On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...   A $1500 car repair

Our week started with getting my car repaired.  After calling a few places, the first place we took it to called us and told us they were able to find the part cheaper and they could do the repair for less. It was the best deal we had found so we went and got the car fixed. It passed emissions and we are good to go again.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  Ruth getting laid off - again

If you will remember, Ruth was laid off during the summer and then re-hired.  Well, this week she was laid off again. They just called her and said "don't go into work."   So that's that.  She'll look for a new job when the debate season is over.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  A mouse named Dilbert

One night before bed, Chuck saw a little grey mouse in our bathroom.  We set up some traps and went to bed.  A few hours later I heard the little guy eating one of my rice bags right under where I was sleeping.   Two days later Dilbert met a violent death.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...   A loopy Becky

After a trip to the doctor this week, I received a referral to a physical therapist, to see what they can do for my shoulder, and a prescription for a drug that is supposed to lessen nerve pain.   One sideeffect of this medication is that I've woken up every morning loopy and dizzy.  I've been glad that I started after my last day of work, because I haven't been able to drive.  I've been told that these sideeffects will go away after the first few days.  I'll give it a few more days.  Meanwhile, my family has enjoyed making fun of me, especially the morning I started crying while reading the "Terms and Conditions" of a new app.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  A visit from Kate and Ben

It's been so fun to have Kate and Ben here for a visit!  They came in on Friday and will be with us until Tuesday.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  Some individualized ornaments

On Christmas eve we made our yearly family ornament.  I love this tradition because every year each individual personality shines through their creations.   We finished Christmas Eve by eating homemade chow mein and spring rolls, and playing handbells, and games.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me... A wacky Christmas tale

We've always reenacted the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve.  For the last few years, we've had everyone find their own costumes from whatever they could find from around the house.   Figuring I probably have over 50 costumes in my workroom and under the stairs, this leaves many possibilities. That is why this year we had a steampunk Mary and Joseph, a pioneer angel, harry potter monks, and a pirate peasant.  Ruth also entertained us by playing all three wise men, each wise man had a different hat and distinctive voice and mannerisms.  (unfortunately, Ruth was the one who was taking video so we don't have any video of Ruth or of Jared.  You'll have to trust me on how hillarious they both were.)

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  a blessed Christmas day

As I type, the rolls and salad are done and we are waiting for the lasagna to come out of the oven for Christmas dinner.  We woke up to many presents under the tree and I was impressed at how thoughtful each gift was.   We have spent the day playing new games that we received and listening to Christmas music. We will end the day by playing in our family band and watching one of our favorite Christmas movies, Harry Potter.

Jared as King Harod

Ruth as all of the wise men

We had two Christmas concerts this week.  I've been singing with the city community choir and orchestra this fall and we had our concert on Monday.  The orchestra was good, the choir was a little frustrating for me, but still, it's fun to sing with a lot of other people, and everyone was nice.   In the end, I thought the concert was good.    Jared played in his band concert on Tuesday.  As Chuck and I sat there I realized that this will be our last middle school Christmas concert - at least until we have grandchildren that are this age.

Over the weekend, Ruth's high school team hosted a debate tournament. As debate president, much of the responsibility for running the tournament fell on Ruth's shoulders and she was determined to have it be a success.  I helped on Friday night by being in charge of dinner for the judges.  I was able to sit and watch Ruth for a few hours while dinner was going on and she did a really good job answering questions and delegating responsibilities.  Here is a picture I snapped of her with her stressed-but-still-smiling face on. 

We got some sad news this weekend. My car failed emissions because of a leak in the exhaust system.  We took it into a shop and they said that the entire exhaust line would need replacing and it would cost $1000 to repair.  We gave them the go-ahead and then four hours later they called and said that it wouldn't cost $1000 after all, but it would cost $2000.  We are taking it to another shop next week to get another opinion but after a lot of research online Chuck thinks that we'll probably end up having to pay that much.  Merry Christmas. 

As part of our Christmas celebrations, we did our annual pretzel dipping.   I think our unique pretzel styles show our personalities.

Jared is the 2nd kid in the back to the left of the conductor.

Jared came home from school on Monday and said, "I think I have a concert tonight."  After some prodding and texting, we discovered that the Youth Symphony was indeed performing their final winter concert that night at a school across town. Lucky for us it was our family night and we didn't have anything else planned so we were able to make it to Jared's concert with no further difficulty - after we found out where and when it was.  Jared does a great job in the youth symphony but was a little frustrated because the school where they played lacked some of the percussion instruments that he needed so he had to sit out for a few songs.  But overall the concert was really good. I always enjoy hearing him play.

I had a couple rehearsals this week for the community concert I'm singing in tomorrow.   Ruth and I also sang a duet in church today, a lovely arrangement of The First Noel. 

Ruth had a debate tournament this weekend.  I went and judged on Friday but was not able to see Ruth compete.  She competed in Storytelling, an event she doesn't usually do.  The topic was crime and punishment and she said that all the other storytellers told serious grim tales about crime or unsolved murders.  She had prepared a light-hearted comedy retelling of a Batman children's book, that included all the voices and actions and a singing of the Batman theme song.   She said when she saw what the others presented she was pretty nervous and started to second-guess herself, but in the end, decided to go ahead with what she had prepared.  She won every single round, which in debate is called a "picket fence". She has only done that a few times in her debate career. So her risk and bravery paid off.  She also got second place in Humorous Interpretation, her usual event.

       

It's been one of those in-between weeks.  Chuck got the rabbits' cage ready for cold weather, and he and Jared took the trampoleen down. We got some Christmas decorations up and some Christmas light put out in the yard. At work I've been taking down Thanksgiving bulitin boards and putting up new ones. Chuck had to do all of his end of the month reconciliation at work.  Goodbye fall, hello winter. 

Jared played two concerts this week, one with his school band, and one with Jordan Youth Symphony, both at the Festival of Trees, a large fundraising event for a children's hospital. 

On Saturday I spent the day volunteering at a state wide  summit for LGBTQ+ youth. I spent most of my time in the art room, a drop in room where kids could come and do several different art project and just hang out and talk.   In the evening I manned the Mama Dragon's booth.  Mama Dragon's was one of the sponcers of the event.  I love working with this demographic of youth because they are so alive, unique, talented and in need of so much love.

In the art room.  

With the Mama Dragons

One of three bulitin boards I'm working on. This is the only one I've finished.

It may not look like much, but since we ususally do no lights, this is a big step up.  We've even added 400 more lights since this picture.