Why so Complicated?

Christmas.

It is a wonderful celebration! Jesus Christ, Born to die for each of us. Giving each of us the gift of choice. Because HE gave himself to be a sacrifice, we are allowed to choose heaven or hell.

As a child; I do not remember even hearing about 'santa claus'. I always knew what 'CHRISTmas' was.

Mid November, the process would start. We would all be given our parts to say and songs to sing. It was very exciting! Mom would start gathering the material and patterns for our new dresses.

Then a Sunday in Mid December in the evening the parts and songs would be performed. All depicting the Birth of the Savior of the world!

Following, would be the coffee, pie, and cookies,laughing and love.

The next event was Christmas Eve. Every family in their own home. There would be the traditional oyster stew and home made tomato soup 'for those of us that could not tolorate the oyster stew'. Then, the dishes would be done faster then any other time of the year. We would sit around the 'tree' and listen to the historical description from the Bible's book of Luke. Then we would open our presents. There were a few (depending on the cost). I really do not believe we ever compared how many packages each of us received. I do not ever remember questioning the fairness of it all, just being thrilled with whatever I had received.

I remember most of all watching mom and dad opening the gift they would receive from the rest of the family!!! I do not ever remember being disappointed in their response to the gift they received.

Christmas Morning we would have breakfast and get in the station wagon and head to our Grandparents' home. There were no mounds of packages to be loaded. Just the family. We would have a wonderful dinner, play with our cousins and sometime along the way, the violin would be taken out of the case, Grandma would sit down to the piano and we would make that house rock!!! What a wonderful time!!!

As we would be getting ready to leave the house; I would see my mom or dad get a package or an envelope out of the car and slip it under the tree.

I would fall asleep on the 2 hour ride home.

NOW THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS!

My husband, the perfect football fan.

I like football. Raising 5 boys, I had to learn to understand the game; (to a point) and spent countless hours on benches and bleachers in the cold Minnesota fall.

I simply like the sound of a football game on TV. Without looking or hearing any words that tell me, I can tell the difference by the sound of the crowd noises weather it is a pro or college game. It is a comfortable sound. It is family and home.

My husband likes to watch 'the game', however, If we do not get home after church for kick off, he does not care. If something comes up so we go somewhere in the middle of the game, he does not fuss. I like it that we can enjoy it together, but it is not manditory.

"One of the things I love about him."

Until Then,

Kate

I-phone rebates! You've got to be kidding!

The same people that HAD TO HAVE the cabbage patch dolls, RIGHT NOW, and the TICKLE/ELMO thing, have now grown up (minus maturity)and HAVE TO HAVE the I-Phone the minute it hits the market.

If you have been alive you know that the new tech stuff goes down in price in just a few months. So if you are foolish enough to HAVE TO HAVE it RIGHT NOW! Then pay the price.

"A fool and his/her money are soon parted"

Until Then,

Kate

Entertainment---NECESSITY?

I don't think so!!! I am sure I am in the minority.

I have believed for about the last 30 years of my life that the world (at least the U S A ) has too much of it. I saw it in my children, and even more in my grandchildren.

It is constant. Watching videos, playing video games, listening to CDs, never silence. Can you remember the last time there was simple conversation (without background noise)?

We are managing to take away a reason for our children to be creative. We place it all in front of them on a silver platter. Then when the music stops or the video ends, what do we hear? "I'm bored!" What happens? They are fed more entertainment. When are we going to see how we are harming our young ones? How about finding something to do? OR maybe chores and helping with real life things that have to be done in life. Yes, a three year old can be taught how to set the table. Oh, but how often does a family sit down to the table for a meal? (That's another subject for another day)

It is amazing how small children began to feel a sense of belonging and family when they are required to help. Small children can sweep, dust, pickup toys. We all need to feel a sense of order and belonging. How many studies do we see/hear about young people who finally find a sense of belonging in a street gang. Now I know; that no matter what parents do, some kids will defy everything parents try to teach and turn to distructive behavior.

Back to entertainment.

Now our oldest grandchild is 8 1/2 years old. We have never taken any of our 7 grandchildren to the movies. UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON. Now, we (G'pa and me) have experienced sticker shock! G'ma, G'pa and 3 kiddos tickets $36, popcorn & soda $21, pizza @ Ci Ci's $22. As we got the kids back to our place and the kids were bouncing around the house, hubby and I talked- "Do you realize that people do this sort of thing all of the time?" "That is unreal!" "Some people think it is a necessity!" I believe that some people think it is as important as paying the rent or utilities.

Now some years ago, I went through some severe financial situations. I remember Paying the rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, keep enough cash for gasoline to get to work. Many times there was not money even for food. I learned to like rice with salt and pepper. Its even better with peas in it. Popcorn works too. ENTERTAINMENT? Did not even concider it. I could read, play solitare. I observe so many who believe they NEED entertainment or are entitled to it. WHY?
Until Then,

Katie

OUT ! of the comfort zone

This blogging thing is way out of this woman's comfort zone! Why would that be? Mostly because I am a computer idiot. So, why bother? Well, because when I read blogs, I would like to reply and put in my 2c worth.

I have known most of my life that one wanting to see something changed cannot just sit and be quiet. Most progress is made by those with the courage to swim against the current.

I am well aware that some of the blogs I will be posting will express very UNpopular observations and opinions and at the same time may provoke some thought.

Today starts a new adventure. What will I learn? How will it change my views, or will it?

Until then,

Kate