**UPDATE** Attention: The parade has been post-poned until next Thursday/Dec 7th due to approaching storms....

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming....

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(I removed gifs as they stopped showing up! arrgghhh!!)

Our annual Christmas parade is (maybe) tonight. My precious Lulu will put on her crown & be riding in my best friend's convertible as the 2006 Cheer Homecoming Queen, along with the King (the cutest little football player!). They're going to look so adorable! She's been practicing "the wave".

That is...if it doesn't get rained out! They're supposed to make a decision by noon. We're expecting possibly severe storms this afternoon/tonight before a VERY cold front moves in. If they do have to cancel, then it will be Tuesday night. Who wants to be out in or watching a parade in rain or storms? Not I!

*getting in to the holiday spirit*

Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

These things I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN

Secret

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but
He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way!"

I'm back at work today & still sick. I just can't seem to shake this crud I've been dealing with for nearly 2 weeks! 2 shots & 6 prescriptions later, you'd think I'd feel like a million bucks!, but no dice. I'm thinking I might have caught something else from the doc's office while I was there. It was all I could do to get out of bed this morning & get the kiddos off to school. Now, I'm at work wishing I was curled up in my comfy bed....

The Christmas decorations are still piled up in places all over the living room & kitchen area. The girls did put the together last night, but it's not decorated. That'll all have to happen a little each night until it's finished. I usually go all out with my decorating so it takes time.

The older 2 each have basketball games this evening/tonight, so I'll be headed there straight from work. Not a good idea, but I'm their momma & I must. I just hope for no homework to do after we finally make it home!! I'd like to be in bed by 10 anyway.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Secret

This Thanksgiving was not normal. All the kiddos were gone, so I was home alone - plus sick in bed with Bronchitis, that I've had for over a week! I went to the doc Wednesday & got 2 shot/6 prescriptions. I thought I'd feel better by now, but I'm STILL sick as hell!!

One of my friends came by that afternoon & brought me some food/desserts they had. I was invited to their house, but with me sick, I couldn't go. Lulu's aunt brought her home with some goodies for me too. Mmmmm I didn't eat a bite all day, so I was soooo looking forward to munching out on Thanksgiving food!!

Randy did come by a couple of times for a bit too... Other than that, it was a sickly, sleeping, boring, lonely Thanksgiving this year. But, there's always next year!!!

Friday morning, I picked up Randy bright-n-early at 4:15 am as I had him battle the "Black Friday" shoppers with me. There were a few things I HAD to have that were on special starting at 5am. Yes, he gladly went to help me. I hadn't even attempted that in years because of my first bad experience. There were "crazed old women" fighting over stuff; taking things out of other's buggies; yelling & such! It was WILD I tells ya!!! I was & hadn't been since - until this year.

It wasn't near as bad as I had thought! I got everything I went for & we were in & out in 1 hour. I think that was a miracle in itself! I saw several friends there also wanting those special deals too. It was even a little bit fun! I stuck Randy over with his cart by the 20" TVs they had so he could grab me one at exactly 5am - when it was "allowed". I was in electronics with the DVDs, cameras, games, etc. People were very civil, orderly & nice - while I was there. Now who knows what happened after that when more people showed up.... Then it was back home to hide my stash from the kiddos & rest again. *whew*

Randy called & came over bright-n-early Saturday morning. He helped me bring in the Christmas boxes/stuff to start the decoration procedure. It made it inside, but that's all we ended up doing. With both of us sickly, it didn't get completed.

The rest of my weekend WENT TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET. It was a complete nightmare!! Thank God the kiddos were all gone.

I'm hoping for a peaceful Sunday afternoon, getting some of my Christmas decorations put up inside (if I feel better), & waiting for my kiddos to come back home. I miss them SO much!!

Next week WILL be better!! It HAS to be!

Best wishes & God bless to you all....

Secret