. . . and a Happy and Blessed New Year!

 We had a wonderful Christmas! On Christmas Eve, sixteen family members were in our home for an evening meal of pot roast and lots of candies, snack items, and desserts. When we were fed and full, we exchanged gifts. My favorite part of this gathering was that the gifts were reasonable and appropriate. Everyone was smiling and seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves and each other. Of course, we missed family members who could not be with us. But we know they are well and doing what they seem to love doing. We are blessed to have such a large, lovely family.

Earlier in the year on Mother's Day, I lost a diamond pendant and necklace. I was devastated. We looked everywhere we could think of to look. We let the church office know about it. We checked with the restaurant. I retraced all my steps for the entire day. Glenn detailed the inside of the car. Nothing! Later, in the church office, I said, "I hope that if someone found it, they knew it was real and not something to be thrown away." The receptionist said, "Oh, they knew, or it would have been turned in to the office." Maybe. I don't know.

For our anniversary and my birthday, both in July, Glenn gave me a new diamond pendant and necklace. I adore it! It's so beautiful! Then, for Christmas, he gave me matching earrings. Wow! When I wear the complete set, I feel so special! I am constantly feeling for them to see that all the pieces are still on me. Glenn keeps looking at them, too. We are a little paranoid, I guess. ​

But that was not all. A few days before Christmas,
I received a new Viking Opal 650 sewing machine.
To try out all its "fancy" stitches, Glenn said I
should monogram handkerchiefs for him. So, I did.
I bought material, made twenty handkerchiefs, 
and monogramed or put cute borders on each one.
It was fun! Now, I'm altering some clothes for
​both Glenn and me. I even have something in mind to sew for our dog, Kiara. What's next? I don't know, yet. All three of our daughters sew quite a bit. Two of them are members of a quilting club. One sews costumes for SCA, a living history group. I might take sewing classes since my skill as a "sewist" has neared its expiration date. Is that a new term for you? It is for me.

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The two months before Christmas were busy for me since I participated in nine concerts (singing in eight, accompanying in one) and had seven book signings/shows in Amarillo. I really thought that I would feel a lull of inactivity after Christmas. I have not. With family, puppy, book writing, "music-ing," and sewing, I've been as busy as I want to be. 

Life is good, and we are blessed. Praise God for his generosity and love. With my thirteen-month-old, titanium knees, I get around very well. Now, the crooked fingers and hammer toes are something else. I'll do all I can for as long as I can and praise God while I do it! Amen!

If you made it to the end of this boastful letter, you are exceptional!
May God bless you, now and throughout all your days.
​
Sincerely,
Betty