Christmas...On a Sunday

Christmas fell on Sunday this year and surprisingly enough, some people could not make it to church that day because it interfered with Christmas.

😲😕😵

Uummm...Excuse me?  You don't have time to worship Christ...on Christmas?!

We got up, got dressed and headed out the door before ever tearing an inch of wrapping paper.  

We had communion again at church, we sang Christmas songs and a group from the church sang "Children Go Where I Send Thee".  

How awesome is it to celebrate Christ and Christmas on His day of the week.

After church, we came back home, assembled in the living room and passed out gifts. 

Around 12:30, we loaded up the car and headed to my mother-in-laws.

We had Christmas lunch there and lounged around for a few hours.

We were back home by 4 pm resting on our own couch.

What a peaceful feeling. Happy birthday Jesus.

Have Yourself a Mediocre Christmas

Still in denial, I got up Christmas Eve morning faced the day that should not be here already.
I got the stove turned on
I baked a spiral ham in the crock pot, I made potato salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac-n-cheese, corn and rolls. It's going to be a starchy Christmas 😋
While I was cooking, my nephew (in law) called and asked if we were having Christmas at MaMaw's.  I told him that I was taking dinner at 3pm, but there was no set time for everybody to be there. I figured people could just go by whenever it fit into their schedules. He told me that he thought Christmas at MaMaw's was cancelled.  I'm not sure why he would think that. For 41 year, we have visited mom's house on Christmas Eve, it's tradition.  I (for one) am not breaking my traditions until the inevitable happens.
Stacia had text last week and asked about moms and Darlene text earlier this week and asked. I just figured it was becoming too intrusive of every bodies holidays to set schedules and request menu items from family. The one time that I decide to just "play it by ear",  people begin to think Christmas is cancelled. Nope..head on over...we will see you there.

Turns out, the whole family (except Tiffany and her family) came for Christmas Eve dinner. The only downfall was that several got upset and left before dinner was served. 😲
Everybody's word vomit claimed another holiday.   🙊  Typical.
If it was not for dysfunction, we just wouldn't function at all.
One grandchild (Brooke)  and nine great grandchildren opened their gifts from MaMaw as she sat in her chair and watched.  I wish Madison and Braeden could have stayed long enough to open their gifts, but mom can give theirs to them later this weekend.
When we got back to Cookeville, we headed to church for a candlelight service.  We had communion and sang Christmas songs.  It is one of my favorite services of the year.  We finally got to head home and rest around 7:15 pm.
Christmas Eve 2016 had already came and went.

Twas the Week Before Christmas

My healthy streak continued on Thursday, December 15, 2016.  We went to dinner with the Loyd and Linda at Nick's. I ordered monterey chicken (which is grilled). I'm tellin' ya...I felt that bad on Tuesday that I really wanted to change my diet. After two days of protein I was actually starting to feel better. I even went by Sharon A.'s annual "Nibbles & Sip's" party and did not partake in the chocolate pie.  It is tough to pass up all the goodies, especially this time of year.
I also wanted to share another story of how God showed up once again.  If you never take time to notice when God directly sets something in your path, then you have really missing out on a beautiful thing.

This year, I have been looking for wireless Beats by Dre for Devin. Not just any $299 pair, but a pair on sale.  I've tried websites, black Friday sales, department stores in other cities...any place I could think of to save a hundred bucks.  I had concluded that I would either wait until his birthday and watch for sales or fork over the full $328.15 (with tax) to get the wireless ones that he really wants.
Stroker and I were talking about this as we were getting groceries at Wal-Mart. As we went through the store, I strolled on over to the electronics department to debate on such a costly set of headphones.
As I approached the locked cabinet, I could already see the big yellow sticker CLEARANCE $199.
I bent down to get a closer look thinking they had to be the wired set, but they weren't. They were the newest edition of wireless Beats. I ask a sales associate if they were a "return", but he said "no".  He followed by saying "those must have just went on clearance in the last hour because they weren't there earlier...they won't last long".
"No they won't" I said..."I''' take them".  The poor guy spent the next ten minutes trying to find the key to unlock the cabinet, but I would have waited all night.
I know God loves us all, but he is always always always doing this kind of stuff for me. Sometimes I try to understand how He can always give me the grace that I could never in a million years deserve.  I just can't comprehend how someone could love me so much, but He just does. I feel is if I stumble around blindly and He just sets what I am looking for right in my path.  Thanks God.

