Christmas Means a Little Bit More

I can't believe that its been nearly a week since I posted.  Time as we all know passes much too quickily.  But this past week, I have been 'plagued' with a few things...

The first plague I've had is one with 'Blogger.'  For some reason, I'm having problems posting comments on your blogs.  I can create and read posts just fine, but leaving comments is frustrating to say the least.  As I type my thoughts into the comment box, the words are not visible and take several seconds to appear.  Going back to change or correct a spelling error really consumes a lot of time.  To remedy that, at least for now, I'm writing my comments in document form and then cut and pasting them into the comment box...I'm hoping the issue will resolve itself... But if anyone knows the solution to this problem, or what has caused it, I'd so appreciate your letting me know.  ***After I posted this, my blog crashed and I lost 10 posts and ALL of the comments.  I've been able to get the posts back up, but the comments are yet to be retrieved...What was that I said about frustration?!*** 

The second plague is the weather.  We've been hampered by wind, cold and snow this week.  Not much snow is needed to make 'real' Virginians miserable.  Even though we lived in Alaska for 10 years and Wisconsin before that, I am now like the rest of the people here in the 'Old Dominion' that has difficulty dealing with the smallest amounts of snow.  

The third plague that I've dealt with is just lack of time.  Carl is working nights this week, leaving me as a 'single parent' in the evenings.  The crew loves that someone is home all of the time and they can spend more time outdoors.

Hamlet (pictured with Toby) continues to do really well!  I can tell he feels good too.  The staples have been removed and he has healed up just fine!  

Finally, despite all of the rush and frustration something has happened.  I'll start by saying how very grateful I am to those of you who understood what I tried so hard to articulate in my last post.  I have read your comments several times from that post.  You all were right in what you said.  I just needed to hear it.

One of my favorite Christmas stories is Dr. Seuss's 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.'  You'll recall in the story after the Grinch has stolen every last thing, the Whos wake up on Christmas morning to sing in the town square despite having nothing.  This causes the Grinch to question the basis of his nefarious plan. He then realizes that Christmas is not about the gifts or the decorations.  It is not about the amount of food on the dining room table. It is about friendship and love for all.

This is what has happened to me.  I realize that this Christmas season I have been given the extraordinary gift of friendship from people all over the world that I've never personally met, but feel like I know.  Your gifts have come via e-mail and the postal service and I find myself humbled and grateful for the Christmas spirit that you have brought into my 'Grinchy heart' and our home.