Looking Back at Christmas and Ahead to 2025

It's almost 2025!  Here are a few highlights of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the end of 2024. 

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were nice.  Christmas Eve consisted of our usual KFC Christmas Eve chicken dinner and playing the fun new game Uzzle.  (If your family enjoys fun easy, fast-moving games, this one is a sure winner!)  I also baked lots of cookies on Christmas Eve.  At the end of the evening, we followed our family tradition of many years and each of us opened one present.  

On Christmas morning, I got up and made two different breakfast casseroles, and then we opened gifts.  We all got some nice and thoughtful things.  The gift I was most excited about was a new Kindle Paperwhite.  I got a Kindle Fire about eight years ago, but over time, it got super slow and the battery did not stay charged long.  I have been finding, however, that my eyes like larger print when I read, so I did some research and found out that the Kindle Paperwhite would let me increase the print size of the books, so I asked Charly if I could have one for Christmas.  He decided that he also wanted one, so we both got new Kindles and have been enjoying reading with less eye strain. 

Our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren were in Arizona visiting our son-in-law's family for Christmas, but our daughter texted us this picture of them all ready to open their presents on Christmas morning. 

The day after Christmas, we left for a few days in sunny St. George and we returned Monday afternoon.  We had a great trip which I will post more about in a couple of days. 

New Year's Eve morning, we took Josh to catch the bus he takes back up to his college campus in Idaho.  He texted that he was safely there by mid-afternoon. 

As of this afternoon, our tree and other Christmas decorations are put away, and things are back to the way they were before Christmas.  Although our New Year's Eve will be quiet, we are looking forward to getting together with friends on New Year's Day. That will be fun.  

Now, looking back on 2024, here are some of the things I am most grateful for.

• Josh is almost finished with his Bachelor's Degree.
• Charly and I have stayed pretty healthy this year. 
• We were able to purchase another home in Ivins, Utah. 
• We have been able to see our grandchildren often. 
• I am another year closer to retirement - 12 to 18 months from now!

I ended up reading 75 books in 2024, which was two more books than I read in 2023 and 2022.  I didn't really have 75 books as my goal, until the very end of the year when I really tried to beat my previous records for most books read.    What is my reading goal for next year - probably the same as last year - 36 books.  I will probably read more than that, but that is the absolutely minimum number of books I hope to complete in 2025.  

I decided to make some goals for the year and read one article that suggested making 25 goals in 2025.  Honestly, that sounded daunting, but there are some things I want to do.  I decided to make five goals that I believe I can work toward achieving in 2025.   Here they are:

1. Read 25 minutes 75% of the days in the year. 

2. Write in my journal 90% of the days in 2025. 

3. Read the scriptures every morning or evening 75% of the days in 2025.  

4.  Walk or work out 25 minutes a day 75% of the days in 2025.  

5.  Eat healthy with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.  Eat less sugar.  Stay on track with daily calorie goal 75% of the days in 2025. 

What else will 2025 bring to me and my family?  Here are some things we are hoping for:

1. Continued good health.

2. Completion of my second-to-the last year of work before retirement.

3. Josh's completion of his Bachelor's Degree at BYU-Idaho.

4. Completion of our kitchen re-do/upgrade project (due to start next week). 

5.  Continued financial preparation for retirement in 2026.

Finally, in today's post, I am sharing my word for 2025 - HOPEFUL. 

Not everything or everyone is the way I hoped it would be as 2025, in my family, in our nation, or in the world.  I know that 2025 will bring good days and bad days, happy events and even sad and tragic ones. Still, I am hopeful that with God in control, things can be better.  We can choose to be better.   I am hopeful that things can still work out in the best way possible. 

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by. 

I hope that you all have a healthy, happy and 

HOPEFUL 2025!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

"Learn from yesterday,

live for today,

HOPE for tomorrow."

~Albert Einstein

The Weekend Before Christmas

Here are some highlights from our weekend before Christmas. 

Friday morning, we got up extra early because Josh had been riding a bus home from his college town all night.  This is his bus pulling up just before 7 a.m..  You can see how dark it was at that time of the morning and the day before the shortest day of the year. 

Some of the Christmas lights outside of the downtown Conference Center were still on.  They are so colorful and pretty. 

After picking up Josh and taking him and Charly back to our house, I went on to school.  We had a late start morning, so it was all right that I was a little late in arriving. This is the morning sunrise when I pulled up into the parking lot.  I thought the trees silhouetted against the pink morning sky make an interesting picture. 

We had a short school day and a lot of students were absent. By the time school dismissed for the day, both the students and the teachers were beyond ready for a nice two-week Christmas break!  When I got home, Josh asked if he and I could go to one of our favorite walking paths, so we did.  He likes to walk with and talk to his mom, and I am grateful for that. 

