Our sanctuary was so lovely this morning...all the red poinsettias in rememberance of loved ones gone. A darling 4 year old named Bell, dressed in red velvet stepped up to the microphone and sang "Away In A Manger"...all by herself, acappella...all three verses while her parents, grandparents and the rest of us beamed through our tears.

So many of us are struggling with mixed emotions this time of year..I find it helpful to take deep breaths and remind myself that it's a celebration of joy at the birth of a baby...that it isn't about losses, it isn't about me and my regrets...it's about hope for all of us.

Hugs for the room.

I spoke with my husband in AZ yesterday and told him not to worry about us - to focus on enjoying his time with family.

Around 6 pm I heard a strange hissing noise in my laundry room. Opened the door to find our pipes had frozen and burst. The room was flooded, and the water was spraying ice cold water everywhere. This happened years ago, and we had a shut off valve installed - but I couldn't remember where it was with my eyes closed (due to the water spraying in my face), and I can't tell what I'm feeling due to the neuropathy in my hands.

I ran to the kitchen to turn off the main valve, but the water in the laundry room kept on spraying.

Grrrrrrr....My son had no idea how to fix this, so we had no choice but to call my husband. I feel like such a burden to him sometimes. I had the right valve in the kitchen - just needed to turn it a little further to shut off the water. We got the water shut off, but now the pipe in the kitchen is flowing water - a steady trickle that fills up a bucket after about 2 hours. I also noticed a faint smell of gas, and remembered they told me there was a small leak there when the village moved the gas meter to the outside a couple of years ago. I'm hoping that's not a dangerous combination - never heard of water setting off a gas explosion.

I think I'm beginning to hate this house. It scares me because I don't know how to fix it, professionals don't want to touch it, and we don't have the money to rebuild. My husband will be home tonight, and I feel bad for making him deal with this nightmare when he gets home. Being Christmas Eve, I doubt he'll be able to find a professional to help him out - and I'm not even sure if stores will be open on Christmas Eve night, in case he needs to buy plumbing materials.

I've gained a greater appreciation of water. We can't shower, use the restroom, or wash dishes - and I'd really like a cup of coffee.

(((Kathy))) What a dreadfiul thing to happen to you at this time. I am happy, though, that hubby will be home for your holiday and to help.

I never use dishwasher or washing machine and then leave the house with them running anymore! Learned that lesson the hard way! One year my daughter and I heard horrible noises coming from the laundry room. The connection to the valve had burst open and water was flying everywhere ferociously!

Much love to you and a cyber cup of coffe for a very dear friend.

I hope hubby got home to you both, safe and sound! And that you have water again. Merry Christmas KathyM.

I told my daughter i'd take her to this big mall in north OKC today. They have a Hollisters and thats her favorite place to shop... I certainly need to have my head examined.....

I'm too tired to post. *grin

i hope you had a wonderful time and a safe trip.

i'm brain fried. frazzled. red cheecked and spotted. you wanna trade?

I'm so sorry to read that you ended up getting fifth's dear Curious...I hope you are beginning to feel better.

Goofy I had to giggle at your Hollister post having just spent the holiday with three teens, sporting Hollister shirts, jeans, yada yada....I think I mentioned to you that we live near an outlet mall that has a Hollister store in it.

Today I'm going to try to find a place for everything...Santa was very good to us as was the Man upstairs when he blessed us with such a wonderful family...

Wren... *grin

BJ...I'm praying that this coming year will bring you some peace.

Oh my gosh Curious!!! I was hoping you wouldn't get that. Maybe we should get you and daughter doody together so you can share your symptoms! I hope it goes away soon! Daughter is better but still having problems with her wrists and hands.

I took time off from work the rest of this week which is nice, but of course I'm getting nothing done around the house.

I have a chiro appt and a massage appointment this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to that.

Granddoody was adorable over Christmas and a really really good boy.

I hope Kathy got her pipes all taken care of! I talked to one of my oldest and dearest friends yesterday. She lives in SE Iowa where they have really gotten the brunt of our storms. They were without electric and hot water for 3 days from the last storm and we have another one moving through this weekend.