Monday, 12/30/2013

 

Day 364, 12/30/2013 - Eat, a cinnamon/raisin bagel and fresh brewed coffee from my Keurig for breakfast. A protein bar for lunch. Stopped by Ye Shire Tavern for drinks and ended up having dinner. Bruce recommended the skewered shrimp with dirty rice and asparagus. My new favorite dish there! Pray, I pray that I will get everything done this week at the office. The good news is, I get a holiday in the middle of the week. The bad news is, only 3 1/2 days to get everything done. I pray that I will be focused on the tasks at hand. Joy, my joy was in getting to a good stopping point with regard to work and what I have to do this week.

Sunday, 12/29/2013

  

Day 363, 12/29/2013 - Eat, a late breakfast this morning since I awoke with a migraine at 7:30 am. Took drugs and went back to bed for a few more hours. Was better at 11 and tuned in via streaming to worship at Preston Hollow Presbyterian. Glad I did not push myself to go with a headache. Nice leisurely day at home, had hot chocolate & shortbread cookies mid-afternoon. Went to dinner with Marilyn at Taverna, www.tavernabylombardi.com. Great salad, wine and Risotto as always. So full, but so good! Pray, prayers of thanksgiving that I have stayed true to my commitment to blog about each day in 2013. As the year comes to a close I reflect on it. I am proud that I put the challenge out there for myself and followed through. I learned that it is easy to eat and be joyful every day. It is more difficult to voice aloud prayers. Prayers tend to be more personal and private. But my challenge did cause me to be more prayerful. Joy, my joy was twofold, joy in enjoying dinner with Marilyn at one of our favorite places and in enjoying my Christmas decorations for a few more days. I love looking at the ornaments and remembering the stories of how I acquired them. Joy in friends and Christmas!

 

Saturday, 12/28/2013

 

Day 362, 12/28/2013 - Eat, enjoyed sleeping in a bit and baked Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls and coffee for breakfast with John. I love my new Keurig coffee maker, every cup is fresh. John, James and I went to a movie at Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson. So refreshing to go to a movie theater that enforces no cell phones during the feature. So no pictures of the food that we enjoyed. I had the bottomless popcorn with butter and herb parmesan, the Prosciutto & Goat Cheese burger and a Peppermint Shake with Peppermint Snapps for dessert. All was delicious. We saw the Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Ben Stiller. Surprisingly good. John drove home in the afternoon. I had some spinach dip and breakfast for dinner. Pray, more prayers of thanksgiving. I prayed that John make it home safe to Athens. Joy, my joy was in spending time with my two sons, John and James. Once again as this year comes to an end, my joy is in family. I am so proud of my children and so enjoy spending time with them however or whenever I can.

Friday, 12/27/2013

 

Day 361, 12/27/2013 - Eat, had a bagel and fresh brewed Keurig coffee before heading to the office. Gave in to temptation when Michael offered to bring me lunch from Whataburger. I had the Whataburger with cheese, yum! Their bag says, "Being left holding the bag isn't always such a bad thing." I never paid attention to the bags before...lol. They do have great burgers. My son, John, went to a Stars game so I had the rest of the Christmas leftovers, my favorite casseroles,  green beans and scalloped potatoes. I actually finished leftovers before they went bad, yay!  Pray, prayers of thanksgiving. I so enjoy having John in town for several days. I miss seeing him on a regular basis. Joy, my joy is in it being Friday. Now I get Christmas weekend. It is always crummy when Christmas and New Year's fall on Wednesday. I will enjoy the two day weekend and John being in town for another day. Joy in time off and family!

Thursday, 12/26/2013

 

Day 360, 12/26/2013 - Eat, baked some cinnamon rolls for breakfast with John. Also enjoyed my first cups of coffee from my new Keurig coffee brewer. Lunch was a protein bar at the office. Left a little early and had Cosmos at home for happy hour. Munched on chips with John before he left for dinner with friends. Had left overs from Christmas day lunch for dinner. Pray, I pray that I will stay focused on some year-end tasks that I need to accomplish. Joy, my joy was in coming home to family and that John is in town for a few more days. Joy in family!

