Cabin Fever

The countdown for Christmas break begins not too long after the first day of the fall semester. Its just a rule. Being a good 10 hour drive from home, I anticipate my occasional trips east as patiently as these black cows outside my window have been awaiting their daily roll of hay for the past few weeks. That is, not very.

So anyway, now that I am here, everyone has been visited, Christmas is over, and the lull before New Years has set in, I am BORED. OUT. OF. MY. MIND.  I don't remember this town being SO quiet when I was in high school.  Hurricane Mills gives "quiet little, Southern town" a whole new meaning.

Being the only one in the house on the daily routine of a college student, I am the only one still in the mode of dragging out of bed around 9 (and believe me, that's early) and not hitting the hay until well after midnight.  As my dad says, I have my days and nights completely confused.

So here I sit, holiday nail polish chipping away, half made up with my hair just the way it dried after this morning's shower, wondering when things might pick up a little bit, and reflecting on the highlight of my day, a trip to Camden to pick up a half a ton of feed. Woo. Hoo.

Bored but optimistic,
JanLee

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

He's making a list, and checking it twice...

Today is December 22. That means in just two more days.....CHRISTMAS!  I am so excited and glad that things are really picking up around the Rowlett house in order for everything to be ready for the best day of the year.

Our family, as all do, has our own yearly traditions that the season just wouldn't be the same without.  We are avid Rook players and as Christmas gets closer and closer, we play more and more.  As of tonight, we are up to at least two games a night and can't wait for the big finale when the WHOLE Woods family is together on Christmas night. It gets interesting!  Another Christmas tradition is Christmas Eve dinner at our house.  My mom fixes supper for everybody so this year, we will eat and then exchange gifts.  This is something kind of new. Usually we open presents Christmas morning, but the effects of the flood are still looming and since my grandparents won't be back in their house for Christmas morning breakfast, we are opening gifts early this year for the sake of time.

Christmas morning, we will have a huge breakfast at home (usually hosted by my grandmother) and then move on to opening gifts from my mom's parents, Mimi and Gran-Gran.  Though their house isn't completely finished, and there is no way she could fix a meal there, we have decided to do whatever it takes to have Christmas in the same house that she has had it for 38 years. After breakfast here, we will go to their house where a decorated tree and table await.  We will open gifts and eventually have supper (premade and crock-pot warmed) of soups and sandwhiches.  Later, its movie time.  After the annual showing of the Santa Claus, and the mos intense Rook game of the year, it will be time to head back home where we can admire all the new stuff and, in my case, wish it wasn't all over. 

On the agenda for tomorrow...feed, clean, help with a little pre Christmas Eve cooking, wrap the last of the gifts, feed again, and get ready for the festivities to begin!!

Merry Christmas,
JanLee

No Room

Last night, driving home from the third Christmas party I had attended in four days, I was singing my little heart out with the radio and planning for how I was going to get the smell of Rotel out of my car. As you may know, there aren't too many songs that come across country radio that I don't know by heart, but I didn't recognize the first few notes of the tune that played as I turned the corner off of Western onto Lakeview. I turned it up (because "If I don't know it now I'm not getting out of this car 'til I do!") and goosebumps raced up my arms.

This song tells the Christmas story and talks about the true reason for the season in a way I have never heard in a country Christmas song.  After a beautiful summary of the Christmas story, the second verse compares Mary and Joseph being turned away at the inn because there was "No room," to people not remembering the reason we celebrate this holiday because there is "No room,"  in their hearts, lives, etc.

So here's what you need to do: go listen to the song (just google "No Room- Rhett Akins", sorry for the lack of link here). Then, have a very Merry Christmas and remember why Christmas is such a time for happiness and celebration.

Thinking Thankful Thoughts,
JanLee



 

Tuesday Ten

So its been a while, I know.  I have missed a Tuesday or two (or three). But this one is gonna be good enough to make up for all the ones I didn't do. Promise.

1. The Christmas Spirit.  I am so in it.  As I type this,  Michael Buble is serenading me "White Christmas" and I am falling in love with him. Right now.  I have always thought the best part of Christmas was in the days leading up to it.  Everybody is happy, its cold, and I am in Holiday Heaven.  Just call me Christmas Carol.
2. Cowboy Church.  This past Sunday,  Katie and I tried something new in the church worship department.  Its called Cowboy Church and to say its right up my alley would be an understatement. I absolutely loved it.  In Stillwater, Cowboy Church is held at the county fairgrounds in the sale arena.  There is just something about hearing God's word from a seat worn smooth by livestock buyers,  hearing hymns over a microphone normally used by an auctioneer, and watching a pastor give his sermon from the dirty shavings of a sale ring.
3. Dead Week.  I can't believe this semester is only days from being over. This week is "Dead Week" at OSU, meaning not a lot besides studying should be going on (but students are expected to attend class).  Next week is Finals and I will be home in a little over a week!
4. Movie Marathon.  Because it is Dead Week, and because Katie and I have decided not to participate in its true meaning (studying), we are using our spare time this week to reap the full benefits of being new Hastings card carrying customers, Half Price Movies!  We fully intend to watch movies (and lots of them) every night this week.  Playing tonight:  "Serendepity"
5. The Showbox.  I guess this is as good a time as any to put in a plug for Adam McCall's latest entrepreneurial advetures. He is now a licensed Sullivan's dealer so if you need show supplies let him know! Also, stay up to speed on latest deals by becoming a fan of The Showbox on Facebook.
6. Have I mentioned I can't wait for Christmas?

7.  Soup, Soup, and More Soup.  Katie and I came back from Thanksgiving with a car load of homemade soup along with the recipes and necessary ingredients to make our own. Needless to say, we are about souped out after two weeks of chili, taco soup, brunswick stew, and jambalaya. No more soup here, thanks.

8.  Special Sunday. If there has ever been a perfect day, it was Sunday. After church that morning, we came back and, without a thing in the world to do, lounged around, napped, and caught up on our t.v. watching for the week.  Later that night, we drove around town for TWO HOURS looking at Christmas lights, enjoying our heated seats, and sipping on Sonic treats.

9. Annabelle's Wish. The sweetest Christmas movie of all time and one of my most treasured childhood memories.



10.  Life is good when "paint toenails red" makes it to your to-do list.

Merry Frifmasth,

JanLee

*K. Lents requested she be given credit for the word "Frifmasth" and any joy it may bring to your life.