Tooooooo Long

I've been lax in keeping up my blog, even if it is just for the sake of Jenn. Sorry about that.

Things are going okay here in G-town. I am really enjoying having time off at Christmas. This hasn't been the case for 22 1/2 years, so I'm having a little difficulty knowing how to handle it. Like so many who read this blog, I work better under pressure of a deadline, and often wait until the deadline is in sight to begin my work. It seems so strange to actually have days at a time with nothing that has to be done.

This week has been a little busier than most. For instance, Tuesday morning was WMU at Maribeth's, followed by a retired teacher's luncheon. The choir from one of the local elementary schools performed at the lunch. When the kids were leaving, something was said by one of the retired teachers about how we were such a grateful audience. The choir director responded with a line about retired teachers, "Old teachers don't retire, they just lose their class!--Especially Meadors!" And I did not in the least bit feel insulted.

Thursday I went to Friendship, which is my usual Thursday practice. I told David it was a lot like teaching, even though the students were, in this case, less than a year old. I liked the challenge of figuring out what their problems were and trying to stop cries before they happened. There's nothing much better than sitting and rocking a baby for an hour or so at a time, talking with them, talking to them, and as my own kids would say, "talking for them." Case in point, this darling little fellow named Sota who had the awfulest case of stick-up hair! I took him out into the reception area of the nursery and said, "hello, ladies! What do you think of my new hairdo this morning?" And another little guy named Allistair, "How do you all do (talking to the two little girl babies"--could I maybe play with you today?" We do have fun in there. Then when I was leaving, I went over to the toddler side of the nursery suite, and this great little fellow named Shusuke came running at me with a big smile on his face and his arms up in the air for me to pick him up!

I do love those babies. They make life seem worth living. If any of you are feeling a little low, I can recommend rocking a baby to calm or to sleep as one of the best (allbeit temporary) morale boosters known to man!

Everyone take care when you're shopping, and don't get too lost in the bustle to call a salesperson by name and ask about his/her day. The sourer they are, the more persistent you should be--if anybody needs attention, they do. And don't be afraid to say Merry Christmas. It's worth saying.

Love to all, God bless, and Merry Christmas!