HNY Thank You

Let's take a moment to recognize and give thanks to the Giver of every new year we've enjoyed in life.

Preston - The Best!

Happy Birthday Preston

9 years old

You are the best! and such a very special young man, with a loving heart that overflows into others lives. You have such a beautiful smile (just like your mom), a great little laugh, and do you know how to entertain me, Papa and Aunt Kel. I see you as the master of Legos, the genius at math, the MVP of football, the greatest of fishermen, a caring friend to all, and the most wonderful of grandsons. Have a wonderful birthday!

I Love You Dearly,
Nana

PS: And to please you, I will like the Oregon Ducks too.

Goal(s) Setting

New Year's Coming

What Goal(s) Are You Setting for Yourself?

Creation's Covering

Rejoice in a World Draped in His Beauty

Watch Out!

If you live in California, be sure to read the new driving laws as well as the old ones where the fines have doubled for 2009.

12/29: Thought I'd add CA DMV new law website, just in case you Californians are interested - CA DMV.

My UnWrapped Ideas

Well, I had a few leftovers (ie, unwrapped ideas) that didn't make it in time for pre-Christmas - and the more I got to thinking about them, the more I wanted to share them with you post-Christmas.

Poor Frosty - One Invitation He Should Have Declined

AKA: The BAD Guy's Santa

Hope Santa is a Member of AAA Emergency Services

(what more could one say?)

O Come Let Us Adore Him

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Matt 1:21-23 (KJV)

Merry Christmas Loved Ones

Merry Christmas Cameron & Barbara, Kellee, Alisha & Todd - and Madison, Cassidy, Preston, Regan & Justin. May your day be merry and bright, and may each year be filled with an abundance of blessings. To my angels, Mark and Zoe, you are truly missed.
LOVE YOU DEARLY,
Mom & Nana

Madison & Cassidy

Regan, Justin & Preston

Happy Birthday Son

My Special Gift from God

Born Christmas Day, at 2:38 pm

Dec 1960 - Jan 1993

You are always near to my heart.
I Love You, Mom

Outsourcing? Hum Bug!!

I usually don't post twice in one day but found this cartoon and couldn't resist. It's probably because I was on the phone for almost two hours yesterday due to Sirius Radio outsourcing. And would you believe it - the Nice??? (what's the meaning of nice???) man I got was from India too.

Gift Suggestion

Give the Perfect Gift

A Portion of One's Self

Who Loves Christmas?

Every Body Loves Christmas
(here's pics of just a few endeared to the season)

Be A Seeker

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Reindeer Performance

Wishing you PRE-Christmas fun with the

Sounds of Christmas Reindeer choir/orchestra

conducted by Old St. Nick.

Just click on "Sounds of Christmas" above,

and be sure to adjust your volume for listening.

Montgomery Ward Icon

Guess my mind is running wild this week on things that are a part of Christmas tradition (in a few days I will focus on the real reason for the season but still being a child at heart, please allow me the liberties to rant). I got to thinking of that little deer that heads Santa's "flying unit". Cute little guy who has never completely grown up (kinda like me).

I love Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Many people probably aren't aware that "Rudy" only goes back to the early-to-mid 20th century. His character began as an attempt to promote a chain of department stores. In fact, he was born the same year that I was (oh no, just revealed my age! Come to think of it, he's just a baby, not old at all. lol). His birth year: 1939.

The large department store chain, Montgomery Ward, had been giving away coloring books every Christmas for years, and decided it was time to produce its promotional give-away inhouse. Robert L. May, who worked at Ward's as an advertising copywriter, was commissioned to write a story for young readers - the result: Rudolph. Robert May's character was a result of his own childhood experiences; the story of a picked-on kid who made good, prospering as a result of the very attribute the others made fun of.

Thus Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer became an icon among Christmas traditions. I LOVE RUDOLPH, don't you?

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names
they never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
you'll go down in history."

Season of Pucker Up

I am not crazy about using a "fungus" for decoration but mistletoe continues to be a Christmas tradition - a symbol of peace, love and goodwill. It creates a fun time where a person standing under the mistletoe is available for a kiss. So find your honey and Pucker Up.

Christmas Star

Poinsettias are such beautiful accessories for the holiday season. I always find myself filling my home with these beauties, which is most appropriate because poinsettias are called "Christmas Stars" by many.

These flowery shrubs (yes, they were originally known as shrubs) began association with Christmas in 16th century Mexico. Legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. An angel came to the child and encouraged her to gather weeds from the roadside, then place them in front of the church altar. Miraculously, crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds, turning into beautiful poinsettias. 17th century Franciscan monks in Mexico started including the plants in their Christmas celebrations. Today, we just can't do without a few "Christmas stars" in our holiday decor. It's called Celebrating Jesus, just as it happened centuries ago.

Sharing is Caring

Tis the Season to Share

Ho Ho Ho!

Check out these Santa Sightings. Approximately 1000 Santas participated this year in the annual special day designed for these jolly ones. They split into three groups (so not to create traffic jams, etc.) and went about the City spreading seasonal cheer.

Come to think of it, you can check Santa's path in your neck-of-the-woods on Christmas Eve - particularly if you've been "NICE". Just visit the Nordac website to set up your personal Santa schedule web page.

A Season of Wonder

God's Miracles Never Cease
May Your Day be Filled with Wonders

Photo: Albino deer twins, Bozeman MT

Sights of the Season

Wish You Were Here to Enjoy
the Beautiful Sights of the Season
in the City by the Bay

Take A Guess

Guess where we are?







Yep, it is doctor time once again for hubby so we reluctantly (hee hee) made our way up the coast to suffer (ho ho) a few days in the City. We have children and grandchildren living here so the ties are strong - and having worked in San Francisco, there are numerous places we enjoy revisiting. Let me share a few of my favorite places.