So I moved – I’m not quite settled in yet but come on over, bring your cup of coffee or tea and stay for a spell.   Welcome to The Empty Nest Express! So happy to see you

For Thanksgiving Stephanie at Uplifting Words (love that blog!) shared ways to combat loneliness during the holidays. I wanted to share some things that I have done or want to do with my family or friends to take the focus off myself and put it where is belongs, on God and His children, and help others as we are commanded to do. As one who has suffered depression (an inherited chemical imbalance) for many years these ideas work – faith in action works.

“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” James 2:14-17

1) Salvation Army: Ring the Kettle Bells for the Salvation Army. One year my sister and I took our kids. They had a great time and afterwards we treated them to ice cream.

2) Soup Kitchen: Several years (not necessarily in a row) my children and I along with my sister and her children helped at the local soup kitchen. The shelter residents really enjoyed the children.

3. College Students: Many times students are unable to go home for the holidays, especially foreign exchange students. Twice my husband and I asked the college administrators if we could use the student union to bring in food for students. Both times we had great groups of students. After we had done this a college organization took over the enjoyable task of feeding and entertaining the students over the holidays.

4. Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels doesn’t run on holidays in most areas. When I was working for hospice I realized that several of our communities elderly would have no meal served on Thanksgiving, so I made an extra turkey dinner and my husband, kids and I delivered the meals to those who had no family. Contact your Meals on Wheels and ask if they know of a anyone who will be without a meal over the holiday.

5.  Open Your Home: Something I would like to do is invite those who have no place to celebrate the holiday into our home or people who are unable to travel. This could be those who are simply alone or students.

6. Social Services: Your local social services probably has a tree with a child’s name tied to it – usually at the local mall or grocery store. Every year our family has adopted a child or two. When the kids were younger I would take them to help me shop for the child(ren) we adopted.

7. Domestic Violence Shelter: Ask your local domestic violence abuse shelter if there is something you can do for those torn away from their home during the holidays.

8. Care Center: Take a group of people and go Christmas Caroling at your local senior residence/care center. Also, ask if they have an “adopt a grandparent” program. I worked at a health care center a few year ago, and the residents loved having entertainment throughout the year but especially during the holidays. Residence today are older than they were 20 years ago. Ours were primarily in the 80-100+ year old range and many of their children are elderly and unable to travel. And you would be surprised at how many are abandoned by family. What child couldn’t use a few more grandparents!

9. Humane Society (or animal rescue shelter): Ask your humane society what you can do for the homeless pets. Many times these shelters are neglected during the holidays. Our local shelter often asks for old towels, blankets, pet toys and pet food.

10. Homeless Shelter: Check out your local homeless shelter. Many times the children in these shelters are unable to enjoy special activities over the holidays. Maybe your church or youth group could help pay for the children to go to Santa’s Village or see Disney on Ice at your local arena. Most from my personal experience receive a lot of gifts so think outside the box for things to do for these children.

If you have any more suggestions to add please feel free to share. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to celebrate Thankful Thursday.

Right now I am super thankful for family. I married into an amazingly wonderful family. My Mom-in-law is a woman full of grace and kindness. She is everyone’s grandma. She lives in assisted living and we stay at her house when we visit. Today is spent with the in-laws and Friday is spent with my part of my family. We’re pretty spread out so I am thankful for those I get to spend precious time with. I am so excited to be with my sisters and Mom and my precious niece and her kiddos. This is a wonderful holiday! Excited!

Wishing you all many blessings on this special day. 

To join in on this special day of Thanks visit Lauri by clicking on the button above

I don’t do the big majorly insanity Black Friday shopping thing. And it’s OK. Really. I am fine. I am a perfectly NORMAL female. I’m just NOT a huge shopper.  In fact, I don’t get “it”, whatever “it” is people get from all the shopping madness. If you see me at the mall rest assured I am enjoying the Christmas decorations and holiday atmosphere and if there is a book store you will probably find me there.

I like to browse, look around, and take my sweet time with NO PRESSURE WHATSOEVER and then in the complete quiet and luxury of my home, nestled comfortably on my sofa, cocoa and laptop in hand… I shop. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. There are no crowds, no one is bumping into me and spilling their Cappacino down my back. No one is going to fight me for some stupid cute sweater that I will probably regret buying.

Lordy, it’s heavenly shopping at home. Am I spoiled or what? I love it! Plus, I can easily keep track of what I bought for every person on my list. You will find no surprises in my shopping bags and the pre-holiday browsing helps me to find what I really want – color, quality, size… It is nice seeing things up front and personal (when no one is around bumping into you) and then finding an even better bargain online is more rewarding than the homemade whip cream on the pumpkin pie I will enjoy in a few days!

Insanity! How many does she need anyway? Look at that poor gal behind her!

I’m not saying I never go shopping… sure I do. But only when I am pretty sure the crowds are very small, if basically non-existent. I shop on Tuesday mornings for example. I mean seriously, have you been to a mall on a Tuesday morning? The place is asleep (except during the holidays of course).

The heavenly way to shop!

This Friday I will be spending the day with my fabulous family, eating Turkey and my mom’s infamous cornbread stuffing. Some may want to go out and shop or browse but what we really plan to do is see the new Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn – my daughters and nieces have already seen it – lucky them, but for me and my two sisters Shannon and Kelly, it will be the first time. The best part of all this is being with my sisters and mom. I miss them, a lot, especially during the holidays. There’s just something special about all that “girl talk” that you don’t get over the phone or through chat.