On Friday, December 16, 2016 I stopped by First Baptist Church for visitation for Lisa Hammon's husband.  We had dinner with friends at the Dipsy Doodle. I shopped a little at JC Penney and Kohls.

It got up to 70 degrees on Saturday, December 17, 2016. What crazy weather.  I made a trip to Lowe's, took a nap and we took Chris and Ashley to dinner at Craw Daddy's.

Before we knew it, the weekend was winding down. We went to church on Sunday, December 18, 2016 and then to Chili's for lunch.  We went to dad and Phyllis' later in the day for our annual Christmas gathering.  It was quieter that years past. Not as many people there all at once.  We stayed for a couple of hours.

With only two weeks until Christmas, I was beginning to panic. I still had not started taking shopping seriously.  The tree was the only decoration that went up at my house and the festivities were happening weather I was ready or not. 

I picked up mom on Monday, December 19, 2016 and brought her with us to look at the luminaries in Hillsdale. There were sections that had a lot of participation, and other sections that were scattered.  We stopped to get some things for mom from the store on the way home and ended the night at El Tapatio to have dinner with Steve and Georgi.

Brooke hosted a hot chocolate party after school on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. She and three of her friends exchanged gifts, celebrated the beginning of Christmas break and lounged at our house all day and night.

I joined Debi and Janice at the movies to watch Collateral Beauty.

The usual church and Cracker Barrel visit took place on Wednesday, December 22, 2016.

We had a girls movie night at Kate's on Thursday, December 23, 2016.

We sat around under the Christmas lights and watched "It's a Wonderful Life".

And then it was here...the day before Christmas Eve. Friday, December 23, 2016. 

Was I excited?  No.

Was I ready?  No

Did I feel Joy?  No

But it was here, so I went with it.

Brooke and I went to moms, put up her Christmas tree, vacuumed her floors, wiped down the counters, swept and mopped.  Brooke helped mom wrap her gifts to the grand kids.  

When we got back home, I got a shower and got ready because we had a Christmas dinner to attend at our pastor's house at 6 pm.  

December Sprint

Friday, December 2, 2016 meant that there were only three weekends left to get Christmas together.

I couldn't bare the thought of fighting crowds and scrambling for gifts, so we went to dinner instead.
We wound up back at O'Charley's for the second time in two days, but that's okay. O'Charley's is making a comeback on our list of restaurants that we prefer. This visit, we met Sterl and Debi there.
Brooke had Mary and Treasure over for a sleepover. She had me to go pick up some flannel pj's to wear.

We spent most of Saturday, December 3, 2016 hanging around the house mostly. Brooke was tired from sitting up late with her friends so she she took a nap later on in the evening. Stroker and I went and I had to make a trip to Algood, so we watched the Algood Christmas parade while we were there..

After church on Sunday, December 4, 2016 we went to lunch at Outback with some friends from church.  I was tired, so I went home for a nap before heading to Belmont for the K-Love Christmas Concert. Heather went with me (and drove). We made a quick stop at Target on the way. I can always find something to buy at Target. 😁

I really wanted to go to hear Mac Powell {Third Day}.

He is one of my favorites.

  Stroker went to a meeting at church where he was voted in to be a trustee. ⛪

After I got Brooke to school on Monday, December 5, 2016, I drove around to all of the BoPC branches and got stamps in my "passport" book so that I could turn it in for a contest. I got done just in time to get to Sparta, pick up mom and get her to her doctor appointment. I picked up lunch for her before taking her back home. I had to get back to Cookeville by 3:30 to pick up Brooke from school, so it was a hectic day.

