There's no time to waste! There's so much to celebrate!

Well, it is quite funny that today's image should be Santa hats! It is currently 8:30am and I JUST finished up 3 1/2 hours of wrapping! Yes, if you do the math correctly, that means I was up at 5am wrapping presents! And if you do the calendar calculations correctly, yes, this is my FIRST day of Christmas Break (and on a side note, today was one of the first Saturdays since Basketball started that I didn't HAVE to wake up and take Erika to practice....Oh the joys of an internal clock!).

Anyway, I just finished up wrapping everything I had here. There are still gifts that have to be delivered and then I'll wrap some more on Tuesday! OH BOY!!!  I love the hustle and bustle of the season!!!! I also managed to wrap my husband's anniversary gifts, too, because I have a feeling he does snoop a bit, even though he claims he doesn't!! This Christmas Day marks 4 years of wedded bliss with the man of my dreams! Feels like we've been together forever, and in a sense, I guess we have! I would be remiss if I didn't mention, again (sorry to all who are tired of hearing it), just how lucky I am!!!

I guess you can tell the mood of today's blog is desperately different than yesterday's! I had a wonderful Christmas celebration with my wee ones!!! I've never seen children (besides my own, mind you), who were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thrilled with simple little gifts! I would also be remiss in this blog if I didn't give a HUGE shout out to A.C. Moore for their awesome deals and for treating teachers so wonderfully with a 15% discount with the school ID. Amazing the gifts I was able to get my little darlings without truly breaking the bank!!!!! Each of my wee ones were given a Pillow Pet Pee Wee (that matched the student in one way or another!), coloring book, activity stuff, holiday pencils and erasers, candy cane, and a puzzle! To see their faces light up at the gifts was simply ALL I needed to be reminded how innocent children truly are!!! From start to finish in the classroom yesterday, it was all I could ever ask for as a teacher!

I've still got a bit of things to do before the big day, but as of now, I am going to sit with my cup of coffee, fireplace aglow, Christmas music in the background, wrapped in my grandma's afghan, and just enjoy the peace of the moment!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends....believe in what your heart is saying! Hear the melody that's playing! There's no time to waste! There's so much to celebrate! Believe in what you feel inside and give your dreams the wings to fly!!! You have everything you need......If you just believe!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

And, I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas......

I am very sorry I missed a blog posting yesterday. I was running very late in the morning, when I normally like to sit and write, in the quiet stillness of the house. Work was tough yesterday. Drainingly tough. And we had our 2nd night of 3 nights in a row basketball last night. Needless to say I was drained when I got home. I am super thankful I was able to get out a personal thankful post on Facebook. I pretty much typed, went upstairs, and before my head was even on the pillow, I was out like a light. It did bother me, as I said to my husband before my eyes closed, "My day was so horrible and to top it off, I didn't blog today." He kinda laughed and said, "Well, why not?" I just didn't have it in me. I guess some days are like that....(even in Australia).

Yesterday was a tough day for me to remember my Christmas spirit. I think it is extremely hard, in general, when you give and give and give, are good to people, and then are treated with disrespect in return. I do believe it is even harder in my line of work. I try very hard to see the good in everyone. I try very hard to work on manners with my students. Respect. Friendship. Trustworthiness. Days like yesterday, I feel as though I am not doing a good enough job. While I love working with the elementary aged students, it proves to be far more challenging that inner city, tough, 'gangster', high school kids. Days like yesterday, I feel as though I've failed the challenge miserably.

I've got to keep pushing along here. I've got to keep telling myself that I am making a difference. I've got to keep trying to push the Christmas spirit into the hearts of young and old alike, not just at Christmas, but all the year through. I've got to keep trying.

I know today's posting is a little more depressing than I wish this blog to be, but as I sit here at 6:35am, staring at the bags of goodies I got for my students, hoping to make their Christmas a little bright, I can't help but feel defeated and wonder, "What for?" I'm nearly 100% sure that my efforts will not be appreciated by all of my students (but on a positive note, I can name THREE that right away I KNOW will appreciate and LOVE their gifts!). I feel as though I may have set myself up for heartbreak, when today isn't all they (or should I say I) hoped it would be. And days like yesterday produce mornings like today, where I can't wait for it to be over, I need my Christmas break, and I am praying that the day goes off without a hitch.

