Mrs Justa and children

43 Things Tags: children,growing up,wonders,innocence,magic

Merry Christmas time is a time of wonder, but nothing is as marvelous as the laughter of a child. Here is Brandon in his Christmas vest, white shirt and tie laughing at his dad. He was cooing and chatting in his little baby  sounds and just filling my heart with pleasure. The children are what Christmas is all about.

Next year he will be 1 yr and 4 months, he will probably have the giggles down to a science by then. They will be in their new home by then and  he will have different wonders to experience.

I remember when Jeff was able to absorb the magic of the lights,he was a year and 9 months old, and we decorated a 10 foot tree while he was in bed, the next night when it was dark, we took him into the living room and turned on the lights . The magic filled the room and his face lit up with wonder and the room echoed with his chuckle. 

As Mark and I packed up the decorations yesterday, and I wrapped the ornaments, I witnessed again the different phases of wonder in Jeff's years gone by. 
From the time I was pregnant on Christmas 1981 through the time Jeff was 18, there was a photo ornament I had made up for each year. As I carefully wrapped them and put them away, I realized how precious time is, and love is and our children are.
Live each moment in the wonder of Christmas, and make memories for those you come across. Love, Cindy

Mrs Justa and Christmas

43 Things Tags: Christmas,thankful,sharing,caring,memories,magic

Christmas time, a time for reflection, a time for magic, a time for family , a time for rest,a time for giving, a time to be thankful, a time for memories of years gone by, and memories you are creating for the future.

For to me, even though I feel the swarming of commercialism at the holiday season, I try to stay out of the trend of charging for gifts, and dreading the credit card bill that will hit in January. Instead I remind myself of Jesus being born to lead us bless us and guide us.

Mark and I did not go nuts for Christmas, we set a limit of $50.00 for each of us, and for our kids and grandson. We did mostly stay at that level.  I love to decorate at Christmas time, the tree, the santas and snowmen, the ornaments that hold memories, Christmas carols.

Christmas is not about the gifts, they do go along with the holiday, but it is more the fact that we have a warm home, a family to share special moments with, and now a grandson who has yet to feel all the magic in his innocence of Christmas and Santa Claus and all the decorations.

I held Brandon for quite a bit last night at my brother's home, and I swayed back and forth to the lights on the Christmas tree. He was mesmerized by the sparkle and twinkle.

One tradition in our family to to gather on Christmas eve, my brother and his wife put on a buffet supper which includes a stroganoff that is to die for. We have time together, and we recently started a new tradition that each adult buys one 20.00 gift- unisex, and we draw numbers, we pick a gift, open it, and we can choose to keep it, of take someone else's already opened gift, and they get what you opened. Last year I was maybe # 4 of 14 , and before the dust settled, people kept taking my gift in exchange for what they opened, I think I had 6 different gifts before I ended up with a really neat thermometer that has 2 remote sensors. It is suppose to be for indoor outdoor, but I put the second sensor in the babies room, so I know the temperature is okay for Brandon. This year I have come home with a $20.00 gift card to an Italian restaurant in town.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season, and a very Happy New Year. Mrs and Mr Justa Krusen

Mrs Justa and a terrible drive

Can't you feel  the chill in the air. Today was white knuckle day number 3. ( Well really number 4, but since I did not go out in the blowing and poor visibility yesterday, I do not think it counts towards a white knuckle day. Now if my theory is correct and history repeats itself, then there are only 4 more left for the season.

Somehow I think history will not repeat itself and we may end up with more.

This morning the roads in general were not bad, ( I think). The snow was whipping around and falling so hard I had to stop 4 times to de-ice the clumps from my windshield wipers so I could see the road. And the visibility poor enough that driving in the dark was a blessing, because the headlights shone on the banks of snow on the side of the road and on the tire tracks from the previous winter warrior who was trekking into wherever they were headed.Once the sun came up, it reflected on all the white and made it hard to determine anything.

This morning I left home at 6:10 and arrived at my 8:20 dentist appointment at 8:21, the odometer showed 34 miles for the total trip, and 2 hours to get there. I was averaging between 20-40 mph, and no one was on my bumper, I was feeling like others were having more trouble then me, for they kept their distance behind me. The traffic lines at some of the lights were long and slow going through.

It amazes me how well the plows take care of all the roads at the same time! The snow was really coming down, and not one road ( and I do not go on the expressways), not one had deep snow on it. Thanks to all who do, or know someone who does take care of America's highways. Thanks for keeping it as clear as possible, even when the snow is trying to beat your effort up.

Also Thanks to AutoZone, my wipers were ripped, happened on the way in, and the tears were helping to chuck huge amounts of frozen slush onto the blades and not clear the windshield. So at lunch, during white out conditions, at 13 degrees, I went to AutoZone and bought new blades. They came out in the parking lot, in the bitter cold, and replaced them for me . Thanks , what a great service. And finally thanks to al who stayed in their lane as we trudged through the slippery roads, I appreciate your careful driving. Love to all, and remember , one day closer to spring, Mrs Justa, ( alias) Cindy 

43 Things Tags: driving,winter,white outs,cold,bitter,winds,slippery

Mrs justa and the beginning of winter

Today is 12-21-08, the first day of Winter, Winter's solstice. We had lake effect snow last night and it was pretty intense till this afternoon. We got enough for the plow dude to come back today, at $20.00 a plowing, if this keeps up, he may end up being our most expensive bill each month. This is the 5th plow of December, and he did one in November too. And all that was before winter started !

I look at 12-21 as the beginning of the road to Spring. The days are now getting lighter more, and I can almost smell Spring in the air. I know I am a sick unit, but that is how I look at it. One more day closer to Spring.
Mark is listening to the weather on the news as I am intensely typing to you, and they are saying up to another 12 inches before tomorrow is over. The wind gusts are up to 40mph, which can be good for the snow that is built up on the roof, as long as it does not blow to the driveway!

I have a 8:20 AM dental appnt tomorrow, so I am planning to leave here early, settle in at work and then leave from there to the dentist. The dentist has a 48 hour cancellation policy, which stinks when the weather is bad! So I will go and conquer the world early tomorrow .

Tonight there is the smell or chicken in the crock pot, it has been roasting in there since 12:30, and it is smelling pretty good. I put in a cup of water and a bouillon cube and then covered the outside with a butter, thyme, sage and poultry season paste I made up, can't wait to have it. We are drinking coffee and tea right now as the chill from the wind seems to permeate through our pores, even though the windows are tight, the glass has a tendency make it feel cooler.

So, as we go an prepare for a chicken dinner, and sip our warm beverages, we hope you are warm and safe, hang onto the wheel on the slippery roads, and enjoy the first day of Winter. Love to all, Cindy

43 Things Tags: winter,Spring,weather,chicken dinner