I thought I would give an update on my progress of purging. Thanks to 12 pack of Diet Cherry Dr Pepper, and a box of tissues, I am about 1/2 way through. I currently have 4 rooms torn apart. It looks like a bomb exploded. All I can say about that is "good thing no one was injured in the blast" I told Art I will have a truck load for the auction by the time I am done.
We did rearrange my office in the mist of all the mess. Art got me a nice color laser printer. So in the process of hooking it up, we ended up rearranging the rest of the room. Art hates and I mean hates to rearrange furniture but he cheerfully moved things around a couple of times before we found the right fit. It wasn't something planned so Art dropped everything he was doing to do it. I really like it now. Thanks bunches Art.
I don't think I will get done this week but I am confident that by this time next week I will be purged. And yes it will be noticeable.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Change Change Change
I love change when it doesn't require me to get rid of anything. You see I have discovered I am a horder at heart. A couple of weeks ago I watched a show about a horder. Now this horder was extreme. But waching it I realized oh my goodness I am a horder. I hate to get rid of stuff.
My darling Art purchased a recliner couch so that meant rearranging furniture. I thought I came up with a good plan but my darling Art had another plan. He wanted to move the exercise equipment upstairs so he could use it. Art's dr told him he needed thirty minutes of exercise at least three times a week. The equipment has been downstairs and I regularly use it but it doesn't matter where it is to me. We got rid of the bedroom furniture in the upstairs bedroom (yes the one I redid) and put the hide a bed and the exercise equipment in there. Thanks goes to Brent for coming and helping Art move the heavy stuff. Anyway, doing that meant cleaning out stuff and either getting rid of it or finding a new home for it. It has snowballed and I am having to get rid of a lot of stuff. Oh dear not good for a hoarder. My darling Art told me to just get over it.........not so easy but.... that was his way of letting me know it's ok. I really need the urge to purge so I can happily get rid of this stuff or at least get over it. Art is off this week so I hope I can get everything cleaned out this week................I may need therapy before the week is over. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!! This a good thing..............right?...........right??
My darling Art purchased a recliner couch so that meant rearranging furniture. I thought I came up with a good plan but my darling Art had another plan. He wanted to move the exercise equipment upstairs so he could use it. Art's dr told him he needed thirty minutes of exercise at least three times a week. The equipment has been downstairs and I regularly use it but it doesn't matter where it is to me. We got rid of the bedroom furniture in the upstairs bedroom (yes the one I redid) and put the hide a bed and the exercise equipment in there. Thanks goes to Brent for coming and helping Art move the heavy stuff. Anyway, doing that meant cleaning out stuff and either getting rid of it or finding a new home for it. It has snowballed and I am having to get rid of a lot of stuff. Oh dear not good for a hoarder. My darling Art told me to just get over it.........not so easy but.... that was his way of letting me know it's ok. I really need the urge to purge so I can happily get rid of this stuff or at least get over it. Art is off this week so I hope I can get everything cleaned out this week................I may need therapy before the week is over. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!! This a good thing..............right?...........right??
Friday, December 25, 2009
12th Day - CHRISTMAS DAY
...and this is why we celebrate Christmas. We hear stories about Christmas miracles all the time but to me........this is the miracle. Merry Christmas to all.
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 11
This is a true story per Wikipedia.
**True Story of Rudolph**
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.
Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook! Bob had created a character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.
Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.
Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas.."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
**True Story of Rudolph**
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.
Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook! Bob had created a character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.
Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.
Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas.."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 10
THE BRICK
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.
The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister..please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."
With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message:
"Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen and he has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.
Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!
How do you show your love for him?
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.
The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister..please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."
With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message:
"Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen and he has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.
Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!
How do you show your love for him?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 9
I am not sure who the author of this is but it is a great story.
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending..
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher, she assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,
"Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, as she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending..
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher, she assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,
"Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, as she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
Monday, December 21, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 8
Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson
"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"
by Robert Louis Stevenson
"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"
Sunday, December 20, 2009
12 Day od Christmas Day 7
Christmas Gifts - Jesus Would Have Approved
Christmas Gift Suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Christmas Gift Suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
12 Days of Christmas Day 6
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
A famous letter from Virgina O'Hanlon to the editorial of The New York Sun, first printed in 1897.
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor---
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
A famous letter from Virgina O'Hanlon to the editorial of The New York Sun, first printed in 1897.
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor---
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Friday, December 18, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 5
What did the reindeer say before launching into his comedy routine?
This will sleigh you.
What do lions sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells!
When is a boat like a pile of snow?
When it's adrift.
What do you call the fear of getting stuck in a chimney?
Santaclaustrophobia
How do snowmen get around?
On their icicles.
This will sleigh you.
What do lions sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells!
When is a boat like a pile of snow?
When it's adrift.
What do you call the fear of getting stuck in a chimney?
Santaclaustrophobia
How do snowmen get around?
On their icicles.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 4
Heavenly Peace
A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." "No," his sister corrected, "not beans, peas."
A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." "No," his sister corrected, "not beans, peas."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 2
“Upon the Midnight Clear,”
He hath said, which heard the words of God … : there shall come a Star out of Jacob (Num. 24:16–17).
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels, bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold …
I knew the song well. At twelve years old, I knew all the familiar Christmas carols. But I wasn’t impressed. I preferred our own Navaho chants, although of course they meant entirely different things.
While I was willing to put up with all the nonsense about Christmas—the carols, the gifts, the parties, even the Christmas tree I was now looking for—I couldn’t see any angels. I couldn’t hear any “glorious song,” nor any “harps of gold.” What I was hearing was the monotonous clip-clop of my horses’ hooves on the mountain trail. And what I was seeing were ominous clouds looming in the east, the direction in which I was headed.
