PINECONE TREE!

Following a night of partying (and the subsequent clean up), we were up bright and early for our weekly 10 mile long run. We changed our route today and for those of you that are familiar with Ruston -I SHOULD WARN YOU! The hill behind Toma Lodge on Kentucky heading from Cooktown Road to 167 has been redone. I was SO HOPEFUL that the dreaded Chautaqua Hill as we affectionately call it would be an easier climb. We have always run this route when training for marathons, but had not gone this way during the construction for some time. Today we tried this old route again and let me inform you the Chautaqua Hill will now be know as the Hill from ____! NO FUN-NO FUN AT ALL! As I told Sonja after our run, that which does not kill us will make us better ( OR SOME SUCH GARBAGE) Note to self-keep in mind the change on Kentucky before suggesting this route again!

After returning home and soaking in a hot shower for about 20 minutes ( SORRY SPARTA PEOPLE-BUT I NEEDED IT!), I dressed and off the friend, Helen's. It seems that the pine cone tree she has on her pool deck needed reconing (IS THAT A WORD?). I am thankful that Sonja agreed to come and help-I couldn't have done it without her. Rachel had the wires on all of the cones, but then we had to wire the cones to the chicken wire frame. Did you know that pine cones are not kind to your hands? Did you know that the wind was cold today? We did finish and got the lights strung-BUT still need to secure lights to the frame since they will fall when the pine cones close up from the rain. I will also put pine boughs in the spaces where the pine cones do not quite meet.

Off to Arcadia to take lunch to and visit with Nannie and Pappaw Conville. This all made for a full day. We came home and down I went for a short nap! Our college adopted student has been here washing clothes and visiting since I rose from my nap. We are off to our Small Group Christmas Party at Margarita's home tonight. SHE IS THE HOSTEST WITH THE MOSTEST!

Busy Season!

LIVING/DINING ROOM DECORATIONS

After almost two weeks of high speed fizzing, the office party is tonight. I AM READY! Here are the decorations for two more rooms:

Lanterns, burlap and twine -and the tables are all ready for the guests.

The "Bird Tree" in the daytime.

The Nativity that Momma and Bill (step-father) brought us about 25 years ago from Mexico. It is held together by LOTS of glue.

Somehow Jesus, Mary, & Joseph have not been broken in all of these years.

Side table by dining table. Covered with burlap and ribbon and birds, dragonflies, butterflies & one little deer adorn the table. The lamp to the left has geese flying adorning it-a gift from BC a few years back.

A little side table covered with burlap-tied with ribbon and Mr. Reindeer adorning the top.

A close up of the candles on the side table with the birds, etc.

Oh-LOOK-the birds have nests in the chandelier.

Centerpiece for the dining table-burlap with candle in hurricane lamp and surrounded by birds.

A full view of the table. When I look at the pictures, I wonder why it took so long-BUT there is more to come in the next couple of days. We are looking forward to BC's co-workers being here tonight for "Christmas in the Vienna Woods".

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Today is # 2's birthday. 32 years ago-early in the morning-he made his presence known. What a blessing!

He is an interesting mixture of his Mom & Dad. He has his Dad's outgoing personality and can talk to any stranger. You want to be around him-because he is so easy to talk with and seems to take a personal interest in you. He also has a tender heart-maybe I get some credit for that. A loyal friend, a good brother & a wonderful son-he has blessed us all by loving us. We are thankful that God sent him to us two weeks before Christmas and two plus weeks after his due date (THAT SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME SOMETHING). The best Christmas and Birthday present I ever received!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gabe!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN THE DARK NIGHT!

Martha Wannabe has finished the Christmas decorating after 10 days. Hopefully it will not take 10 days to get it all put away in January! I thought we would begin the holiday tour with the night time look of all of the lights and then in days to come I will give you daytime close ups.

Our slender-fit in a corner -NOT REAL Christmas tree. After MANY MANY trips to pick out a real Christmas tree at the Tree Farm, I ended the last few years by having to go alone to get the tree. NOT MUCH FUN AT ALL-especially when I had to cut the tree and drag it out of the woods BY MYSELF. I ended up giving in and buying an artificial tree. The pine scent is now artificial and JUST NOT THE SAME, but the tree is up and decorated with no needles falling under it.

