Joy To The World

Most of you know that Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year!
But sometimes, looking at a whole house full of Christmas stuff just doesn't bring the joy it used to.  There are no children to share it with.  The joy they exude when they look at the lights, tree, decorations, and gifts is so contagious.
As I look now, it almost seems a bit cluttered and overwhelming. 

True joyfulness comes from helping others.  The purpose of Christmas is to focus on the joy surrounding the birth of Jesus and on the enjoyment found in giving.  When you are generous, compassionate, and caring; showing love to others and doing things for others, you end up being joyful.  Joy is the reward, really, of seeking to give joy to others.

Saturday was cold, windy, and with a little sunshine off and on.  I honestly have no idea what I did all morning, but I imagine most of my time was spent here at my computer.  It was just too cold to take Maggie on a long walk or go riding.  The kitties enjoy watching critters at the feeders, and I take joy in observing them, and looking out the window with them.






The cats sometimes get a bit rambunctious and Maggie is never sure if she should join in or just watch from a safe distance.  I worry about them injuring each other, because it has happened before, so I sometimes break it up.  I am not always here, so they will have to learn how rough they can play without getting hurt.  Like little boys.



I went to the gym in the afternoon and had a good workout, getting done just before they closed at 4pm.  I kind of take joy in working my muscles hard, and how I feel after a good workout (or actually after the hot shower that follows).

Maggie, the wise men, and shepherds look at baby Jesus.

I was glad to see the nativity scene finally up at the Lutheran church during our evening walk.   

I did dishes and one load of laundry while I watched three hours of TV, so my evening was sort of productive.  Joe had deleted Designated Survivor, so I was a bit put out, but finally figured out a way to go back and watch it.


The cats take joy in climbing the two big Christmas trees and knocking ornaments off.  They also knock over the whole little tree I have on a dresser in our bedroom.  Nothing I say or do has convinced them to stop, although they have gotten a little sneakier about it.

I went to Church Sunday, sitting with Lisa, Nolan, and Shirley.  It was the second Sunday of Advent and the candle of Peace was lit.  Peace is not always apparent during the rush of the holidays or at troubling times of our life.  But we can find peace through God's love and being filled with the holy spirit.  Once home, I finished the rest of my last minute Christmas cards and then read on the floor in the sun and took a nap. 

Shirley picked me up just after 3:00 and we went to John and Michelle's for their wonderful Christmas party.  They are Amiga and Zorro's landlords so to speak.

There was a ton of  fantastic food that they had made for us and very tasty champagne punch.  A bunch of 'barn' people were there, so we all had a really good time.

Barn hands - Brooke, Ambrie, and Kaylah.

When I got home, it was kind of difficult to wind down.  I took Maggie 'around the block' twice and then I was ready to put on my warm pj's and relax.

Shirley, Judy, Jan, and Cheryl.

I watched an episode of Fixer Upper and then computerized until well after my usual 9:00 bedtime.

I did not rise and shine Monday until almost 7am.  Yikes, the birds needed the feeders back out and I needed to get the trash to the curb.  The sun was shining and the day was going to warm up... Joy to the world... and heaven and nature sing.

We finally had sunshine coming into the room and the day would be the warmest since last Monday and until who knows when.


I left for the barn after an early lunch and spent the whole afternoon there.










I did ground work with Amiga and practiced getting on and off of her bareback without her moving away from the round pen panel I climbed up.  She did great.


Seen above, our view coming back from Holly Trail.  Seen left, there was still some ice on the pond.










I rode Amiga in the field next to the mares, where the livery horses usually are.  And then visitors arrived.

Sherri brought her friend's daughter and grand daughter (Blue Sky) out to see the horses.

We took Amiga into the barn to untack, and Blue Sky fed her an apple after I took the bridle off.


Then MJ stopped by to get a photo of Flat Stanley riding Amiga for her grandson's school project.

Once Amiga's saddle was off, Blue Sky helped me brush her.  She got the little brush for the face.

Blue Sky kept saying about Amiga, "Oh I love her" and "She is so cute."  I was thinking the same thing about this precious three year old girl.