It was my mom’s doing, of course. “Billy, your sisters want a Christmas tree,” she’d said. “We can’t afford to buy one in town this year, so I want you to go up in the hills on our land and find a nice pine and bring it home.” When I’d let a disgusted look spread over my face, she’d pleaded, “Please, Red Eagle.”
White Feather, my mom, didn’t call me by my Indian name often, so I knew that she was serious.
Now here I was, riding my pony, Jubilee, and leading Old Buck, our packhorse, who would carry the tree home. But my heart wasn’t in it. Why did my silly sisters have to have a Christmas tree?
We were out of school for the holidays, and that part of Christmas I liked. On the other hand, it would take a full day out of my vacation to ride to where I could cut a tree, then return home with it. I could have gotten in a lot of basketball practice in that time. So it wasn’t any glorious song I was hearing.
I’d started out early this morning, and by noon I’d reached the edge of the timber where I hoped to find a just-right tree for the family celebration. Only I didn’t intend to participate. I couldn’t see anything to get excited about. I did, however, remember the third verse* of the carol that kept running through my mind.
O ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
I could relate to that “crushing load” bit, all right. Lately that’s all my life seemed to hold—study, work, work, study. And the “climbing way with painful steps” figured in, too—I could feel Jubilee’s muscles strain as we scrambled higher up the timbered mountainside.
But I couldn’t sense any “glad” or “golden hours,” not out here in the middle of nowhere. And I couldn’t very well “rest beside the weary road” until I’d at least cut a tree, loaded it on Buck, and begun the lonesome journey home. I sure didn’t hear angels singing yet, either.
I did want to get a proper tree, so I tethered the horses and sat down to eat the lunch Mom had packed for me. That way, I could look around and spot the best-shaped Christmas tree—not too large, not too small, just one that looked like it was meant for our family.
I guess I was tireder than I thought, for I dozed off. Maybe it was “angel voices” that brought me sharply awake. Or maybe it was only Jubilee and Buck, shuffling to turn their backs to the cold wind that suddenly whistled through the pines. It was getting dark, even though it was only midday. I shuddered. Then the carol’s second verse popped into my head.
Still thru the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heav’nly music floats
O’er all the weary world. …
Angles again! If they were there, they certainly weren’t making their presence known now. Not, that is, unless they’d turned into the massive, wet snowflakes that were floating over my own “weary world.” I’d have to cut my tree and head toward home fast.
I’d already picked out one I liked, but since the air was churning with soft, white, wet feathers, I had to stop and figure exactly where I’d seen it. I led the horses to the spot, sawed the tree off at its base, and tied it onto Buck’s packsaddle. By then, there was no way to find the trail we’d followed up the mountainside. There was only that vast white wall of nothingness closing in on us. It was cold, too—a chill that penetrated right through my sheepskin jacket.
I remembered seeing a fallen evergreen not far from the Christmas tree I’d chosen. Its horizontal trunk would offer more protection than the upright pines around me, so I led the horses to it and again tethered them where they could stand with their backs to the wind. Then I hunkered down beside the lifeless log to wait out the storm.
How long it took, I’m not sure. But even though it was cold and the wet gathered in great blotches on the horses’ backs, on my sheltering tree trunk, and even on me, I knew that we would survive. By the time it stopped snowing, my watch showed 4:15, and it was now getting naturally dark.
“We’d better start home,” I told the horses, and I began to lead them to where I thought I’d find the trail down the mountainside. I’d ride later. I didn’t want to chance Jubilee slipping and falling on me.
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hov’ring wing,
And ever o’er its babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
As we started down the beautiful snow-covered mountainside, I was filled with peace. I could almost imagine the angels watching over us, could almost hear them singing. At home, Mom would be worried, but I’d been trained to take care of myself, so I knew that she wouldn’t panic when I failed to show up on time.
It wasn’t long till a sliver of dim light began to peep over the rim of the tree-lined mountain behind me, and I realized that the moon, almost full, was coming up. It would light my way home, glistening on the snow as we plodded along. And now, instead of the humdrum clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the trial, the rhythm of their subdued tracking through the snow did, indeed, somehow remind me of angels singing.
“Peace on earth, good will to men
From heav’n’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
My sisters would have their Christmas tree. Maybe Christmas had a place in the world, after all. If the world could lie “in solemn stillness … to hear the angels sing,” then I would help them with their song. Jubilee and Buck never even flicked an ear when I started singing: “It came upon the midnight clear, …”
by Robert L. McGrath
He hath said, which heard the words of God … : there shall come a Star out of Jacob (Num. 24:16–17).
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels, bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold …
I knew the song well. At twelve years old, I knew all the familiar Christmas carols. But I wasn’t impressed. I preferred our own Navaho chants, although of course they meant entirely different things.
While I was willing to put up with all the nonsense about Christmas—the carols, the gifts, the parties, even the Christmas tree I was now looking for—I couldn’t see any angels. I couldn’t hear any “glorious song,” nor any “harps of gold.” What I was hearing was the monotonous clip-clop of my horses’ hooves on the mountain trail. And what I was seeing were ominous clouds looming in the east, the direction in which I was headed.
It was my mom’s doing, of course. “Billy, your sisters want a Christmas tree,” she’d said. “We can’t afford to buy one in town this year, so I want you to go up in the hills on our land and find a nice pine and bring it home.” When I’d let a disgusted look spread over my face, she’d pleaded, “Please, Red Eagle.”
White Feather, my mom, didn’t call me by my Indian name often, so I knew that she was serious.
