Monday Message

"Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program. We could refer to all the components of personal and family preparedness, not in relation to holocaust or disaster, but in cultivating a life-style that is on a day-to-day basis its own reward." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

This year there have been so many things that hit all at once. I think it is easy to see why it would be so helpful to have storage on hand.

At the time of this writing it is before Thanksgiving...I am so thankful for all of you. You have seen us through so much this year, the derecho, the pandemic, the passing of my dear mother-in-law due to Covid. It has definitely been the hardest year. I am so concerned about the spread of the virus and not enough healthcare workers who we are all thankful for. We all need to be loving to each other. We need to work together to win this fight with the virus.

https://blog.bernina.com/en/2020/05/sewing-self-made-face-masks-for-children-with-funny-appliques/ I thought since we all will be wearing masks for a while yet, make fun ones for gift giving this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TszYmD338Q0 - here is an easy one.

I think giving masks is a good gift.

Well I am now weaving white on white. I wasn't sure how I would like it but I really do like it. I am trying to do different things, learning as I go.

I want to visit here a bit...the holidays are very hard, normally for so many but with Covid it will be so much worse. So check often with your family and friends. This will be the darkest Christmas and scariest of times. An email or phone call can do wonders to lift spirits that are low.

Also, think of your people in your house. This will no doubt be a scary time because things are not normal but consider yourself the cheer squad, the ambassador of happiness. Find fun for everyone in the house...make cookies or picture pancakes, everyone gets a turn.

Turn these holidays into the best they ever had. You can do it!

Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was bad for them as well. Have hot cocoa and read a bit everyday from it or a book of your choice, it will be something to look forward to every day.

Times will be tight for a lot of people, just try to do things differently, like if there’s no money for a tree do something else. For example, I forgo the tree and just hang bulbs.

The worst thing for you and the kids is to feel sorry for yourselves...no one needs that.

Just sound excited about what you choose even if the kids color a tree on paper and make a game of coloring decorations and play pin the ornament on the tree. It might just be the best memory.

https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-snowflake.html make a bunch of snowflakes.

https://whatmomslove.com/kids/holiday-traditions-for-families-to-make-christmas-magical/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=905459864_39539792_253089

Whatever you do, be excited about it....if you need to cry take a shower and have a good cry, no one will know...but being excited is contagious and can help brighten up the whole family.

This is my favorite Christmas read. The kids will like it but at one part the mom asks the little girl what she would like for Christmas...they had fallen on hard times, the little girl wanted a doll but the one thing they could get her was a chocolate mouse. So when the little girl asks her mom what she wanted, the mother said she wanted a chocolate mouse and the mother tells all she would do with it, by the end the little girl wanted a chocolate mouse because it was all exciting. It really is a great story.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g34452103/quarantine-christmas-ideas/

Gus and Missy say keep your spirits up and remember to be safe!