I am so blessed to be able to have a horse and I love sharing her with others.  It brings me great joy to see the joy others get from the experience.









We turned Amiga out to pasture and then brought Zorro in (seen right) and gave him a mini spa treatment also.

Rachelle, one of the boarders who has had her two year old thoroughbred race horse (Ester Rising) at Wildwood, along with her companion quarter horse, will be taking them to Kentucky Wednesday and was borrowing our horse trailer so she didn't have to haul them in her giant one with sleeping quarters.  She met me and I gave her the trailer keys and showed her how the doors in back work.  But I had forgotten the tow bar and ball, which is an odd size that her truck didn't have.  I went home, grabbed Maggie, and returned to the barn at 4:15 with the trailer tow bar and ball.  Maggie got to run, play (video), and visit Chester and Boz.

Monita snuggling with me at bedtime, and seen below, bothering Stevie (with the little Christmas tree again upright on the dresser and still standing).

The high Tuesday was 38 degrees when I got up at 4am.  The temperature then proceeded to drop all day long.  Stevie had thrown up three times between 2 and 5am.  I could tell she had a bad tummy ache.  She didn't even want me to pick her up.  I just hoped and prayed that whatever was bothering her would 'pass' one way or the other.  Seen left, I am not sure if Monita is helping Stevie feel better, or hindering.





With this photo I was trying to capture the very gray sky outside and Monita under the tree at the same time.  Oh well.  It did look like it could start snowing, and I saw a some flurries a few times during the day.  I spent over two hours up on the balcony, wrapping Christmas presents, which includes finding boxes for some of them.  I set aside bows to add later, once in FL with no ribbon chewing kitties around.

Joy to the world... Repeat the sounding joy...
wrapping gifts brings me more joy than buying them and maybe even than unwrapping gifts from others.  I had music playing and was feeling festive.  I did put away the rest of our decorations, except what we will take to the condo in Florida.  I decided I did not need to add any more to the balcony railing which I usually decorate.  Can you find our three pets in the left photo?

At 3:00 I finally got out of my pajamas and put on my workout clothes, and went to the gym.  Weights, elliptical and then stretch class had me tired, relaxed, and hungry.










It was below freezing and the wind made it very cold during our longer dog walk after dinner.  Once Maggie finally pooped, we were home and in front of the fire.

Wednesday continued with cold temperatures but at least the sun was shining.  The only photos I took all day were kitties under the tree.  I was relieved to see Stevie feeling better.  I went early to the gym for Ballroom Aerobics, and did the rowing machine for twenty minutes before class.  I enjoyed the Christmas songs we (danced) worked out to.

After an early lunch, I headed into town to return a light up galvanized star to Tractor Supply.  It was too large and the wrong color for the front of the house.  On the way I drove past the MEDIC Blood center and on a whim, swung in to see if I could donate.  Joy to the world, my pint of blood went towards an eight year old with Leukemia, and this was one more thing I got to check off my to-do list.

I was also able to complete all my Christmas shopping.


I got home at 4pm and decided to have an early dinner because I was so pooped out.  The critters all thought they should dine too, but I made them wait till 5:00, while I unload the car.  It was just after six when I had everything unpacked from the bags, and my PJ's on.  I was ready to go to bed, but I managed to stay awake till 8:30, entertaining myself here at the computer.

Thursday I woke at my usual early 5am.  Stevie was feeling bad again, with more throw-up and now diarrhea.  I kept a close eye on her.  Seen left, she was resting in some packing paper under the balcony Christmas tree.





Meanwhile, down stairs, Maggie was guarding her ball and Skunker from Monita.




When Maggie started tossing the skunk toy around, Monita moved in on the ball.  So Maggie, with skunk in mouth, had to go over and try to regain possession of the ball.





After getting my fill of games and chat on the computer, I went back up to the balcony and worked at wrapping gifts.  Monita was my little helper - NOT.

Even though this kitten made it difficult to get ribbon around the packages, she was cute and I was having fun.

Except for bows on the gifts going to Florida, I got all of my wrapping done!








