A Christmas Tradition... Postponed

Our family has a tradition of going to the Metamora Christmas Walk every year. Metamora is an old canal town in Indiana that decks itself out for Christmas. The highlights are luminaries lining the canal, countless shops selling everything Christmas related, an old fashioned steam train and Christmas spirit oozing out of every nook and cranny of this quaint little village. The Christmas walk goes on every Friday and Saturday night during the holiday season.

We were going to go tonight, but unfortunately the weather forecast is beyond cruddy. It is supposed to rain all weekend... YUCK! It is mostly an outdoor activity, so going tonight is obviously out of the question. What's most disappointing is we were going to include Michael's girlfriend this year as well as taking Sveta for her first (of hopefully many) trips to Metamora. We are going to try and reschedule, but with a jam-packed Christmas calendar, I'm not sure we can. it would be a real shame if we didn't get to go this year.

These photos do not fully represent the wonderfulness of Metamora at Christmas time. but you get a taste of what it's like. Add the smells, tastes and sounds and you have a really good idea of what the whole place is like. What a wonderful tradition the Meyer family has!

Feelin' It!

I don't know if my crafty side has come out because I am filled with the Christmas spirit or if I am filled with the Christmas spirit because of my new found crafty side. Either way, when It comes to Christmas spirit, I am feeling it this year! I put up the exterior lights weeks ago. The inside of the house is more decorated than it has ever been (See previous posts about wine cork Christmas trees and reindeer) and last night I even went out and cut some pine boughs to add a little extra touch to the decorations. I must say it looks nice.

I also had the distinct pleasure of hosting and teaching a Bible study last night (Special Christmas Edition, of course!) Tami had an engagement outside the house, so I stepped in and taught the Bible study in her place. We focused on Luke 1 and 2. This covers the time from when the angel delivers the Good News to Mary, Joseph's struggle with the news, to the time of Jesus' birth, the shepherds, King Herod and finally the visit from the three wise men. No matter how many times I read the story, I never get tired of it and it never ceases to amaze me.

I also think there are a few more reasons I am filled with Christmas spirit this year. Abby is in a play at school next weekend... "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". The book is a short, but must read. Wonderful, funny and heartwarming story! I'm really looking forward to Abby's performance. I also think it's because this is Sveta's first Christmas with us. It's been a long time since we've had a little one around to be filled with the wonders of the Christmas season. I can't wait to see her experience everything!

More Christmas posts to follow...

Merry Christmas! And in the words of Dickens' Tiny Tim, "God Bless us, every one!"

Babysitting!

We received a call tonight requesting that we babysit Sveta tomorrow evening. Ummmm... YES! What time should we be there? Can't wait!

Increasing the herd

Thank you to my colleague and good friend, Carol Umberg. She set me up with a new supply of wine corks today. Where does she get all these corks? Well, I won't say she's a wino, but I can tell you she rates her day at school based on glasses of wine. If she has a good day, she says it's going to be a "one glass night". If she has a bad day, she says it's going to be a "two glass night". If she has a horrible day, well... you'd have to ask her.

Anyway, because of Carol's contribution of corks I was able to make more reindeer tonight. I made a special "Rudolph" for Carol (per her request). I also made a few more of Santa's team. Tonight it was Vixen, Comet and Cupid. Now all I have to do is make Donner, Blitzen and a sleigh.

Havin' fun!

Turkey Tuesday

Kudos to my wife, Tami (aka Suzy Homemaker).

On a Tuesday evening (tonight) she cooked a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing and dinner rolls made from scratch. Wow! I am set for lunches the rest of the week. Yum! She works so hard around our house. Thank you, Honey!

Santa's PARTIAL reindeer team

I must be a glutton for punishment. I know I'm probably setting myself up for some major ridicule. Why? Because I am now making reindeer out of used wine corks and sticks from the yard. So far I have Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Rudolph. Not quite half of Santa's team. I would have finished more but I am currently out of corks. If you have some and don't plan on using them, I'd love to put them to good use.

For you observant types... I'm sure you'll notice these reindeer have no eyes. Use your imagination :-)

Here they are... 4/9 of Santa's famed reindeer team.

Ain't I pathetic?

Here I go again

Today is December 3rd. According to history, the Greater Cincinnati area should be freezing today. We're not. The temperature is supposed to reach a balmy 68 today. However, I will be in no position to enjoy it. I'm stuck indoors at work. All I will be able to do is look out the window longingly.

Does that count as grumbling and complaining? If so, Philippians 2:14 got me again. It's tough to be happy to be at work when the world is enjoying spring temperatures in December... but Lord knows I'm trying!

A Tremendous Challenge

In Sunday school we are learning about Philippians 2:14-15. This scripture reads: "Do all things without grumbling or questioning,that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a perverse and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Some translations say "Do all things without complaining, murmuring and disputing..." You get the general idea no matter what the translation.

You can file this under easier said than done. There was only one perfect person who ever walked the earth. Jesus as God incarnate was perfect. The rest of us.... not so much. This scripture is a tremendous challenge for me. People who know me would probably say I am even keeled and easy going. They may even say it's rare to see me angry. While this is basically true, you should also know I am quite the complainer. I am mostly quiet about it though. You won't hear me complaining loudly (that's just not my demeanor). I roll my eyes, grumble under my breath and silently seethe with a slow burn when I am not happy about something. I know I am not expected to be perfect, but I also know I am supposed to strive toward what Philippians 2:14 says. Jesus was persecuted and mocked and never once grumbled or complained... not in his entire earthly life. Me? I wasn't out of the Sunday school classroom 5 minutes before I was griping about something. It's not important what I was specifically griping about. It doesn't matter. The Bible says I should do ALL things without complaining. What's important is that I have a sinful heart and I am a slow learner. I can't promise anyone that I won't be complaining anymore. You all KNOW I will... every single day. All I can promise is to do my best to walk as Jesus walked. I will surely stumble all the way down the path, but I will stumble knowing I am forgiven by God's infinite mercy and grace.

The Seinfeld Car

Do you remember the "Seinfeld" episode where a mechanic with horrendous body odor worked on Jerry's car? After he picked up the car, the smell inside the car was awful. He made many attempts to rid the car of the malodorous air. He cleaned it himself. He put in air fresheners. He had it professionally detailed. No matter what he tried he could not eliminate the odor. It was almost as if the B.O. was permanently woven into the very fabric of the car.

Why do I mention Jerry's smelly car? I mention it because we are currently experiencing something similar. Last weekend Tami's car developed a terrible odor... I mean totally awful! It didn't smell like body odor. It smelled more like spoiled milk or a dirty diaper that had been left in the car on a hot summer day. We have tried in vain, but have been unable to determine the source of the smell. Tami cleaned every inch of the car and searched every compartment, but found nothing that could be causing the stench. Strangely enough the smell seems to come and go, but it never disappears completely. I have no idea where this odor came from. I am relatively certain nothing was spilled on the carpet. I guess all we can do is keep cleaning the car and keep searching for the cause. This is a true mystery.

Happy December!

Happy December, everyone!

Without boring you with the specifics, I did a little more crafty decorating today (without spending a dime!). Martha Stewart better watch out!

Looking forward to a great month of celebrating Jesus' birth with friends and family.