RVing Fulltime with Tom and Ella

2019 December 12 Thursday

2019 December 12 Thursday in Liberty Hill, Texastrip in from Liberty Hill’s to work today was mostly uneventful. However there were a string of fire trucks that we’re coming up behind me but turned before they got to me. I wonder where they were going? I pray that wherever they’re going everyone will be safe.or some reason unknown to me, the door to our dressing area has not only been unlocked but standing wide open for the last few days. Now I know that maintenance also uses this for storage. So I can only assume that they are the ones opening it. But I do wish they would shut the door again when they are done. Because if I set out there in my Santa suit, and kids go by, it can be confusing to them.I had a grand day today. Several bus loads out special needs adults were in the mall shopping today and many puff then came to see Santa.hree years ago Ian, an 11 year old boy with Downs Syndrome, came to see Santa. Though he can talk, it was difficult to understand him, so he also communicated partially with ASL on a limited scale. I also knew a little sign language. After his pictures were taken, his mother went to look at the photos while Ian and I sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and pretended that the big Santa chair was a sleigh. When mom came to get him, he went over, hugged her, kissed her, and told her goodbye. He was going to stay with Santa.ast year we were closing the set to change Santa’s when I saw him standing in line. I waved him in, got the pictures and again visited for a short time while mom looked at photos. Again, he didn’t want to leave. He told her he was going tho sleep in my chair.oday his mom brought Ian for photos. Today, when she was ready to leave, he went with her. However, an hour or so later, she came to thank me for the joy I give to get son. I said that he gives me so much joy also. Ian parked himself on my lap and was ready to stay again. It took some persuading for him tho go with her.n my way home I stopped at Wal-Mart to get the groceries that I had ordered online before going to work. I also went in to get Ella’s prescriptions. The pharmacist had been at the Wal-Mart back in Iowa so I told her that the temperature back there was 29°.felt rather proud of myself for remembering the groceries AND the medications. That is until Ella asked where the pizza was. I had forgotten that she had ordered pizza for me to pick up.God bless and g’nite.

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Day 73 in our Texas home
31 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 11 Wednesday

2019 December 11 Wednesday in Liberty Hill, Texasou call it haze but I say it is fog. And not just an ordinary fog. This is the fog that drifts slowly around Dracula’s castle. This is the fog that Stephen King would write about. This is the fog I had to drive through this morning.made it to work, thank you for asking. Before I made it to work, I made it to the Over The Hill Gang building in Liberty Hill to drop Ella off for a Grandies meeting. She reports that only 6 people showed up (I suspect the fog got them) so they cancelled the meeting and went out for breakfast. One of our friends drove her home afterwards.here is no way today could have been called a busy day at the Santa set. That being said, it was busier than a usual Wednesday. The goal for today for the photographers was over $3,500. By noon they only had about $2,800 to make it to goal. As I said it wasn’t a busy day.here was a tiny girl of not quite three who I heard coming before I could see her. She was coming from behind the set and I heard her yelling Santa. When she came around the corner and saw me she charged me like a football player intent on making a tackle. She smiled for the photos, then turned to me and said “five”. She held out her hand for me to “give her five”. She then did a fist bump and the last thing that she did was touch my nose and go “Boop”. What a delight!nother toddler cried when he was taken away from his visit with Santa. While his mother was looking at the photos, he came back to me. And when Mom came to get him a second time he was screaming and hollering he did not want to go.God bless and g’nite.

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Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 72 in our Texas home
30 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 10 Tuesday

2019 December 10 Tuesday in Liberty Hill, Texas

t was right down cold last night and this morning. We had not turned any heat on before going to bed. Ella woke up around 3 a.m. and turned on the fireplace. It slowly reached 50° under cloudy skies and then quickly dropped again. It is predicted to be 30° by tomorrow morning. I WILL make sure that the heat is on tonight.

woke this morning to the sound of thunder. It was until about 7:30 though when it really started to rain in earnest. That’s when the roof started leaking. Last year when we arrived back in Texas we arrive to a leaking roof. With the help of my friends we got that taken care of. I have two more weeks of Santa and it is dark by the time I get home. Which makes it kind of difficult to get up on the roof and do anything about it. I just pray that there’s no more rain until I get a chance to get it fixed. Or that it does no more damage.

riving in the rain this morning wasn’t much of a problem except for the water being splashed on me from the vehicle’s head. But it was still uneventful.

one-year-old boy named Dakota came to see me in his t-shirts that said it’s my birthday. Despite everybody’s best efforts he did not smile he just sat there very calmly. When Mom came to get him at first he wouldn’t go with her he just snuggled deeper into Santos coat. It took her many tries before she finally coaxed him to come to her. I think she was about ready to give up any of their leaving with me or just grab him and go.

oday I had a two year old girl ask for a set of golf clubs and a two year old boy who wanted the mall and another who wanted a vending machine. I also had an 18 month old girl who wanted luggage for Christmas. I thought maybe I had not heard her correctly and questioned mom and she said yes that’s what she said she wants luggage.

or the first time ever I had a child asked if I was one of Santa’s helpers. I assured him that I was Santa. I am there to portray Santa not one of Santa’s helpers. I did let him know however the Santa does have helpers because even Santa can’t be in every place at the same time.

hen I arrived home, it smelled of barbecue. Ella had fixed barbecued ribs for supper. She also had corn and riced cauliflower. It was a good meal. I think I may miss her cooking my suppers once I am done with the Santa gig.