Saturday, Charly got up not feeling very well, so we had a slow morning.  Finally, I got dressed and going and I delivered a couple of Christmas gifts to friends.  After that, Josh and I had a little shopping to do.  He needed some new shoes and underwear and he knows that while he is in college, mom is good to help with such things.   Fortunately, the stores were NOT as crowded as I feared they would be.

Josh and I stopped and got our lunch at good "Mom and Pop" Greek restaurant that Charly and I really like.  I indulged in a cheese burger and onion rings - something I don't do very often.  It sure was good though. 

After lunch, Charly was still resting and trying to get feeling better, so Josh and I went to University Place Mall in Orem because he wanted to visit the Light the World Giving Machines and make a donation.  Charly and I went to the Giving Machine at the mall in St. George over Thanksgiving, but Josh wasn't with us. 

Josh chose to donate to provide 25 meals for homebound seniors.  My donation was for eyeglasses for a needy child.  

After visiting the giving machines, we did a little shopping and we had a very nice mother-son afternoon.  When we returned home, Charly was feeling much better and we all had a nice evening together at home.

I did some reading Saturday night, and finished this old (from the 1990s) Christmas novel which was trite but touching.  As of this weekend, I have completed 72 books in 2024, and I'm not finished yet!

Sunday morning, we got up a bit later because we went to a different church congregation than we usually attend and the service didn't start until noon.  I took pictures of us all dressed before we left for church. 

Here are Charly, Josh and I just before we left for our Christmas worship service. 

We got to the church early and the choir was still practicing for the service. The worship service was wonderful as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ in scripture and music.  We felt God near. 

Later Sunday afternoon, Josh and I went out to the Southwest part of Salt Lake County to walk one of favorite walking paths around the beautiful Oquirrh Mountain Temples.  

At one point in our walk, I convinced my handsome son to stop for a picture.  

A couple of friends from church brought over gifts on Sunday. I appreciate the sweet treats and thoughtfulness. 

Weekend Gratitude:

• Josh arrived home safely.
• School is out for two weeks!
• Christmas shopping was completed!
• We saw and spoke with many friends from our former church congregation.
• Christmas church service was very special and a wonderful celebration of the birth of Christ.

That's all for now.  I will be taking a little blog break for a few days now.  Have a wonderful, memorable Christmas and remember that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He is truly the reason for this season. 

Until next time,

🎄Deb🎄

"And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name Jesus: 

for he shall save his people from their sins."

~Matt. 1:21 KJV

Gratitude Before Christmas and a Few Hodgepodge Questions

I'm not sure where the month of December went, but here we are at the week before Christmas.  There have been many good things happen in my world this past week and I want to remember them, so I am joining again with Susanne and friends over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

😊My mom was taken to the emergency room earlier this week with chest pain and rapid heart rate.  After an overnight stray, she was released to go home with some medication.  I am grateful that she is OK and back home for Christmas.  I am also grateful for my younger sister who lives with my mom and takes really good care of her.

😊The administration of our school always puts on a nice Christmas luncheon and that took place this past week.  I enjoyed going to the luncheon with some young “newly minted teachers” in our department. The food and conversation were excellent and I enjoyed this little holiday respite in the school day.  A couple of days later, our assistant principals came and brought a loaf of Great Harvest (a local bakery) bread to every teacher. I am grateful that a school administration that acknowledges and celebrates the Christmas holiday with generosity and good cheer.

😊When we went to see our daughter and her family last weekend, I found out that my 13-year-old grandson is a Youtube content creator.  I have enjoyed watching some of his Youtube videos this past week. His content is fun and creative and brings a smile to my face.  I am so grateful for this grandson and all of my grandchildren. They are truly a blessing and they add a lot of fun and happiness to our lives.  

😊I have done most of my Christmas shopping online this year, and as time passed, I got a little worried that some gifts may not arrive in time, but I was pleased that most gifts did come in time, and according to the post office, the rest are expected in the next day or two.  I am grateful for the convenience of online shopping at Christmas time and all through the year.  

😊All of my grades are posted and at the end of the school day on Friday, I will have two glorious weeks off!  I am grateful for my job as a teacher, but I am also grateful to have a lot of time off to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. 

Now, here are my answers to the Hodgepodge questions for this week and for that I am joining with Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond.

1. What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

I want to achieve my “unofficial” reading goal which is to finish as many books as I read last year - which would be 73 books.  I’m almost there.  I’ve finished 70 and still have half the month to read three more! 

2. What's something that brought a smile to your face this year?

My grandchildren always bring a smile to my face.  I always love spending time with my children and grandchildren.

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety? 

My favorite crackers are Crunchmaster 6-Seed Multi-Grain Baked Crackers. I discovered them at Sam's Club earlier this year and they are so good.  I like to have them for lunch with sliced sharp cheddar cheese, or nonfat cottage cheese. 