 

Wednesday, Christmas Day, 2013

 

Day 359, 12/25/2013 - Eat, had a bagel with smoked salmon and coffee for Christmas breakfast. John, James and I had Christmas lunch with sister, Deb and brother-in-law, Keith. We had a wonderful feast with pork tenderloin, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole,  scalloped potatoes,  and rosemary rolls. We ate, opened gifts then came back to the table for dessert of apple pie and blackberry wine cake. James, John and I snacked on queso and chips while watching episodes of Doctor Who for dinner.

 

Pray, I pray for those less fortunate than me this Christmas day. Not everyone is blessed with the financial ability to get some or all things on family member's Christmas lists. I am thankful for my financial stability and family this Christmas day. Joy, my joy was in being with family, John, James, Deb and Keith on Christmas.  Yes, missing Sarah but will see her soon enough. Joy in family on Christmas day!

 

Tuesday, Christmas Eve, 2013

 

Day 358, 12/24/2013 - Eat, a co-worker, Michael,  brought in doughnuts today for Christmas Eve. They were delicious. Working for a church, Christmas time is always busy, but this year we had everything under control and were able to close the office at noon. I treated myselt to a Christmas Eve feast at one of my favorite places, Tin Star. I had their Chipotle Chicken Scalopini, Hickory Cheese Queso and a margarita. Very full but it sustained me until after singing for 7pm Christmas Eve worship. In between the 7 and 9 pm services choir members enjoyed quite the spread of holiday dishes, yum. The 9 pm service was streamed and my daughter, Sarah, got to see me on Christmas Eve from Minneapolis. Ah, the wonders of the internet! Pray, my prayer is for peace. It is very hard to establish new traditions, whether it be because of divorce, death, blended families, etc. For me it is the changes after divorce and church after 23 years of both. I have been pleasantly surprised and amazed at how I have been accepted no matter my circumstances at my new church. Joy, my joy was in watching "White Christmas" after Christmas Eve worship. It is a timeless tradition that I shared with my Mom each year. Here's to you Millie, love you forever! Joy in tradions, old and new!

 

Monday, 12/23/2013

 

Day 357, 12/23/2013 - Eat,  breakfast on the go, coffee and yogurt protein bar. Lunch was left over Rotel shells & cheese. Had dinner with son, James at Steak & Shake. We shared 2 burgers, the Jalapeño Cheese and BBQ Bacon Cheese. We also shared our Bacon Cheese Fries and Shakes (Eggnog and White Chocolate). All was delicious! Pray, I pray that I will never "guilt" my children at Christmas time. I grew up with a fair amount of Christmas guilt. From, "You're not gonna be here Chrismas morning!" to "We have to do things in a certain order or way, it's Christmas." I pray that I will always enJOY every moment I have with my children, no matter the time of day or season. Joy, my joy was in having dinner with my youngest, James. He is becoming a fine young man and always makes me laugh and brings me joy!

Sunday, 12/22/2013

Day 356, 12/22/2013 - Eat, since Lynn spent the night I prepared bagels and coffee for breakfast. We both love smoked salmon and enjoyed it with our bagels and cream cheese. Lynn left to go to church and ring. Since I didn't sleep well, I gave myself permission to go back to bed and get some more rest. Had my left over salmon and angel hair pasta for lunch. I made some Rotel mac & cheese for dinner, comfort food. Pray, I pray that I will feel rejuvenated after taking a day for myself before the Christmas holiday. Joy, my joy is that I got all of my presents wrapped.

Saturday, 12/21/2013

 

Day 355, 12/21/2013 - Eat, had some Texas Pecan coffee for breakfast. A late lunch of left over chicken fettuccine hit the spot. Did last minute Christmas and grocery shopping. Dinner was at the Christmas party that Chris and Gayle had for all who have played with Cast of Bronze. They are such gracious hosts. Dinner was various flavors of tamales with guests providing the side dishes. Pray, my prayers are that I will accomplish things that I need to this weekend from chores to gift wrapping. Joy, my joy was in the annual ornament exchange, one of the highlights of the evening. I love it that Mike ended up with my pink stiletto ornament. I stole a snowman ornament from someone since I collect them. We enjoyed the rest of the evening and packed up to go home. Once there I unwrapped the ornament from the tissue and felt something else in the bag. It was another snowman ornament. Lynn and I laughed at how no one realized that there was more than one ornament in the bag. As I prepared to fold up the gift bag for reuse I discovered another ornament, so 3 in total...lol. One for each of my children, one with a puple scarf (Sarah), one with a blue hat (James) and one with a green hat (John). Joy in surprises!