God bless and g’nite.

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http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 71 in our Texas home
29 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 09 Monday

2019 December 09 Monday in Liberty Hill, Texas

n my way to work this morning I followed a gray Chevy truck that seemed to have difficulty staying in any one lane. It would not only drift to the left into the next lane it would drift to the right off of the road. I chose to stay well behind it.

he air was filled with a smoky haze again today, just as it was yesterday. In Central and South America, where they raise sugar cane, this time of year they burn the leaves from them to make it easier to harvest. That smoke comes all the way up here into Texas and effects our air quality.

This image is not my photo. It is from am advertisement.

his morning as I was filling my truck with gasoline, I saw a rather large waisted woman get out of a car wearing what appeared to be men’s underwear. Now as troubling as that is, this isn’t the first time I have seen somebody doing that. At least three times in the last couple of months I have seen women who are apparently wearing men’s underwear as outerwear. Is this a new trend? Are we now also going to see men running around in their underwear? Or worse yet, men wearing women’s underwear as outerwear?

y work, you should pardon the expression*, schedule for the next week is from 10 to 4:30. Shortly my schedule increase to 9 to 4:30 then 8 to 4:30, then the final day 8 to 2, and then, way too soon, it will be over. Santa will soon pack away his suits and resume his secret identity as Tom Williams.

oday was a slow day except the first hour when there were 6 groups of children to were Santa. Plus, most got photos.

*Being Santa is so rewarding that it doesn’t seem right to call it work.

God bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

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Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 70 in our Texas home
28 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 08 Sunday

2019 December 08 Sunday in Liberty Hill, Texas

o sunrise photo today folks. We were rushing around to get to the mall. We had a stop at our church tho drop of supplies for the breakfast bar. We grabbed some food and left.

t is odd not attending worship on Sunday. Five months of the year I preach on Sunday at our campground in Iowa. Six months out of the year I mostly listen to someone else preach … I occasionally fill in. And one month I miss worship service because I’m being Santa on most December Sundays.

his Sunday I was not preaching but I was still ministering. This was “Caring Santa Sunday“. This is my happiest day of the season. I get to bring some joy to the lives of some special needs kids (of all ages). They, in turn, fill me with so much joy.

his year Ella, as she has done many times in the past, assisted at the Caring Santa event. Which is why we were rushing this morning and why we both missed the worship service. Caring Santa starts a couple of hours before the mall stores open. That way there’s less noise and confusion for those who are very sensitive to these things.

ecause I began earlier, I also left work earlier. Santa Charlie took over at one o’clock today rather than the usual Sunday schedule of two o’clock.

mentioned sometime past that Elwin, a friend from Iowa, was visiting family in a neighbouring town. We were not able to make a connection earlier. Today, however, we spent some time with him at his daughter’s home. I told him that it was good to hear someone speaking Iowawegian again. We become immersed in or Texicana society, that when we get back you Iowa, the accent (or lack of one …. maybe?) sounds a little strange for awhile.

fter visiting with Elwin, we went to IHOP for a late lunch or early supper (you’ll never convince me that the evening meal is “dinner”).

his isn’t technically a sunset photo. But it’s not often that you can look at the sun without special equipment. Today all it took was a mystical haze in the southwestern sky.

God bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

My NEW sermons blog Armchair Sermons. Sermons posted Sundays 10 AM central time.

http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 69 in our Texas home
27 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 07 Saturday

2019 December 07 Saturday in Liberty Hill, Texas

ow! The Weatherbug folks head the nail squareinn the head this time. They predicted a high of 65° and the actual high was … wait for it … 65°! Ta da!

his morning there were only 2 eggs left in the carton. There were several items Linn the shopping list that we were out of. So I opened the Wal-Mart grocery app and ordered everything from the list. I set it to be picked up after I was off work.

nd then I told Ella to just stay inn bed where it was warm. And she could fix her the last two eggs for her breakfast this morning. I drove through Sonic on my way to work. Oh, I should mention I was dressed inn my complete Santa outfit. When I pulled up to the window I expected to be greeted as Santa. And I was. What I didn’t expect was that the woman in the car in front of me had paid for my breakfast. That was extra nice.

n the way home, I let Wal-Mart know that I was on the way. The app then tracked me as I was getting closer to the store. When I parked the app asked which spot I was in and the color our my vehicle. However, the color was already filled in because it remembered from the last time I used the app. I find this way of shopping time saving and cost saving also. It saves money because I only purchase the items on the list and don’t make those impulse buys.

nd, no I didn’t get paid for that endorsement. Other stores and businesses are also beginning to drop similar order ahead-pick up-later shopping plans.

God bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

My NEW sermons blog Armchair Sermons. Sermons posted Sundays 10 AM central time.

http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 68 in our Texas home
26 days as Santa at Lakeline Mall

2019 December 06 Friday

2019 December 06 Friday in Liberty Hill, Texas

e slept quite comfortably last night with neither heat not air conditioner running. Is like to keep the electric bill under $100 this month.

nother clear Texas sky to begin our day. The stars were shining brightly when I woke this morning Orion’s constellation was close to disappearing over the horizon.

udolf the Red-nosed pick up was very thirsty this morning. It took over 22 gallons to top off his 25 gallon tank. He needed to bye full and ready to fly because Santa will be making a home visit with Willoh (2.5), Layla (2), Asher (2), Ammon (6 mo.), and Omari (2 mo) in Lago Vista this evening.

have a lot to say about today but considering I left home at 8 this morning and I didn’t get home till 9 this evening, I’m not saying it right now. I’m going to bed.

God bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

My NEW sermons blog Armchair Sermons. Sermons posted Sundays 10 AM central time.

http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
Day 67 in our Texas home

2019 December 05 Thursday

2019 December 05 Thursday in Liberty Hill, Texas

he day began chilly, not cold, just a chilly, windy 50°. The pre-dawn sky was marvelous. However, before the sun could fully rise we were completely overcast with a bright gray cloud.

ur little town of Liberty Hill has a campaign encouraging people to decorate with lights: their businesses and their homes and it’s called Deck the Hill I enjoyed the pun.

ou would think that as Santa that we have lots of decorations up in our home. You would be wrong. We have plenty of Santa Claus themed things, that are part of our normal everyday decor. However, we haven’t done any outside decoration, no wreaths, no lights, no Christmas tree up.

he litter pick up crews were busy this morning on my six mile commute into Liberty Hill. I don’t think they pick up the dead deer carcasses, however, and there are plenty of those littering the side of the road.he litter pick up crews were busy this morning on my six mile commute into Liberty Hill. I don’t think they pick up the dead deer carcasses, however, and there are plenty of those littering the side of the road.

y tentative plans for this evening were to stop at Costco before going home. Our church has a breakfast/coffee bar as well as the kitchen that are in need of some supplies such as plates, napkins, and cups.

t took the better part of an hour to drive the ten miles or so from the mall to Costco. When I saw their parkinglot, I didn’t even bother going in.

omorrow I have a Santa gig at a home in Lago Vista with five or six children from tiny babies up to 10 years old, I believe. I’m going to take some of my books to read and they have informed me that they have a book they want me to read also.

ometimes on my commute to and from work I take 183 which is Highway that actually passes through the neighboring towns and the speeds very from 60 miles an hour to 45 miles an hour, although no one seems to drive those speeds. Sometimes I take 183A which is a toll road with the posted speed of 75 which seems to be the minimum speed that you drive on that road, as I get passed regularly. But many times I take a third option, I take the bypass roads along the side of 183A, which are 60 miles an hour. There are a few stops at the major road intersections, but it’s really quite handy to get most of the way to work.

od bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

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http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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Day 66 in our Texas home

2019 December 04 Wednesday

2019 December 04 Wednesday in Liberty Hill, Texas

his is Grandies day. Which means that I let Ella out at The Over The Hill Gang building so that she could attend the Grandies group. After the meeting she stayed to play canasta. One of our friends drove her home.

n my way into work on 183 someone darted in front of me so close that I’m surprised they didn’t scrape the paint off on my bumper. I slammed on my brakes so hard that it killed my engine and I had to roll off to the side so that I could put it in park and restart it. After mumbling a few choice words questioning the marriage status of their parents. I asked God to forgive me and to watch over that person and all the people that there are around today and keep them all safe.

ork was from 10 to 4:30. We had some big mucky mucks from Simon Malls and Cherry Hill come to our Santa set today. It was a perfect day for therm to come … The mall was empty of shoppers … particularly children. It gave them first hand knowledge as to why the photographers aren’t making the sales goals set for them. Also word got back to me that they were particularly impressed with Santa.

hurried home to get Ella and go into Round Rock for Beket’s music program. It was an impressive performance considering that they head only been practicing for 3 months.

fterward, we went with Arik and Jenny to get hamburgers. I was hungry because it was about 13 hours since I had eaten. Can I count that as feasting?

God bless and g’nite.

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Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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Day 64 in our Texas home

2019 December 03 Tuesday

2019 December 03 Tuesday in Liberty Hill, Texas

I made it home just in time to see the sun hiding behind the trees. Ella had supper on the table and was standing in the drive to meet me. That can only mean one thing, she was tracking the trucks progress with the Hum.

I had a lot of notes that I was going to post. However, I’m going to bed instead.

God bless and g’nite.

Visit my devotions blog new devotions every day (nearly)

My NEW sermons blog Armchair Sermons. Sermons posted Sundays 10 AM central time.

http://armchairsermons.wordpress.com

Tom and Ella Daily Journal of Our Lives

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Day 64 in our Texas home