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

We may get together with some friends for lunch or dinner on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.  Our plans are not completely finalized, but we are hoping this is what will happen.  I probably won’t stay up until midnight, unless I get lost in a really good book and forget to go to bed.  Usually, I’m exhausted and my eyes are closed well before midnight. 

5. What are three words that describe your 2024?

Busy, Exciting, Hopeful

That's all for now. Have a good weekend and I will see you again soon!

Until next time,

🎄Deb🎄

"During hurry of the festive occasion 

of this Christmas season,

find time to turn your heart to God."

~Howard W. Hunter

Tuesday 4 - Getting Ready for Christmas

 I am joining in today on Tuesday 4 to share my thoughts on Christmas preparation.

1. What are you up to in preparation for the holidays?

Just about all of our holiday prep is complete or almost complete.  Our home is decorated for Christmas, our cards are mailed out, gifts are purchased and presents wrapped.  We also participated in a couple of Christmas charity projects - Light the World and Toys for Tots.  I admit that I am still waiting for a some last minute gifts I ordered and I anticipate (hope) those things will arrive in the next few days. 

2.  What is your absolute favorite holiday movie?

I don't think I could choose just one. I narrowed it down to five movies that I would have to saw are my favorites.  The movies are shown above - A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. 

3.  What are your hopes for this coming season?

My hopes for this Christmas season are to feel God's spirit of love and make some wonderful memories with those I love. 

4.  Tell us your view on the great coffee/tea/hot chocolate debate.

I am not a coffee or tea drinker, but I do love an occasional cup of hot chocolate.  I don't drink it often because of the sugar and calorie content, but it is a nice treat. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit.  Enjoy this Christmas season.

Until next time,

🎄Deb🎄

"May you have warm hugs to greet you,

Fun times to meet you,

Joy in whatever you do,

God's love to guide you,

Good friends besides you,

and happiness all season through!"

~Emily Matthews

A Good Family Weekend

This weekend was a good one.  Here are the highlights. 

Friday at school was very busy as I get ready to post grades for second quarter.   I was a bit stressed so it was a good stress reliever to walk at the rec center after school. 

After dinner, I spent the rest of the evening finishing the wrapping of the Christmas gifts for our grandkids because we were delivering the gifts on Saturday. 

Saturday morning, we went to our daughter's home.  We delivered the gifts for her family, then we took our daughter and grandchildren to Walmart to pick out toys to donate to needy children through Toys for Tots.  Here are some of the grandchildren picking out the toys they wanted to donate. 

Charly and I picked out toys to donate too.  My donation was a cute Teddy Bear and Charly got this little stuffed unicorn.  We all had fun shopping for toys to give away. We have been letting our children pick out toys to donate to Toys for Tots since our oldest daughter was very little.  It's been a fun part of our Christmas for many years. 

After purchasing the toys, we took all of the donations to Papa Murphy's Pizza to put them in the Toys for Tots collection box. 

Here are three of the grands posing by the donation box. 

We got some pizza at Papa Murphy's Pizza when we were delivering the toys, and had a little family pizza party for lunch.  We were going to go see a Christmas movie, but there wasn't enough time to go to a movie and make it back for our granddaughter's piano recital later that evening.  Instead, our granddaughter's worked on some of the Christmas crafts we brought down for them. 

Our granddaughter's really enjoy crafts and they are quite artistically talented. 

The sixteen-year-old also joined in. She enjoys painting. 

It was a fun afternoon watching these sweet girls work on their craft projects.  I also helped my grandson take his bike to get a flat tire fixed and we had a nice little chat in the car.  He is 13 and a super nice and smart guy.  

Paige had practiced her performance piece, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, a lot and she did an excellent job!

Here is our granddaughter Paige ready to go to her performance. 

Here is our granddaughter as she performed her piece.  She was well practiced and did an excellent job. 

Sunday morning, we were some of the first ones in our chapel ready for church.  We attended the main worship service, then came home.  I will admit to not doing much the rest of Sunday.  I didn't even go out for a walk.  It was partially cloudy, but quite cold, and I just wanted to stay in where it was warm.  I took a little nap, did some reading and listened to some religious/scripture study podcasts.  

Sunday dinner was pork chops and potatoes cooked in the crock pot with broccoli and green salad covered with my favorite bleu cheese salad dressing. It was delicious.

Here is the recipe for the slow cooker pork chops we had for dinner. 

After I post this, I'm off to shower and get put on my warm, flannel jammies, then I plan to read, read, read and hopefully finish one more book!

Weekend Gratitude:

• Spending the day with our daughter and her family.
• Safe travels to and from her home. 
• Only one more week of school before Christmas break.
• Josh will be finishing up Fall semester and coming home for hic Christmas break next Friday.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a good week as you make preparations for Christmas.  See you again soon!

Until next time,

🎄Deb🎄