Time flies when you're busy.

The Christmas party went well. My favorite acts in the talent show were the twins opening it with Jingle Bells and Tom, Caroline, and her cousin singing "Jingle Bells, Batman smells...."

The next week we were busy working and packing. At 11 am on Friday we loaded up and headed for Port Canaveral. After spending the night in a hotel, we boarded the Carnival Glory on Saturday and set sail. I LOVE riding boats.

Sunday we docked at Key West but didn't leave the boat. They have some logistical problems getting people off there. We just lazed around all day.

Monday was the first of three days at sea. I read most of the day.

Tuesday we stopped in Belize and took a bus tour of Belize City and the zoo. They have a black panther that is absolutely gorgeous.

Wednesday was our day in Costa Maya. We were originally scheduled for Cozumel but the recovery from hurrcanes is going slowly so only smaller ships are going there right now. We went on a tour of some Mayan ruins in Chocchoben (pardon my spelling). That was interesting.

Thursday and Friday were at sea days and I worked on some embroidery.

Saturday they made us get off the boat in Port Canaveral so they could take it into drydock, so we came home.

Michael had to work Saturday and Sunday so we postponed Christmas until Monday. Everyone seemed to be pleased with their gifts.

Last night we had dinner with the Collins's at Longhorn. This was our first get together with both engaged couples so there was a lot of wedding talk.

You better watch out, you better not cry....

Christmas is coming and I'm almost ready for it. I have one more gift ordered that should be delivered in the next day or two and the shopping will be done. What decorating we're doing is done. What baking I'm doing is done.

All that's left to do is the newsletter and cards and I hope to finish that this weekend.

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The church party is Sunday night. I'm supposed to take dinner rolls. This will probably be our last service at the congregation we've attended for the last eight years. John has resigned as worship leader and we're going to start visiting other congregations tonight.

It's really been sad to watch what had been a vibrant growing congregation slowly disintegrate. We've gone from an average Sunday morning attendance of nearly 200 to barely 100 in less than two years. For the last nine months or so the families with preteens and teens have been leaving in search of youth programs that are going forward. Now they've announced that they are drastically cutting the missions budget and that's going to cost us three or four more families. I know of at least two more families that will leave within the next year. And the people who are leaving are the ones who work. It's getting down to the pew warmers.

John and I are starving to death on Ken's steady offering of spiritual skim milk. We need the "meat of the word" and he can't / won't provide that in his lessons so we are going elsewhere as well.

Hope Santa understands.

Another survey

1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you look at? My eyes.


2. How much cash do you have on you? $2.60


3. What's a word that rhymes with "TEST"? Rest.


4. Favorite plant? Camellias.


5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Someone calling from the house.


6. What is your main ring tone on your phone? A song called Girls.


7. What shirt are you wearing? Orange tee with embroidery at the neckline.


8. Do you "label" yourself? I’m such a brat.


9. Name brand of the shoes you're wearing? Dunno – bought them from Avon.


10. Bright or Dark Room? Dark.


11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? Like I would say anything negative about my future daughter-in-law.


12. Ever "spilled the beans"? Only on my brother – in revenge.


13. What were you doing at midnight tonight? Sleeping.


14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say? I don’t have text messaging.


15. Do you ever click on "Pop Ups" or Banners? Not intentionally.


16. What's a saying that you say a lot? I need a nap.


17. Who is the last person who said I love you? I don’t hear the words all that much, but one of the Joyner twins snuggled with me last night.


18. Last furry thing you touched? Schroeder.


19. How many hours a week do you work? 40. I don’t get paid for overtime.


20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed? There’s a roll in the camera now, but it’s not ready to develop yet.


21. Favorite age you have been so far? Every year gets better, at least in some ways.


22. Your worst enemy? Besides Satan, those vicious man-eating squirrels.


23. What is your desktop? My granddaughter, Alice.


24. What was the last thing you said to someone? Hello.