Tissue alert!

OK, I am once again under control. I am just so super excited about our trip to Nebraska (one of those huge rectangle states in the middle with more cows than people) that I can hardly sleep.

See you all on the flip side!

As a grandmother I love to do things with my grandkids and for other people as well. Often I find myself racking my brain for something I can do with my granddaughter who is almost 5 1/2 years old.

Time is also an important factor as my grandson is almost 1 1/2 so crafts are done while Bentley (aka Bens) is sleeping or on a “girls time only” day. Bens is still in that sticking-everything-in-your-mouth and climbing up on everything stage so I am always on the lookout.

I found three great ideas. The first at Our Best Bites - Christmas Lantern and Treat Jars, the second at Four Peas in a Pod, Mason Jar Snow Globes and my granddaughter’s favorite Sock Snowmen at Then She Made…

Alexys and her Snowgirls

All are relatively simple, a little messy and were a blast for both of us. We also got a little creative. Sissy thought her snow girls needs arms (toothpicks) and belts (yarn). On her lanterns she stated emphatically that glitter was a must for “stars”.

Alexys’ (aka Lexy) mom, my wonderful daughter Tara (aka TaraBelle) works full time and it is often hard for her to take the time to do crafty things with her kids, although I must say on “family days”, that girl knows how to have a spectacular time with her husband and kiddos. She’s one great momma and her kids are solid proof of her and Cody’s love and devotion. I think someday I will have her share some of their adventures.

Another craft idea I got from Country Woman magazine is making Christmas cards. Sissy and I will be making cards and I think Bubba can definitely join us on at least part of this craft. I just hope he doesn’t try and eat it – the precious boy!

What ideas do you have planned with your children or grandchildren this holiday season? Be sure and share!

Have a great day!

Kathleen

It was horrific! I can’t tell you how terrified I was. My heart was doing somersaults. My hair stood up on end. My eyes bulged beyond recognition…

This excruciating sound from deep down in the “pit of despair”, woke me from a deep sleep.

MyHoney sat straight up, arms outstretched to Heaven. He was in a stupor of some sort. Did the shofar blow and the angels descend to take us?

No.

That horrific, heart wrenching sound came from a tiny 17-month old boy with a diaper rash and it went on and on and on and on for what seemed like hours but in reality lasted only a few minutes.

Once awake I flew into action. I was Wonder Woman to the rescue! Where are the diapers, the wipes, the BUTT PASTE? MyHubby was ahead of me, the items thrust into my hands as he attempted to lay back down to sleep.

The poor little guy. My heart just hurt for him. Before MyHubby could fall back into a stupor peaceful state of bliss I thrust an empty bottle into his hand. He was to the kitchen and back before I had Bens diapered.

The little guy grabbed for the bottle and I lay him back in his crib. I headed toward my bed when I heard a sweet little voice say, ”Grandma, can I sleep with you?” How could I say no to MyAngel Alexys under these circumstances?

Do I EVER really say no?

No.

It was 2 a.m. when the first sounds of torture were heard and all was peaceful by 2:10.

Just as dreamland was within reach I heard another wee little whisper in my ear.

“Grandma, tell Grandpa to STOP. SNORING.”

I gave her a little pat on the head, gave MyHoney a little push so he would roll over and thanked God for my king-sized bed.

Anyone who knows me knows at all knows that I am a HUGE Jane Austen (British literature in general) fan so when Pam at The Dust Will Wait left this little nugget for me I just had to run over and see what was going on. What could this theory be all about? Now the question is, was she or wasn’t she murdered? Oh, the suspense and a new novel by crime writer Lindsay Ashford has everyone in suspense with her theory. Life couldn’t get any better for Austen fans!

A new theory on the death of Jane Austen | The Upshot – Yahoo! News.

Jane Austen Was Poisoned 

The Inquistor – Jane Austen Was Murdered?

You all have a great day and – what did you just put into my cup? Let me see that bottle? What are you trying to pull? Let me see that! Now look what you did! It’s all over the floor! It’s eating the floor…..!!

Why am I up so early!

You all have a great day!

Kathleen

I have a bad cwold…

But, I also have holiday planning to do and providentially when I checked my email this morning Amy Bayliss’ blog post was about planning for the holidays. So, I ran as fast as my fingers could carry me right over and had to check it out. After reading Amy’s post (that she wrote for The Better Mom) this morning I knew exactly what my holiday theme would be this Christmas.

My good friend of many years gave me a plate for my birthday this summer (she also gave me dozens of flowers). It was a Christmas plate and to be honest I loved the saying and it is so beautiful that I have had it displayed since she gave it to me.

So, this plate will be the inspiration for my Christmas theme. I even found a flannel plaid Christmas lounger that will match. I’m excited for the holidays…like a little kid.

Now, to get rid of this cwold that is dwiving me crazy!

You all have a wonderful day and God Bless.

Kathleen

To my amazing hubby, the Treeplanter who is celebrating his big 60! Thank you for serving this great country during the Vietnam War… We appreciate all you do and have done.

The Treeplanter

Love you MyHoney!