...just very busy! I have had quite a long break from work, and don't return until January 4th, but I have been working at Just the Thing last week and this week, so I have not felt like posting when I get home. I promise I'll be back with a Christmas update (and New Year's probably, as well) very soon.
I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and has a wonderful New Year's!
Wednesday, December 29
Friday, December 17
He is there
Y'all, I have to tell you a story, but first some background info. I've told y'all about my mama and daddy before and their strong conviction to help the less fortunate people in West Virginia who live in little towns where mines have closed down, leaving them penniless. My dad goes up several times a year to deliver clothes and food for those people who the state of West Virginia has literally forgotten about- people who have no way to help themselves. Well, this past Tuesday my daddy and 5 other people from the church were scheduled to go up to Peytona, WV to deliver not only food and clothing, but also gifts for the children in the community who would literally have no Christmas without the generous people in my little hometown. Several other churches from nearby communities were scheduled to go up, as well, to deliver things that they had gathered. Last week the weather report called for a snowstorm to hit West Virginia sometime around Sunday night, leaving roads across the mountain impassable. As a result, all of the other churches cancelled, but ours did not. Instead, they prayed about it and prayed that the weather would cooperate for them to get in to Peytona and deliver Christmas for people whose cupboards were bare and who needed warm clothes for the cold WV winter. They packed up on Tuesday, knowing they would go as far as they could, hoping they would not have to turn around with a bus full of necessities, as well as toys to put a smile on many families' faces. And, praise God, they made it across the mountain and were able to deliver and have a church service for the community on Wednesday night.
And that's the background. Now, to the real story- more proof that God is good. While up there, my dad slipped on some ice and fell, hitting the pavement with full force to his shoulder. He said when he hit the ground, he felt his shoulder pop out of joint. Knowing that this would not be good, and would probably require a trip to the hospital, he started to pray. But, before he could get a prayer out, he said he felt a hand on his shoulder and a firm push, popping the shoulder back into socket. Daddy said he has never personally experienced a miracle, but he knows beyond a shadow of doubt that it was the Lord's hand that put his shoulder back in place. It was as if He was saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," (Matthew 25:21) and showing Himself as a thank you for Elloree First Baptist Church's resolve to make it to West Virginia, despite the weather, to get those necessities to people in dire need.
It reminds me of the passage, "All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) If we do what is His will, He will be there for us, reaching out a hand when we need it most.
And that's the background. Now, to the real story- more proof that God is good. While up there, my dad slipped on some ice and fell, hitting the pavement with full force to his shoulder. He said when he hit the ground, he felt his shoulder pop out of joint. Knowing that this would not be good, and would probably require a trip to the hospital, he started to pray. But, before he could get a prayer out, he said he felt a hand on his shoulder and a firm push, popping the shoulder back into socket. Daddy said he has never personally experienced a miracle, but he knows beyond a shadow of doubt that it was the Lord's hand that put his shoulder back in place. It was as if He was saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," (Matthew 25:21) and showing Himself as a thank you for Elloree First Baptist Church's resolve to make it to West Virginia, despite the weather, to get those necessities to people in dire need.
It reminds me of the passage, "All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) If we do what is His will, He will be there for us, reaching out a hand when we need it most.
Wednesday, December 15
My other day job
Many of you know that I am an event planner/jack of all trades for one of the colleges at the University of South Carolina. But, did you know that I have a master's degree in Retail and work part-time at a store in Columbia called Just the Thing?
Okay, maybe you did since I have mentioned it a time or two...or ten, but what can I say? I love the Just the Thing girls! When I work, which really only amounts to about once a month, I enjoy it so much. It's not like a job at all....it's fun. And one of the main reasons is these girls right here:
We had our JTT Christmas dinner last night at Casa Linda and it was so much fun. That's all of us that work at JTT either full-time or part-time, minus only 2 girls.
I started working at JTT in 2005, when I was in graduate school, and I have met some great girls over the years! I have 2 weeks off from my regular job over Christmas, and I am working at JTT a pretty good bit over those 2 weeks. So if you're in Columbia, stop by and see us! Or, if you're in Buckhead (Pharr Road to be exact) stop by our other JTT store- and tell them Emily sent you! You won't be disappointed- it's the best selection of handbags, accessories, and clothing in town! (Shameless plug, I know!)
Okay, maybe you did since I have mentioned it a time or two...or ten, but what can I say? I love the Just the Thing girls! When I work, which really only amounts to about once a month, I enjoy it so much. It's not like a job at all....it's fun. And one of the main reasons is these girls right here:
We had our JTT Christmas dinner last night at Casa Linda and it was so much fun. That's all of us that work at JTT either full-time or part-time, minus only 2 girls.
