Christmas Day - Saturday December 25, 2010

12/25/2010 - 0745

Christmas 2010 has arrived.   It is a White Christmas this year.  About an inch of new snow fell last night – on a mantle of an existing 5”.  It is beautiful to say the least!

We, at the Allman household, are waiting with great anticipation the arrival of the remainder of our family – traveling from Fort Wayne, IN this morning – arriving late this afternoon.  Nanny will be arriving from Shinnston later this morning too.  I plowed the road as a way to make it easy for those with 4WD to navigate the driveway.  Snow melted on the blacktop.

 Ginger and Brian arrived yesterday afternoon from Darlington MD.  I said I’m glad we have holidays because otherwise we’d never see them.  The afternoon was spent relaxing and doing some cooking.  Cornbread and Taco soup has become a tradition at Christmas.  This year is no exception.  I made the cornbread and Connie made the Taco soup.  Ummmmm!!

Christmas Eve also means going to Church for the midnight service.  Traveling from Rockford Mountain to Bridgeport takes us through Lost Creek.  Each Christmas eve the town goes “all out” with decorations.  Lumens lined the road for over a mile from east of Lost Creek to I-79.  The intersection in the middle of town looked like a scene directly from Currier and Ives. 

Christmas Eve service at BUMC (Bridgeport United Methodist Church) was awesome.  The Christmas story was presented many ways – from the reading of the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew to the choir bringing the story together with songs.  Steven told a wonderful Christmas story about going to see the baby Jesus.  He told us we still can still see Jesus – we must take time from our hectic schedule to humble ourselves before him! The church was packed!  The service closed with a candlelight service and the singing of Silent Night.  As we left the church we were greeted with light snow drifting from the sky like small fluffy feathers.

After returning from church Connie & I stayed up until 2:00 a.m.  We were waiting for Santa.  It is true he doesn’t arrive until everyone has gone to bed.  So I in my kerchief and Ma in her cap, we settled down for our long winter’s nap.  Guess what? When we got up this morning Santa had been here – I have pictures to prove it – packages all around the tree – WOW! 

I’m not sure why having a White Christmas seems to be so important, but I did some research to satisfy my curiosity.  A White Christmas is defined as having 1” of snow covering the ground on Christmas Day.  The snow can be present on or before Christmas to qualify.   I like the snow simply because it makes the short day of winter so much brighter and cozy. No matter from where the tradition came, it’s so picturesque here today with the ground covered with snow.  Inside Christmas carols fill the house with music. The mouth watering aroma of the pumpkin pies baking, the smell of cranberries cooking, along with all the other activities that comes with Christmas make one’s spirit bright. 

…..later….
Everyone finally arrived - about 5:00 p.m. - food was ready, and we gathered in the kitchen, gave thanks - sang the "grace" song and filled our tummies with good food. 

Following dinner it was time to gather around the Christmas tree to see what Santa delivered.  Macie and Mallory, along with the help of their Aunt G passed out gifts.  Gifts and more gifts - we must have all been extremely good!!  Everything from cloths to gift cards - even a Cobra Helicopter that really flies.  I've always wanted to fly so I guess this will be my vicarious way to get my pilot's license.  Owen said this was the "best Christmas ever" - he's 4.

12-26-2010 - 0935
It's Sunday.  It continues to snow.  Less than an inch so far, but the weather man is calling for 1 to 3 inches today.  We are lounging around the house this morning.  The whole family is here.  The house is filled with "kid" noises, Ipod noises, TV Christmas movie noises, and the hovering of a Cobra Helicopter.  Now it doesn't any better than this!!!!

Winter Solstice

Winter solstice…. Tomorrow is the official start of winter 2010.
Winter solstice means the Earth’s axial tilt is furthest away from the sun in the northern hemisphere – as defined by Wikipedia encyclopedia. It also means the least number of daylight hours during the calendar year – the first day of winter. Unfortunately, the bad thing about winter solstice is the continuation of cold and the possibility of snow for several weeks.  The most wonderful thing about this day is the next day means a minute or so more daylight; on and on until the first day of summer.  Of course snow is a function of moisture and temperature.  Would it be related to the so called Global Warming?  Or could it be El Niño - (a periodic change in the currents of the Pacific Ocean)?

West Virginia has experienced snow and cold weather the entire month of December to date in spite of the fact winter doesn’t officially start until tomorrow. 

Have I worn out this winter thing?  If so, I’m ready for spring.  As the seasonal song says “let it snow, let it snow”, well, let it snow.  I like the mantel of white, because it keeps Santa from getting stuck in the mud.  However, as soon as he makes his trip on Christmas Eve – "let the sun shine in".

Merry Christmas!

Anticipating Christmas

As I think back over this year I find it hard to believe December 2009 has slipped into December 2010.

I heard it said all my life, by folks older than me, that time flies the older one gets. Now that I fall into that "older" category I can tell you, first hand, that axiom is absolutely true.  But how does that correlate to anticipating Christmas?

