Well, Thanksgiving is here and gone. I’m not sure where all the days went, but they’re gone. Now the rush for Christmas has begun. I did not join the millions who went Black Friday shopping. The whole concept doesn’t sit well with me. I can’t imagine getting up in the way dark, traveling to a store; waiting in the cold, then dashing for my preferred merchandise!

I don’t mind shopping, I don’t even mind the crowds, it’s all part of the Christmas rush that makes this time of the year so exciting. I just don’t want to do it on bait and switch day. So I’m Cyber Monday shopping on Sunday. I’ve been sitting here quietly shopping for the last few hours. I believe I have the grandkids done. I may have to locate some games for the little boys. It’s a nice feeling even though you don’t get the rush of the crowds. You do get heartburn when you get to the checkout menu, so I guess not all the fun is gone!

We spent Thanksgiving at my sister-in-law’s lake house. She has a beautiful house right on Lake Limestone. I was able to get a new grandchildren picture including the new great-grandbaby, Lucas. I can’t wait to get them printed.

Our Houston relatives wanted to come up and make sure they said their goodbyes to Scott, Heather and the kids. I don’t want to think about the fact that my family will be gone in one month. Scott keeps telling me I can visit, but that is a long way to go. A lot can happen in four years. He of course, will be deployed next year. Neither Heather nor I even want to run that thought past the front of our brains too often!

Russ picked up a bug Friday, so we left a little early Saturday morning. The house was full of sniffly kids, so it’s not so surprising. Mind you, he rarely gets sick, it’s really quite disgusting!

Christmas will be here at the farm. We’ll be stretching the seams a little, but I love a full house. There is something wonderfully satisfying about a house full of loving family. It will be especially joyful with my sister Dee and her husband Dave here. He is a workaholic, so I have a long list of things to keep him busy! What more can you ask for? A great family guest who loves to help out and likes to keep busy! He doesn’t know what he is in for, but I do! We’re going to have a blast.

I’m babbling on here about the wonder of the holiday season, but I’m also alive to the fact many families are suffering because their loved ones are not here to share the festivities. Many soldiers are far from home and hearth, and we have lost several beloved community members. I wish there were some way to get all those men and women home for the holidays.

My son Scott is a WWII history buff. He has memorabilia all over his office and home study. He even has a picture of Doolittle Raiders signed by 12 of the remaining 14 members of the squad. His cousin, Gerald was a member of the famous Red River Rats during the Vietnam War. My dad served in WWII also, but as RCAF. I read somewhere that the WWII vets are dying at about 3000 a day. That seems very high, but they are getting quite old! At any rate, if you’re a vet and have some war stories to tell to a young Master Sgt. Scott will be glad to listen.

Sherriff Brown has been around the school lately. He’s just letting the kids know he’s around, which is quite good as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know why kids have to destroy, but some just have to break windows and mess stuff up they shouldn’t touch.

I hope everyone has put the Christmas Musical on their calendar. It will be December the 13th at 6:00pm in the Christian Church. It’s going to be a marvelous production, I hope you can attend. Mary Kate will still take anyone who wants to work hard and learn the music.

Another thing has caught my attention. Have you seen the beautiful arrangements and decorations that are coming out of Ruthie’s? Lyn is doing a superbly artistic job with her merchandise. I’m very proud of our little home town business. I hope everyone goes by and spends a little time and money. What’s that slogan from Brownwood? "Turn around, shop in town." Her prices are reasonable, her merchandise eye-catching and her decorations stunning! Let’s help her build and expand her business.

We have UIL this week, so I’m not expecting to get much done with the kids. We are the host school, so we have a good food reputation to maintain. This is a very short cycle. I’m not sure how I will get all the stuff I need to teach crammed into this one short little period. Plus the kids are already on overdrive headed for Christmas! Oh well, that’s part of what makes this job fun.

Susan Luna is overjoyed because her husband and her sister have returned to her. She asked me to put that in the paper a week or so ago. I keep leaving the paper at school. So Susan, I’m sure I have messed this up, but here it is!

So please, spread some sunshine, give where you can afford to give, share your blessings where possible. This is the most wonderful time of the year. So, to all of you who share my joy in this season; I shower blessings on you and your season.

Please pray for our precious troops and their families. Have a busy and successful week as you share the joy of this special season.