WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

Started on December 17th:  "Every year I vow that I will start earlier next year.  And every year I don't.  That's right.  The tree, the lights, the ornaments... they're all still packed away from last. year.

I don't know why it's so hard to get the tree out and up every year.  As much as I really enjoy looking at other peoples decorations, and as much as I enjoy our tree once it's up, I'm really not a big fan of actually trimming the tree.  I can understand how some people decorate their tree and then leave it up in a corner year round!

Part of the issue is, I think, that we don't take our tree down until the Epiphany.  That's because all the days leading up to Christmas are actually part of Advent.  Christmas day begins the 12 days of Christmas, so rather than getting "12 Lords a Leaping" on Christmas day, as the commercial world would have you believe, one should actually get "A Partridge In a Pear Tree" on Christmas morning.

But, we forget what Christmas is really all about.  It's about the birth of Jesus, the Christ.  Emmanuel.  King of Kings, Lord of Lords. God's gift to mankind, the promise of redemption... our hope of salvation realized.  We forget what should be first and foemost in our minds and hearts in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, that mystery of our Faith... Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.  And so, while we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, we also prepare for His return, as "with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man".

The days and weeks leading up to Christmas..." and that's where I stopped.  Before Christmas.  And hadn't returned until today.  So, procrastination reigns supreme in 2011, apparently!!

AAAAAaaaaaa-anyway, we did leave the tree up until January 6th.  Actually, we left it up even longer, but didn't light the lights any longer.

Christmas was nice, not too overdone.  Gifts were more restrained this year as, like the rest of the world, we're finding our budget strained by today's economic situation.  But that didn't impare our ability to laugh, to love, and to linger over an excellent Christmas dinner with family, held at Major Dad/DLG's house.  In the spirit of the season, I think the traditional dinner table conversation managed to stay out of "the gutter" for most of the day!  Whoda thunk it???

2010 was not without its ups and downs, but mostly ups.  Perhaps most notable was H2's wedding to H2GF (now DIL3).  This brought together family and friends from all over to Del Rio, TX for the rehearsal and wedding, and on into Ciudad Acuña, Mexico for the reception (as well as some pre-wedding activities). It was definitely a great time. 

Also in 2010 I became a volunteer chaplain with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.  This involves going on "ride-alongs" with deputies during their shifts.  I've only been on a couple of ride-alongs so far, but the professionalism of the deputies I've ridden with is pretty impressive!

2011 has started with a fizzle, as the Saints' road to a "Two Dat" came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks.  Time to focus on next year and not dwell on the past.  Seems like we did a lot of that this season, dwelling on the successes of the previous year, when it was pretty obvious that it was a different team that was squeaking by its opponents this season.

On the flip side, LSU did win the Cotton Bowl (GEAUX TIGERS!!!)!  And Auburn, taking the national title, put the SEC on top once again!

Here's hoping for a wonderful 2011!!  Linda and I are heading to Houston this weekend to visit H1/DIL1, and we're taking DIL3 with us.  We're looking forward to a nice visit.  Hopefully the weather holds for us.  The cold isn't so bad, as long as the sun is shining!!

Carnival season is extra long this year, with Easter being in April.  Hopefully some family members will be able to come for some of the fun!  It's always a great time of year for parties, beer (or wine, or daquiris, or...), crawfish, beer (or wine, or daquiris, or...), parades, and did I say beer (or wine, or daquiris, or...)?

Have a wonderful New Year, and may God's blessings be yours in abundance!!!