I was now running behind schedule, but managed to squeeze in time to go to Jan's for cat care, lift weights and do the elliptical, shower, eat, feed the pets, and walk the dog.  I was three minutes late getting to the four way where I met Jean, who drove us into Crossville.  We met Judy and enjoyed the Cumberland County Community Band Christmas concert, that Shirley played in.  Joy to the world... Let men their songs employ.  Psalm 98:4 says: “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!”
After a great evening of music, we four ladies went out for ice cream, more holiday joy.
It was minutes before 10:00 when I got home.  Maggie woke up for her last walk and then went right back to bed.  Stevie was feeling better, running and chasing Monita.  I went to bed with a heart full of joy.

Friday I had a busy afternoon and evening planned, so decided to have a relaxing, slow paced morning.  Stevie was still feeling better, and engaging in play with Monita.

It was cloudy and fairly cold, so as I often do, I had the space heater going at my feet.  Maggie likes to sit in front of it, but this morning, Monita joined her.  Isn't it sweet how they are cuddling?

I misspoke about being done with decorating.  While at Tractor Supply, to take back the 25% off star, I exchanged it for this 40% off reindeer and a cute cowgirl shirt (at 25% off).  These three trees had been sitting by the upstairs couch, waiting to go back into storage because I didn't know where to put them among the other decorations.  Well, I came up with this. →  It is on one of the butt-outs next to the chimney.





Mid-day, it was time to head to Judy's.  I picked up Shirley, and we went into Crossville.







Judy had us for a late lunch.  We enjoyed pizza, chicken, veggies and dip, and brownies.  We chatted about fun times we've enjoyed and plans for more to come.  Judy's house was beautifully decorated.  I just love this Christmas village (seen below) that she has up on built-in shelves in her living room.

We had our gift exchange and then helped Judy decorate her second tree.  She has so many cute, antique, western ornaments.  It was fun looking at them and putting them on the tree. 

Seen right, the wonderful gift I got from these sweet ladies.  They knew I had really liked this wooden poster we saw a few weeks ago when out to dinner.  Its message just fills me with joy, as does the giving of it to me.

I left Judy's without Shirley and had to hurry home to feed pets, walk the dog, and change for our next party.  We meet at the library building (and Mary also joined us) for the Moonlighter's Christmas dance.




Needless to say, we had a good time socializing, eating and drinking, and for me especially, dancing.

The fun ended all too soon, but again as I laid me down to sleep, I thanked God for the blessing of wonderful friends.  They are a joy to my world.

The late night resulted in a later rise and shine Saturday morning.  It was below freezing still, during my first 6:30 walk, but was forecasted to warm up.  The ducks have been coming again, for the corn I put out by the pond.  But my bird feeders on the deck, were not visited most of the morning.  I figured the hawk was in the neighborhood.

I had troubles finding a good place to add my new gift to the already well decorated house, but for now, squeezed it in by the TV.  Next year I may try it up on the mantel.



The majority of the day was spent horsing around. 








Deana and I took the Holly Trail into the Glade where we met up with Jan, Betty, and Helen (Betty's friend).  She was riding this cute (seen right) 26 year old Paso Fino.  I didn't catch his name.  The white and black specks ahead of her are Boz and Chester.

Amiga loved gaiting along side Helen's horse and it was fun to ride together.  This is the group, left to right, with Jan, Deana, Betty, and Helen.  The photo below Jan took, with Amiga and I in the group.









We had a fun ride on a beautiful winter day (video).  Deana and I peeled off from the group and took the power lines back to the barn.  We had ridden 2 1/2 hours.

Joe's ship had docked in Ft. Lauderdale before 7am and he spent a good part of the day at the Hard Rock Casino (seen left) until catching his 5pm flight to Knoxville.

I couldn't find anyone to join me at Red's and was quite cold by the time I got home from the barn just before 4:00.  So I took a hot shower, put on my warm pj's, and turned on the fire for awhile.  Joe got home after I had gone to sleep, I just couldn't stay awake any longer.

Sometimes it is hard to find joy in a world that seems so broken, but there is joy all around.  Hope you can experience it.