Ho Ho Hope You have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year :)

Guess what?? We have snow!! Now some of you in the frozen tundra of the the midwest and northern parts of the country are probably rolling your eyes OR going yeah, AND...but...we live just outside LAS VEGAS...so as you can imagine..this is a pretty big deal. Besides that...it snowed over a week ago and we still have some lingering around. That is even a BIGGER DEAL!!! First of all, we get snow around here every few years...but it NEVER sticks to the ground. Last week....it snowed ALL DAY...and it stuck to the ground. In the area we lived, we had about a foot of snow. Because we never have snow, our local city department does not have snow plows so the roads were pretty hard to navigate. Also, cars do not have snow tires so everyone was slip sliding around OR getting stuck. Tom thought he was going to have to park at the shopping center around the corner from our house and hoof it home (about a mile away) but he kept at it and got safely home. The funniest thing to both of us (who grew up in Northern Illinois) was that the local schools (and MANY of the local businesses) decided to shut down the night before. Too funny!!)

Anyway, I really wanted to go out and play in it. I wanted to make a snowman! I REALLY wanted to make a snow angel but I was afraid that if I got down that I would not be able to get back up (my hips are REALLY bad these days!!!) so NO fun in the snow for me :(

I tried to take pics of the snow and/or video but my junk cell phone was on its last legs. (I am happy to report that Santa came early and brought me a pretty pink Katana cell phone!! It is just gorgeous!!! My old Razr was pitiful. It was being held together with scotch tape!!!)

Christmas is just around the corner. I am getting more of the "spirit" as it gets closer. I listen to Christmas carols and have watched a few of the Christmas movies which seem to help put me in the right frame of mind. On Christmas Eve, we will go to Mass , and then we have our "Christmas Eve Feast" which consists of lobster tails, basmati rice, and snow peas and pie from CoCos Bakery (the Lemon Cream Cheese!!) After we rest our tummies, we open up on presents (on Christmas Eve!!), and then go to sleep. On Christmas Day we normally have a big dinner.

As I read so many of your blogs, I am touched by the kindness of strangers. So many people have reached out and helped others in need this year--It really has restored my faith in people. (I was getting a bit discouraged about people stealing mail as I have been the target myself recently. How sad that our economy has become so bad that people feel they have to steal other people's packages/presents?? Talk about Grinches!!



Health Report: As I said--my hips are hurting. I need to go see my orthopedic doc to see if I need to get one of my hip replacements revised (OUCH!!) I slipped in the shower in November and it has really been hurting since then. Obviously, it isn't out the joint, but it is pretty painful. I had two different surgeons (one did the left hip and another did the right hip. The right hip is the one that is bugging me....so I am going to go see the guy who did my left hip....figured that his hip is doing better--his incision is much smaller and I have not had ANY pain or problem with that side whereas with the right side--I have ALWAYS had problems :(



What else?? I have been having lots of headaches but that is to be expected with CNS lupus. Sometimes my brain doesn't work right and I just get SO frustrated. I have to remember how far I have come though. I mean I was in ICU for 5 days after my stroke. I couldn't even lift my right side. My speech was slurred. I had to undergo speech therapy and occupational therapy so sometimes I have to remind myself to be more patient with myself. I am hardest on myself.

Oh, one more thing...thanks to everyone for their posts and comments. It always encourages me. Hopefully, I will be able to keep my website http://catholicgirl.faithweb.com/ updated more frequently (I did update December but didn't get any quotes which is probably one of my most visited pages) I want to hear more from you...give me your feedback...tell me how you celebrate Christmas? Do you open presents Christmas Day/Eve? (I know a couple who almost didn't get married because they couldn't decide on this--well, not really, but you know what I mean??) What are your feelings about the "Grinches" who have stolen Christmas and the "Angels" who have "given" Christmas?? I am looking forward to hearing from you!!


Lastly, I guess just remember the reason for the season...Jesus. He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. It is His birthday we celebrate. At the kid's Mass, they always sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and I think that TRULY sums it up and puts it all in perspective!! If nothing else, just sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas :) Remember...the Lord LOVES to hear from us. He truly does. I know that you might feel silly singing Happy Birthday to Jesus...get the kids together...they will love it!!



And with that, I will wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas and a very happy and HEALTHY NEW YEAR. If you see someone struggling with packages today, hold the door open for them. If you see someone with a frown...give them a big smile. Show some kindness in the world. Be the CHANGE you wish to have in the world!!! It all starts with YOU!!!



Until next time...



Gentle hugs,



Shelley