Sunday

Well, here I am again, finally. I've reached a point where my blog isn't working for me. I'm a very honest and open person, so while I don't want to offend anyone, I do want to be honest about how I feel. I want to continue blogging, but I feel like I'm sharing myself, my world, and my blog with all who want to see, and not getting much back in return. Sure, there are those awesome 10 - 12 people who will actually take the time to leave a comment showing me that they were here, they care about what I have to say, and offering me the chance to know who they are and check out their blog. And then, I see that I am getting 60+ people a day coming to my blog. What's up with that? Why would you read a person's blog daily, just to move on and not let them know you are there? I am tempted to make my blog private so that I'm only sharing myself with those who are willing to share with me. I'm not at all concerned how many comments I get, but good lawd, if you're getting to know me, let me have the chance to get to know you! And here's something else. I was trying to read and comment on all the blogs on my list and it was like a chore keeping up. Then it hit me. Why am I going through all that trouble and stressing myself out trying to "be there" and let people know that I'm reading their blogs too. I started out only worrying about commenting back on those who comment on my blog, then get to the rest if I feel like it. I found that was much more satisfying, so that is what I'll continue to do. And at that point, I was only really reading 8 - 10 blogs, but hey, a relationship is a 2-way thing and I chose to go that route. With all that said, I would love to have anyone visit my blog, but would greatly appreciate the chance to know who you are and visit your blog. Anywho, I'm going to try to come back and do what I was enjoying - blogging and getting to know people. And I know I am preaching to the choir, because those of you who are going to leave a comment are likely the ones who do anyway! Just think people about why you're here. Why not let the rest of us know! And I'm not talking about my friends who come here that don't have blogs of their own. I know you're here and am glad you enjoy my blog too.

So, for the first time in 10 or more years, we got snow this week! And for the first time in my whole life, we got A LOT of it. It was very beautiful, but also very dangerous for us here. We are not equipped for snow here and don't know how to do anything in it, like drive. I attempted to go to work Tuesday during the snowfall, and my car skidded on ice on a small bridge and hit the side of the guard rail. I wasn't hurt and my car only got some chipped metal on the wheels, but it shook me up enough that I just drove home and didn't leave again all day. Cameron's school was closed the whole day (he goes in a different parish than I work in) and my schools closed at 11. His parish was on top of that and did the right thing, in my opinion. It was dangerous to get all those kids out in busses, and then turn around and bring them back home in that mess.

I've almost finished Christmas shopping and I do nearly everything online. I hate the crowds and discovered the wonders of online shopping and free shipping years ago. There are a few things that I'll have to go out and get, and I'll do that this week. My family has decided to only buy gifts for the kids and grandkids, so that equals 5 gifts, and Walter's family draws names, so we have 3 gifts to buy there. That is SUCH a nice thing, considering we usually buy something for everyone in my family (11) and something for all of the kids in Walter's family (lost count, but at least 20). Sean & Cameron really just want money, so we'll get a small something for them to put under the tree. I save JP's money in our account so that when he gets home someday, he will have some money to get a used car or something. Then I have money for Elizabeth & her boyfriend, unless she tells me something she wants. Sometimes she will, but so far not this year. I've bought gifts for Landen, Bradley, & Mack, and I think we're done except for Walter & I getting each other's gifts. I have bought all but 2 things for him, but he's a wait-til-the-last-minute kind of shopper, so I have seen one thing under the tree for me so far! There really isn't much I asked for, so it will be fun to be surprised!

Speaking of JP, he is doing really well. He usually goes through a depression when the trial is reset, but seems to be fine right now. He is writing to friends a lot and has been drawing like crazy. It's so neat to see him rediscover something that was so important to him when he was little. He is sending out personalized drawings to different people, and it's really helping him to have that to fall back on. The trial date is now 4/27, so we'll just hurry up and wait some more. My friend, Lesley, & I are planning a trip to visit him Jan. 9 - 11, and my sister says she will visit him this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that!

I have been busy helping other people with Christmas this year. My friends and I always adopt a family to provide their Christmas presents. I like to pick a family where the parent works but is just struggling. We have done that this year for a wonderful family, and then I got word from a youth minister that I know (who worked with JP a lot when he was younger), and she is collecting money for an adolescent group home for Christmas. These kids are homeless, throw-a-ways, or foster care children and most are reaching the age where they will have to move into their own apartments and take care of themselves. They are all working and in school and 80% of their income is being saved to help them once they graduate, so they asked us to help raise money for gift cards to give them so they can buy things for their new homes. How awesome is that? So, I've been working on collecting money for that and we will deliver the gift cards to them on Saturday. If anyone wants to donate, just let me know! It's a wonderful cause!

Walter & I went to his office Christmas party last night and it was fun. They had a band and some wonderful catered food. They give door prizes and always get enough to make sure every couple gets something. We won a camoflauge duffle bag, which we decided will end up under the tree for Cameron, since he is a hunter.

This is a picture from our night with my brother, Kenny, who was in town from Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. His original plans included attending JP's trial, but he decided to still come visit friends and family in Baton Rouge even though the trial plans were changed. He spent the night with us Monday night and we enjoyed having him here.

This is me and my baby brother. He is 18 months younger than me, but he's not all that little! He is 6'5 and I am only 5'9.

It's amazing what kids will do for others that they would never do for their parents. My brother got Cameron to put on a Sombrero in a Mexican restaurant when we went out to eat Monday night.
This is my great-nephew, Elijah. Isn't he sweet? My sister sent me this the other day, then told me that her son, who just had a baby girl with a different girlfriend, has now left that girlfriend. Yikes. At least my sister isn't having to keep the baby 3 - 4 days a week like she does Elijah, but still.

I hope that you all have a great weekend. And leave me a comment to let me know you are here!!!