I promise I will make tomorrow's blog a little more upbeat. I just needed to get it out, because right now, I'm having a very Blue Christmas.

Until tomorrow, my friends.....Happy Friday.

Think Thankfully.

Arise! Shine! For thy light has come!

I was asked yesterday to whom am I thankful. It was an easy question to answer. I am thankful to God for the blessings in my life, BUT I do not impress upon people my religious beliefs. I 100% accept that not everyone shares the same beliefs as I do and out of the 452 people who follow the Think Thankfully Facebook page, I do not wish to offend those who do not believe what I do. Occasionally, an image or status quote may have religious undertones, but for the most part, I give everyone the opportunity to believe in Thinking Thankfully to whom or whatever they believe in. My blog, however, is MY blog. It is a reflection of what I feel, what I believe, what I feel compelled to write. 

The idea of being a thankful person does not have to be a religious experience, although for me, the whole notion of being more thankful has brought me back to my religious roots. For quite some time, I found myself wandering in the darkness, unsure of my beliefs or feelings. It wasn't until recently that I seemed to have found my way back. Through my journey to being more thankful, I am appreciating Christmas so much more. I eagerly await December 25 and the birth of the Christ Child.

Today, it seems as though the Christmas story is easily taken for granted, passed over for stories of Santa and Rudolph, Frosty and Ralphie. It seems, year after year, that our ears have become numb as we've heard the story countless times and in a variety of different settings -- the angel's appearance to Mary, Joseph's dream, the road to Bethlehem, the lack of room in the inn, the birth in a lowly stable, the appearance of nearby shepherds, the star guiding the way. The account of Christ's birth found in St Luke, is my favorite. I look forward to hearing it this Christmas Eve, more so than any other year I can remember. This year, as I tried to gain more of my religious footing where Christmas was concerned, I decided to turn to my YouVersion Bible App for an Advent/Christmas devotional. I chose She Reads Truth: Emmanuel, at the recommendation of my daughter. This particular devotional is a 28 day Advent study of the need for, the promise of, and the arrival of the Christ Child, our Emmanuel. Throughout this devotional, I have been given the unique opportunity to take the time to prepare for the moment upon us, to reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, my sense of Christmas awe returned. 

I remember reading a particular entry this past week that has settled in my head and my heart, Your Light Has Come, from December 13. "We are not left on our own. God is there. How simple and how infinitely wonderful." ~ Ramond C. Ortlund, Jr. The passage went on to say: A candle in a dark room. A baby boy in a stable. Both tell the same truth: Darkness cannot survive where there is light. Wow! The wonderfully bright shining star that was found in the nighttime sky the night the Christ Child was born gives us proof that we will never live in darkness as long as Christ is present in the world. Christmas Day, the light of the world was born...rejoice! As I sit in the quiet darkness of my living room, surrounded by the lights of the window candles, I am reminded of how still darkness can be, but how wonderful the light shines forth for us. 

Until tomorrow, my friends....arise, shine! For thy light has come!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Well, I must say, I do feel a little bit guilty about this snow day. Not even kidding. Just a wee bit. I do feel as though it is a bit my fault. You see, on Saturday, I sat for many morning hours (in fact, into the afternoon hours, too), writing my 7th and 8th brand new IEP of the school year (sheesh, teaching Special Education to wee ones certainly is more work than I ever imagined it would be!). As I sat writing, I got a text from my dearest BFF in the world. He simply texted to say he loved me, that was all. Here's how our conversation went:

Saturday, 9:04am
CC: Love you! Just thought you should know! (insert kissy heart face here) 

Saturday, 11:38am
Me: Thanks! I needed that as I am chin deep in two IEP's that I have to do for Tuesday! I am hoping for a (insert kinda not nice word here - sorry mom) blizzard Monday night. Argh. I've done 8 brand new IEP's this year so far. Sucks. 

Saturday, 11:40am
CC: I bet!!!

