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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Happy Birthday Jesus! and New Nifty Notion Video

Well, here it is -- Christmas morning.  Our Christmas morning used to look like the picture above.  Not anymore.  Jerry and I are alone enjoying the peace and quiet.  Our family -- sister, brother, sil, daughter, her dh, granddaughter, nephew, and probably some more, did have a Christmas get-together last night, but we were not invited.

Jerry and I spent Christmas Eve watching Batman.  I HATE Batman movies, but guys like them.  Neither one of us could understand half the words, but it doesn't really matter.  Bad guy vs. good guy and a bunch of impossible feats.  I am a very realistic person, and I don't enjoy phony movies.  I thought the last Bond-James-Bond movie (the first one with Daniel what's-his-name in it) was really good because Bond actually got hurt in it.

Another HUGE disappointment in our life occurred last night.  You know I have been spending time with one of my sisters who had supposedly repented from her alcohol and illegal drug past.  I am totally NOT into that lifestyle at all, and I never have been.  Everyone in my family knows it too.  If it wasn't for the drugs and alcohol, we would be a whole, happy family.  Bad choices affect everyone though -- like it or not.

Of course, I am to blame for the condition of this family due to my inability to be more tolerant.  You know -- like the Government -- politically correct.  I flunk that test every time, I admit.  I have been advised to just "forgive and forget" and play nice with the offenders.  After all, I'm supposed to be the "Christian". 

I can forgive -- I can't forget -- and I will steer a wide path around addicts, family or not.  That doesn't mean I don't love them.  That means I won't play like their lifestyle is okay, and I won't believe the lies -- the CONSTANT lies.  The lie this time was that my sister was having us over to her house Christmas day because she and her son were going to my daughter's house Christmas Eve.  We aren't allowed at my daughter's house (her husband's edict), so we understood that perfectly, and we thought it was so kind and generous of my sister to invite us over for Christmas day at her house.

Last night, out of the blue, we received (via a text message) the information that Christmas Eve was NOT at my daughter's house -- it was really at my sister's house!  Hope you can follow that -- if you even care, lol.  Therefore, we should have been included since we aren't forbidden to come to my sister's house.  But no.  My sister lied to us.  She can look me straight in the eye and lie her guts out.  NO WONDER she has to drink and smoke pot!!!  You have to bury that conscience somehow, don't you?  She was given a total of $260 to help with expenses.  Guess what she bought with it???  Clue:  It wasn't food.

And neither my sister or my daughter read this blog, so this isn't to them.  This is to those of you who know me and understand this roller coaster I've been on for so many years with my family.  I had posted about how great Christmas was going to be, and sadly, it didn't happen.  No happy pictures.  No happy stories to tell. 

The part where my daughter came over a few days ago, of course, was wonderful.  HOWEVER, she didn't tell me the truth either.  She just avoided it.  She has always defended her Aunt and joined with her in her activities -- MUCH to my dismay.  Started when my daughter was just 11 years old.  Hence, I've had a VERY hard time having a relationship with this sister.  

But, ALAS!  God is still in Heaven.  Jesus is still Lord of Lords, King of Kings and Master of Everything!  I have Jerry, and I am blessed beyond measure.  I am grateful for my very dear friends who love me anyway.  Life goes on, and God isn't through with this family as long as there is breath left in them.  And this day is about Jesus.  It is HIS birthday!
Here's the BEST PART of this Christmas.  Jerry and I met Phylly and her husband, Roger, for lunch yesterday at The Rib Crib.  It is about half-way between our homes.  Jerry and Roger found out they have guns and bullet-making in common and they talked the whole time.  Phylly and I exchanged our Christmas gifts.  I was totally surprised and ecstatic over my gifts -- all handmade by Phylly.  I did a new Nifty Notions video so you all can see.  Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuN3EEh4agA

I was trying to talk not-so-loud in this video because Jerry was in the other room trying to work on a wheelchair order.  Hope you can understand what I am saying.  I will add the video to my tutorial list on the side bar.


It is sooooooo cold here today.  Wind chill of 10 degrees.  Jerry keeps letting the cats in, and I keep letting them back out.  He thinks they are cold like he is.  I keep showing him their thick, hairy coats.  They don't want to be in here.  They are outdoor cats.  They are in the garage, and they have two padded, cozy beds, so don't feel too sorry for them.


I have to go.  I hope your Christmas Day was AMAZING, SURPRISING and WONDERFUL!!!  We are very thankful for all the blessings in our life -- each other -- our friends -- our health -- and even our family who loves us occasionally. 

God Bless!

Hugs, Joy

5 comments:

  1. Oh, Joy, what a wonderful video. I want to be Phylly's friend too. I'm sorry Tulsa is so far away from me or I'd join you for your class just to meet you guys! Remember you can't choose your family but you can choose your friends and it looks like you chose a great one. I hope you have a wonderful New Year and keep blogging, you make me smile.

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  2. Joy Joy, I'm so sorry things didn't work out with your family. I know you want to spend time with them and enjoy them and it never seems to work out. Funny, you want more time with your family, and I want a bit less with mine.

    The Wii was a big hit. They played it all evening. Roger is still playing it and everyone has gone home. He gave me a beautiful pair of earrings and a Houdini heavy duty cork puller for wine bottles. You would think I was a real drinker instead of just someone with a touch of arthritis that cooks with wine. Anyway, if you need a wine bottle opened, I'm your girl!

    I'm glad you liked my gifts. The pattern for the "apron", which is exactly what I thought it looked like, is Simplicity 2450. I stumbled on it one day when the patterns were 99 cents and bought it because I thought it was cute. I bought the cup from a woman on Etsy that is also on Artisan Sewing Guild. I think she did the design. I think the Etsy store was called Cafe Press. She had another one about the "sewing police", but I liked the dangerous curve one the best because of all the trouble the crotch curve has caused us!

    Yes, Carole, we are lucky that we can choose our friends and I got very lucky when I met Joy Joy on a quilting forum. I wish you and everyone on Sewing Guild could join us in Tulsa. We are really looking forward to it.

    Joy Joy, have a good week and put Christmas behind you. I'm glad it is over. At least the secular part of it. I always love the true Christmas story and celebrating it.

    I'll see you Saturday, if not before.

    Hugs, Phylly

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  3. Merry Christmas grandma!!! Sorry about the family ordeal, I for one am so thankful to have you as a part of my family. You are a blessing and if people cant see that like I can then they aren't worth the trouble.. I hope you and grandpa Jerry are having a wonderful Christmas! John and I miss you so very much!! Love you!

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    Replies
    1. Love your grand daughter, Hollie :)

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  4. I agree with Carole you cant pick your family but you sure can pick your firneds.
    I can emphathise with your family "troubles" and for several years now we have had Xmas with close friends and they have been the best.
    Love your sewing notions - aren't sewing friends the best :) Thanks for making the video and sharing.
    BTW like your B&W top
    Skye NZ

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Hugs, Joy