Friday, 12/20/2013

Day 354, 12/20/2013 - Eat, stopped at Whataburger again and got my usual, sausage biscuit with sausage gravy. Had left over bacon ranch quesadillas for lunch. I spent a rare evening at home and had Pam's pimento and other muchy snacky items for dinner of sorts. Pray, my prayers are for those less fortunate than I. Christmas time is so difficult for those without money to make ends meet. I can pray but overall feel pretty helpless, so I will continue to pray. Joy, my joy is that I have enough, enough to make ends meet and then some. I will be thankful always for a job, friends and family. Joy in having enough!

Thursday, 12/19/2013

 

Day 353, 12/19/2013 - Eat, stopped at Whataburger and got pancakes and sausage for a change from my usual sausage biscuit. Had an afternoon snack before our concert at Taco Bell of grillers and a taco. We went to Chili's afterwards for a late dinner. Maddie did a great job, as always, of helping us. I had bacon ranch quesadillas. Chili's now has little electronic table kiosks that you can order additional things from, pretty fun.

 

Pray, prayers for a good concert tonight, our last of the season. During rehearsal before the concert the power went out. We prepared mentally and physically for our last concert of the season to be in the dark. We had to perform without power several years ago but it always has its challenges and is never the preferred. The church staff and volunteers lit the building with candlelight and we had stand lights so that we could see our music. Joy, my joy is that right before the concert was to start the power came back on. We had a good concert overall. It will be a story that we will tell for years. Joy in the light and the music!

 

Wednesday, 12/18/2013

Day 352, 12/18/2013 - Eat, had coffee and a yogurt bar for breakfast. Three of us on staff went out for lunch at Kenny's Wood Grill for our holiday meal and fellowship. I had their crab cake with adult mac & cheese (with ham & gouda cheese). Wonderful! Every guest gets a hot fresh pop over before their meal...what a treat. I met my friend, Lynn, at Ye Shire Tavern for dinner. We shared the shrimp scampi for dinner. I enjoyed a chocolate martini for dessert. Pray, I pray for energy to make it through the week. I am so busy at this time of year with work and concerts. Joy, my joy was in taking and having an evening off from rehearsals and having a Christmas dinner with my friend, Lynn.

Tuesday, 12/17/2013

Day 351, 12/17/2013 - Eat, I had a Kolache and donut with coffee for breakfast. The ladies of the church had their Christmas meeting today and invited me to fill a plate...so I did. Wonderful cookies, brownies, and fruit with another Kolache made a great lunch. Dinner was on the go at McDonald's. Yes, I actually like their Mc Rib and fries. My friend and I joke about the fact that we probably don't want to know what is in it, but we eat it anyway...lol! Pray, I prayed for safe journey to and from Grapevine for my handbell concert, prayers answered. Joy, my joy was in the music of the handbells and  marimba that Quinda plays in this concert series. She is so talented!

Monday, 12/16/2013

 

Day 350, 12/16/2013 - Eat, I stopped and bought donuts and Kolaches for the office, so breakfast was a kolache and a donut. Lunch was Kolaches with mustard. My twin moms all met at Fredda's house for our annual Christmas party and ornament exchange. Fredda outdid herself and prepared a wonderful fajita feast for us complete with dessert of quesadilla cheesecake, cookies and peanut brittle. Wonderful! Pray, continued prayers for Rosemary's mom, Virginia and her ongoing treatments. Joy, my joy is in knowing and being with this group of women and in our ornament exchange. I received a beautiful dated, hand painted ornament of Peace. I hung it on my tree as soon as I got home.