December 11, third Sunday of Advent and time for memory lane with Baileys!

It was the Christmas of 1971.  A friend came over for a good home cooked meal as he was not married.  He said he had a special present for John.  Rodger went back out to his car and came in with a box that was wrapped in Christmas ribbon.  As he set it down the box moved and as John walked over to the box he stared at a little puppy!  Buster was added to the Lee family.  It was probably one of the most unexpected presents we ever received!
It is a good thing Christmas only comes once a year as I remember many times I put MUCH work into those presents.  1975 was the year and I had worked on presents for the boys for some time.  I had decided to make them toolboxes.  Willie, the woodworker at the School for the Deaf, had given me a key for the wood shop so I could work some nights.  About a week before Christmas I carefully cut all the pieces of pine for the three tool boxes.  I figured that the next night I would work late again and put them together.  As I walked into the shop the next night, it was late, my heart sank as several of the pieces had warped and were of no use.  Time was short and I had to put them together that night so I carefully picked out more pine from Willie's wood, I would ask for it the next day, and cut again but this time I cut and assembled.  As I finished the clock was near midnight so I had to call it a night.  I still had to put a finish on them and then wood burn their names.  Christmas eve came and there was no doubt the presents were more about Dad than the boys as they were 6, 4 and 2.  What were they to do with a tool box but anyway they were delighted to get something that Dad had made. I think all three of those boxes still exist and are used by the boys.

It was Christmas in the 50's, perhaps mid.  There was NO money to be had but it did seem like Dad and Mom managed to find enough for some presents.  The ping pong gun was a big hit.  I am not sure if it went to Dave or me but both of us used it for a long long time.  Some time later there was another one that you could load multiple balls in and fire away at a rapid rate.  It was great fun and one of the best ever presents.
That is it for today, the third Sunday in Advent.  I have been faithful in reading scripture each day and it has been good.  Thank you Lord for your son Jesus who came as a baby to save us from our sinful self.  I am grateful for your love, your protection and I desire to serve you each day.
We have our 6th tennis match tomorrow.  I find that I am always nervous before a match but now that we are in 1st place there is a bit more nerves coming through.  Win lose or draw it will be fun.
FP, it is finished and was special today as we have a glass cup that shows how much Baileys you need to use.  I used a bit more than last Sunday and it was GOOD.