I'm still here! I've had so much this week that I've wanted to write about, and comments to respond to, and other blogs to visit...but when? Things are crazybusy around here right now (like my new word? Crazybusy! LOL). I can't believe Christmas is so close. I so long to be able to slow down and enjoy this time of year. Why is it always so hectic and stressful? How do you, my friends and friends-to-be, slow down and simplify around Christmas, if you're able to?

We've had a horrible windstorm up here -- maybe you've heard about it on the news. Our worst since 1993. Growing up in the Pacific NW, though, I'm used to these storms. Don't like them, but I don't sweat them. You just do your best to get through! We're one of the blessed households: our power is on. It went out on Thursday night around 9 p.m. or so, and stayed off for about 28 hours. We'd stayed up and watched a movie as a family on Friday night, then planned on camping out in our family room by the pellet stove, which was hooked up to the generator outside. Before we could bunk down, though, voila! Lights. I was completely shocked, because I'd heard to not expect any power for at least a few days. "Thank you, Jesus!" was the first thing out of my mouth, as soon as I was able to lift my jaw off the floor. I was also instantly aware of, and grateful to, the crews who were working to restore power to all these hundreds of thousands of homes in our state and Oregon. It was c-o-l-d out there, yet they were working hard for the rest of us. I feel like sending some fudge to the crew who restored our power, if I can find out who they are.

I have to say that I am amazed, shocked, and saddened at the number of trees that went crashing into people's homes. My husband and sons saw one on Friday that had literally split a house in two. I've heard, also, that about 6 people lost their lives in Washington and Oregon because of this storm. Please remember their families in prayer, and also those who've been displaced...all of this so close to Christmas.