SHOP UPDATE FOR CHRISTMAS...

WELL, THIS CHRISTMAS WAS A BIT UNEXPECTED. A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MY HUSBAND FINALLY TALKED ME INTO GOING INTO THE DOCTOR. HE GRACIOUSLY TOOK ME IN AS MY FEVER WAS TOO DISTRACTING FOR ME TO DRIVE MYSELF. THE DOCTOR TOOK ONE LOOK AT ME AND SAID, THERE IS NO REASON TO CHECK ANYTHING UNTIL WE RUN A FLU TEST. SURE ENOUGH, IT CAME BACK POSITIVE AS THE TYPE"A" FLU-MEANING-HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. SHE ALSO FOUND THAT I HAD A SINUS INFECTION AND BRONCHITIS ADDING TO THE MESS. AFTER MAKING THE DREADED PHONE CALLS TO FAMILY LETTING THEM KNOW WE WOULD NOT BE LEAVING HOME THIS CHRISTMAS, I GATHERED UP JUST ENOUGH STRENGTH TO BUNDLE UP, SCARF WRAPPED OVER MY FACE, TO MAKE ONE QUICK STOP TO FINISH PICKING UP THE LAST FEW GIFTS I NEEDED FOR MATT AND THE KIDS. I HAVE SINCE THEN, BEEN IN BED TRYING TO SLEEP THIS BUG AWAY. MY POOR LITTLE BELL HAS ALSO NOW CAUGHT IT, SO WE ARE COMISERATING TOGETHER. NOT EXACTLY THE CHRISTMAS WE HAD PLANNED, BUT CERTAINLY TRYING TO REMAIN THANKFUL IN BETWEEN THE MOMENTS OF DISAPPOINTMENT. WE ALL WAVED FROM THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN MOM AND DAD DROPPED OFF GIFTS FROM MY GRANDMA ON OUR DOORSTEP-SO WISHING WE COULD JUST CRACK OPEN THE DOOR AND SNAG A QUICK HUG AT LEAST. BUT THE DOC KINDLY SUGGESTED WE KEEP OUR DISTANCE TO KEEP OTHERS HEALTHY. WE LEARNED HOW TO "SKYPE" SO WE COULD VIDEO CHAT ON LINE TODAY WITH MY FOLKS, SISTER AND BROTHER IN LAW-I WAS THANKFUL FOR THE CONNECTION. WE ARE STILL UP IN THE AIR ABOUT WHEN WE WILL SEE OUR FAMILIES TO CELEBRATE.

I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP TUESDAY NIGHT WHEN WE RETURNED HOME FROM SLEDDING IN THE BEAUTIFUL WINTER STORM WE WERE HAVING, BECAUSE I JUST COULD NOT GET MY HEART TO SLOW DOWN AND SURE ENOUGH, I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH A NASTY FEVER. SO-I WAS KEEPING UP WITH ALL THE SHOP'S ORDERS UNITL WEDNESDAY, BUT I AM NOW GOING TO NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE A BIT OF A DELAY IN GETTING THEM OUT. I AM HOPING TO SEND MOST TOMORROW, BUT ANY ITEMS MADE TO ORDER MAY TAKE ME A DAY OR TWO TO FINISH. I AM SORRY FOR THIS!! BUT I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE!! I HOPE EACH OF YOU HAD A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS! WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE A SAVIOR WHO CAME TO EARTH TO SAVE US!! BLESSINGS !!!