We gave Logan's a shot for dinner on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. That restaurant has really declined on our "places to eat" list. hOur dinner Tuesday was okay, but I just don't feel like it is sanitary in there. Especially after our three "sightings".

We serviced a Christmas party on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 and had a fellowship meal at church Wednesday evening. I made macaroni and cheese and another dish. I could have cooked a ham because daddy had stopped by earlier in the day and brought us a ham and a pack of buns. 

That's just how daddy plays Santa.  

Paula K. came to see me on Thursday, December 8 and brought me a gift certificate to Cracker Barrel. She sure knows what I like. I'm saving it for Wednesday nights though.

We went shopping at Sam's and had dinner at Steak-n-Shake that night. 

By Friday, December 9, 2016 winter made an appearance. The temperature plummeted to the teens.

Stroker, Brooke, Deb, Sterl and I drove to Doyle to see the live nativity. It was a walk through nativity scene. In the time it took us to make a lap, we were shivering. I'm not sure how those people made it standing out there for almost three hours. 

While in Sparta, we ate at  Casa Luna for dinner. On our way back to Cookeville, we detoured to seem some Christmas lights.

The Women of Faith Christmas Brunch was held on Satruday, December 10, 2016.

I didn't plan on participating in the cookie swap, but I wound up bringing cookies home.

I took a nap because I am getting used to those lately. 💤

We also laid on the couch and watched Christmas movies. After dark, we went to El Tapatio for dinner and drove through the live nativity at Cookeville First Church.

We got up Sunday, morning, December 11, 2016 and headed to church. Afterwords, we had lunch at Olive Garden. The Christmas parade was held at 3:00 and we watched from our usual spot.

I took mom some dinner on Monday, December 12, 2016 and visited her for a while.

I also went to the store and done some shopping for her since she can't get out very easily these days.

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016 I woke up very weak and trembly. I almost passed out in the shower, but made it back to the bed to lie down for a minute.  I hate when these spells happen. I have got to get this P.C.O.S. under control.  The worst thing about being insulin resistant is that the symptoms sneak up on you and attack without warning.

Why can't my body just use food for energy instead of just storing fat?  I wish there were a cure to just turn this off.

It was around noon before I started to feel somewhat better and my headache began to subside.

I made sure to only eat protein the entire day.

I made sure to consciously choose protein foods for Wednesday, December 14th too. I cooked a roast at home for dinner, so we didn't even go to Cracker Barrel after church.

It was nice to have a home cooked meal too.  I really need to take my condition into consideration more when deciding what to eat.

Brookelynn had dinner and fell asleep on the couch. Her problem is that she stays up to late socializing.  That's another thing I can't handle anymore {late nights}

My First Gift.

Let me start by saying I am not ready for December. 

These are the 10 requirements for December.

1. Celebration

2. Festivities

3. Decorations

4. Baking

5. Gifts

6. Excitement

7. Dinners

8. Shopping

9. Peace

10.Bubbly Attitude

Currently I do not possess of any of it's requirements. 

This is the month that we are supposed to reflect on Christ's birth, our Savior's arrival, our peace on earth. Instead it's become a commercialized, stress induced countdown to the big day. 

It is supposed to be  the big day where we wake up with joyful hearts and praise for the Messiah, but instead, it's the big day where, you know, you receive that one materialistic thing you have been wanting to get your hands on for weeks. Or maybe even the big disappointment that you didn't get the thing that you were hoping for.  Even those of us who would like to keep it simple and keep it about Jesus gets pulled in, as the season steadily evolves into a secular holiday. 

I feel ashamed to be depressed about this glorious time of year, but not having a handle on life during this time of year really brings me down.

Just like always, God knows exactly when to show up. As I acknowledged the calendar on Thursday, December 1, 2016 and took a deep breath, God came through for me. It was dinner time and Stroker and I decided on O'Charley's. Brooke had fallen asleep on the couch and Devin was in his room with the PlayStation remote in his hand.  I asked Devin if he wanted to come to dinner with us just like always (but he always declines). We told Brooke to get up and get ready but she was too sleepy.

