Busy, busy, busy....

Hey guys! Just a quick note to say where I've been lately. I took a trip to Oklahoma City to visit my dad. I also managed to get in two very wonderful lunch dates with two very wonderful people. On Friday, I met with Annie (My Life as Annie) at the Cheesecake Factory. I'd never been there before and boy, have I been missing out!! What a great place. I'll go on and on about it later. I'd love to show you pictures, BUT I FORGOT TO TAKE ANY!!! Can you believe that? Talk about a missed opportunity! Anyway, after I left my dad's house Sunday, I met up with a dear friend for lunch at Santa Fe, a nice little restaurant there close to Dad's house. Penny is someone I went to junior high school with and I don't think we've seen each other in over 25 years! You have no idea how great it was to see her. And sitting there talking to Penny was just like it was way back in junior high and high school. She's still the same sweet, funny, all around wonderful person she was then. And I have to tell you, the years have been extremely kind to Penny. Her hair has turned this gorgeous, envy-inspiring shade of white. Everything about Penny just glitters...you know what I mean? She's got a sparkle about her that no amount of make-up or artifice could ever give. I can't believe it's been so long since we've gotten together. It's amazing how so many of us let things go for whatever reason...too much distance, too many address changes, life gets too busy, your butt gets too big...the excuses are endless, aren't they? For any of you out there who have been contemplating getting in touch with an old friend, but have put it off, STOP PUTTING IT OFF! Go for it, contact that friend and enjoy each other! Oh, and by the way...I'd love to show you pictures of Penny, but again, I FORGOT TO TAKE ANY!!! I'm so ticked at myself for that. I guess I need to wear my camera around my neck, just so I can remember I have it. (Penny, the next time we meet, remind me to take some pictures!!! Please!)
I have to get ready for a shopping trip I'm taking with my daughter this morning. This is going to be another busy week. I can feel things stacking up already. I think I need to buy a planner or something, just so I can keep track of life for the next few weeks. I know I'd be better off if I could at least feel like I was more organized. lol
Hope everyone is preparing for a fantastic Thanksgiving! Right after you call those old friends you've been meaning to get in touch with the past decade or three, get out there and buy those turkeys, eh? And pick me one up while you're at it. I can't seem to remember to get one and if I don't start remembering soon, me and mine may be dining on Progresso soup for Thanksgiving. LOL (Yes, Kari, you DO need to buy yourself a planner...add that to the Wal-Mart list!).

The Legend of the Christmas Spider

Have ya'll heard of the Legend of the Christmas Spider? I had not. Until yesterday afternoon, that is. That's when I opened a package from my friend Penny, that contained all of this: I love the set of nesting Santas. Aren't they great? Even greater was the little round white box (beautifully decorated, I might add) and the - dare I say it? - lovely spider ornament. Yes. Lovely. It really is. And the story that goes along with it explains the significance of a Christmas Spider.
By clicking on the above picture, I think you'll be able to read the legend yourself. If not, just google "Christmas Spider" and you'll be shocked at how many responses come up. As anybody who knows me can tell you, I am terrified of spiders. As in, I've been known to beat myself silly for thinking I had a spider on my chest and I will avoid an area of my house for weeks at a time if I've spotted a spider there and haven't seen its cold, dead, smushed corpse as proof that it won't eat me anytime in the near and/or distant future. But I'm going to make an exception with this spider. It's already hanging on my tree, right where it'll be every year from now on. Thank you, Penny. For introducing me to a new Christmas "legend" and for being kind enough to send me these gifts. I never did deserve you as a friend, but just like back in junior high - I'm grateful I know you!
In other news, the Christmas cards are done!! Woo-hoo! Yeah! Yippee! Etc., etc., etc.! lol I didn't think I would get it done, but I did. I so wanted to send out handmade cards this year. I don't know why I had such as urge...let's put it down to just one more of my many strange compulsions and leave it at that, shall we?The point is, I made cards, cards and more cards. If I can finish addressing the few I have left, they'll all be in the mail by tomorrow afternoon. And then it's on to wrapping packages and getting them under the tree.
Why is it that it's only the first week in December but I feel like I'm waaaaaay behind in everything already?
Merry Christmas!

Today is our youngest son Jacob's birthday! He's 16 years old. I can't believe it - seems like just yesterday we were laughing at him for wearing his pull-ups on his head. Oh wait a minute, that was just yesterday. lol I kid, I kid...(now Jake's going to be ticked at me if he reads this!). Happy Birthday, Jacob. I love you, son.