November 29, 2003

I set the heat on the highest setting in my car as I watched the snowflakes flitter around in the air. Last week it was in the 70’s! I had decided to get my clothes back on and go to Walmart for groceries at 12:30 A.M. We were out of food and if I waited til morning, I would have had to go to Food Lion because of the insane crowds at Walmart. I found the store mostly deserted. I happily strolled through, chucking things into my cart.

I used to stop by the Walmart near work when I got off at 3 A.M., so this didn’t seem totally weird for me. I should add that I am still loving my new shift at work. Getting off at 10 P.M. is wonderful.

Chris and I both had to work on Thanksgiving, so I was spared cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner just for us and Mom. I did get up early and go visit with Mom. We sat at a table with the aides, browsing through all the sale papers and sharing a cup of coffee.

The Secret Place served us a Thanksgiving buffet, for which I was very grateful. Chris helped himself several times (which is totally unlike him) and I was glad that at least SOMEBODY cooked the poor lad a meal.

Even though we didn’t celebrate in the typical manner, I still spent some time thinking of how abundantly we have been blessed.

I am so thankful to the Lord for saving me and watching over us daily.

I’m also thankful for another year with my mother. Who else will ever be as near to our heart as our mother?

I’m thankful for my close relationship with my kids.

I’m thankful that Chris still lives at home and I didn’t have to be alone for one more year.

I’m thankful that my Josh and Leah didn’t have to go to Iraq. I know that’s selfish, but I can’t deny my feelings.

I’m thankful for the little house the Lord gave to us. We both love it.

I’m thankful for a job I am able to do and for making enough money to pay the bills.

I’m thankful for the long-suffering mercy of the Lord who is so patient with me even though I am prone to dwell on small trials , while barely noticing the huge rainbows.

May the next year see me with a more contented spirit and grateful heart.

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Somehow I picked up another web browser hijacker. It’s such a joy to be online trying to do my banking, with browser windows popping open over and over. After two days of being annoyed, I finally ran my copy of SpyBot: Search and Destroy. It found 68 spy files, which have now been shredded to pieces by SpyBot. I have no clue how I picked up another hijacker when I have my little Scotty Dog from WinPatrol protecting me. Maybe he went for a walk that day? Anyway, everything appears to be fixed now.

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I drug Mom out into the freezing cold to come home with me to visit Chris and Tana. They both adore her! We stopped by her house and she enjoyed going through some of her old things. She still knows that’s her house. There is no heat on there, so we didn’t stay long. Mom hates being cold and her nose starts to drip pretty quickly. I gathered up some winter clothes to take to Facility and bagged up her summer stuff when we got back over there.

I stayed gone too long and burnt the pot of chili I had cooking. Somehow it didn’t ruin it, though. I also made macaroni and cheese in the crock pot for the first time. All I can say is YUM!

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My Christmas shopping is done. Neener, neener. Now I can move on to the Christmas letter and cards.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.