Four Days Left Until Christmas

Sunday - December 21, 2008

Toby is on guard - a Christmas past - looking for the REAL Santa! I think I smell a treat out there somewhere! :)

Greetings to all who may read our blog! I have borrowed some ideas from our daughter-in-law Jeni, and her sister Ruthie. We now have a play list with Christmas Carols by some of my favorite singers! We hope you enjoy listening to them! I also changed the background - added a few snowflakes and ornaments - it is that time of the year!

As the title indicates - we have four days until Christmas, which means you have three shopping days left! Whew - some people are bringing it down to the wire! We have mailed out packages to Knoxville, TN; Doylestown, OH; and Williamson, WV. The first two boxes shipped go to John's family. It has been very hard for me to keep up the spirit of Christmas, but I will do so because John loved his family, and he loved Christmas. It wasn't about getting gifts; it was the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth of baby Jesus. It was so hard to be in the "Christmas" spirit when Dad died, but we all did so that Mom would have a nice Christmas. It has been really hard this year because of John and knowing how much his family misses him - those precious grandchildren, lovely children and spouses, and the love of his life - Laurie. They are not alone in their heartache - we all miss him too!

The last box went to Bill’s two brothers, sister-in-law, and niece – Twink, John, Angela, and Ashlea. It has been awhile since we have been able to spend Christmas with them. We hope and pray they have a great Christmas.

Bill and I will deliver some packages to Mom - some for her - and the rest to my other two brothers - Dink and Mike - and their families! Merry Christmas to them all!

I have been scanning old pictures for a project I want to do for by nieces and nephews and eventually one for David and Jeni – need to scan different pictures for them. I noticed how many pictures that had been taken around Christmas. This made me become a little nostalgic, thinking back to some of the Christmas past. Oh no – is the “Spirit of Christmas Past” visiting me!

I could help but remember all the times Dad got in trouble with Mom for snooping at the packages under the tree! He made it a game to see if he could locate his presents just to aggravate Mom. All who knew Dad know that he loved teasing her! So one year, she wrapped all the presents and didn’t put any names on the packages!! We didn’t have a lot of presents so she was able to place them in a way she knew what package belonged to whom! This baffled Dad – Mom got him that Christmas!

Our Christmas presents were practical. We received things we needed and if we were lucky, at least one toy which we cherished. One year the four of us had four matching boxes. Needless to say they peaked our attention. I was wondering what they could have bought that I – the only girl – would like that the boys would like as well! The boxes were heavy and rattled. Dad told us it was a box full of rocks. We were starting to believe him!

These boxes had us stumped until Christmas morning. We could pick which package we wanted to open first. Mom was going to make us let those packages be last, but the kid in Dad coaxed her into letting us to open them first! We tore into those packages like it was a survival kit on the hot desert. They had gotten us all a pair of sidewalk skates. They attached to your shoes, and you could skate on the sidewalk, street, or any concrete surface out side – but NOT in the house!!!!

We were all ecstatic; we had received something we didn’t ask for, but would take nothing for it! This was our one toy for the year. That Christmas day was a sunny warm day. The four Layne kids were skating up and down the sidewalk holding onto the neighbors’ car doors until dark. It was a great Christmas!

I’m going to post a few pictures of some of our Christmases Past! There are so many pictures I still need to scan, and I hope to share them with you a littler later! Merry Christmas!

Dink, Sue, and John decorating the tree! Mike thinking he is too short! :)

John and Twink at Granny's. Yes that's Twink under all that hair! :)


Dad got up early to open presents!!Mom and her new bowling ball and bag!!!! Looks like the ball is not the regulated size!!!

Caught ya! - Mom throwing snowballs - we would have gotten in trouble! :):)
I'm NOT looking for my presents!

David, Bill, and me at Granny's Christmas day - 1988.

Dad always believed there was a Santa - he and Mom found him!

Toby is patiently waiting - actually waiting on the treat he is staring at out of the camera's view!

Yes Jeni, there truly is a Santa! Who else would bring those presents all the way to MI?? :)

I've heard of getting a lump of coal for Christmas - but coffee?? Actually, it wasn't a present!

It may look as if David and Jeni aren't happy with their combined presents - but it was a very sobering moment when they realized it was a couple of things Dad had made and Mom was giving them for their first Christmas together. (A weather barometer where the water rises up the spout when inclement weather is on the way, and a coffee mug tree for their mugs.

We pray that as you and your family gathers together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, that you cherish all the moments you have with your family! We love you and those who are not here to share this Christmas season with us this year!

A Christmas from the past - John and his first beloved four-legged companion - Tonto!

I love you John and miss you!!!!!