Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016

Good afternoon and welcome Through My Back Door. We have coffee on, Kona, and we also have some DD donuts Beth brought out today. They are yummy. It seems a long time since we have visited and I guess it has been. I am trusting each of you had a wonderful Christmas. I know with the violent weather in some areas it wasn't the way you wanted Christmas to be. I have said prayers for those people and the towns and states. On a happier note my Christmas couldn't have been better. We celebrated forever it seems.Debbie, Beth, Amanda, Lindsey, and I went to see the Nutcracker. It was wonderful as always. Beth and I wanted to see it, the others not so much, but decided to go with us. We went downtown and walked around Market Square, had dinner at Cafe 4 and had a wonderful time. It is wonderful when 3 generations can get together and laugh and enjoy ourselves. Mollie was in a Christmas play at her Mothers Day Out and of course we all had to go. She was so cute in her angel costume sitting "crisscross applesauce" on stage ringing her bell and singing. Deb and I then went out to an Italian restaurant and had Lasagna. On Friday after Thanksgiving we kicked off the season by going to Fantasy of Trees where Mollie was dancing in a short program. Here she is in her little dancing outfit. Yes, I took her flowers.

Christmas was a fantastic time with all the activities leading up and then the big day. I had all my children, grands, greats, but 2 grands and a grand in law and a great here. I loved it

They are such a mess. I love having them together as they are always talking, laughing and just enjoying one another. Deb has always told them what to do!lol
2015 was very good to me. I did quite a bit of traveling starting in March when Deb and I went to Hershey with Dodd and Renda. Liv flew over from DC and we had such a good time.

We had just feasted at the Hershey Hotel. We are going again this year and Michael is getting to go.
In April I went to Virginia with my cousins from Michigan to visit our cousin and aunt

This old porch swing holds a lot more than the three of us. It hold so many memories as it hung on our grandparents porch when we were children. It  now hangs on our cousin Katrina's porch, where it has a forever home.
In May Deb, Michael, Amanda. Andrew, Mollie and I went to DC. We went to see Olivia who was interning in Senator Bob Corkers office. Dodd and Renda met us there and Liv took us on a tour of the Capitol.What a memory. Andrew absorbed it all like a sponge. I cannot tell you what it meant to me, being given the tour, by my Granddaughter. It truly was special. We also visited the Smithsonians, Arlington Cemetery, Mt Vernon and Monticello.  We soaked up a lot in that week, We made so many memories and had so many laughs.

 Also in May, Dodd ran for County Commissioner in his county and was elected
In June we made our annual trip to the beach. There were some short trips to Nashville to the Opry, to Pigeon Forge for the week ends then back to the beach in October.In September I was blessed to go on a trip to Cinn, Ohio with my cousin Gina, her daughter Leah, my cousin Dale and his wife Debbie. There was no laughing on this trip! My sides were sore for a week. Gina and Leah also introduced me to Ikea! In November I made a trip over to W. Va and on to Ohio for a week. Then back to Pigeon Forge for the card group annual get away. It has been a busy year and I have enjoyed every moment. so grateful for good health and for family and friends.
I was blessed to meet some FB friends, some blogging friends as well. I met Kathy Webb in September. She and her husband are as nice as I thought they would be. Then in Ohio, in November, I met Linda Rebtoy, whom I had met before, Nina Meachum and Gayle Ferguson. What a wonderful day we shared. We laughed and said after 5 minutes we knew it was a life long friendship.
I don't usually share Christmas gifts but I have to share my book and my calendar. Beth and Amanda do this every year. I love it

Well I hope I haven't bored you with my 2015. I am looking forward to 2016  and what it brings. I hope it continues to bring you Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: All my decorations are down and things here are back to normal
PSS: I have not made a decision on my blog yet. I will soon. I so appreciate all your comments, emails, and encouragement
PSSS: I am in prayer for our country. I hope you will join me

Christmas Is Coming

Good morning and welcome Through My Back Door. It is another beautiful day, here in East Tn and I am thankful for it. I have coffee made and guess what? There are donuts!!! Yes. So come in sit down and lets talk Christmas. Okay? I will bring you up to date on what is going on here. Not a whole lot, but enough. I have had you on my mind, since my last post. I appreciate so much your comments, about Through My Back Door remaining open. I am praying about it and will make a decision in January. You all have made me feel so good though. I was surprised.

I am finished decorating and ready to start fudge and cookie making. For a while I have had some painful shoulder issues. Last weekend it hurt so bad I couldn't leave my recliner, and had to cancel, not one, but 3 social gatherings.As you can imagine that did not make me happy.lol I was in so much pain, I just sat with ice or heat on that shoulder. But as you know I have a wonderful Ortho(Ryan) and he has upped my meds(OTC) and I am getting therapy. So as of yesterday I am on the mend. I love the Christmas season so much and being incapacitated is not possible. It is just not me.

Debbie made this Santa and she said only a Mother would love it. I do.