Christmas is timeless.  According to the Biblical account Christmas began with a Child being born in the Little Town of Bethlehem.  A little town that was extremely crowded because of a decree  from Emperor Augustus that all the world was to be registered.  Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was from Nazareth in Galilee and they were required to go the city of David, called Bethlehem to be registered. According to the Biblical account,  there were no rooms available.  The only place they could find to rest was in a stable, a barn.  While they were there the time came for Mary to deliver her child. "You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger for there was no room in the inn" (Luke 2:7).  This little child was Jesus - thus the Advent of Christmas.  This story never gets old - timeless!

I've heard this story since I was a very small child and it never grows old, at least not to me. Therefore, timeless. Since I can first remember anticipation of Christmas brought excitement.  Even though Christ was always the center of Christmas in our home, there was the excitement of the arrival of Santa Claus.  Yes, I still believe in Santa!  I remember one Christmas (I was 5) going to Clarksburg and seeing Rudolph the "red nosed reindeer" - he really had a red nose - imagine that!  I always left Santa some cookies and milk - it was always gone when I got up the next morning.  Santa read letters from the North Pole via our local radio station each year. I would sit by the radio each afternoon, with great anticipation of hearing my name. I was so excited when he read my name and acknowledged my letter.  Anticipation!  I've never grown out of the excitement and anticipation of Christmas.

The anticipation of Christmas became new again when Connie and I had children - two beautiful daughters. They were always so excited at Christmas - still are.  As always, Christ was the center of Christmas.  Santa Claus came to visit again and again each year while they were at home.   Milk and cookies and sugar for the reindeer was a must with the girls. Timeless.  Those years, with the children,  flew by so quickly.  Each year brought it's own special and fond memories. The girls are grown and gone.  I long for those Christmas's gone by.

I'm now a grandparent.  Where did those years go?  Once again the anticipation of Christmas with the grandchildren brings extra special meaning and real reason for Christmas. Everyone lives so far away - it other States.  Mimi and Pop, as we are affectionately called, get extremely excited and we anticipate their visit.  Santa is very busy - not only stopping at their house, but also stopping on Rockford Mountain.  He hides gifts in special places in the house.  The kids have a blast trying to find their special gifts.  Did I mention cookies and milk?  Yes, Santa gets an extra treat at their house and here.

Two weeks from today is Christmas Eve.  That means going to church for the midnight candlelight service.  Joy to the World will be sung by the choir.  Silent Night will be sung while the lights are dimmed and candles are lit signifying the LIGHT coming the world.  Anticipation!  Timeless!

Anticipation.  A word full of meaning and excitement!!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays.  It is a time to take some time to reflect on all there is to be thankful.  Aromas coming from the kitchen early on Thanksgiving morning gets the tastbuds excited -Turkey cooking, pumpkin pies baking, cranberries stewing - it just doesn't get any better than that!!

Anticipating the visit from friends and family to share that special dinner is also exciting.  There is no other day when everyone gathers around the table to give thanks for all the blessings throughout the year.  Our family has been exceedingly blessed.  During our meal we usually have Christmas music playing softly in the background - this sets the mood for the upcoming Holiday Season. 

Thanksgiving 2010 was a continuation of family traditions at the Allman household.  Wednesday evening before the big day, Ginger and Brian made their way from Maryland to our house - to stay until Sunday.  Dorothy joined us for dinner - a dinner prepared by Ginger and Connie.  Ginger, for most part, took over the kitchen and Oh what a meal she prepared!!  Real garlic and cheese mashed potatoes, specially seasoned turkey breasts, a special receipt for the stuffing, and homemade bread.  Connie made her famous turkey gravy along with her cooked cranberries.  Pumpkin pie (also Connie's) for desert.  Red and White Wine was also on the menu.  Needless to say not a person left the table hungry.  Once again, it just doesn't get any better than this.

Amie, Mark, Macie, Mallory and Owen - the rest of our family - spent their Thanksgiving at their home in Fort Wayne.  We missed them tremendously!  Conversations via "Ma Bell"  brought them to our home for a short visit.

As we give thanks, it is important to  remember the source of all our gifts.  God made it all, and to God be the Glory!

Bathroom Project

11-26-2010
No matter how long one lives in his home there are a million things to be done.  Bathroom projects are no exception.  Today the project consists of removing and replacing the water closet.  We live in the "green" era where saving water is being politically correct.  This new commode is a real water saver!  Even though I live in West Virginia, our house is equipped with "running water" - electricity too!  An update will follow upon completion of the project.

The update - today is 11-27-2010.  The project went, for most part, without a hitch.  Brian, my son-in-law, did most of the work - you see I'm old - he had a slight problem fitting the wax ring.  However after a few modifications everything fit almost perfectly.  After getting everything bolted down, attaching the water bowl, and connecting the water line it was time to give it a try.  IT WORKED!  As with any and all projects it is very rewarding to have successful results.  This project was successful!!