Progressing Through December

Christmas tree in Founders Hall during the Annual Ladies' Candle Exchange at church

Even with green grass outside and only a few leaves falling from the trees, we are loving the Christmas season in Florida. People do many of the same things here that they do in colder climes with the notable exception of shoveling snow. We won't miss driving in the white stuff, lovely as it is.

However I do need to say here in northeast Florida (also referred to as "south Georgia" by some of the locals), they look forward to a hard frost to kill off the bugs! Apparently that doesn't happen every winter, but it's most welcome. Duly noted. With that in mind, I won't complain when it gets colder here than I originally thought when we relished the thought of moving here.

Lil' Blue Bug came for an overnight visit

One of the primary reasons we moved earlier this year was to be closer to our grandchildren (and the grand puppies, to be perfectly honest). This past weekend some of them paid us a visit.

Surfer Boy took Grandson #4 to a Boy Scout camp out, so Surfer Girl and Granddaughter #5 brought the pups in the Lil' Blue Bug to spend a night with us. Granddaughter #5 enjoyed playing with the felt elves made by The Cook on Fifth Street many years ago.

shopping with the girls (and a thumb and a blankie with stroller)

Surfer Boy's company Christmas party is in a couple of weeks, so we went shopping at the mall for the perfect dress for Surfer Girl.

the worship center in our church

Since this past weekend was the beginning of Advent, we were delighted to see decorations were up on Sunday morning.

tools of the carpentry trade

Our pastor announced he will be talking about the perspective from Joseph the carpenter, the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.

our senior pastor speaks at "The Hanging of the Green" service 

We enjoyed a beautiful service on Sunday night with the young children singing, followed by the decoration of the Crismon tree just outside of the worship center. 

I have one more thing of recent note that hasn't anything to do with Christmas. After spending the better part of two years growing my hair out, I decided my long-time goal had been achieved but I really look more like "me" with short hair. 

"before" and "after"

Out of respect for myself, I did not make this decision easily or with rash haste. A couple of times I intended to get my hair cut but then gave in to misgivings. But today was the day and I'm glad it's done. Now when I look in the mirror, I recognize who is looking back at me!

The next change will be giving in to silvery gray, like The Cook on Fifth Street. Brown-out-of-a-bottle is too much bother for me. 

Yes, the ordinary aspects of life continue in December amidst all the tinsel and lights.