Where does time go?

I am guilty. I have not posted to this blog as I fully intended to. Where does the time go? Let's see: it goes to family, school, church, community, students, home. All good places to spend your time.

There is never enough time. But I am going to take the time to post special memories of this Christmas with all of you. So I am signing off now so that I can finish decorating my house, preparing some sweet gifts, wrapping some gifts, and doing laundry. We have Donnie's party tonight and I know that he is excited and ready to see Santa Claus.

Life gets in the way.

I am working on a program for tomorrow night and decided I better check out my blog. Wow! I didn't realize it had been so long since I blogged. That is not good. But then I started thinking about everything that has happened since that last blog, and suddenly realized that I let life get in the way. Is that good? I'm not so sure.

We all have become swamped with giant "to-do" lists and full calendars. What happens to all the time? God has bless me with a wonderful, loving family. Have I just become so busy with everything that I am not taking the time to enjoy them the way He intends me to? I'm afraid so. So it is time to check my priorities and turn my attention to those wonderful blessings that stand before me.

Never too old to learn

Well, folks! If you ever want a prime example of someone who proves that you never start learning, just look my way. I am currently attending the ISTE 2010 convention in Denver, CO, and it is awesome. The sessions have really been great and I am fired up to have my students create new digital image and video projects. The vendors in the exhibit hall are extraordinary and have mini-seminars planned that meet a lot of my classroom needs. The networking with other technology teachers from around the world is phenomenal. We have met people from London, France, New York City, New Hampshire, and have even run into home folk from Texas. It has made me realize, more than ever, just how idiotic our federal and state government is in downplaying and cutting budgets for technology. I mean, there are people coming to the United States from all over the world to gain more in technology knowledge. What do we do? Cut it!

Christmas Eve Gift

As long as I can remember, my family has always been in a pretty stiff competition of who can say, "Christmas Eve Gift" first. My Nanny was the pro of all pros. She would call us early in the morning on Christmas Eve and greet us with her cheeriest "Christmas Eve Gift" when we answered the phone. The tradition did slide a little bit as she became older and her health declined. But she is looking down on us today and smiling because the tradition is alive and well.

I finally took the time to come in and see what research results I could find on the Internet concerning this tradition. I was quite surprised to find several hits on the subject "Christmas Eve Gift tradition." It seems that whoever offers the "Christmas Eve Gift" greeting first is to receive a small gift on Christmas Eve. We have never actually bestowed a gift on anyone. My family is rich with the gifts of love, support, and commitment to each other. Christmas has always been special in my family. Both of my parents are "only children," which obviously means that my sister and I have no aunts or uncles...except for those that I adopted (Aunt Nell and Uncle Jim). I say that I am the one that adopted them because I am the oldest and had that privilege because they were close friends to my parents. My mother taught school so she shared the same holiday with us. My dad was a farmer and it was imperative that the farm work continue. So both sets of grandparents spent Christmases with us. It was a very laid back, simple type of holiday. Then I met Benny and was introduced to a whole new set of events and activities at Christmas.


Benny's mother and brother owned a department store which meant working until the evening time and making sure everyone had picked up their wrapped gifts. His parents had quite a few brothers and sisters. So as soon as the store closed we would make our way to Grandma and Grandpa Balls to have Christmas with them and Donnie Ray. There would be a quick supper before opening gifts. Then we would rush over to Grandma and Grandpa Drapers. Their little house on West Harris would be bulging at the seams with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Of course, there would be plenty of food to enjoy there and then it was time...time for the infamous Chinese trading game that would bring out the deep competition within each member of the family. Oh the stories of conniving and sneakiness that could be shared today. Thank heavens those walls don't talk. It would be very close to midnight before getting away from there and make our way to have Christmas with Ila and Wilburn. Everyone would then make their way home, awaiting Santa's arrival. That left Christmas Day for my family. You can imagine how quiet Christmas Day was after all the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve. That tradition continued as long as we had grandparents. Benny and I joined the rank of retail stores and with two children of our own, it became more hectic than ever. As you can imagine, Christmas is much slower today. Of course, our children are grown with families of their own. Our Christmas celebrations are different from year to year in order to share them with their in-laws and work around firemen and military duties. But it is joyous, none the less. The love we share makes it Christmas all year long.

It was a joy to wake up to a blanket of beautiful snow covering everything. Of course, the biggest joy is that we are staying in and don't have to venture out. But our prayers do cover those that are out in this. The road crews have been out early this morning trying to make everything as safe as possible. And there are those that have to go to work. There are others that still have some shopping to do and will feel that there is nothing they can do but go out to finish making all their gift purchases. So we wish a safe Christmas Eve to everyone, too.

But more than anything, we wish a very Merry Christmas to everyone. It is important to remember that the real reason we celebrate this season is the most wonderful gift of all that God gave to each of us...his precious son, Jesus. My Pop always told me that he worried about us because there is so much "meanness" in the world. That is true. But there is also a lot of "goodness" in the world. We just need to continue to build that goodness until it completely envelopes the meanness and dissolves it completely. Another great gift that God gave us is the freedom to choose for ourselves. He loves us unconditionally and waits patiently for us to choose Him and the saving grace he has offered through Jesus Christ. That is my choice.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and we pray for God's richest blessings to you and your families in the new year.