The next thing I knew, Devin was putting on his shoes.

Wait...was he actually going to join us for dinner?! 

 He never joins us for dinner.  

I tried my best not to act giddy or over excited (although I wanted to). The three of us went to dinner., had pieces of a conversation, spent quality time together and had a great meal.  

It felt so good for Devin be with us. I came back home feeling awesome. 

I got out the Christmas tree and had it decorated before bedtime.  

There is no gift on earth that would have meant more to me than Devin being a part of a family dinner.

Thanks God...you knew just what I wanted.

Thankful Too

Our second Thanksgiving was at Mildreds. She and Nan had been in the kitchen for a day and a half preparing enough food for the salvation army. By that evening, we all felt like stuffed Turkeys.

On Friday, November 25, 2016, we rested. All day, we rested...and ate leftovers. 

We got good news that Phyllis was coming home from the hospital Friday too.

On Saturday, November 26, 2016, we went back to Mildreds for dinner. She had cooked for Travis' birthday.  The rest of the day, we just lounged around.

Sunday, November 27, 2016 was church, lunch at Chili's, a visit at moms and then a visit at dad and Phyllis's.  Our way back home, we stopped in to visit brand new Hollyn. She was born while we were in Florida last week, but this was our first chance to visit.

I laid around the house all day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

They have began construction on the 15 new town houses on Stevens Street. Not sure why they have to lay down bedrock before they start building.

We got up and went to church on Wednesday evening, November 30, 2016 and had dinner at Cracker Barrel afterwords. 

Hard to believe tomorrow is December 1st. 

We sure are Thankful for all these days of rest. Rest is scarce around the Hayes House

There's a lot to be Thankful for

Although I was ready to kick into slow gear, "aint nobody got time for that". I got up a little earlier on Sunday, November 20, 2016 because it was my Sunday to bring breakfast to church. After breakfast, church and lunch at Chili's, I headed to Sparta to color my moms hair. She wanted to darken it up a little because she said that she "looks stupid with blonde hair at her age".  She almost backed out of coloring it though because she said it freezes her to get her hair wet.  We managed to get the color on and keep her warm long enough to get her hair dry.

And I like to play on snapchat with her too...

So, after I got mom all dolled up, I went to visit daddy and Phyllis for a while too. When I got to dads, I was in for a surprise. I didn't see Phyllis at first and then daddy told me that she was in the bedroom. I started to sit down on the couch, but daddy told me to go on back to the bedroom.  He told me that Phyllis couldn't get up because her titanium brace on her hip had broken and she was going to have to have surgery again.  How does that even happen?  After all her recovery, she has to start over on her right side.  I didn't visit long because I knew she was uncomfortable and wanted to rest.  Life sure can throw some curve balls.

Thank you God for blessing me with both a mom and dad in my life for the past 41 years.

Phyllis' surgery went well on Tuesday, November 21, 2016. Stroker and I went to visit her at the hospital later in the evening. She was in pain, but in good spirits.

I worked all day on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 and then came home to cook for Thanksgiving.
I made mashed potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese, potato salad, dressing, gravy, rolls and desert. Basically everything (except the turkey). This was the first year that I cooked the whole meal myself.
Later in the evening, breaking news came across the news that a Gatlinburg wild fire had started and the high winds of 60+ mph was spreading it fast. Gatlinburg has been evacuated and hundreds of structures are burning. The drought and the wind are feeding the fire.

Thank the Lord we are at home safe tonight and prayers for those affected by this.

We got up Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2016 and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade while we got ready. We took the morning kind of slow and headed to moms around noon.
When I got to moms, I got the table set and the rolls warmed up. Darlene and Gary dropped off the turkey and headed out.

It was definitely a non-traditional Thanksgiving this year. 

There were only four of us there for dinner.

Kevin dropped off drinks and left, Tiffany, Kendal and the kids stopped by for about 20 minutes and Katlin came by for a few minutes. 