So there you have it. It really might be my fault! Honestly, because you know I try to be honest, I had NO IDEA they were really calling for this stuff again when I texted him. I was teasing when I sent it. See, I was all set to have an intake meeting for a new student. With only three days to Christmas break, a new wee one is to enter the threshold of the greatest classroom on the planet, Room 101. I wasn't super happy about that. I'm not worried about adding another wee one to our classroom. No way. The more the merrier! It won't take too long before he is falling right into place, but I was a bit unhappy at the start time. Did I prepare for him all the same? You bet I did. When I went shopping last night for my wee ones' Christmas presents, did I shop for a little boy I really did not know? You bet I did. Did I really want another snow day for today? You bet I did.................................................................................not!!!

People think teaching is such an easy job. They scoff at teachers in the summer time ("Must be nice to have three months off" "Must be nice to not have to work" but I know, much like myself, summers aren't time off. I am planning my next school year during those summer months. I am attending trainings and meetings all summer long), they utter all kinds of harsh words at them on snow days ("Wish MY job had snow days." "I'm not lucky enough to stay home when the snow falls because some are afraid to go out in it." as if it is OUR choice to have a day off for weather, as if WE made the call for no school), and they certainly don't understand when we complain a bit about our jobs ("Oh how hard is your job? You babysit and have play time all day long." Really? Spend a day in my room and see what gets done). I don't have your typical teaching job, either. When people ask me how many students I have in my classroom, and I answer, "8 wee ones!", I get the evil eye, like "What are you complaining about with ONLY 8 students." My students are special. My students are a mixture of K-3 graders with a lot of social, emotional, and behavioral needs along with some academic needs thrown in there, too. They are not the 'sit at your seat and do your work' kind of students. They are not the 'be quiet and enjoy a movie' kind of students. They have come A LONG way since the beginning of the school year, but they still have a long way to go. Think about the one student in your own classroom from your school days or the one you hear your child always talking about: the class clown, the naughty one, the one who is ALWAYS getting in trouble in class. Multiply those behaviors and stories by 10 and there you have almost all of my wee ones. Some days are a real struggle, but I wouldn't trade my days for anything.

I have seen a relatively non-verbal little guy speak volumes in a few short months, I have seen the class jumping bean sitting quietly in his desk working on a worksheet, I have seen the destructive child become the class cleaner upper with a heart of gold, I have seen the low frustration tolerance child create a beautiful snowflake star that hangs in our classroom, I have seen a child who barely knew how to read able to fly through his sight word flashcards, and I have seen two youngsters with severe anger issues make their days and handle their anger in such wonderful calm manners. You see, when you take the time to really dig deep and get to know the students in your class, even the toughest of children will respond. They will rise up to the expectations that are placed before them. Do I expect a lot out of my students. Yes, I most certainly do! I expect them to listen, be polite, follow rules, and do their very best! Do they? Yes, they most certainly do!

A friend posted this image on my personal Facebook wall last week when we had our first two snow days:

I think it sums it all up nicely!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....Let it snow Let it snow Let it snow!!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

                    

I believe in Father Christmas

As I loaded up the DVD into the computer today in order to show my students A Year Without A Santa Claus, I could hardly believe how little the students in my class truly knew of the Christmas holiday. In all honesty (because you know I try to be an honest person), I could have sat and cried.

I guess I truly took for granted the upbringing I had. We always looked forward to the Christmas specials that were on TV between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I remember thumbing through the TV Guide each week to scan each page and see when they were on! Usually Rudolph got the first viewing of the year, followed by all the wonderful Rankin and Bass specials. To this day, I mark them in my phone calendar so I know when they are on TV! I have my favorites and of course, my least favorites, but I watch them all the same! It's part of the fun of the season!

I probably should have known when we tried watching Emmet Otter on Saturday night with my nieces. Honestly, only ONE of my four nieces truly enjoyed the experience. The others kind of sneered at the simplicity of the special, laughing because of how primitive the puppets are. "You can see the strings" "How annoying" "This is awful" My heart broke. Sure, it is a very low budget kind of special, but heck, it is nearly 40 years old. And for a production done in 1977, it sure isn't all that bad to watch. At least they know who Emmet Otter is. They know Rudolph, too!

