Around the Christmas tree tonight are true blessings

The forecast for North Georgia is 50% chance of some snow flurries early in the morning, like 3am-6am, then clearing by noon. The clouds on the way home looked like snow clouds were forming. In the distance on my left as I was driving through the mountain roads, the most beautiful sunset ever. It was the most layered, orangey, bright beautiful sunset I've seen in a long time. To the right were snow clouds forming and gray. A strange but beautiful ending to my day of work.

We're hoping to see, even if a little, of the white stuff in the morning!

Bodyguard said, "you've got a big package here" when I walked in. Oh my, I went through it in so much excitement that I didn't take a picture of how beautiful they were wrapped when in the bag. Each one was wrapped neatly and separately so the joy of opening each one was pure excitement, like Christmas morning!

We were both amazed at the thoughtfulness and the absolute kindness of someone I've never met before sending 2 books and a CD. When I saw the CD I couldn't believe it! Sandy from New Jersey sent me these wonderful items, 2 of Jason Wrights' books on the Christmas Jar AND a Andrew Bocelli CD! His Christmas one too! Body Guard instantly said, someone is looking after me. I love Andrew Bocelli. His music just sings to the soul. Sorry, I'm not good at opening packages neatly......;)

Sandy sent me a beautiful card too and she said she would be going to a concert to see him this weekend! OH MAN! I can't believe that! I'm so envious! What a gracious gift, Sandy! Thank you, thank you thank you!!! And it couldn't have arrived on a better day for me. How in the world did you know I love Andrew Bocelli? Are you an angel?

In fact, I love this CD so much that me and the BodyGuard danced to one of his songs just a minute ago. I love this man. Well, I love both men! LOL

This CD is so uplifting. I love his music so much that in 2000 I bought an Italian dictionary to try to interpret some of his lyrics. Sandy, you are an angel. I just know you are.

I'm listening to him right now while I"m writing this.

Sandy, you are a special treasure and I don't know how I can tell you how much you lifted my day.

Here are the other listeners too! We went out tonight to try a new place to eat and then came home to play with the puppies. I really wanted to get them posing still right by the tree in their Christmas attire but they weren't cooperating.
Ren was a little grumpy tonight. He says "this is my 17th Christmas tree!"

The sweet lump of sugar here is still amazed at the ornaments......well, some of them are about as big as she is.

In my lap she plops all the time.

This couldn't have come on a better day.

I was at work today and my cell phone got a message which I didn't get until I was finished for the day. Actually, there was no voicemail message, it just said I missed a call. I looked at the number and I really panicked because I figured out finally it was my dad. He never calls me unless somebody has died. Of course, I thought that something happpened to Brandon and I really didn't know until we got home that this was indeed his number.

BG called him back and he answered and said, "oh, no, I dialed the number by accident." Oh, he's talked to Brandon alot of times while he is in Afghanistan and even though I was at the begging stage to let us know just that he is ok, he will not do it if he hears from him. So his accidental call was indeed not only a put-down and a shame for his own daughter, he didn't leave a message so that we wouldn't think of all the awful things that could have happened in the meantime.

My hubbie asked me tonight what did I want for Christmas and I really feel like Abbie is my Christmas. But what I really, really want is a letter from my son and that really doesn't cost anything. Maybe I should be specific and say a positive letter from my son, as his last one was full of anger.

If not, I know he will have to deal with his own karma in his own way, just as my dad should be dealing with his one day and I will deal with mine and my daughter will deal with hers.

I think the sad part of Christmas holidays is that almost all families have family members that are toxic or dysfunctional, even though we don't want to admit it. And it's hard really, to get through it. Maybe it's the economy this year, or I don't know what, but I'm seeing alot more people who are quite frankly depressed during the holidays.

I don't know why it's different for me but maybe this is the first holiday I've really admitted the falseness of Christmas's all along with my family. I've in some ways come to peace with the fact that if they can live with their hatefulness, then that's not my problem anymore.

I'm just kind of sad that I made it my problem for as long as I did in my life.

So, Sandy, your gifts were angel sent and delivered to me at a special time.

Back to more Andrew Bocelli and a cozy fireplace~~~~