Cookies - A Christmas Miracle

It’s been a busy and interesting week.  I will start with some karma.  Remember when I told you about Jana falling at the rest area?  And, I laughed.  Well, this week it was my turn to fall.  The deck steps were wet and I was in a hurry as usual.  My feet went out from under me and down I went.  Luckily I landed on my butt on the middle step.  I twisted my knee and have had a little trouble walking the past few days.  I will admit that Jana didn’t laugh, but only because I landed in a sitting position which wasn’t nearly as funny as her landing with her feet in the air.  Anyway, I am okay except my knee is still giving me some problems.

Last night Jana and I went to a Christmas concert given by the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning.  They were awesome.  We went with Kevin and Renea; and Bruce, Jennifer and Bethany.  It was wonderful.  Jana and I knew the words to all but one song.  Of course, we weren’t invited to sing, but we did anyway.  Everyone was singing.  There was a few songs that they invited the audience to sing along.  At one point all the children in the audience were called onto the stage.  The General’s wife read T’was The Night Before Christmas with accompany music.  She did a great job.  Of course Santa stopped by for a visit.  He and his helpers came into the audience and gave out candy canes to all the children, both young and old.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. 

I would like to say that I am proud of Jana.  I know I have complained in the past about how she turns on the television when she gets out of bed and doesn’t turn it off until she goes to bed.  This year she has been spending time in her camper.  She sleeps there, and eats breakfast there.  So, if she turns on her television it is in her camper.  I had directv installed for her before she arrived.  Anyway, when she is here at the house (she comes over between 9 and 10 o’clock) she does not turn on the television.  Like I said I am proud of her.  Thank you, Jana.

Then there is Mattie.  I am also proud of her.  Jana has been working with her to come and stay when she gets ready to take her outside.  She used to just run around in circles all excited.  Now she will come when Jana tells her to, and she will stay so Jana can hook the leash on her harness.  This is definitely progress.  Other than that Mattie and Penny still chase each other around the house.

Thursday Jana and I baked cookies.  I cannot remember the last time I baked cookies, and the last time Jana baked cookies was several years ago with David.  Anyway, we decided to give this a try.  Of course, we didn’t bake from scratch.  We aren’t that adventurous.  We baked the toll house chocolate chip.  Then we baked Pillsbury peanut butter cookies and sugar cookies.  They were definitely good.  Kevin came over and saw us doing this and was shocked.  Naturally, he had to sample each kind.  Then he told Renea.  She called me said she heard that a miracle had happened at our house and could she come over and see the cookies.  I sent some home with her.  Jana and I plan on baking more this week.  Not the best looking, but they sure did taste good!  We plan to get a little fancier and decorate the next batch.

The temperature has been below normal here in Alabama lately, and the birds are emptying the feeders as quickly as I can fill them.  I am sitting here at my window and can see that they are empty again.  Guess I will have to brave the cold and go back outside.

Yesterday we finally received the Mass schedule for Christmas.  Looks like we will be spending extra time at church because Christmas is on Monday.  I suggested to Jana that we go to Mass on Sunday and that would count for both days.  However, it doesn’t work that way.  So we will go twice.  The one thing that surprised me was they are having the children’s Mass on Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and it doesn’t count for Christmas.  Looks like they will be going several times also.