Now here I was, riding my pony, Jubilee, and leading Old Buck, our packhorse, who would carry the tree home. But my heart wasn’t in it. Why did my silly sisters have to have a Christmas tree?
We were out of school for the holidays, and that part of Christmas I liked. On the other hand, it would take a full day out of my vacation to ride to where I could cut a tree, then return home with it. I could have gotten in a lot of basketball practice in that time. So it wasn’t any glorious song I was hearing.
I’d started out early this morning, and by noon I’d reached the edge of the timber where I hoped to find a just-right tree for the family celebration. Only I didn’t intend to participate. I couldn’t see anything to get excited about. I did, however, remember the third verse* of the carol that kept running through my mind.
O ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
I could relate to that “crushing load” bit, all right. Lately that’s all my life seemed to hold—study, work, work, study. And the “climbing way with painful steps” figured in, too—I could feel Jubilee’s muscles strain as we scrambled higher up the timbered mountainside.
But I couldn’t sense any “glad” or “golden hours,” not out here in the middle of nowhere. And I couldn’t very well “rest beside the weary road” until I’d at least cut a tree, loaded it on Buck, and begun the lonesome journey home. I sure didn’t hear angels singing yet, either.
I did want to get a proper tree, so I tethered the horses and sat down to eat the lunch Mom had packed for me. That way, I could look around and spot the best-shaped Christmas tree—not too large, not too small, just one that looked like it was meant for our family.
I guess I was tireder than I thought, for I dozed off. Maybe it was “angel voices” that brought me sharply awake. Or maybe it was only Jubilee and Buck, shuffling to turn their backs to the cold wind that suddenly whistled through the pines. It was getting dark, even though it was only midday. I shuddered. Then the carol’s second verse popped into my head.
Still thru the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heav’nly music floats
O’er all the weary world. …
Angles again! If they were there, they certainly weren’t making their presence known now. Not, that is, unless they’d turned into the massive, wet snowflakes that were floating over my own “weary world.” I’d have to cut my tree and head toward home fast.
I’d already picked out one I liked, but since the air was churning with soft, white, wet feathers, I had to stop and figure exactly where I’d seen it. I led the horses to the spot, sawed the tree off at its base, and tied it onto Buck’s packsaddle. By then, there was no way to find the trail we’d followed up the mountainside. There was only that vast white wall of nothingness closing in on us. It was cold, too—a chill that penetrated right through my sheepskin jacket.
I remembered seeing a fallen evergreen not far from the Christmas tree I’d chosen. Its horizontal trunk would offer more protection than the upright pines around me, so I led the horses to it and again tethered them where they could stand with their backs to the wind. Then I hunkered down beside the lifeless log to wait out the storm.
How long it took, I’m not sure. But even though it was cold and the wet gathered in great blotches on the horses’ backs, on my sheltering tree trunk, and even on me, I knew that we would survive. By the time it stopped snowing, my watch showed 4:15, and it was now getting naturally dark.
“We’d better start home,” I told the horses, and I began to lead them to where I thought I’d find the trail down the mountainside. I’d ride later. I didn’t want to chance Jubilee slipping and falling on me.
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hov’ring wing,
And ever o’er its babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
As we started down the beautiful snow-covered mountainside, I was filled with peace. I could almost imagine the angels watching over us, could almost hear them singing. At home, Mom would be worried, but I’d been trained to take care of myself, so I knew that she wouldn’t panic when I failed to show up on time.
It wasn’t long till a sliver of dim light began to peep over the rim of the tree-lined mountain behind me, and I realized that the moon, almost full, was coming up. It would light my way home, glistening on the snow as we plodded along. And now, instead of the humdrum clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the trial, the rhythm of their subdued tracking through the snow did, indeed, somehow remind me of angels singing.
“Peace on earth, good will to men
From heav’n’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
My sisters would have their Christmas tree. Maybe Christmas had a place in the world, after all. If the world could lie “in solemn stillness … to hear the angels sing,” then I would help them with their song. Jubilee and Buck never even flicked an ear when I started singing: “It came upon the midnight clear, …”
by Robert L. McGrath
Sunday, December 13, 2009
12 Days of Christmas - Day 1
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus, My Lord, that's for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!
Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church; firmness to represent the promise of God. The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Author Unknown
Monday, November 23, 2009
Home Again Home Again Gigity Gig
What a whirl wind! We got in the last of the sun before we had depart. I got up early and joined Shawna on the beach. The guys came later and joined us. We were heading to breakfast and I had my bifocals on and misjudged the step from the beach to the sidewalk and jammed my little toe and split it wide open. It was pretty deep. Anyway it made for a long day walking and was pretty darn sore. No last minute swimming for me after that. DANG IT! The flights were flawless and we flew back to the States first class. I could really get use to that. Poor Don ended up with Montezuma's revenge. He was sick all night. I guess if it had to happen, it at least waited until he got home as not to ruin any of his trip. I guess yesterday was not a good day for either one of us. But we made it safely home and overall had one heck of a good time.
Did someone say Cancun?