I started working at JTT in 2005, when I was in graduate school, and I have met some great girls over the years! I have 2 weeks off from my regular job over Christmas, and I am working at JTT a pretty good bit over those 2 weeks. So if you're in Columbia, stop by and see us! Or, if you're in Buckhead (Pharr Road to be exact) stop by our other JTT store- and tell them Emily sent you! You won't be disappointed- it's the best selection of handbags, accessories, and clothing in town! (Shameless plug, I know!)
Friday, December 10
You know you're from South Carolina when...
....it's 30 degrees outside, which is frigid for those of us born and raised in the South, and practically every conversation begins with "Cold enough for ya?" and is met with a reply of "I hate it," "it's miserable," or something similar.
We had a brutally hot summer and it was supposed to be a mild winter because of La Nina. So, I'm hoping this is just something that is going on for a few days and then we will be back to more moderate temperatures. 50-60 is good for winter, don't you think? Otherwise, my toes and fingers may break off at some point because they have turned to ice! I don't know how you girls that live in colder temps do it- my hat's off to you!
Happy weekend!
We had a brutally hot summer and it was supposed to be a mild winter because of La Nina. So, I'm hoping this is just something that is going on for a few days and then we will be back to more moderate temperatures. 50-60 is good for winter, don't you think? Otherwise, my toes and fingers may break off at some point because they have turned to ice! I don't know how you girls that live in colder temps do it- my hat's off to you!
Happy weekend!
Thursday, December 9
'Tis the season....
...for a Christmas survey!
I got this from Whitney over at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife. If you've never checked out her blog, do so now! You'll love her and, of course, her adorable son, Levi!
Here goes! (By the way, has anybody been having trouble copying and pasting into blogger? I had to retype this whole thing.)
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Most definitely wrapping paper unless it's something that won't fit in a box (i.e. wine) or for a white elephant exchange at work (because, really, I don't care that much.)
2. Real tree or artificial? REAL! My parents have to have an artificial one and it ALWAYS causes so much stress trying to put it together and get the lights working. And I love the look of a real tree (even the imperfections).
3. When do you put up the tree? Either the day after Thanksgiving or the Sunday after, depending on our Thanksgiving/Clemson-Carolina football game plans.
4. When do you take the tree down? The week after Christmas, and always before New Year's Day. In my family, it's a superstition that if the tree is up past New Year's, it's bad luck.
5. Do you like eggnog? I have never had it, but I don't think I would like it for some reason.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh gosh, probably one of my million Cabbage Patch dolls.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad
8. Easiest person to buy for? WEG because there is usually something he wants that makes it easy!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I got it for Christmas last year and it has a custom-built manger. I LOVE it!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, definitely. It's much more personal. Just cough up the 44 cents per stamp.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm, can't think of a truly terrible one, but my mom gave me this necklace last year that she and I both agreed was not my style once I tried it on. Back to the store it went.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? The Family Stone, but you can't find it on DVD which is annoying!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I started this year in September. I usually like to be 75% done by December. Currently, I'm about 95% done!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but we have recycled a few of my mom's teacher gifts...shhh, don't tell.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? mini Ritz bits crackers with peanut butter dipped in white chocolate, Peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas morning while opening presents, Snow mints from Hickory Farm, Mom's breakfast on Christmas morning
16. Lights on the tree- colored or clear? White lights now, but I think colored lights for children are fun.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music except at church. I like Silent Night on Christmas Eve at the church where my mom grew up because the whole church lights candles and they turn out the lights. And I also like the song, "Mary, Did You Know?"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, travel, but it's to my parents, so not technically "traveling" in my opinion
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph...is that all of them? I tried to sing the song.
20. Angle, star, or ribbon on the top of the tree? We mostly had an angel growing up, but then switched to a ribbon. I used a ribbon a couple of years, but then WEG said he wanted an angel, so that's what we have. My parents now have a star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning traditionally, but you never know when new traditions will have to be made and I am not opposed to Christmas Eve.
22. Favorite children's Christmas song? "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
23. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic around the shopping areas and how people are trying to replace Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays to be politically correct. I celebrate Christmas, so that's what I'm going to say.
24. Favorite ornament theme or color? No theme, so I guess eclectic. And I am partial to the traditional red and green colors (or variations) and gold and silver.
25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day? Neither! We do a big breakfast mid-morning and then a dinner of something non-traditional like fried chicken :-) Turkey and ham so close after Thanksgiving is not my family's favorite.
26. What do you want for Christmas this year? There are a few things on my list!
27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? No
28. Age you discovered who Santa was? I don't remember the particular age, but my parents hid a "boom box" in my grandmother's walk-in closet and I went in there and discovered it, but didn't tell. Lo and behold, "Santa" delivered the present on Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure I had an inkling before that, but that sealed the deal.
29. Eggnog, hot chocolate or apple cider? I'm not a huge fan of hot drinks, except around Christmas, and then it's usually a peppermint white mocha from Starbucks or peppermint hot chocolate from Williams-Sonoma on Christmas morning. Definitely don't care for apple cider.
