Christmas is over.  I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Is is ok to admit that?  

We started off the week with Mom's cataract surgery.  I can't tell you how glad I am that day is over.  

Christmasversary

This Christmas, we celebrated Jesus' birth and Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.  

Mom and Dad were married Christmas Eve, 1958.  

Is it Almost Summer Yet?

It's Sunday night; another weekend has come to an end.  My weekend started out very busy and ended very quietly.  Saturday, I had two parties to attend.  Those who know me will already know that is a lot of socializing for an introverted Julie.  I love being around my friends; just not all at once!  I don't know how much of that is being introverted and how much is having Social Anxiety Disorder. Or how much is just being Julie.  

Party #1:  Cat's Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange Party

I met Cat's family while serving at Elevation Church several years ago.  Suzanne (Cat's mom), Allison (Cat's sister), and Cat all served on the Sunday night hospitality team with me.  The Spantgos family are truly the salt of the earth.  I have never met a more generous family when it comes to helping those in need.  

Allison and Me

Christmas Catchup

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted.  Christmas was a wonderful blur.  I was blessed to host my family.  Scott made prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes & gravy.  I made green bean casserole (dad's favorite).  Mom brought deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese.  Oh, and bread.  Mom brought the bread because I realized the night before that I had forgotten to buy any!  Rana brought grape leaves & salad.  

Sadly, my pictures came out too dark. 

Christmas Past

Today has been one of those unbelievably busy days with one thing right after the other.  To top it all off, I left my phone at work (hopefully).  I guess I didn't quite realize how attached to my phone I had become.  I even use it as my alarm clock so I'll have to figure something out to wake myself up on time in the morning.

Anyway, since I haven't taken any Christmas pictures yet this year, I thought I'd share a couple from last year.

Greta did not love her Ms. Claws suit.  Her tail was just a'waggin.....  You can see the blur...

I'm excited to take some new photos this year.  But maybe not of Ms. Claws.....

Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand

I stole that title from one of Relient K's Christmas albums - which I highly recommend.  Actually, I highly recommend any of Relient K's albums.

Thanks to some good advice from my friend Michael, I've been experimenting with taking pictures of my Christmas tree.  I'm sure this is only the first of several posts that I will have with various pictures of my Christmas tree.  Well, here it is.  Yes, there is one lonesome present under the tree.  That is for my nephew, Daniel. 

Here's a picture of our mantle complete with Sadie & Greta's stockings.  Greta gets 2 stockings...for now.

I'll post the rest of our Christmas decorations soon.  In the meantime, here is one of my very favorite Christmas ornaments...

You guessed it.  It's Charlie Brown.  It wouldn't feel like Christmas without the Peanuts gang!  OK...now I have to run to the first of 3 Christmas programs at our church.  Tonight it's the youth group's turn.