Today, as we watched A Year Without A Santa Claus, I was shocked that my students had never seen it. Watching Christmas specials is not something they do in their house. I promised them that as the week went on, we'd watch even more of the specials that make Christmas, well Christmas. Tomorrow, we will watch Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. After watching A Year Without A Santa Claus, one of my boys asked if we could watch another special that was on the disc, Rudolph's Shiny New Year. Of course I wouldn't turn down the request....I want my students to be exposed to all things Christmas this year. As we watched, we asked another of my students if he knew who the guy was with the shiny red nose.....his response, "I have no clue." My heart sank. He truly didn't know Rudolph. He was totally uninterested in any of the specials, most likely because Christmas isn't really a big deal in his family. Not that they don't celebrate it, just that they don't make a big deal of it. It's pretty much another day. Sadness took over.

What happened to celebrating as a family? What happened to being excited at the coming of Santa Claus? What happened to remembering the love that came down at Christmas? What happened that we don't create these memories, no matter how silly others think they are, with our children? I fear the future of a special holiday, when even our youngsters now don't appreciate the specials viewed. I fear the future of Christmas when children can't even sing along to Rudolph because they don't know the echo parts or even who he is. But I won't stop believing.......

I believe in Father Christmas. I believe in Santa Claus. And because I believe, I am hoping for a Christmas miracle. I am hoping that my students, somehow, someway, become moved by the season. I'm praying that they will see the beauty in Christmas and one day, ONE DAY, will look back at this school year and remember that I introduced them to the specials, that I took the time to make memories with them, that Christmas inspires them as it does me. I believe in Father Christmas.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas

I wish you a brave New Year

All anguish, pain, and sadness

Leave your heart and let your road be clear

They said there'll be snow at Christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth

Hallelujah! Noel! Be it heaven or hell:

The Christmas you get, you deserve

Until tomorrow, my friends.....may you bring the hope and peace of Christmas to someone's life.

Think Thankfully!!!

Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'

I'm not sure what it is about the song, Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You' sung by Billy Squier, but I just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! It makes me smile when I hear it come on the radio!

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

And a feeling that will last all through the year! Sometimes I wish the Christmas spirit, the joy and laughter, the love, all of it.....all of it would be felt all year long. It seems as though, when Christmas is over, that's it. Lights out. Happiness gone out of some people. Back to the miserable world they live in.

On the corner carolers are singing

there's a touch of magic in the air

from grownup to minor no one could be finer

times are hard but no one seems to care

Christmas Eve and all the world is watching

Santa guides his reindeer through the dark

from rooftop to chimney, from Harlem to Bimini

they will find a way into your heart

This is another example of just how wonderful the season is and how timeless the lyrics are. Times are hard but no one seems to care.....no one truly seems to care, and even though times are tough right now, somehow, Christmas has a way of coming and everyone is satisfied. Presents are wrapped under trees, merriment is in the making, and people are happy. Most people.

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

Again, how wonderful! You can't help but smile when you hear this song! It always makes me want to sing along!!

Just outside the window snow is falling

but here beside the fire we share the glow

of moonlight and brandy, sweet talk and candy

sentiments that everyone should know

Memories of the year that lays behind us

wishes for the year that's yet to come

and it stands to reason that good friends in season

make you feel that life has just begun

This particular verse is what my start to Christmas looks like. My husband and I celebrate our Christmas Anniversary by sitting on the couch, in the glow of the Christmas lights, the warmth of the fire and we exchange our anniversary gifts to one another. We talk about the year behind us and all the goodness that lay ahead of us. Our life truly has just begun!!!

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

So when spirits grow lighter

and hopes are shinin' brighter

then you know that Christmas time is here

This song really could be my Christmas anthem! Never realized it until I wrote out this blog today! Sing it Billy Squier, sing it!!!  Now I hope I hear it on the road to Hershey today!!!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....I hope your spirits have grown lighter and your hopes are shinin' brighter because CHRISTMAS time is here!!!

Think Thankfully!!!

These are a few of my favorite things.....

