So, on December 5th we had an enormous ice storm. Sleet and freezing rain fell for hours, and the accumulation was up to 6 inches in places.
That's not so unusual.
What is unusual is that the temperature stayed below freezing for days and days and days. My university (and the whole area) was closed for 2 half-days and 3 full days. During that time, I was battling a rotten sinus infection and wasn't paying much attention to anything. Except the fact that I didn't have any of those tissues with lotion, which are crucial for keeping my nose from falling off.
The result of all this is that somehow it's December 20th and there is quite a bit left to do for Christmas - mostly shopping. But I can't seem to bring myself to be to worried about it. That will have to be okay.
I'm headed to Houston this morning (if I ever stop fooling around on this computer and finish the wrapping and packing!) to visit siblings, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Will be with Mom and Dad and Nancy, hooray!
I am acolyting at the 5 pm Christmas Eve service. Courtney and Brandon will come to celebrate with us Christmas morning.
After Christmas we will go to visit Ken's family on Saturday.
I have 2 weeks off work.
Life is good.
PS: I do not miss singing in church choir at this point, especially right now: thinking of past years with multiple services to sing.
Friends, think of the choirs, and especially your pastors, priests, and rectors right now: they are facing emcee-ing (forgive the crudity of the term, but all eyes are on them!) the biggest/second biggest set of events in the Christian year, along with all the same stresses the rest of us face (late gifts, visiting relatives, travel, weather concerns, being present for family...the list goes on). Give them an extra thank you, and maybe a Starbuck's gift card. Be grateful for their call to ministry and their faithful carrying-out of it.
God bless us, every one!