Did someone say Cancun?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Last Full Day In Paradise
Oh dear today is our last full day here in paradise. We played in the pool and the ocean and had a lot of beach time. It was a little overcast so it wasn’t as warm but still nice. The week has flown by and it has been so relaxing. We all agreed we will be back. Tonight there was a wedding on the beach and they had fireworks. Not the wusie kind, they were the full blown 4th of July kind. We laughed and said that was nice of them to celebrate our last night here. Tomorrow back to the real world. My mom loaned me a book to read. I got half way through…..hey give me credit it is over 800 pages and I have been busy playing in the water.(it is a good book!!)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Just Played Today
We played in the pool this morning. Dan and I stayed in long enough to play BINGO only it was RIFTA. The last game was you couldn’t have a number on your card. I made it down to the last three and then dang it….I lost. Oh well. We played in the ocean this afternoon. We ate dinner in the French restaurant. It was THE best meal since we have been here. It was sooooo good. We made arrangements to go there again tomorrow night. Don went to the grocery store tonight to get me some Dr Pepper. What a sweet guy. We decided we should do at least one show and tonight was it. I don’t want to say it was bad but…… several folks left midshow and Shawna slept through a lot of it. But in her defense, she was not feeling well and probably should have been in bed. She really didn’t miss anything. We left after an hour. I am not sure how long it lasted but we took all we could. Tomorrow is our last day. Oh dang! I so need a pool.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Just Another Day In Paradise
Toady was fairly laid back. I went for a massage this morning………yes it was heavenly. Then I did water aerobics. Shawna got up really early and got us a great place to lounge on the beach. The afternoon was spent lounging on the beach with my book. The photographer brought Dan and Shawna’s pictures this afternoon. He did a great job and took a lot of pictures. We were invited to a special event on the beach tonight. There were four couples there and we had our picture taken. It was for those celebrating their anniversary. Don and I really shouldn’t have been invited but we were and it was nice. They took a group picture and we will get it tomorrow. My Don got some more Dr Pepper for me so I should be set. Shawna is feeling a little under the weather so she planned to stay out of the ocean but as it turned out we all did. We did have some pool time though. We had dinner at the sister property tonight. It was really good Italian. More lounging tomorrow.
Vow Day
Today went by in a blink. Shawna and went to the spa. That in itself is a post. The "spa" really isn't. Anyway we both got pedicures and Shawna got a manicure. My pedicure didn't last the day and neither did Shawna's manicure. Oh well. We played in the pool and sat on the beach until midday. Then we got ready for the big event. Don went to Dan's room to get ready and Shawna came to ours. We had a ball getting ready. We did each other’s hair and helped get dress. We were like two little girls playing dress up. Shawna looked absolutely gorgeous. We met the handsome gentlemen in the lobby. We changed were we originally planned to have the ceremony and it worked out perfect. The ceremony was held in a cute gazebo and then pictures were on the beach. The ceremony itself was very touching. Even gave me a few tears. It was a good reminder and good advice. Bobby the photographer was a hoot and a half. He was really good and he got some fabulous pictures. He will deliver the tomorrow. On the beach there were two guys playing music so the photographer paid them to play for us to have a dance on the beach.....way sweet. Afterward we had dinner. A man at the table next to us told Shawna Dan bought her a nice ring and handed her this big red rubber ring that lit up. It was hilarious!! Then he gave me a green one to match my dress. It was so goofy and fun.
My Don looked handsome and dashing in his tux. He went back to the room to get the camera and a lady told him she was single. I will have to drowned her later.......don't need the competition.
What a fabulous day!
My Don looked handsome and dashing in his tux. He went back to the room to get the camera and a lady told him she was single. I will have to drowned her later.......don't need the competition.
What a fabulous day!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sun and More Sun
Today was full of sun. Shawna and I spent a lot of time in the sun. This morning we wanted to play in the ocean but for some reason it was really rocky. So we decided to hang out under a cabanna on a lounge chair. Shawna and ventured out a couple time in the morning but the rocks were a bit much. We went to the pool for a while and at one point Don joined us for a little while. Then we dried off and had some lunch. After lunch we went back to the cabanna, me with a good book, but the ocean beconed us once again so Shawna and I went back out and most of the rocks were gone and it was once again smooth. We played and laughed a lot. We had so much fun. At one point, Don and Dan came out and told us we had been on the ocean for three hours. We were so stunned. We thought we had been out for maybe an hour. Certainly not three. We stayed out and played with guys body surfing and when the guys were tired, we went in. We had time to shower and get ready for dinner. Shawna and I are both pretty red but fortunately not in pain.......yet. We played really hard today in the water and we are all tired so early to bed tonight.
Tomorrow is the big ceremony. Woohooo.
Tomorrow is the big ceremony. Woohooo.
Hair
My hair has a mind of it's own......it is a sick and twisted one. Note to self: Thick hair and humidity don't to go together.
Monday, November 16, 2009
What a Great Day
What a great day. I am such a lucky girl. We all met for breakfast and hung out hoping our Taxi Tour guide would show up. Don had made arrangements with a guy to take us around the city and show us the sites in his taxi. Don was a little worried as he hadn’t received a response to his emails. No surprise, the guy was a no show. But it all worked out for the better. Don talked to the Bellman and the Bellman got us all set up with a Taxi and tour. Our Taxi driver’s name was Martin and he spoke excellent English. He took us all around and we all had such a great time. He showed us Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s homes. We saw where the movies Night of the Iguana and Predator were filmed. It was amazing at how steep some of the streets were. I thought Seattle had steep streets but my goodness they have steep ones here. The tour was such a fun thing to do. Don did a great job getting it all pulled together. He deserves a big gold star. We stopped to check out a beautiful view and I saw a great bag that I wanted that was for sale by a street vendor. I knew the price I wanted and I bartered the price down to the price I wanted. Ah, I love a good deal and a cute bag.
