TV Thoughts

Okay, so, my plan for not having a TV in the house failed miserably.  Totally no support on that one.

We've been paying for TV for all of three weeks now.  I'm learning a few things...

I can't watch the Food Network; it  just makes me hungry.  In no way does it make me want to get in the kitchen and cook something up.  All I do is think of restaurants that I could go to and have someone else make me something like I just saw on the show!

People on TV have potty mouths.  Can't watch some shows without incessant beeps, shows that would otherwise be really interesting to watch.

Also, the reality surrounding these supposed "reality" TV shows is that they are totally CONTRIVED!  Right now we just watched this guy on a survival show cut his own arm and then basically set it on fire with gun powder and fire in order to display his super awesome survival skills.  That's just dumb.  And how are they filming these people doing illegal activities (did you know there is a whole show dedicated to moonshiners?) and at the same time filming the authorities trying to track them down?  Whatever!

On the flip side.....I'm totally not going to complain (just keep it in check), because I'm getting high speed internet in the bundle.  Yeah, the Wades have advanced about a decade and a half in the technology department in the last 3 weeks!  Several shows are like a field trip on film, actually very educational; thankful for that.  And I love being able to watch better movies on TV (love the old black & whites!), The Walton's, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and soon Little House on the Prairie.

Oh, and now I think I believe in Big Foot.

Boxes and Paper and Bows Oh My

It's quite comical unwrapping gifts around here.

My job is to wrap and make the boxes pretty.  I enjoy wrapping packages, making them look all festive.  Hobby Lobby has the best paper, and I love using fabric ribbon, it's my "one weakness" when it come to gift wrap.

But before I get them, they have to go through Rick.  His job is to box up the presents.  He likes to disguise the gifts so the boys can't guess what they are.  He even goes to the trouble of adding weight like rocks or some random object from his tool box, and lots of paper, excuse me, grocery bags - his idea of recycling - so they don't shake, to try to throw them off.

The boxes are what crack me up.  Some we've used for years now, like a certain "Stinger" flashlight box, one of the more durable ones. Dad always gives the warning before the boys open though, "Be careful.  I'm gonna need that box back."  This year came a few new ones though.  Let's see.  There was a Badger brand sink dispose-all box that Brock unwrapped, my 'couch mouse' was in a light fixture box, and I think someone else opened up a gift that was in a nail gun nail box.  Then there were the Christmas light boxes and my MUS box too.  The best one though was Braden's t-shirt that was boxed and wrapped in a toilet installation kit box!  It always makes for extra laughs on Christmas morning.

Mine Eyes Have Seen

Luke 2:25-33

 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.  

I love these scriptures.  I saw a painting several years ago, must have been about six or seven years ago, depicting Simeon holding baby Jesus in his arms.  It was very moving.  

I had never thought of these scriptures as being a part of the Christmas story until then. Simeon declared "mine eyes have seen thy salvation" and  that's just the point of Christmas, and why we celebrate.  Salvation, Jesus, had come.  And just as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men all knew it, so did Simeon.

Praying you have seen His Salvation.

Merry Christmas!

911, A First For Me

It just wouldn't go out!

Ribs were in the oven last Friday night.  I had just put the sauce on to cook a little longer.  I look over and there's a little flame in the bottom of the oven.  I thought, "surely it will burn out in a few seconds."  I kept watching.   It didn't.  It was burning along the heating element and kept going.  I grabbed the extinguisher and sprayed....what a mess.  It still wouldn't go out.  I tried water...apparently not supposed to do that.  Still wouldn't go out.  My only alternative, since I didn't want it getting any bigger or in the walls...call 911.

Fortunately, it did end up going out on it's own, right as the firemen arrived.  Sometime during all that, I turned the oven off, and ended up shutting the oven door, which was probably the best thing to do.  They checked to make sure it hadn't spread through the wires or anywhere else, and gave me the "all clear."  They even offered to help clean-up.  I just told them to go help someone who really needed it!  I felt a little silly.  It was a small fire, but scary none the less.  And I guess they always have the potential to spread.

It took me the better part of 2 days to clean up the powdery residue from the extinguisher, or should I say non-extinguisher?!  The oven wasn't damaged, except for the heating element.  Rick replaced it.  I gave it a good cleaning, and now it's working just fine.  I've very thankful; it could have turned out much worse.

Crafty News

Hats seem to be the hot ticket item around here right now!  I've sold a few at The Crafter's Co-op, and had some special orders, too.  

We were able to join a few of the other co-op crafters last weekend for an Arts Festival in our downtown.  We had a great time with the other crafters and meeting all the people who love handmade stuff.

This is one of the hats that was a custom order from the festival.