I've had my decorations up for over a week now. At first I was a bit nervous about that. Would I become tired of seeing them? Tired of the lights? Tired of the festive nature of my house so early? As I said earlier, I am very much into the Christmas spirit this year, more than any other year I can remember. I decided to take the time to talk a little about my favorite decorations, because my favorites mean a whole lot to me!

First of all, there is my nativity. I absolutely LOVE my Willow Tree Nativity set. It started as a gift from my daughters and was completed for my by my wonderful husband. When I look at my nativity, I truly think that Willow Tree captures the essence of what Christmas may have looked like. It is quiet, humble, holy.

Another of my favorite decorations came to me from my beloved Grandmother. When I was a little girl, I would always help her decorate her tree. My favorite things to place, ever so carefully, on her tree were her bells. They came in a Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves and angels. I always made sure the angels were placed high enough on the tree, in a spot of honor. The bells have always been a favorite of mine. When my grandmother passed, I searched high and low in order to have those bells for my own Christmas tree. This is the third Christmas they adorn my tree. They are placed ever so closely to the hand crocheted snowflakes she made for me when I had a house and tree of my own. I love looking at my tree and seeing glimpses of my past come to me in the form of ornaments.

The last of my favorite decorations sit upon my mantle. A perfect spot for these gems! When I was a very young girl, my other wonderful Grandma had a neighbor whom I loved to visit. I would hop across the porch, cross the neighbor's yard, and go visit Mrs. Bryan. Helen was a wonderful lady who shared with me so much. She told stories and simply loved the inquisitive little girl I was. Helen had a son who was challenged. She had no grandchildren of her own and so she treated me as the granddaughter she never had. I was always given little trinkets and gifts when I visited, but it wasn't until I was a little bit older that she gave me the ornaments. Helen had MADE the ornaments with her mother and grandmother (we assume they are well over 150-175 years old) and she wanted me to have them. Each year, I proudly display My Special Ornaments. They bring a certain old fashioned Christmas into my home.

In taking the time to share these three favorite decorations of mine, I've done more than simply share.....I've reassured myself that there is no way I could ever get tired of the decorations for this holiday season. Perhaps next year, I will decorate even earlier......yeah, probably not! I still think the Turkey needs HIS day!!

Until tomorrow, my friends......may you have certain decorations or traditions that help you remember the Spirit of Christmas, the Wonder of the Season, the Beauty of it all..

Think Thankfully!

BAH! Humbug!

"Bah," said Scrooge, "Humbug!"

"Christmas a humbug, uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew. "You don't mean that, I am sure?"

"I do," said Scrooge. "Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? what reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.”

I think we all remember this particular part of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Whether you enjoy the original from 1938 (starring Gene Lockhart and Reginald Owen) or the 1951 remake (starring Alastair Sim) or the 1984 television version (starring George C Scott - which is my favorite), or finally Disney's version in 2009 (starring the voice talents of Jim Carrey), this particular Christmas story is one everyone has heard, everyone can relate to, and some even refer to themselves as Scrooge around this time of year. 

Have you ever really asked yourself why Ebenezer Scrooge disliked Christmas so much? Most people think Scrooge (or to be Scrooge-like) is all about the money. They think that Scrooge distance people due to his insane love of money. This is not true. When we dig deeper, we realize that.

As a boy, Scrooge was abandoned by his father, who blamed him for the death of his mother (she died giving birth to Ebenezer). At a young age, because his father couldn't stand to have him around for the painful reminders he brought, Ebenezer was sent to an all boy's school. During the Christmas season, while the other children went home to be with family, young Ebenezer was left on his own at school. As he got older he began to crave money, and valued only that. Love was only important if it made financial sense, which in turn cost him his only true love. He even began to look down on "old-Fessiwig" who loved Christmas and celebrated it with all the enthusiasm of a child. Scrooge thought Fessiwig was foolish. He became increasingly consumed with money, and Christmas. The ultimate symbol of "giving" and love, was nothing but foolish time that caused poor people to be happy and grateful for what they had (Ebenezer thought this was stupid because in his mind they had nothing). Christmas became the enemy of everything he thought had any real importance (making money, saving money, greed).