Then back to the hotel for a late lunch and then to the beach. We boogie boarded and body surfed in the ocean. It was a blast. It’s amazing how tired you get doing that. Yes I am a woos. The weather was absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better. We spend most of the afternoon doing that, and then we cleaned up and walked to Wal-Mart. Dan needed to get some pants and while we were there, we picked up a few items. Back for dinner. We had fish. Yes I said we had fish. No I am not a fan of fish. Thanks to Don, Shawna and I ended up getting a couple steaks. They were yummy and I am a fan of steak. Then we walked around the property. The hotel has a sister hotel next door so we checked it out. We may change the venue for the vow renewal. After we got back Shawna and I popped in the gift shop to look at swim suits. Shawna was looking at maybe picking up a new suit. While in there Shawna looked in the pop cooler and spied some Dr Pepper. I was stunned. Yes I bought some. Did you really think I wouldn’t? Anyway Shawna deserves a gold star for spying it.
We had a lot of fun today and some great laughs. Did I mention I am a lucky girl…….I really am.
Tomorrow……….more fun in the sun.
Then back to the hotel for a late lunch and then to the beach. We boogie boarded and body surfed in the ocean. It was a blast. It’s amazing how tired you get doing that. Yes I am a woos. The weather was absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better. We spend most of the afternoon doing that, and then we cleaned up and walked to Wal-Mart. Dan needed to get some pants and while we were there, we picked up a few items. Back for dinner. We had fish. Yes I said we had fish. No I am not a fan of fish. Thanks to Don, Shawna and I ended up getting a couple steaks. They were yummy and I am a fan of steak. Then we walked around the property. The hotel has a sister hotel next door so we checked it out. We may change the venue for the vow renewal. After we got back Shawna and I popped in the gift shop to look at swim suits. Shawna was looking at maybe picking up a new suit. While in there Shawna looked in the pop cooler and spied some Dr Pepper. I was stunned. Yes I bought some. Did you really think I wouldn’t? Anyway Shawna deserves a gold star for spying it.
We had a lot of fun today and some great laughs. Did I mention I am a lucky girl…….I really am.
Tomorrow……….more fun in the sun.
First Class to Puerto Vallarta
Today was a great day. We got up early (4:00 am) and the Wilke’s picked us up and to the airport we went. We went to the counter to give them our suit cases and the airline employee told us we needed to pay for our luggage. I knew Don did this online so I stepped aside and let Don talk to him. I was not paying any attention at all to their conversation. Don thinking I had heard their conversation confessed he upgraded us to first class. Don wanted to surprise me. I was shocked to say the least. Brent travels all the time first class and I tease him. I get it now. I must say it was absolutely marvelous and what a great surprise. We arrived in Puerto Vallarta 30 minutes early and there was no one in the customs line. We did however get the red button so they searched our bags. It really was no big though. We got to the hotel and had some lunch and then got settled in and went down to the beach. We spent the rest of the day sitting on the beach visiting and relaxing. We did find a nice place for Dan and Shawna to renew their vows. Don and Dan said I would never eat sushi……….so yes indeed I ate sushi. For those who don’t know what that is, it is raw fish. It was just ok.
Some ladies who work for Hotels.com interviewed us. We may be on their commercial. Hmmmmmm. The hotel is nice and the ocean is spectacular. We had a nice dinner and are now ready for bed. It is 11:30 pm.
The whole day was wonderful. You never know what trouble you might run into when you travel but today we traveled without any problems to speak of. I got to go first class and we love where we are staying. Overall this was a marvelous day.
Some ladies who work for Hotels.com interviewed us. We may be on their commercial. Hmmmmmm. The hotel is nice and the ocean is spectacular. We had a nice dinner and are now ready for bed. It is 11:30 pm.
The whole day was wonderful. You never know what trouble you might run into when you travel but today we traveled without any problems to speak of. I got to go first class and we love where we are staying. Overall this was a marvelous day.
Monday, October 26, 2009
HEADLINES
I am a huge fan of headlines. I hope you enjoy these. Yes they are real.
They may be on to something!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!
------------ ---- ------------ --------- --------- ---
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?
************ ********* ********* ********* *
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ***
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!
************ ********* ********* ********* ****
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter
This one was caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and when the Editorial Room was called and asked who wrote this, it took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!! ! They put in a correction the next day.
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No, really? Ya think?
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for- nothing' lazy so-and-so's!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Ya think?!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
They may be on to something!
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!
------------ ---- ------------ --------- --------- ---
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?
************ ********* ********* ********* *
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ***
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!
************ ********* ********* ********* ****
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Shot Please or Not
When I was a little girl, I hated the mere thought of a shot. This lasted until about 10 years ago. I still don't enjoy the thought but..........I can at least tolerate the thought without the threat of a heart attack. Now..... I have spent the past week and a half trying to get a shot. A flu shot that is. Everywhere I have gone has been out. I keep checking. Who would have thought that I would be chasing a shot down. Oh my how times do change. I have had a flu shot for the past 15 years..............maybe I don't need one this year.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Little Geoff Got Married
This is a "Oh My Gosh!!" for me. Our nephew Geoff recently got married. I was there and I still can't believe it. I say little Geoff but he is no longer little. He honorably served an LDS mission and while on his mission he became acquainted with a sister missionary serving in the same area. I won't go into their story but once they were both home, they pursued their relationship. Alexis is a lovely girl and we are so excited that she is now apart of the family.
They were married on Sept 4, 2009 in the Portland Oregon Temple. Art and I drove to Oregon with my folks to the wedding. My folks came the night before and we got up early Friday morning to drive to Oregon. We had a pleasant drive and enjoyed visiting all the way. We arrived on Friday the 4th in the afternoon, We had a nice BBQ Rib lunch in the Taylor's backyard. Chanel made sure every detail was attended to. The Taylor's have a great backyard and it was so pleasant. Not all of Alexis' s family could make it but her folks, sister, grandma, 2 aunts and an uncle were there. The weather couldn't have been better. After the luncheon, we cleaned up and got ready for the wedding. The bride and groom looked fabulous. I had a hard time not tearing up. I just couldn't believe our little Geoff was getting married. Oh my gosh!! The wedding went off with a hitch (they got hitched...get it?) Alexis was a beautiful bride. Her dress reminded me of a 1940s dress and let me tell you it was a princess dress. She made her cool veil and everyone thought she was just stunning. Everything was just great.