30. Traditional colors or other colors? I think I answered this in the ornament question, but reds and greens, with gold and silver accents.
31. Do you have an Christmas decorations on your roof? No, although WEG did consider putting something up there to outdo our neighbors.
32. How does Santa getn into your house? Chimney or magic key? Well, since there are no children residing in our house, we haven't crossed this bridge. I think it would be chimney, though.
33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards? I love gifts, but gift cards are always useful... Especially when I get a Target one from my mama in my stocking :-)
34. Favorite children's Christmas cartoon? Hmm....I guess it's the Grinch, although I don't watch any of them these days. I don't recall ever being really into Charlie Brown, and I guess I liked Rudolph okay.
Now it's your turn! Enjoy!
I got this from Whitney over at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife. If you've never checked out her blog, do so now! You'll love her and, of course, her adorable son, Levi!
Here goes! (By the way, has anybody been having trouble copying and pasting into blogger? I had to retype this whole thing.)
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Most definitely wrapping paper unless it's something that won't fit in a box (i.e. wine) or for a white elephant exchange at work (because, really, I don't care that much.)
2. Real tree or artificial? REAL! My parents have to have an artificial one and it ALWAYS causes so much stress trying to put it together and get the lights working. And I love the look of a real tree (even the imperfections).
3. When do you put up the tree? Either the day after Thanksgiving or the Sunday after, depending on our Thanksgiving/Clemson-Carolina football game plans.
4. When do you take the tree down? The week after Christmas, and always before New Year's Day. In my family, it's a superstition that if the tree is up past New Year's, it's bad luck.
5. Do you like eggnog? I have never had it, but I don't think I would like it for some reason.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh gosh, probably one of my million Cabbage Patch dolls.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad
8. Easiest person to buy for? WEG because there is usually something he wants that makes it easy!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I got it for Christmas last year and it has a custom-built manger. I LOVE it!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, definitely. It's much more personal. Just cough up the 44 cents per stamp.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm, can't think of a truly terrible one, but my mom gave me this necklace last year that she and I both agreed was not my style once I tried it on. Back to the store it went.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? The Family Stone, but you can't find it on DVD which is annoying!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I started this year in September. I usually like to be 75% done by December. Currently, I'm about 95% done!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but we have recycled a few of my mom's teacher gifts...shhh, don't tell.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? mini Ritz bits crackers with peanut butter dipped in white chocolate, Peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas morning while opening presents, Snow mints from Hickory Farm, Mom's breakfast on Christmas morning
16. Lights on the tree- colored or clear? White lights now, but I think colored lights for children are fun.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music except at church. I like Silent Night on Christmas Eve at the church where my mom grew up because the whole church lights candles and they turn out the lights. And I also like the song, "Mary, Did You Know?"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, travel, but it's to my parents, so not technically "traveling" in my opinion
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph...is that all of them? I tried to sing the song.
20. Angle, star, or ribbon on the top of the tree? We mostly had an angel growing up, but then switched to a ribbon. I used a ribbon a couple of years, but then WEG said he wanted an angel, so that's what we have. My parents now have a star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning traditionally, but you never know when new traditions will have to be made and I am not opposed to Christmas Eve.
22. Favorite children's Christmas song? "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
23. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic around the shopping areas and how people are trying to replace Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays to be politically correct. I celebrate Christmas, so that's what I'm going to say.
24. Favorite ornament theme or color? No theme, so I guess eclectic. And I am partial to the traditional red and green colors (or variations) and gold and silver.
25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day? Neither! We do a big breakfast mid-morning and then a dinner of something non-traditional like fried chicken :-) Turkey and ham so close after Thanksgiving is not my family's favorite.
26. What do you want for Christmas this year? There are a few things on my list!
27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? No
28. Age you discovered who Santa was? I don't remember the particular age, but my parents hid a "boom box" in my grandmother's walk-in closet and I went in there and discovered it, but didn't tell. Lo and behold, "Santa" delivered the present on Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure I had an inkling before that, but that sealed the deal.
29. Eggnog, hot chocolate or apple cider? I'm not a huge fan of hot drinks, except around Christmas, and then it's usually a peppermint white mocha from Starbucks or peppermint hot chocolate from Williams-Sonoma on Christmas morning. Definitely don't care for apple cider.
30. Traditional colors or other colors? I think I answered this in the ornament question, but reds and greens, with gold and silver accents.
31. Do you have an Christmas decorations on your roof? No, although WEG did consider putting something up there to outdo our neighbors.
32. How does Santa getn into your house? Chimney or magic key? Well, since there are no children residing in our house, we haven't crossed this bridge. I think it would be chimney, though.