Donnie Ray's Christmas Party

Let me introduce you to a very special man in my family. This is Donnie Ray Ball and he is Benny's uncle. He is the youngest of the Ball clan and has always been a ray of sunshine for all of us. He lived in Spur for 68 of his 70 years, but moved to Matador when the nursing home closed here. It was an extremely sad time as he bid all his friends that he had known all of his life goodbye as they left, one by one. He and Robby Hoover were the last two to leave the facility.

We just celebrated his second Christmas at Matador. It was an exciting day. When we arrived, everyone had to tell us the "Donnie" stories for the day. He had wheeled all over the facility looking for his beloved Santa. He knew what the day held in store for him. Now you have to understand something about Donnie. He is the true Christmas lover of all mankind. Santa Claus has always held a special place in his heart. Grandma and Grandpa Ball always put a Christmas tree up as early as possible for Donnie because that was his joy. And family members soon joined in by providing Santa-themed gifts for him. No matter what may come, Donnie will always be remembered for his love of Santa.

All the staff related the stories about him going all over the place, looking for Santa. By the time we got there, it was evident that he was tired. But the promise and anticipation of Santa's arrival kept him going. He had his Santa's Helper hat on. His "buddy" gave him a pair of knitted Santa slippers and they were on his feet, secure underneath his blanket. Dinner was just a waste of time. The anticipation and excitement were just too much.

Finally, the moment arrived...Santa walked through the doors and made his way right to Donnie. Donnie put out his hand for a welcome shake (as he does for all those he knows and loves). Santa had come to see him, just as he continually told Fred. Fred is one of Donnie's best friends that volunteers at the nursing home. He kept telling Donnie that Santa was coming to see him (Fred), but Donnie would let him know immediately that Santa was coming to see him (Donnie). There was no misunderstanding Donnie's communicating through his pointing at his own chest. Santa was definitely coming to see him. Santa presented Donnie a special gift. Oh, the gift was a beautiful treasure and Donnie held it tightly. He constantly protected it from Benny's outreached hands. Benny loves to tease Donnie by trying to get his gifts from him. But don't worry about Donnie. He can take care of those treasured gifts. He pulls the gifts aways from Benny's hands and tells Benny to "go there" as he points to the other side of the room.

As he opened the gift, he discovered a beautiful night light with Santa on it. You could see in his eyes that it was one of the most beautiful gifts ever. He held it close to him, not wanting to put it

down. He finally allowed me to set it on the table in front of him as he opened his other gifts. He got a beautiful maroon sweatshirt from another friend who lives there at the facility, Don. And then there was a warm grey hoodie from Santa. He also got a digital camera, Christmas pajamas, a jacket, bags of candy, lotion, cards, and socks. It was a great Christmas. But as soon as the gifts were opened, it was time to go to his room. He was tired and a young lady who volunteers along with her family, pushed him to his room. It was no surprise when Benny and I turned the corner, carrying his gifts to his room, to see him in the hallway with Santa again. Santa had made his way through the halls greeting and visiting all those in their rooms. Santa is always so gracious and takes plenty of time to visit with Donnie.

It was a great party. There were so many guests, that some had to sit in the adjoining dining room. The staff had filled the main dining room with tables covered with beautiful white and gold table clothes. They served each of us a tasty ham dinner. There were Christmas songs sung with lots of laughter and cameras flashing, recording more Christmas memories for each of us.

We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year for 2010.

Christmas Blessings 2009 Dec 12

I cannot believe that it has been July since I added to my blog. Where in the world does the time go? I have no earthly idea. But the season draws my attention to all the blessings in my life. What better way to share my reflections than through this blog.

What joy has filled our family. Our grandchildren doubled with the arrival of two adorable twin girls in October. Our little boys better take advantage of every moment they have until these little spit fires grow up and make their own mark in life. My children continue to amaze me over and over again. Timmy teaching and Elisha getting her Master's, Blake still devoted to fire fighting and Katrina making her mark in the nursing field. I have been truly blessed. Benny and I continue taking one step at a time, enjoying time with family and friends.

We wish everyone a blessed and joyous Christmas with a future of a bright new year ahead.

3 beautiful things: July 4, 2009

Happy July 4 everyone and Happy Birthday to our great country. It was a lazy, carefree day around our family today...enjoying time with family around the pool, cooking hamburgers and hotdogs, and watching fireworks. So what three beautiful things did I see today?

Obviously one of the things was the firework display at the lake. I love the sparkly ones that burst and crackle. The night was so cool and pleasant with the rain and cloud cover. The brilliant colors of the fireworks are always beautiful against the dark sky.

Another beautiful thing I saw today was my son-in-law carrying my grandson getting him ready for bed. Cam's tired little head rested on his daddy's shoulder and he was ready to go to sleep. He has had an exciting weekend spending time with his cousins, swimming, and making ice cream in a bag.

The third beautiful thing I saw today was a turtle in my mother-in-law's backyard. This is a regular occurance. I firmly believe that word spreads throughout the turtle community that this lady is the one to visit for fresh bread. She can sit on the patio and talk to them and feed them bread. But as soon as any of the rest of us make a step outdoors...they are gone. She loves these animals and they seem to return the favor.

Again, Happy July 4 to everyone.