My theme for decorating and BC's office Christmas Party is "Christmas in the Vienna Woods". This is new this year and includes snowmen, woodland animals, trees, and Santa & his sleigh all lighted by spots from above.

The mantle is slightly changed with the ornaments hanging from the garland all being outdoor-woodland themed. The train and car to the right are new this year and all lighted. The wreath is one I sent CC when she was at Baylor and is a sweet reminder of her.

I have a bird tree every year. This year I bought this artificial topiary and added feathers and birds. In he past I have used real trees or stick trees, but this may be the easiest to pull off.

When you come in the front door this is what you see. Greenery, sticks and pine cones are a constant when you live in the woods.

The front lamp and post are decorated with the greenery that I cut while in the ditch on the side of 167. I suppose people must get used to seeing me foraging for decorations in ditches and other weird places. I always find the nicest things in the ditch!

The live wreath by the front door. You keep it fresh by giving it a spritz of water every day or so.

The arbor is draped in lights and the luminaries light the walk and the stone wall in front of the house.

The kids' tree house is full of lights which you see out of the back windows.

Lastly is the tree on the deck. The tree is visible from the inside as well as through the woods from the road that winds in front of our home. I am sure it makes a warm sight on a cold night. I also have two small trees in upstairs windows that show from the road, but they are too far away to get a good picture.

There you have the nighttime lights at The Convilles. Stay tuned for a room by room tour of what has been done to prepare for Santa's visit and celebrate The King's birthday.

AM I A COLD WEATHER RUNNER?

Here we are at the Race for the Cure with Lisa in October. Note the shorts and warm weather clothes. Today was a COLD day-a really cold day when you headed north and the wind hit you in the face. For some strange reason, my times are getting much better with these colder temperatures. I am not sure I understand why, but I will just accept it. My time for today's harder- really hilly run was the best it has been by over 2 minutes. I had three miles under 10 minutes and one of those a 9:30. The other two-warm up mile-was under 10:30 and really hilly mile-just over 10. Not sure I understand where this speed came from, but I was chasing Babs and Jennifer-AS USUAL!

I am wrapping up the decorating and will post pictures of what I have done. I have to wrap up and go OUT in the cold to finish a couple of things. Then I will give you the highlights of what I have done. Christmas is coming!

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

You do remember our sweet friend, Lisa don't you. If not go here, for her story and look at the June 18th post. Today is Lisa's birthday. We all got together and celebrated this special day. Lisa has finished her treatments and is once again the picture of health. What a blessing and answer to prayer.

We even discussed our next marathon and our training regime for it. What a change a few months can make. Apprehension has turned to hope for tomorrow and plans for the future.

We currently have one with a suspected stress fracture, one returning after a 7 week injury break and one expecting her second child. When Babs blessed the night, she thanked God for the support that we all afford each other. Truly a blessing that has all come through a love for running. We look forward to many more runs and many more birthdays to come. That which does not kill us-serves to make us stronger-in running as well as in life.

SUNDAY REFLECTIONS

Today's message at church concluded our year long study of the book of "Acts". It has been a reminder of the history of the church as well as Paul's incredible zeal for evangelism. Today Brother Len told of us the difficult journey that life is and that in a Fallen World-something is always wrong. We can expect travel woes for the enemy is always attacking us. He encouraged us to not travel alone. Sorrows shared are sorrows halved and joys shared are joys doubled. God has not promised us comfort in this world, but He will be with us-if we only let Him steer as referenced in the above video. The final point was we should all be asset. Everyone has a role and some-such as Paul have many roles. Be a contributor.

God has been teaching me some very important lessons during the past three months. The lessons have been painful, but I have known His presence during difficult days. I have been reminded that He is My Redeemer, and I am His Beloved. My assurance is that His love is beyond reason. I have done nothing to deserve His love and the depth of that love is beyond my comprehension. The World-well The World will Always disappoint us-but He-He is faithful. What a blessing!