Yikes

Yes, our phone bill is about 260.00 a month cuz we "bundle." Supposedly we are saving money. Whatever.
Anyway, how dumb do you have to be to pay the same bill twice--on the same day--AT CHRISTMASTIME!!!!!! Yes, I will be accepting donations to get us off the poor farm.
Just thought I would share--and many of you thought my eye was my disability.

Merry Christmas

I was thinking today about the angels who sang at the birth of Christ. The thought of their joyful sound and the reason for it made me pause.
I was pondering how truly excited they must have been to know that with the birth of our Savior would come the fulfillment of the plan that would allow us to return to our Father in Heaven. My own dad was really sick this last summer and as I sat with him in the hospital, I couldn't help but think how I would miss him if he were to leave us. I really look to him for direction and help. He has been invaluable to me always, but especially these last few months. I thought of how much I miss my other Father, and how much I do want to see Him again.
I thought about that tiny baby in a cave wrapped in rags, and who He would become.
I thought of how he raised the dead, healed the sick, and an especially tender thing for me--made the blind to see.
I thought of that tiny baby held by loving mother's arms and looked upon by a man who would love him like his own. I thought of those first baby noises, and then the cry.
It was then that I think, that the angels began singing their Hosannas. The first sound of life on that night began the process of eternal life for all mankind.

Sorry, maybe I'm rambling. I went in for my temple recommend interview last Sunday, and that is what really started me thinking about this. The second or third question is "Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ?" My eye issue really has strengthened my testimony of that. I have kind of always reserved the Atonement for when I need to repent, but these last few months have taught me a thing or two about how He didn't just suffer so we can make our bad choices all better. I have felt comfort and peace knowing he "gets it."

Anyway, I really am grateful for His life. What a miracle of a life it was, and it all started in a little cave with cows and horses and sheep standing around. AND angels heralding His birth. I kind of want to think I was there singing my heart out. I know I want to now!

Anyway, I wish everyone a happy holiday season. I love you all and I am grateful for my association with you.

Kathy

The BIG Question

Every year I have people I know from other cultures and countries come and tell about their December traditions. It is always fun to see what other people do. I have had people from Russia, England, Germany (that was a special treat when he showed up in his little leather pants), Peru, Bethlehem and since I teach in Idaho I always have someone tell about Christmas in Mexico. The customs are interesting, but it is sometimes scary because these people just come and basically tell their stories.
Today was our last day before break. It was the only day the lady from Mexico could come. She told me at Parent Teacher conference that she had a funny story and she couldn't wait to share it with the kids. She said she knew I would laugh. Her english isn't great so she brought her daughter to translate for her. She really went to a lot of trouble and even made tamales and brought Mexican soda and candy to share. She was fabulous, but her story was...well, lets just say we had some issues to deal with.
She starts by saying that where she comes from they have Santa like we do, except that he puts the toys by the children's heads instead of under a tree. She told the kids in Spanish, which was then translated, that one day she snooped and found some toys in a closet. Wow, she thinks, Santa has already been here. However, she isn't 100% on that so she doesn't say anything to anyone--just in case. Christmas Eve finally comes and she lays in her bed and waits and waits to see who will put the toy by her pillow. (I am now waiting and waiting hoping she is not about to say what I think she is going to say.) She says that she lays there until she hears someone come into her room and she opens one eye, just a little. (I am now praying that she is going to say something about a jolly little elf, all dressed in red and white.) She tells the kids (and can I say that some of my students are hearing this twice because she is telling it in Spanish and it is also being told to them in English) that when she opens her eye, she sees her dad and he is holding the presents she saw in the closet. He saw her and made her promise that she would never tell or she would not get any presents, then to bring his point home--she did not get anything that year. I did laugh, only because of the looks on the faces of my students. You know the one. Remember when that kid in "A Christmas Story" gets told by Santa that "you'll shoot your eye out, kid." Thats' the one.

Fabulous, I thought, she just told my students 6 days before Christmas that there isn't a Santa. Luckily, we were able to convince them that her dad was helping Santa. I think (hope) they believed us.

Eye Update

Today I went to the doctor for an eye checkup. I was able to go three whole weeks this time.

I am happy with the news that my eye has stablized and that my retina is FINALLY laying flat. In five or six months, I will be scheduled for another surgery where they will take out the silicone and replace it with a bubble--if it stays flat after removing the oil. Yes, I will have to keep my head down again, but its ok because if I get the bubble, it means he thinks I'm getting better. (He said that if my retina looks like it will peel, he will put silicone back in.)

The best news is that I can go back to Gold's. He said I can do Pilates, yoga, bike arc machine, eliptical, treadmill (if I don't run) and even weights. Turns out he's been going to the gym too, so we had quite a conversation about how much weight, reps and so on. He said I can do any amount of weights that I can lift or rep on 20 times with ease. No straining. The bad news is that I can't find time to go until after we get out for the break, and I am a scary driver on the slick roads--having only one eye that sees. I'm just excited that maybe for a while I might get my life back. Yay for me!

Ho Ho Ho

For a little holiday mirth, check out the link to Pam.
It will make your holidays merry and bright.

BARF Week

Our ward has had a tradition for the last 2 years to do random acts of kindness for an assigned family. We call it BARF week which stands for Be A Real Friend. We didn't sign up this year because we didn't know how the eye would be, and I didn't want to get a family and not be able to do them. Anyway, BARF week has begun and we have received something for the last two nights.
It is really touching to us that someone thought of us. If any one of my blogger friends knows who is doing us, please let them know how grateful we are.
Have a good week!
Loves,
Kathy

December 1, 2008

Yes, this thankfulness thing just continues and continues...
Just kidding, something blogworthy happened today:


I taught reading. The whole lesson, including read aloud and worksheet!

Today reading, tomorrow the world!