Broke With Tradition

Every year since Aimee and Wendy were little we have always gone to Pam's Mom and Dad's on the first Sunday of December to decorate their tree and house. Last year was the first year we were here in Italy and we didn't have a Christmas tree. This year we decided to buy an artifical tree because Kaitlyn has been begging for one and then Aimee and Wendy joined in the begging. So today we went to the Shoppette and bought a tree, we had to go today because today was the last day of the sale and they were running pretty low on trees since they have had them since HALLOWEEN!!

So this year, the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving we decorated our house and tree for Christmas. We are feeling a little bit more in the mood this year, last year was pretty sad for all of us since we were so far away from family. We are hoping that this is the last year away from family.

Pam had the girls clean and move the bookcases and tv case thing. Of course, Pam just directed them where to put everything. Dave slept through everything, he slept through vaccuuming and scraping of metal on the floor. The girls did a very good job.

We even have a fireplace to hang the stockings from this year.

Wasn't Able to do It

I thought I would be able to write something that I was thankful for every day this month, I didn't make it. DRATS!! I said that I was thankful for my family, my testimony, the Gospel, my children, my parents, the opportunities I have been given to live here in Italy, the freedoms I enjoy in my native country (USA). Even a couple of silly things like full size washers and dryers, sunshine, good books, good movies.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!! We don't eat turkey, we eat ham. I am so thankful for Wendy and her willingness to cook for our family. She does a great job and the food is so yummy!! We love our family and we miss them very much. Wish we could be in Utah with them all, maybe next year? Don't know we'll have to see.

Snow?

Yesterday I got woke up by my beautiful daughter Kaitlyn who kissed me goodbye before she left for school and then proceded to announce that it was snowing outside. Yes, snowing. It has not snowed in Aviano, Italy, for about seven years. The mountains get snow every year. Wendy did a great job announcing the snow on her blog. Very cute, you should read it. And those of you from Utah will get the cute references. If there is at least an inch of snow sticking to the ground they close the base because they have no way of clearing. Can you imagine living this close to the Alps and not know how or not have equipment to clear snow? Brilliant I say. Dave heard the rumblings at work that they were going to close the base so he took a quick trip to the BX to buy boots and gloves for Kaitlyn so that if there was still snow on the ground when she got home she could go outside and play in it, bummer it was gone. It warmed up enough to turn the snow to rain. BUMMER!!! Then he went to the Commissary to get a few things that he tought we might need in case we were "stranded" for a couple of days, wood was essential to keep us warm. We have a beautiful fireplace that we use quite a bit in the winter to keep at least the living room warm. It made for a perfect day to snuggle up in front of the fireplace to crochet some baby gifts , read a good book , and watch movies .

Cookie Bake Off

Sandra wanted to know more about the Cookie Bake Off, so I'll see if I can explain it here for anyone that wants to know.

Each auxilery was asked to provide three names of families or individuals that they felt would benefit from some contact from the people at Church. Then each family was asked to provide two dozen cookies. After Dave explained the concept of member involvement in missionary work, everyone pitched in to put together plates of cookies to take to those families who are less active or part member families. Then some of the families were asked to take those plates of cookies to the families who were chosen. Don't they look pretty? After the plates were put together whatever was left over was for everyone to sample. Once the judges were able to chose a winner than Dave announced the winners. It has always been a great success in the past with many people becoming active again or having the rest of their family baptized. We have always had fun with this activity. No one has ever said no to a plate full of cookies. Dave has always been able to get into homes where they have requested no contact with the church, he just has a loving spirit and truly cares about those family.

Missionary Activity

Dave is the Ward Mission Leader in our ward and this month he was asked to plan an activity. Tonights activity was our 2nd Annual Cookie Bake Off. Every year for the past five years, two here in Italy and three in Sunset when Dave was Elder's Quorum President, he has planned a cookie bake off in order help activity less active families. He has had much success with this activity, many families have become active again simply because they discovered that someone actually cared about them. And Dave truly cares about less active and part member families. These two pictures are those that participated in the Bake Off. These are our judges, Neill Perry, Aimee Holloway and Wendy Holloway. They did a great job.

Here is Dave reading off the winners of our Cookie Bake Off.

Third Place for the Bronze Rolling Pin is Kim Adams.

Second Place for the Silver Rolling Pin is Cindy Adams. And First Place for the Gold Rolling Pin is 8-year old Olivia Zollinger.

We had a lot of fun and did a lot of visiting. Those plates of cookies were taken to families and singles who are less active or part member families. I sure hope they enjoyed the cookies.

Trying New Things

I am so thankful for the ability to figure things out so I can try new things. That is kind of silly, but hey it's cool. I've seen most of my friends and family have these really cute and cool backgrounds for their blogs and I wanted to try some. When I first started blogging I could not for the life of me figure out how to change it. Tonight I tried again and I DID it!! Maybe it has something to do with being in serious pain tonight? Oh well, the point is I did it.

~~~~~

Today was another visit with the shrink. Oh what fun. I found out last time I saw Dr. Aguaro that the shrink I'm seein' is all of 33 years old!! How can he possibly know more about my depression and anxiety than I do? Oh well, this is how brilliant he is. I go in and again I have to ask him to see me downstairs on the main level because I could not do the stairs today. He goes over my list visit and then says have you tried to do some exersizing to help with the depression? I said and you suggest what kind? He says, "ride a stationary bike?" Did he not read the part or hear the part about me having serious arthritis in my knees and hips? I said no, every time I ride a bike I blowout my knees have done so since I was a teenager. Maybe that is where I have rheumatoid arthritis in them? Could do. Then I told him I was gonna see about indoor swimming. Then he suggested that maybe we can start taking me off my meds because I was doing so well. I looked at him and said UH NO. I've tried that in the past and the depression comes back worse than it was when I went on the meds before. What kind of doc is he any way? Oh wait, he's a military doctor. That explains his brain. Any way, I still get my way and I get to stay sane for at least another month. As long as I do things I love to do I'll be okay. Reading a good book, scrapbooking and card making (thanks to my friend DeAnn), crocheting, chatting on the phone or online with friends and family, shopping online, rides in the car with my family, BBQs with friends. These things make me happy and comfortable.

~~~~~

It has been so freakin' cold today, I have tried all day to stay warm. My hands and legs have been icicles so I have been under blankets most of the day. I came upstairs to climb into bed at five just so I could be warm. But now is the perfect time to snuggle up with Kaitlyn and read her a good book. This is actually my favorite time of the day. We actually talk and listen and laugh with each other. I love it!!