33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards? I love gifts, but gift cards are always useful... Especially when I get a Target one from my mama in my stocking :-)
34. Favorite children's Christmas cartoon? Hmm....I guess it's the Grinch, although I don't watch any of them these days. I don't recall ever being really into Charlie Brown, and I guess I liked Rudolph okay.
Now it's your turn! Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 7
It's the most busy (and wonderful) time of the year!
I am uninspired for a blog post lately. I know, I know, I just came back from a blog hiatus, so I should be full of great things to blog about. Sadly, I am not. My mind is consumed with all things Christmas, but I don't really have anything in particular that would be of interest. Hopefully I'll come up with something soon! Until then, a recap of the weekend.
I took last Thursday and Friday off work because it was Columbia Junior League's annual Holiday Market. I worked for JTT on Thursday all day- 9:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night. What a long day that made! I stood for all but maybe 30 minutes of that on a concrete floor. Yikes my feet hurt afterwards! Then Friday I went shopping with my parents at the market. I got a few Christmas things scratched off the list (I'm 90% done now!), but felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the people shopping. That is why I prefer doing most of my shopping online. I hate lines and crowds of people just wandering. Anywho.
On Saturday we played Auburn for the SEC Championship. What.a.joke. It would have been nice if our football team had shown up for that one, as we got KILLED. No really. 56-17 is a massacre in my opinion. Because of it, we got the royal shaft and were selected for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) in Atlanta, GA. No New Year's Day Bowl for us now, and Florida and Alabama managed to get better bowls than us- so not fair since we beat them both head-to-head and had better season records (or just as good). But, it's all about the money, which makes bowl season not as appealing as it used to be.
Moving off my soapbox. We had friends over for the game and cooked fish stew (it's delicious, don't turn up your nose) and chili, so that was a good time, despite the loss. And on Sunday, I worked the market again from noon until we finished breaking down at 7. Hectic weekend to say the least!
This weekend we have a surprise party for a friend's birthday, but that's all that I know of, so I plan to get the rest of my present wrapping completed while WEG hunts and helps cook and get things ready for the party. I also have my Book Club Christmas get-together on Thursday night, but let's be honest, we're more interested in the wine and appetizers than the book.
Hope I have something more entertaining for you later in the week! Until then, bundle up and stay warm out there! (It's a high of 40 today in Columbia, which is downright frigid for us- and 18 for a low tonight...brr! I live in SC for a reason and this is not it!)
I took last Thursday and Friday off work because it was Columbia Junior League's annual Holiday Market. I worked for JTT on Thursday all day- 9:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night. What a long day that made! I stood for all but maybe 30 minutes of that on a concrete floor. Yikes my feet hurt afterwards! Then Friday I went shopping with my parents at the market. I got a few Christmas things scratched off the list (I'm 90% done now!), but felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the people shopping. That is why I prefer doing most of my shopping online. I hate lines and crowds of people just wandering. Anywho.
On Saturday we played Auburn for the SEC Championship. What.a.joke. It would have been nice if our football team had shown up for that one, as we got KILLED. No really. 56-17 is a massacre in my opinion. Because of it, we got the royal shaft and were selected for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) in Atlanta, GA. No New Year's Day Bowl for us now, and Florida and Alabama managed to get better bowls than us- so not fair since we beat them both head-to-head and had better season records (or just as good). But, it's all about the money, which makes bowl season not as appealing as it used to be.
Moving off my soapbox. We had friends over for the game and cooked fish stew (it's delicious, don't turn up your nose) and chili, so that was a good time, despite the loss. And on Sunday, I worked the market again from noon until we finished breaking down at 7. Hectic weekend to say the least!
This weekend we have a surprise party for a friend's birthday, but that's all that I know of, so I plan to get the rest of my present wrapping completed while WEG hunts and helps cook and get things ready for the party. I also have my Book Club Christmas get-together on Thursday night, but let's be honest, we're more interested in the wine and appetizers than the book.
Hope I have something more entertaining for you later in the week! Until then, bundle up and stay warm out there! (It's a high of 40 today in Columbia, which is downright frigid for us- and 18 for a low tonight...brr! I live in SC for a reason and this is not it!)
Wednesday, December 1
Wednesday Wisdom
Matthew 6:19 and 20
19. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Take a minute today, tomorrow, or even next week to stop and think about that. There is a Biblical significance of gift-giving at Christmas (the three wise men's gifts for Baby Jesus), but sometimes we go overboard (not excluding myself from this). It's really not about how much you spend or if you get someone the biggest and best present. What's important is the thought and the love that's put into the gift. After all, earthly treasures are just that- earthly. You can't take them with you in a U-haul when you enter Heaven. It's far more important to give someone a Heavenly gift this Christmas- perhaps one of the fruits of the spirit are appropriate. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness or self-control are always good gifts to give and store up for yourself long after the Christmas season is over.
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