The reception was the next day and oh dear the weather was not so nice. The reception was planned to be in the Taylor's great backyard. It was raining so hard, they received record rain. Art and I stayed in a hotel with my folks and we had a great time. When we got to the Taylor's that morning they were soaked to the bone. They had been out setting up tents for shelter. We watched all morning as the skies dumped buckets of rain. Let me tell you many prayers were said for the rains to be stayed. Mark and Art left to get last minute items like the cake and they picked up some portable heaters. By about 2:00 the rain stopped. We hurried out to get things rolling as the reception started at 6:00. Debbie used the shop vac to suck up the puddles, Dad and Art put the portable heaters together and the heaters were soon working to dry up the patio (they worked great). There was a small snafu will the table cloths so Chanel jetted off to get that fixed. Geoff and Alexis went and picked long grass for the center pieces, and were back in a jiff to get the pieces put together. Mom and I put the paper Chinese lantern doohickeys together and Mark started and Art finished getting them hung. And shazamm before long we had it put together and I must say it looked fabulous. There were more things done to get it all accomplished but you get the idea. The night was perfect. No more rain and the bride and groom were able to receive their guests in style. Friends of the Taylor family helped serve refreshments. Art got a big roll of some just married banner from the auction and we gave it to the car decorators and they did a great job decorating the car. I wrote a little poem for the couple but for some reason they didn't think it was right...........hmmm I guess it is a newlywed thing. Anyway we all had such a good time and before we knew it was all over. Here are some pictures.
Alexis before the wedding
Geoff before the wedding
Mark, Alexis, Geoff, and Debbie
Alexis and Geoff
Alexis before the wedding
Geoff before the wedding
Mark, Alexis, Geoff, and Debbie
Alexis and GeoffFriday, September 11, 2009
Off to the Concert and Fair
A while back Art and I watched a Huey Lewis concert on PBS. We enjoyed it so much we decided it would be fun to actually go to one. I would occasionally check out his website and find out where he was performing. I had hopes he would be close enough for us to go someday. Well someday came. I looked to see where he was performing and low and behold it was in Blackfoot at the Eastern Idaho fair. Yeehaw!! We got tickets and went. Art and I got back from the Taylor wedding and headed to eastern Idaho for the fair. It had been 31 years since I last went to that fair. We stayed with my folks in Idaho Falls (had a great time as usually and ate way to much of the delicious food). We went to the fair in the afternoon and had a great time and then our friends Mary and Steve joined us for the concert. It was fun. Unfortunately, we didn't get to sit with Mary and Steve as the seats were assigned. They had great seats and we had to scoot together seats. But the concert was very good. I wouldn't mind going to another one. When he sang "I want A New Drug" I turned to Art and said that is Dan and my song. We sang it karaoke in Cancun.
While wondering around at the fair, I witnessed a first. The Bingham county massage school gave free massages, which of coarse I had to do. And I must say I enjoyed it. But....... let me tell you my first. Art and I have been together for 23 1/2 . In that time, anytime a massage was ever mentioned Art would adamantly refuse. He said he hated being rubbed. When we went in, the masseuses asked it we both wanted a massage and Art said no thanks and I said just me. Well........ here it is..................when I finished I got up and looked at the chair next to me and who was in it getting a massage? Yes it was Art. I did a double take. He said it wasn't too bad. The only words I could utter in my shocked state was "Who are you and what did you do with my husband?"
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Present in the Hot Tub
Month of June
This is suppose to be what a person born in June is like. You decide if it fits me.
* Thinks far with vision
* Easily influenced by kindness
* Polite and soft-spoken
* Having lots of ideas
* Sensitive
* Active mind
* Hesitating
* Tends to delay
* Choosy and always wants the best
* Temperamental
* Funny and humorous
* Loves to joke
* Good debating skills
* Talkative
* Daydreamer
* Friendly
* Knows how to make friends
* Abiding
* Able to show character
* Easily hurt
* Prone to getting colds
* Loves to dress up
* Easily bored
* Fussy
* Seldom show emotions
* Takes time to recover when hurt
* Brand conscious
* Executive* Stubborn
* Those who loves me are enemies
* Those who hates me are friends
* Thinks far with vision
* Easily influenced by kindness
* Polite and soft-spoken
* Having lots of ideas
* Sensitive
* Active mind
* Hesitating
* Tends to delay
* Choosy and always wants the best
* Temperamental
* Funny and humorous
* Loves to joke
* Good debating skills
* Talkative
* Daydreamer
* Friendly
* Knows how to make friends
* Abiding
* Able to show character
* Easily hurt
* Prone to getting colds
* Loves to dress up
* Easily bored
* Fussy
* Seldom show emotions
* Takes time to recover when hurt
* Brand conscious
* Executive* Stubborn
* Those who loves me are enemies
* Those who hates me are friends
Monday, August 17, 2009
Angels Explained By Children
My sister in law sent this to me and I thought it was so cute, I had to post it.
Angels Explained By Children
I only know the names of two angels, Hark and Harold..
-Gregory, 5
Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it
-Olive, 9
It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes.
-Matthew, 9
Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else.
-Mitchell, 7
My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science.
-Henry, 8
Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!!
-Jack, 6
Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead.
-Daniel, 9
When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado.
-Reagan, 10
Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter.
-Sara, 6
Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.
-Jared, 8
All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it.
