Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Random Ramblings

Posted in Mixed Bag on 12/02/2009 09:25 am by Ronnica

I can’t believe it’s December.  Like, really.  Last night I thought, “I’ll get a haircut in November or December” thinking that was a long time away.  Now that it IS December, I have no idea when I’d have time for a haircut!

December is always my favorite month, probably because my birthday (the 15th…you still have time to buy me a gift and stick it in the mail ;) ).  I’ve always been a huge Christmas fan, but I haven’t really felt the Christmas spirit this year.  I’ve been dutiful in planning Christmas presents (ordered the first ones in the wee hours when I was avoiding going to bed), but not in writing Christmas cards or decorating.  Still not sure either of those are going to happen.  We’ll see.

I’ve been struggling with a cough since a couple of days before Turkey, and finally decided enough was enough.  I could tolerate it enough for a while, but it’s starting to head south, and the last time I let it, I ended up with bronchitis.  I know something is wrong when I can hear myself breathing in my headphones and they’re not attached to a stethoscope.  (on a totally random note, I don’t think I’ve ever written that word…it’s kinda funny looking!)  I have an appointment to see a PA this afternoon and feel incredibly grownup…usually I have to go to urgent care because I don’t know where else to go (and I’ve always had insurance, it’s just my patheticness).  I’m determined to find a primary care doctor now, though.  I’ll see if I like the office I’m visiting today.

So, to complete this randomness, what are you looking forward to most this month?

Just a Friendly Reminder This Black Friday

Posted in Mixed Bag on 11/27/2009 12:55 am by Ronnica

presentChristmas isn’t about presents.

No need to get frustrated at the traffic or the fact that they store is out of the only item you wanted.

No need to worry about not being able to give your family as much as you have in years past.

The greatest gift you can give is your time and attention.  Don’t lose that in all the “packages, boxes, and bags!”

Photo by lechampiondumonde.com

The Traveling Tale: Back to Kansas

Posted in Historical Adventures on 01/01/2008 04:24 pm by Ronnica
What a trip. Like March, it started like a lion, but finished like a lamb.
This first picture is the first sign that something is wrong: “Welcome to Northwest Arkansas.” Thanks, but that’s not Wichita. Because of the white out conditions, we were diverted to this airport.
Eventually, we were herded back onto 50-seat plane to wait another hour and a half in the rain. Okay, so it wasn’t raining inside the plane, but watching it was cold. Finally, the paperwork was ready…and we were on our way back to Atlanta where I had caught my connection.
While waiting in lines 8 through 15 for the day, I had a place to lay my head for the night. I was pleased to find that I had a place to lay the rest of my body too. I had to improvise without my luggage, but it turned out alright.
When I turned on the television in my hotel room, this is what I saw…Kansas on the small screen. I ended up watching the whole time, wishing I had a pair of ruby slippers. They must have been in my other bag.

The next day (Sunday) I was able to fly out to Kansas, no problem. It was nice to see the sights of Wichita as we started to land. No fooling me, I know where I’m from.
While I was able to make the flight, one of my two bags did not. It had all the Christmas presents in it, so Christmas giving came after Christmas receiving this year. I was very thankful for the lady who was working to deliver my bag on Christmas day!
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent with my family. It is always good to see everyone. My family can get a little silly, and here is my dad and brother, Riley, wrestling around. I love this picture of them and find it ironic that my picture is in the background like that. It wasn’t intentional. Really.
After a couple of days of Christmas festivities, I spent a couple more doing pretty much nothing. It was nice. The little bit of schoolwork that I did get done was helpful, but it was great just to relax and recooperate.
Friday I went down to Oklahoma to meet up with the college crew. Each time I go back, there are less and less people I know there. Regardless, it is great to see those who are there.
A visit to the Oklahoma campus allowed me to see some of the changes. One of them was this weird statue which was just perfect for a photo op. I think the thing that was strangest about seeing campus was all the damage from the ice storm. It’s not all cleaned up yet, but when it is it will certainly be less shady. It’s sad to see what the weather did to all the trees.
After driving back yesterday and having lunch with high school friends, I started to pack, and pack, and pack. Fortunately, it all fit!
This morning the Wichita airport was packed, but I was able to get out just fine. The wind was just right so we actually got to Atlanta 45 minutes early. Then I turned around and got on my next flight (with the only empty seat right next to me…again) which got in 20 minutes early! After only a short wait, I had both of my bags and I was left stunned at how uneventful the return trip was. Such a relief!
I hope that you are enjoying New Year’s Day and are ready for new beginnings and fresh starts. I love the cleanliness of January; such a contrast with the busyness and clutter of December!

