I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

White Christmas

Our Fort Mill SC yard 2007

I must drop by to say hello and Merry Christmas to my bloggy buddy friends!
This is a busy time of year decking the halls with boughes of holly!
I decorated early this year to get a head start on the
Christmas season.

I just finished writing a magazine article for the summer so
 I had to pretend I was sweating while writing.
Actually, I have my fireplace going in my office.

What are you planning for Christmas? New Years?

Thanks to the China/Corona Virus, we're still practicing 'social distancing.' 

So, will you be hanging with family and friends?
If you're alone, what do you do ... go to a movie? (I think they're still closed),
eat out alone? (are local restaurants even open?)

Invite friends over? (will they have to wear masks?)

2020 brought us into a very challenging era, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

When we lived abroad for several Christmases
I firmly decided that I would not get homesick for my family
back home in California.
It worked for an hour or two.
Then I would cry.
That always seemed to help.

Now I'm blessed to have part of my family nearby.

but this will be our first Christmas without our beloved Popcorn.

She was part of our life for twelve joy-filled years

and we miss her every day.

Thankfully at the ripe old age of 15 she has no more pain and is 

playing with her furry friends somewhere in the heavenlies.

Let's not take our family and friends for granted.

Instead, take this time of year to express
our love to those near to us.

Now it's time to go outside for a cold evening walk.

Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season ...

You are never alone because He is with you wherever you travel.

... and remember, whether near or far,

keep reading and keep that body movin'!

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

retirementandgoodliving.com

Farewell Fort Mill, I will miss you.

Moving is always bittersweet. The packing is very bitter and the cleaning is even bitterer (is that a word? it should be). The sweet part of our move is now we'll be ten minutes from our daughter, Jacquie, and her family. They are the family who drops by just to say hello, or calls and asks if we can come over for a BBQ, or go boating on the lake. Rob and I are so looking forward to that. Ahh, family.

Today I took Popcorn and we drove down some Fort Mill country roads for the last time. When I moved here six years ago, I loved exploring the back roads. As I listened to Tim McGraw with the wind blowing in my face, I couldn't get enough of this country feeling. I still can't. Never will. This is where I belong.

I might be saying farewell to my hometown, Fort Mill, but I will never say good-bye to my Fort Mill Friends. They have made my country move complete. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hang on to my friends, from my junior high school buddies, Teri and Kathy; to my neighbor, Shirley--we raised our kids together and opened our homes to the weekly "Good News Club." And my friend who always has an ear to listen to my whining, grumbling, and other negative attitudes--Debbie, what would I do without you?? Friends are those who stay in our hearts no matter how many miles apart we may be, and when our paths cross, it is like we never parted. Friendship takes two. I'm blessed to have friends who feel the same way as I do.

My last box is packed, but the memories that I take with me to Lexington can't be put in a box. They will live in my heart. I love you, my Fort Mill Friends, and I plan to have many parties and y'all are invited! Much love, smooth sailing, and oceans of blessings,

Sharon

Autumn in New York...oops...Fort Mill

May your footsteps set you upon a lifetime journey of love. May you wake each day with His blessings and sleep each night in His keeping. And may you always walk in His tender care.

I'm so happy October is here! Autumn. Fall, when the gentle breezes toss the leaves to and fro. The leaves are falling--that's me: Falling Leaf...get it? Not to be confused with Lead, Leas, Leak (a small sample of the misspelling of such an easy-friendly name). I'm trying to be poetic here. It's been a rough week. That's why I'm a day late in writing this blog. My Dad was in the hospital with double pneumonia, but he's much better today. Still weak, but he's a fighter. Such an inspiration. ~ Then when I went to get my quarterly blood work taken, I almost fainted. I'm such a sissy. Then I remembered my friend who begins her second session of chemo next week. I pulled myself together, started praying for Dad and my friend, and Voila! I didn't pass out. Afterwards, Rob took me to The Flying Biscuit for breakfast--grits and biscuits always cheer me up.

~ Then there was the friend who told a big fat lie about me on her Facebook. She has a way of spinning every word to make her look right. I almost lost it, but instead I took a hundred deep cleansing breaths (I learned that technique from Aunt Eunice), prayed, and decided to suck it up. God (and Eunice) helped me get through this too. And life goes on.

~ I'm learning as I dance through the savvy-sixties the importance of putting every event that happens in my life into perspective. Compared to people losing loved ones, dealing with major illnesses, wars and rumors of wars, my problems aren't much to sneeze at. But when we're going through them, it's kind of nice to have someone around to say, "God bless you!" (Thank you, wherever you are.)

~ And when there is no one around, guess what? Our heavenly Father is there. He not only says, I bless you, but He wipes away our tears. He catches us when we fall. Well now, I've just preached myself happy! I knew there was a deeper reason for writing this blog--sometimes I'm writing to myself--but for those out there in Bloggyville who need a little word of encouragement, read this:

Stand at the crossroads and look...ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

The good way to walk is always in love. When in doubt, take the high road. It's not always easy, but that is where the blessings flow. After a hectic week, I'm at peace today. I will endeavor to get some research done (publishers & agents) after I take a walk. After all, it's Autumn!

Oceans of blessings! ('09 photo of my little Autumn garden)