Oooh, have we been busy, having an early Christmas with our daughter and her family down in the rainy south. Such laughter and eating of good things. The grandsons make small moments rich with fun.

After working hard this morning on laundry and ironing, we went for a few groceries and through the flea market. I found books and an old water pitcher with a lid. If it wasn't so late I'd snap of picture of it for you, but better wait till Monday. And I found a large oval picture frame...(I love old-fashioned things), and an old, I mean old with faded flowers on it...serving bowl from Homer Laughlin.

But, the nasty thing was that when we got home, I was down on the floor unwrapping things and found...to my... (gulp)...surprise. The water pitcher and a cup & saucer made in Austria were wrapped in a blue pad that had been used!!! Know what I mean? The kind they put underneath folks that are in bed in case of accidents. Yikes! We burned them and I headed for the laundry tubs to fix up some Clorox water & lots of soap. How could that woman have done that?!! If only we had thought/known....we should have saved the nasty things and turned them in to the mall manager for safety s sake. Oh well, hoping all that happens is an unpleasant memory and I don't fall ill.

It has been so cold today...32 degrees, and a wind that cuts right through your coat. Mine, anyway. I've been going over my Sunday School lesson about the shepherds on the hillside, being surprised by the glory of the Angel of the Lord, with God's message of love and hope to all the earth.

'And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, andthe glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:9-11.

This whole passage is thrilling, I hate to leave any of the verses out, but the hands of the clock are hurrying on, and the day is about done. So, off to my electric blanket I go. Good news! I have been hunting all over this house for it and could NoT find it anywhere! And then I found it. Behind a stack of folded jeans in son's closet. Ahhh...what a relief. I'd thought it gone for good. I mean really.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16 Oh dear Lord, help me to come to you with haste...more and more often.

"Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." Psalm 63:3