It's lovely to be on school break. All the older kids are finished with their college classes and we're taking a rest here as well, except for two online classes this week. We'll be turning our attention to Christmas cookies, wrapping presents, and sharing good times with the family...

This was the last week of the first term of our shockingly successful Fab Friday homeschool co-op. What a joy! I have to give a tremendous amount of credit to CJ, who took it as a ministry to get our home ready every week, cleaning, organizing, setting out toys, and cutting up MOUNTAINS of apples and pears and cheese for our hungry co-op'ers and moms. Dirk, CJ, Shelley, Beth, John Michael L. and many others (including everyone who lives here!) made it such a success that we think we may do it again next semester :-)

I'm trying to ignore the fact that our forecast shows 80 twice this week.

Is anybody thinkin' that this presidential transition period is shaping up to be a lot more interesting than they could have guessed?

I'm thankful for a cat who likes catching mice.

Another evidence that it's a whole new millennium: the girls sold back some of their textbooks at the end of the semester, and what did they get in return? No check, no cash, no store credit. A DEBIT card. A real debit card with a MasterCard logo. Yes, the kind where the entire balance can be spent in a week at Taco Cabana and Sonic. That kind. :-)

If you want a fun read, try Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. Not as poignant or as thoughtfully crafted as Jan Karon's stuff, but pleasant nevertheless.

There are some screamin' deals on toys at Amazon, listed on the Pinching Your Pennies forum!

Wine tastes better at a vineyard, did you know? This afternoon The Papa and I enjoyed a leisurely wine tasting with Dirk and Aubrey at a vineyard in the Hill Country, and though we brought home half a case, I'm sure there's no way it could taste as good here as it did on the stone patio up there.

Oh, and speaking of things with alcoholic content, Tiffany makes a mean rum ball.

None of us likes to see people in pain. But it's especially hard at the holidays, isn't it? This year my heart is aching for people losing their jobs...friends with major health issues...loved ones dealing with broken relationships...and families so dear to us who, as Paul describes, "having begun in the Spirit" are now grasping to be perfected by the flesh. No time is a good time for any of these challenges, but this time of year seems to magnify pain even as it can magnify joys. If you're one whose Christmas season this year is bringing more tears than smiles, I am praying for you today.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE!

Labels: Books, Holidays, Homeschooling, Political Observation, Weather