Christmas is coming.....

Only 6 more days of work before Christmas!  I really do enjoy working at The Caramel Tree......it's just that a whole month of craziness can be.....well, CRAZY!  Chris told me this morning at church that I had 70 hours of overtime on the last payperiod ending yesterday....  And, that was with Wednesdays off  :)  Tanya and Shyenne had a lot more!  So, obviously, I don't have a lot more to say.  I did get off a little early on Friday so I could attend the graduation of my newest son in in law.  It was quite enjoyable!  Astoria was mostly a good little girl and didn't give her mother too much grief.  Oh, I do have a few more things to report... I now have a very cozy and toasty upstairs family room.....after almost five years, I finally had my gas fireplace installed.  I can't wait to have a chance to enjoy it!  Also, I have sooo enjoyed giving my Christmas gifts this year....thanks to a donation from a sweet and wonderful person who actually asked that their name remain secret. (no relation to our family)   I love the goodness in people!  I hope your nativities will give you much joy this year, and in the years to come!  Being gracious when others are so kind and generous is difficult....but, I must admit that I have loved every minute of  the giving to others that was made possible because of the  gift I received!  (did you follow that :) ) 

One more thing, Shyenne loves NOTHING more (well maybe a few things.....:)  ) than making fun of people when they make fools of themselves....mostly ME!  Sometime last year, someone gave some reflective jackets to Lynne and me to wear while walking in the dark.   This alone was enough to put Shyenne into fits of laughter...then one day while we were finishing our walk, the boys were hurrying to put out the flags so they could get to school.  ( it was some holiday...can't remember which one)  They saw us walking, and told me they couldn't find the spot where they were supposed to put mine.....well, since they were so rushed, I offered to take a flag to my home.....totally not realizing how huge those things are, and what a spectacle I would make of myself walking down the stree in my bright vest, carrying an ENORMOUS flag!   Shyenne loved this story, so, being the good sport that I am and knowing it would be the best present she could possibly receive, I asked Dan to take pictures, and guilted Lynne into joining in on the gift.  The results were perfect!