-Antonio, 9
My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth.
- , 9
Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it.
-Vicki, 8
What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.
-Sarah, 7
Angels Explained By Children
I only know the names of two angels, Hark and Harold..
-Gregory, 5
Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it
-Olive, 9
It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes.
-Matthew, 9
Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else.
-Mitchell, 7
My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science.
-Henry, 8
Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!!
-Jack, 6
Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead.
-Daniel, 9
When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado.
-Reagan, 10
Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter.
-Sara, 6
Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.
-Jared, 8
All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it.
-Antonio, 9
My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth.
- , 9
Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it.
-Vicki, 8
What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.
-Sarah, 7
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Family Photos
It has been a busy but fun couple of weeks. Our out of town kids came for a visit. We went to the cabin and played in the lake and the grown up kids did the boating thing (including wake board and water skiing). We went to Ivy Wild Park swimming and had a great time. I had never been there before but our local kids had and they told us it was the best place to go and they were right. It was fun for Art and I to have the family all together. I think the cousins had a great time getting acquainted and playing. The time just went too quickly. We had family portraits taken. Candace Hawkley of Hawkley Photography took our pictures. She did an excellent job as you can see. If you are in need of a photographer, I would highly recommend her. http://www.hawkleyphotography.blogspot.com/.
Here are some of the photos.
Like the shirts????? Me too. I will have to blog the shirt story. I will just say that Art has the patience of Job.
Here are some of the photos.
Like the shirts????? Me too. I will have to blog the shirt story. I will just say that Art has the patience of Job.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Blah Blah Blah
So today Mrs Dr called me and asked me if she had told me a story about sunflowers. Not recalling it, I told her no. She then told me to check out her blog. My grandson Dude was listening and told me he would tell me how to get her blog. Not realizing I knew how to get her blog he carefully walked me through each step.
He then proceeded to read me his mother's blog. He soon realized the blog was about him so instead of finishing reading it word for word to me he said "Poor Dude has small feet. He is constantly teased because of it. Blah Blah Blah. Mom this isn't a good story" She then told him it was a great story and to keep reading. The blah blah blah part had me laughing. Then as he read the rest of the great story, I got a little choked up. Dude was definitely insightful and hearing him read the story about him was one of the tender mercies David Bednar talks about. When he finished reading he finished with "blah blah blah I guess it is an ok story." and I was once again laughing.
If you haven't yet read it.......it is worth reading. Just know it is without the blah blah blah. Sorry!
He then proceeded to read me his mother's blog. He soon realized the blog was about him so instead of finishing reading it word for word to me he said "Poor Dude has small feet. He is constantly teased because of it. Blah Blah Blah. Mom this isn't a good story" She then told him it was a great story and to keep reading. The blah blah blah part had me laughing. Then as he read the rest of the great story, I got a little choked up. Dude was definitely insightful and hearing him read the story about him was one of the tender mercies David Bednar talks about. When he finished reading he finished with "blah blah blah I guess it is an ok story." and I was once again laughing.
If you haven't yet read it.......it is worth reading. Just know it is without the blah blah blah. Sorry!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Coat Tree?
I was recently reminded of an event that took place a couple of years ago. My sister Trixie, her husband the Coonster, Art and I go to the coast once a year. It is an event that Art and I look forward to and it is always a fun adventure. Well a few years ago we were at Chinook Winds and Trixie and the Coonster took a bathroom break and Art and I stood outside the facilities and waited. While we were standing there, Trixie came out and said to us "there is a code three in the bathroom come and check it out". She and I then went in to the bathroom to find a woman in her mid nineties with her seventy five year old daughter. The eldest woman was experiencing some problems which required some medical attention. Immediately after we got in the bathroom, security arrived with the paramedics requiring Trixie and I to retreat to the other end of the bathroom and wait to make our escape. There was quite a commotion. After about ten minutes we were able to walk out.
The Coonster was very upset and concerned that something had happened to Trixie and that was why the paramedics had arrived. He had reason to be concerned as not long before our trip, Trixie had suffered a stroke (she has recovered and is doing well). He tried to get in to check on Trixie but security wouldn't let him. You can imagine his worry. I couldn't understand why Art didn't tell him what was going on. He stood right next to me when Trixie said there was a code three and he knew she was O.K. and yet he seemed concerned as well. Here is our conversation.
Me: Why on earth did you let the Coonster get so worried? Why didn't you tell him what was going on?
Art: I didn't know what was going on. They wouldn't let us in to see if Trixie was O.K.
Me:You knew it wasn't Trixie
Art (looking very surprised)I wasn't in there, how did I know it wasn't Trixie?
Me:because you were right there when she came out and said there is a code three in the bathroom come and check it out.
Art: Code Three?!?! I thought she said there was a coat tree in the bathroom come check it out, and I thought that must be one hell of a coat tree.
Oh dear.....
We all had a good laugh. In fact, just thinking of it makes me chuckle.
The Coonster was very upset and concerned that something had happened to Trixie and that was why the paramedics had arrived. He had reason to be concerned as not long before our trip, Trixie had suffered a stroke (she has recovered and is doing well). He tried to get in to check on Trixie but security wouldn't let him. You can imagine his worry. I couldn't understand why Art didn't tell him what was going on. He stood right next to me when Trixie said there was a code three and he knew she was O.K. and yet he seemed concerned as well. Here is our conversation.
Me: Why on earth did you let the Coonster get so worried? Why didn't you tell him what was going on?
Art: I didn't know what was going on. They wouldn't let us in to see if Trixie was O.K.
Me:You knew it wasn't Trixie
Art (looking very surprised)I wasn't in there, how did I know it wasn't Trixie?