O Holy Night

Posted in Mixed Bag on 12/25/2007 12:00 am by Ronnica

“O Holy Night” (especially when sung by Collin Raye) is my all time favorite Christmas song. This time, I’ll simply post the lyrics. Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night
by Placide Cappeau
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees!
Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine , O night divine!
O night divine, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Carol of the Bells

Posted in The Life of the Historian on 12/24/2007 02:10 am by Ronnica

I’ve always loved the Carol of the Bells. It’s so beautiful, but I really don’t hear it enough. Anyone know of a good version of this song? I might look into getting that for next Christmas season.
It’s Christmas Eve, and I hope that it is joyful for you. Don’t allow the busyness of the season get to you now! Even if you were stressed before, let it go. Only so many presents can get wrapped, cookies frosted, and rooms cleaned by tomorrow. Santa is the only one that can “do it all”…and he’s not real!

Wichita, Here I Am

Posted in Historical Adventures on 12/23/2007 09:25 pm by Ronnica

I made it to Wichita! Today’s travel was relatively smooth. Unfortunately, one of my 2 checked bags didn’t make it with me. (And no, I never learned my lesson and had nothing with me besides a couple of books, a few magazines, and my camera.)

The bag I have has all my clothes in it, so it was nice to be able to change. The lost baggage had the Christmas presents and all my toiletries. Bummer. I’m hoping that I’ll have it tomorrow sometime…I doubt they would deliver it Christmas day! The good thing is that all the Christmas celebrations are here at home, so I don’t have to worry about looking presentable for the public…just the family!

I hope you had none of my travel woes and are truly enjoying the holidays!

Ronnica

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Posted in Mixed Bag on 12/22/2007 12:00 am by Ronnica

Okay, so this is my guilty pleasure Christmas song…Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Don’t tell me you don’t sing and dance along when it comes on in the car, I know you do. One of the great things about this song is you only hear it one month of the year so you don’t get sick of it.
I actually went out this year and bought Mariah Carey’s Christmas CD. I get one new Christmas CD each year, as well as one new decoration. It’s actually a decent CD. Plus, I can play “All I Want for Christmas Is You” whenever I want.
I’ll post my favorite two songs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What songs do you think I should have included?
12 Days of Christmas, Day 10

O Come All Ye Faithful

Posted in Historical Adventures on 12/21/2007 09:11 am by Ronnica

“O Come All Ye Faithful” is a great Christmas song because it reminds us to focus on giving praise to God. Let us give praise and adoration to our Lord!
Tomorrow I’ll be flying home to Kansas for the holidays. It’s supposed to snow there, so I hope that I’ll be able to get in okay. The Atlanta airport is pretty swell, but I’d much rather be home with my family!
I won’t be coming back to North Carolina until the 1st, so it will be a nice long break. I’ll spend about a week with my family, and then a long weekend with my friends-that-are-as-close-as-family in Oklahoma!
I have big plans to work on reading for my J-term class while I am home as well as reading several good novels. I finished Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence last night and have picked up Thomas Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree to read next. I asked for several books for Christmas, so I can’t wait to read them!
I hope that your time with your family and friends is sweet! Merry Christmas, one and all!

12 Days of Christmas, Day 9

Where Are You, Christmas?

Posted in The Historical Faith on 12/20/2007 09:08 am by Ronnica


You may not be familiar with this next song, but it is from the Grinch movie. It’s a super cute song sung by Cindy Lou Who, the main character who interacts with the Grinch. Faith Hill has also sung a version of it, but it is better when a child sings it.

In the movie, Cindy Lou Who sings the song because the marvels of Christmas seem to have changed. Now that she is older and realizes that not everything is rosy, she has a hard time dealing with the superficiality of Christmas.

In the movie it is the spirit of Christmas that is the central theme of the holiday rather than the commercialism and flashing lights. But what is that spirit of Christmas? Dr. Seuss seems to think that it is within man (or Whos in this case) himself. This still comes off as shallow.

The spirit of Christmas is not some moral tale about giving is better than receiving or some idea about man being inherently good. No, the spirit of Christmas is in THE event of Christmas, the coming of the Messiah.

To view the spirit of Christmas as anything less is to cheapen it by sugar-coating it or wrapping it in silver paper. All the glitz is completely hollow without the true meaning.


12 Days of Christmas, Day 8

What Christmas Means to Me

Posted in The Historical Faith on 12/18/2007 09:28 am by Ronnica


The next song on my favorite Christmas song list is “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder. I love how upbeat it is and have been known to sing it in the car (but only by myself).
There’s just one thing. Stevie Wonder got it all wrong. Christmas is not about candles, carols, or cards. The true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with mistetoe (which is only a parasite), lights, holly, or angel hair (man, that stuff hurts).
No. Christmas is about Christ. The whole reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday is because of Him. The mere fact that God humbled Himself by being born a mere man is a miracle. That’s why Christmas is so special, not because of the pretty decorations or the petty rituals.
This is something that I hope to remember over the next week, and I hope you will ponder it as well. Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas, Day 7
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