Just some decorations around the house. I love this crock, that says, All Hearts Come Home for Christmas. I found my heart "going back home for Christmas".  Growing up Christmas was so exciting. We alternated going to Ohio one year(my mother was an only child, therefor I was an only Grandchild) and my Grandparents coming to Tennessee the next. I remember riding in the back seat of whatever Buick we had singing with the radio and looking at the lights in all the little towns we passed through. I felt so loved, so secure, and just so happy. Sometimes Santa came to my house early if we were going to be gone and I would think about the gift I had to leave, but anticipating what my Grandparents would have for me. I was young and presents were important. Not so much anymore, as I have everything I need and want. Well almost. ha ha
Anyway I have been remembering a lot of happy times this week. When our kids were young we had out traditions and basically still carry them through. I am not a happy person when things change, even though I know they will. I am blessed with so many wonderful memories. But with Christmas coming those memories are just popping up everywhere. I have said before my Daddy was the Christmas lover. He always got me a 5 pound peppermint stick. don't have the peppermint stick, but I do have the peppermint.

Last night I went to Mollies Mothers Day Out Christmas program. It was 30 minutes of little children singing Christmas songs and do the motions. It was bliss for me. Mollie is a rule follower and she was good as gold. Some kids were waving, turning around backwards and flapping their arms, it was precious. After that Deb and I went out to supper. I am so thankful I have a daughter close and we can do things together.
We had our 32nd card party at Frans this week. We all had such a good time. It is so nice to have younger friends.lol  They keep me going. I value their friendship. Fran had just gotten home from the Holy Land and I enjoyed her pictures and stories.
I have several things going on between and Christmas that I will enjoy. I am so happy Christmas is coming and I am so happy you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: I wish each of you a Merry Christmas, if we don't visit before Christmas. May it be filled with, Jesus, family and full of love

PSS:  If you know someone who is lonely or sad Please reach out to them.  No one should ever be alone on Christmas
PSSS: Lets remember to pray for all our service men and women who can't be home for Christmas

Loving These Holidays and Making a Decision

Good morning you all and come on in Through My Back Door. I do have the coffee on and  there are some cookies to nibble on, lets just sit here by the fireplace and have a good visit. There are some things I really need to talk to you all about. Take which ever chair you want.

I am loving all the things going on right now. There has been parties, luncheons, I went to the Nutcracker with Beth, Amanda,Deb, and Lindsey, then out to dinner. What a good time we had.Went to  Fantasy of Trees and watched Mollie dance.What fun. If the Fantasy of Trees doesn't get you in the Christmas mood, nothing will.I went to Renda's play, It's A wonderful Life, and it was just perfect. Have been shopping with friends and  Deb and I have shopped and had lunch, so all in all I have enjoyed every day of December.  I am loving these holidays. There are a few more parties next week and friends coming for dinner. It is so exciting, Christmas is.
My shopping is done, not all wrapped, and I have made only one batch of fudge. Have to get going on some for gifts, later. So I am just sitting here today enjoying myself. Listening to Carols and just being.
I will share a bit of the decorations Through My Back Door.

These are just a few of the decorations Through My Back Door. I hope you enjoyed the little tour. I always enjoy our coffee and your visits.
Now what I wanted to talk to you about. I am thinking very seriously of closing my Back Door. I think blogging is dying. FB has opened other door and means of communicating, so I am not sure how many people actually read blogs. I know by my dash board I get a lot of hits. People don't comment like they used too. I am guilty as well, but anyway I am seriously thinking about  this. I always felt like blogging could be a good witness, but as Eccles says, "There is a time for all things".So many of my good blogging buddies have quit. So I will pray about it and make a decision the first of the year.
But for today I am so glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good
betty
PS: I was so happy to see my blog fairy had been by. She has made me look good for several years and I am grateful
PSS: Everyone isn't happy during the holidays as we may be. Lets lift them up in prayer
PSSS: I know we don't have to be reminded that Jesus IS the real reason for the season

Hello December

Good morning and welcome Through My Back Door on this first day of the last month of the year. I can hardly believe it is almost Christmas.Where has the year gone? I have had a good year and am truly thankful for it. I have met some new friends and taken several trips. We will save those for another post. Today I just want to welcome December with a cup of White Christmas coffee and some sugar cookies..We can sit in the living room and just visit.

It has been raining here for three days and I am sitting in a chair with a heating pad on my shoulder most of the time. I am eating too much and drinking too much coffee, but that is what it is. I will share a few Christmas pictures today and post another post real soon.

some of the Christmas books in a basket. Others are here and there as I love having them out.

As you know this is one of my all time favorites. I also like the sequel, A Memory of A Cup of Christmas Tea.

I love this one. I can still hear the bell. Can you?
Well I am so happy you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS My friend Al's son Matt is having open heart surgery today. Will you pray?
PSS: Also please pray for those who can't come home for Christmas this year. Some mama's are deployed, some daddies, and always someones child
PSSS:I hope you enjoy every day between now and Christmas. I am giving myself a gift a day on my FB page. Will you join me?