So why do some people in this day and age still feel the need to refer to themselves as Scrooge, or to act like a Scrooge when Christmas rolls around? Some become a Scrooge because they don't HAVE a family. Maybe they are estranged or just too far away to be together. Then there are those people who lost their family due to divorce or death, leaving the holiday to only be a painful reminder of happier times. Maybe they have their own 'Ghosts of Christmas Past' and wish to escape that sadness and loss. Facing the holidays without someone you love can put a painful tug in the stomach and tears in the eyes.

The financial strain of our pitiful economy at this time of year might definitely create many variations of Scrooge during this holiday season. Perhaps Scrooge became tired of all the forced happiness and relentless cheer that accompanies the holiday season and finds it to be insanely commercialized and materialistic, filled with annoying relatives and stress. Maybe even YOU have had your own Scrooge moments when you felt that way.

In the end, Ebenezer is reminded that the true gifts in life, are gifts that money had nothing to do with: time spent with family or those we refer to as family, loving and being loved (remember how hard his nephew Fred tried to show Ebenezer how loved and wanted he was?). 

Until tomorrow, my friends, perhaps you can find a way to give someone in your life who is a little like Ebenezer Scrooge at this time of year some holiday cheer. Share a smile with someone who does not feel the festive spirit as others do? Maybe invite them to go for a ride looking at all the pretty decorations around and perhaps, in turn, you could bring a smile to their faces.

Think Thankfully!!!

Welcome to my Christmas song!

Yesterday, I saw a posting on the good old book of Faces about the song Christmas Shoes. I completely understood what my friend was talking about when she said she can't help but cry when she hears that song and in fact, had been crying at Subway in WalMart on a break, her long sleeve all wet from wiping her eyes. While I understood her feelings, I couldn't help but smile because I knew she inspired yet another Think Thankfully blog: Christmas music!!!!

Yes, it’s that time of the year when satellite/radio stations play nothing but Christmas music, 24-7, from Thanksgiving til December 26/31 depending in which one you are tuned into. If you are a Sirius XM subscriber there are 7, yes you read that right.....7, stations devoted to nothing but holiday music: Holiday Traditions (Channel 4), Holly (Channel 17), Holiday Pops (Channel 75), Country Christmas (Channel 58), Navidad (SiriusXM channel 756), Holiday Soul (Channel 49), and Radio Hanukkah (Channel 111). You are sure to hear Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Elvis, Alabama, and a whole host of other artists performing your most (and least) favorite holiday tunes over and over again. Is there such a thing as too much holiday music? I'm not sure the answer is as easy as yes or no. This particular season, I enjoy my Christmas music, both popular and secular. I enjoy good old fashioned Christmas hymns and carols as well as the more popular ditties. But on the flip side of that, I get tired of the same rotation of songs, the same sung out versions, and by the time the holiday is over, if I hear about Dominic the Donkey or that All I Want For Christmas Is You one more time........

I am so thankful that I was raised with many Christmas traditions. I am thankful I was raised in the church where I was first introduced to my traditional Christmas favorites. I am thankful I was given every opportunity to watch Christmas specials as a child where I was introduced to a plethora of  popular Christmas tunes. And through all that, I am most thankful that Christmas songs go beyond Rudolph, Frosty, Santa, and hippopotamusses! My favorites, you ask? 

 1. Oh Holy Night (either Martina McBride or Josh Groban's versions)

 2. Angels from the Realms of Glory

 3. Silent Night

 4. Breath of Heaven (Vince Gill/Amy Grant duet)

 5. Thistlehair the Christmas Bear (Alabama)

 6. Alfie the Christmas Tree (John Denver and the Muppets)

 7. Santa Claus is Coming To Town (Springsteen version....ONLY!)

 8. Joy To The World

 9. Believe (Josh Groban)

10. Lucy and Linus

While my list is limited to 10, I could easily list 10 more that I enjoy listening to! This is my most favorite time of year, after all! From Thanksgiving until the end of February, I really do love all things winter!

What are your favorite songs to hear at this time of year? Do you have a favorite that sparks a memory, creates a smile, makes Christmas feel like Christmas in your world?

Until tomorrow, my friends......11. STEP INTO CHRISTMAS!

Think Thankfully!!!!