3 weekends. Wow! Wonder what she's doing this next weekend. Beth & Glee went with me (or I with them) the first of the month to the craft fair in Ankeny. That was a nice weekend. Last weekend there was a big craft fair here in Dubuque and Glee came down on Friday night and we went to that on Saturday. Like I said, I've seen a lot of her lately.

I have a friend coming over tomorrow night to help bring all my Christmas stuff up from my storage closet in the basement. I'm going to just take my time and get everything together. Deadline is Monday, November 30th. To be done by then! I should be able to make that.

Work has been busy. I spent a week promoting our programs to a group of individuals that will be loosing their jobs in 2010. Pink slips have not gone out yet, but they're coming. The company is trying to do as much as possible for their employees and I'm part of the group that goes into businesses and plants when closings happen. It's kinda depressing. Makes a person thankful for what they have!! I did finally get my State reports finished on Friday and saw it on its way. I'm sure there will be some touch up that has to be done but the biggest part of it is finished. This is a short week (jeans week) at work. I'm planning on finding a home for all the lone papers laying around, making up folders and just plain cleaning out the place. We have a potluck on Wednesday and I'm leaning toward making pumpkin bars or apple crisp. Have to see how ambitious I feel on Tuesday night.

Thanksgiving will be spent putting Christmas together at my house. I bought a turkey TV dinner for Thursday. I also bought a small (3 lbs.) turkey breast. I love turkey. I still have to pick up cranberries, can't have turkey either real or TV without cranberry sauce. I have a co-worker that has no place to go on Thanksgiving either so may ask her if she'd like to join me. I can put her to work stringing lights!!!

I have so much to be thankful for. First of all I'm employed. I have a job. I can pay my bills. I have two wonderful children, a beautiful granddaughter and daughter-in-law. I have a sister and family that I love dearly. These people make my world go around. They're all very special for me, and I thank God every night when I say my prays that they are part of my life. My health is fairly good (aches and pains come and go and I'll just keep on truckin'). I live in a country that gives me my freedom to do what I want and be what I want. For all of this I am thankful. We seem to overlook Thanksgiving in this country (and it's our holiday, no other country) and go directly from Halloween to Christmas. I'm as much at fault as the next person. But I am thankful for what I have and guess I just want everyone to know that. I have friends that I'm thankful for. They keep me sane (or crazy, whatever the day provides). You get out of life what you put into it. It's just like a job -- you have to work at it to make it what you want it to be!!

To my family and friends, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember those you love. Stay safe if you're traveling and everyone come back home safe and sound. God Bless All!

Plans??

Glee & Odie had a tug-of-war!

Jim with his darling daughter!

Charlotte with her GJ!!

I was told this is a 'blue' elephant!

Are we having fun yet??

It's that time of year . . . everybody is scrambling and trying to get together with friends and family for the holidays. Doesn't seem possible that Thanksgiving will soon be here. I do the same thing every year at Thanksgiving . . . I put up my tree and decorate my house. I do so love Christmas and all the colors and music. My tree stays up longer than anyone I know too! Course sometimes that's my own fault. I just get lazy and don't take it down!!!

My sister is going to try and get as many of us together as possible for Thanksgiving December 5th. It's kinda one of those 'plans' that those that can make it will, and those that can't will try and make it next year. Mike has a basketball game the evening of the 5th so I think I'll try and attend that too. That should be fun, haven't gone to a high school game for a long time!!

Glee, Beth and I went to Ankeny November 7th to the North Pole Village Craft Fair. We used the Hotel Barb and had a very enjoyable weekend. Got some things for Christmas and had a good time too. My legs won't let me walk for a long period of time (nor my left foot) but I found times when I could sit for a minute or two and went right back at it. It's the same when I drive for longer periods of time. Getting out of the car must look pretty funny to anyone that doesn't know me. I have to get my legs to cooperate and gooooooo! Not bad enough yet that I can't go where I want, just have to take a little more time.

We spent Saturday afternoon/early evening with Jim & Charlotte. Mandy had a wedding shoot and wasn't able to be with us, but I got some nice pictures of my little Charlotte and had a nice visit with Jim. We were able to get together with the whole family on Sunday for an early lunch. Charlotte was a doll. She was a little tired and finally gave up and fell asleep in her carrier. What a sweetheart!

Work has been very busy of late. Got all my meetings in with the Thermo-Fisher Scientific group and even got my board meeting done. Now to get at the minutes and work on my state reports. State is due by Friday, November 20th. I'm looking forward to the weekend and being lazy!! I'm afraid I have some long days ahead.

Tomorrow I must get my driver's license! I've put it off forever and am down to the wire. I have until Tuesday to get it without having to take the test again. Why do I leave things go? To start with I forgot it was due and then got busy (or used that as an excuse) and now will have to do it. The driver's license office has moved so have to find it too. Getting old can be the pits!

I've been doing some Christmas shopping and working on some scrapbooks. I did one for a lady that retired from our agency this past week. I didn't think it would take as much time as it did, but it turned out quite well. We had a retirement party for her today. She's been with the agency for over 36 years. Don't think I'll make it that far. I celebrated ??? my 25th year September 28th and doubt that I'll make it beyond 29 years. Think I'll retire and then go out and find a job!! Isn't that what a lot of people do?

Christmas plans are coming along. Talked Mandy this evening. I'll be traveling to Ankeny and Urbandale for Christmas Eve this year. Mandy has invited me to spend the day (Christmas Eve day) with them. Barb will be there too, I think. I'll probably spend Christmas Day with Barb and then head home for part of the weekend. Hope the weather cooperates so that I get where I want to be!!

My side of family haven't got a date set yet to get together. Hopefully soon those plans can be made. As our families expand, so do our plans.

My Colts are on, so I best sit down and cheer them on. Hope for a victory.