Starting the New Year

As I look ahead towards 2007, I can already see it will but another exciting year.

Corey will be moving out in the fall to go to main campus. So the house will be a little quieter.

I will be back on my diet once I can start walking again, and the holidays are over. Too many desserts to sample this time of year to waste time dieting.

CONNECT group still going well, might have a class spin off of ours if the Lord leads that way. Cannot wait to meet even more new people and get them active in our church.

There will be some sad times in 2007 also. My Aunt Edna died this week and we are going to the funeral today. My Aunt Nellie died this month as well. As time marches on I am more reminded that our time here on earth is short compared to eternity. We better enjoy the journey now.

Any other suggestions for New Year's Resolutions?

Merry Christmas Report

We are having a great Christmas at the Salyers. Angela and Rachel are asleep, Tyler is watching TV, Corey is at Kyles, and Brandon is at the Thomas'. I am catching up on email and after reading Pastor Noel's blog, I am glad things are quiet here.

It was a hectic time on Christmas day, but the boys slept in until 8:30 AM, the latest present opening time ever. I was of no help to Angela, due to the broken ankle, and Angela kept forgetting to bring out presents! We were all done and she found more of Tyler's presents, thought we were done again and Brandon found one more for me! Angela just had a lot on her this week, but all is well that ends well.

By my account this was the best Christmas ever. Everyone got something they wanted, and something they were surprised to get. Angela was the big winner of the day with a "dream" blanket, food processor, and silver punch bowl being the big things. I got some clothes, a new book to read, my Woody Hayes picture re-framed, Bible software, and Civil War DVD set.

Angela's family showed up (25 people) for dinner and gift exchange, I got some stupid Ostrich, but Tyler traded me, since it came with an OSU shirt. It was lots of fun with all leaving around 10:00 PM.

Today, Angela, Rachel, Tyler and I went to the mall and bought a few little things, tomorrow is Easton!

Ankle doing fine, went back to doctor, new X-ray showed nothing bad, so I get to stay in the walking boot and 1 crutch.

Christmas Trivia

Christmas Wreath:
The Christmas wreath is a symbol of Eternal Life that has come to us through Jesus' coming into the earth to save mankind. The circle is a symbol of eternity in that it has neither a beginning or end. The evergreen symbolizes life that continues to bloom even in the midst of winter. Sometimes there are candles lit in the middle of the wreath to show that Christ, the Light of the world, has come and brought us this eternal life.

Gold Ornaments:
Gold represents the gifts the Wise Men gave. They gave Jesus precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We bring Jesus precious gifts, too. Our gifts are faith, hope, and love. We love Him because He first loved us.

Gifts:
We share gifts with one another at Christmas to remind each other of Jesus - the greatest gift of all.

Reason for the Season

As we approach Christmas I would like to remind everyone that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. It is so easy to get caught up in getting ready for family to come in, buying and wrapping presents, and even taking care of a broken ankle, to forget why we celebrate Christmas.

If Jesus had not been born 2,000 years ago, who knows where we all would be right now. So I am declaring a 7 day waiting period on asking for anything.

I think for the next 7 days when we want to ask people for something, we should stop and just be thankful for what we have.

If you feel the urge to ask somebody for something, call them and thank them for all they have done in the past for you.

If you find yourself thinking about all the things you don't have this Christmas, stop and thank God for all you do have.

If you are dreading seeing those relatives you "put up" with once a year at the family Christmas part, take Pastor Noel's advice from last Sunday and talk to them how Christ coming to earth has changed your life.

And whatever you get. or don't get, for Christmas remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. That is the greatest present of them all.

Good News!

Just got back from the Doctor. No ligament or tendon damage, did another X-ray, and I now have a walking boot and 1 crutch. I had a little trouble getting the hang of walking with 1 crutch, but figured out it was a "rhythm" thing, and like skipping in kindergarten, I figured it out.

Going back to work on Wednesday for at least part of the day.

It really is crimping my style, not being able to walk. Had a few more Christmas presents to buy, but I am not complaining, could be a lot worse. Sean talked about his ankle "dangling" from his leg when he broke his ankle.

Yesterday, I asked Brandon to take me to the doctor and he quickly agreed. Today when I got him up and told him we needed to stop and get gas, Brandon said "to go across the street?", I said no to go to Columbus. He was shocked because he went to bed at 3:00 AM!

He thought we were going to our family doctor at Cherry Westgate, about 2 miles from our house not Mt. Carmel East about 45 min away.

That's all for now, thanks for your prayers and treats!

one tough guy

That is what the doctor told me today after he told me that my ankle was broken! I fell last Monday at home, but went to Chicago all week for work. I wore a brace and it never really hurt much.

I got home today and since it was still swollen I decided to stop for an X ray. Well it was broke, so now I am sitting here in my chair at home with my foot up. It has a splint on it, and I am supposed to use crutches.

Go to orthopedist next week to see if I need a hard cast or maybe a walking boot.

Chicago was good, the food was great, but glad to be back.

All for now, anyone want to teach my class Sunday?

jeff

Weekly report

1. Nothing major happened this week, just work and getting ready for Christmas
2. Angela cooking all week for CONNECT Group party tonight, I MUST approve all food before allowing others to consume, sort of like a personal quality control. So far she has passed with flying colors!
3. Tyler was named the MVP of a basketball game he played in this week.
4. Brandon "won" a hunting trip to Texas on eBay (he really didn't win, he has to pay for it.) Like Pastor Noel said, no one goes to Wal-Mart and says they "won" anything, why do we do it on eBay?
5. Corey had a date, but said she looked different than her photo he saw before hand
6. I go to Chicago next week for work

That's all for now.

Well, we knew it would not last.

Well winter finally made an appearance in central Ohio. After the best Indian summer I can remember with temps in the 60's, it finally is getting cold. Very windy over the last 24 hours with temps dropping into the 30's. All next week the highs will be in the 30's and the lows in the 20's (FYI to the Dear's vacationing in Florida, hope you have your winter coats in the car for when you get back).

I am not complaining, we had a great fall.

Last week was uneventful, work was good, just getting caught up on some stuff. Putting up Christmas decorations at home including my Ohio State Tree (pictures to follow) and our Dickens Village collection of houses.

Celebrated my 51st Birthday last night, got a nice ecard from DD, very funny, and a card from Aunt Rhoda, Cranes, Smith's, Mom and Dad, etc. Angela got me a note holder for my desk with a train on it, and the boy's went together and got me a "Jim Tressel" sweater! (A gray sweater vest with OSU logo) just what I wanted!

We thought we were going to KY today for the Logan Christmas party, but Angela found out she had the date wrong, it is next Saturday! I think she is getting "some-timers" which is a Kentucky version of Alzheimer's (pronounced "all-timers" in some parts of Ohio and Kentucky)

So we kind of have a free day, but there is always shopping to do for some kids from church, decorations to put up and of course football to watch!