Times are changing and so are people.  

The world we live into today is based on convenience.

Traditions are a thing of the past. 

Truth is, people will one day be a thing of the past.  

Thank you Lord for another Thanksgiving at my momma's house.  

Here lately, I catch myself watching momma and conciously trying to grasp what it will be like to not see her in her chair, or pouring a glass of milk, or munching on Frito chips. 

I look at her in the present and visualize who she was 20 years ago when she could cut the grass, plant rose bushes, trim hedges and work in her garden pond.  When she kept a clean kitchen, polished furniture and swept floors.

I miss momma then, but I sure am blessed to still have her today, sitting in a rocker, in her housecoat, enjoying a plate full of Thanksgiving.  God is so good.

5th Annual Christmas Shopping Trip

Last year, we barely got our shopping trip in before Christmas. This year, we didn't take any chances.
I got up early on Saturday, November 19, 2016 and got ready because I knew Maleigha would be early  (he-hem)  I mean on time.  Just as I predicted, she was in my driveway, just before 7am.
We made plans last year to wear "Ugly" Christmas sweaters while we shopped this year...so that is what we wore on Saturday.

We had the best time as usual.  We hit up Cracker Barrel, Prime Outlets of Lebanon, The Avenue in Murfreesboro, MiMi's Cafe, Target, Kirklands,...and all the other traditional spots except Old Time Pottery.  Maleigha dropped me back off at my house after bedtime. 

So, I hauled everything to my bedroom as quietly as I could and said goodnight to another day.

The Pleasure of Our Business

We missed the Feast of Thanksgiving yet again at church on Sunday, November 13, 2016 because immediately after morning church service we headed south to Florida. We traveled throughout the day and arrived at the Marriott Lakeshore Reserve just before 11pm.  Too late to swim, but not to late to check out the fitness gym, the sauna and the steam room.

We didn't hang out anywhere long because we knew we needed to get plenty of rest for the next day.

On Monday, November 14, 2016, we got up, got dressed, and went to breakfast at Denny's.

Afterwords, we headed to Universal Studios Islands of adventure.  Now that I am in my 40's, roller coaster adventures are not what the adventure that they used to be.  Stroker and I hung in there for the most part, but toward the end of the day, we were sitting on benches while the girls rode the rides.

We stayed at the park until dark and then headed back to the hotel to relax in the hot tub. Well, I relaxed in the hot tub...Brooke and Mary swam in the pool and lazy river.

We got up early on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 and headed to day 1 at the IAAPA.  They only purchase that I made at IAAPA on Tuesday, was a fan that neutralizes oders.  We walked for about four miles of booths and sampled all sorts of food.  We tried out some neat fair rides and the girls tried some virtual reality rides.  

When we left the convention, we went over to Disney and had dinner at the 

Hoop De Doo Musical Review

What a tiring day Tuesday was.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 was more of the same...wake up early, head to IAAPA and Sample, eat, see, experience and walk. ALL DAY LONG!.

 

 Wednesday evening at our hotel, Brooke and Mary enjoyed pampering and room service while Stroker and I went to dinner with our insurance company at Texas De Brazil.

We took a break from all the trade show walking on Thursday, November 17th and relaxed on Cocoa Beach for a while. 

We shopped a little at Ron Jon's Surf shop. You can't visit Cocoa Beach without stopping at Ron Jon's.

Later on that day, we ventured back to Disney and took a stroll down memory lane where we got married. We stood in the very spot where we said "I Do".

Then                              and                            Now

 Of course, Disney has changed the scenery by adding bungalows along the water front, but it was still good to visit the place.

We rode the monorail around Disney while we were there. That is beginning to be an annual tradition.

We thought about staying for the Luau, but it had been getting cold and night and our long sleeve shirts and jeans were back at the hotel. 

We were wearing down too. We had been going non stop all week.  

Back to the hotel we went.

On Friday, November 18, 2016 we headed back home and arrived around 8:15 pm. 

We unpacked, showered and got ready for a good nights sleep in our own beds.