Me:because you were right there when she came out and said there is a code three in the bathroom come and check it out.
Art: Code Three?!?! I thought she said there was a coat tree in the bathroom come check it out, and I thought that must be one hell of a coat tree.
Oh dear.....
We all had a good laugh. In fact, just thinking of it makes me chuckle.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Last Day in Georgia
The last day in Georgia came. We got up and had a great continental breakfast at the hotel. Then we went to Tybee Island. We looked at the lighthouse but we decided we didn't want to tour it. It is actually a working lighthouse. It has a 178 steps to the top. I am a wuss so no way could I do that. Then we went to the beach. Don didn't take a swimming suit so after 30 minutes of watching him melt(he was fully clothed)we left. It is a nice beach though and we did find Miley's film crew but not her.
We had lunch in the dining car at the railroad museum. We did a trolley tour of the town and then we did the ghost tour. Savannah is considered the most haunted town in the US. Given it's rich colorful history I am not surprised. The trolley picked us up at the hotel and we drove trough the historic district and heard interesting stories of how people were killed, murdered, or just died and why it is believed that they haunt the area. Then we went to the pirates house for dinner and then toured the cellar. After that it was dark out and we climbed aboard the trolley again and visited some more areas. It was fun. Then to bed at 11:30 for a power nap. The alarm to go home is set to go off at 4:00 (that is 2:00 Boise time).
We had lunch in the dining car at the railroad museum. We did a trolley tour of the town and then we did the ghost tour. Savannah is considered the most haunted town in the US. Given it's rich colorful history I am not surprised. The trolley picked us up at the hotel and we drove trough the historic district and heard interesting stories of how people were killed, murdered, or just died and why it is believed that they haunt the area. Then we went to the pirates house for dinner and then toured the cellar. After that it was dark out and we climbed aboard the trolley again and visited some more areas. It was fun. Then to bed at 11:30 for a power nap. The alarm to go home is set to go off at 4:00 (that is 2:00 Boise time).
Friday, June 19, 2009
Moving Day
This morning was fairly laid back. This was the last day of the conference. I just hung around the room most of the morning and got packed. Don was finished and back to the room about 11:45. He hurried and changed and headed to the airport with a couple of folks from the conference to get the rental car. I hung out at the river front. It didn't take him very long and we were soon on out way to another hotel for the weekend. The new hotel is on the other end of the historic district. It is really nice. The ceiling in our room is 12' to 14' tall. It is a bit overwhelming when you walk in the room.
We walked around the historic district a little. We went to the railroad roundhouse and I imagined what it would have been like in the 1940s. I picked that time because my folks met at a railroad rooming house. It was pretty hot so we headed back to the hotel to talk to the concierge. I wanted to do a haunted house tour but they were all booked for tonight BUT we made reservations for tomorrow.
We also plan on going to Tybee Island tomorrow so we decided to ride over this afternoon and check it out and then have some dinner there. Miley Cyrus is filming a movie there right now but we didn't see her. We did stop and buy some beach towels for tomorrow. The Island isn't that big so we kept driving past the same places (reliving the past) Since we planned to eat dinner there we checked places on the GPS. Most the places we drove by were so busy there were no parking places. Don saw a place on the GPS that said it was only 8 miles but that must have been by boat as in reality it was 45 miles and took 1 1/2 hours to drive. We drove to Hilton Head South Carolina. We had a pleasant drive though. We laughed as we had no idea where we were going or what kind of place it was. We said if push comes to shove we would just eat at Wendys. On the drive we had to pay a toll. This added to the story. Then we turned on the road where the selected restaurant was and it had a guard at a gate and he was collecting $5.oo to get in. However if you were a resident of the subdivision, you could get in free. We decided at that point to just pick one of the places right by there. And no it wasn't Wendys or a fast food restaurant. The place we selected had great food and we enjoyed the adventure. I got the impression the town was very posh as even the fast food places looked like expensive restaurants with elegant signs. But it was a fun adventure and I am so glad we did it. I wouldn't trade it. It was one of those times that makes a great story and even better memory.
Now it is late and time for bed.
We walked around the historic district a little. We went to the railroad roundhouse and I imagined what it would have been like in the 1940s. I picked that time because my folks met at a railroad rooming house. It was pretty hot so we headed back to the hotel to talk to the concierge. I wanted to do a haunted house tour but they were all booked for tonight BUT we made reservations for tomorrow.
We also plan on going to Tybee Island tomorrow so we decided to ride over this afternoon and check it out and then have some dinner there. Miley Cyrus is filming a movie there right now but we didn't see her. We did stop and buy some beach towels for tomorrow. The Island isn't that big so we kept driving past the same places (reliving the past) Since we planned to eat dinner there we checked places on the GPS. Most the places we drove by were so busy there were no parking places. Don saw a place on the GPS that said it was only 8 miles but that must have been by boat as in reality it was 45 miles and took 1 1/2 hours to drive. We drove to Hilton Head South Carolina. We had a pleasant drive though. We laughed as we had no idea where we were going or what kind of place it was. We said if push comes to shove we would just eat at Wendys. On the drive we had to pay a toll. This added to the story. Then we turned on the road where the selected restaurant was and it had a guard at a gate and he was collecting $5.oo to get in. However if you were a resident of the subdivision, you could get in free. We decided at that point to just pick one of the places right by there. And no it wasn't Wendys or a fast food restaurant. The place we selected had great food and we enjoyed the adventure. I got the impression the town was very posh as even the fast food places looked like expensive restaurants with elegant signs. But it was a fun adventure and I am so glad we did it. I wouldn't trade it. It was one of those times that makes a great story and even better memory.
Now it is late and time for bed.
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