Christmas Day 2006

Shawn and the grandkids came over for Christmas dinner.  After dinner we played games and the kids went over to play with Ben.  Then we went in the hot tub. 

Abby's swimming lesson

Tuesday:  December 19, 2006

Tom, Mel & I enjoyed watching Abby learning to swim and dive.  Later that night we enjoyed Jacob's Christmas show at his school.  I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures to post.

A Visit with Santa

Sunday:  December 17, 2006

Tom, Mel & I took Jake & Abby to the FOP CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY to get a gift from Santa.

In search of a Christmas tree

December 10, 2006

Sunday's quest led us on a journey to Pine Tree Barn in search of a Christmas tree.  The sky was clear and blue with high wispy clouds.  The air was fragrant with the evergreen scent of pine and fir.  Jacob and Abby ran and played among the forest of Christmas trees.  After much consideration, we finally found a fir tree that Jacob helped Papa cut down.  The tree was bundled and loaded into the car as the gently drifting smoke from a nearby yule log filled us with memories of camping.  A bumpy yet joyful tractor-pulled trolly ride around the tree farm was followed by cookies and hot chocolate in the barn.  We then headed home to supper and put up the tree.  Mission accomplished!

"Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how beautiful thy branches."

GLORIA: The angel of the Lord

Cherolyn asked me to make a painting for her, so I decided to paint her an angel.  It's finally finished and will be made into Christmas cards and the original will be matted and framed for her housewarming gift.  The angel is named "GLORIA'.

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. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.   Luke 2:8-14

GOOD FRIDAY

True love came and gave

 

              forgiving hopeful comfort

 

              covering our shame.

HAIKU

 

PALM SUNDAY

Yesterday, Tom and I took a tour of the NATIONAL FIRST LADIES MUSEUM as part of the COTSUM UMM gathering.  It was a very interesting experience.  Then we went to lunch and did some shopping.  We enjoyed having our little Sweetpea spend the night with us.  Today is the beginning of Holy Week 2006.  That's all for now, over and out..  

LET THERE BE LIGHT

 

Springtime is here again.  Now is the time to enjoy the beauty and renewal of all things great and small!  Choose to be joyful in the simple things and gather strength from God's promise to make all things new again.  Remember to spring ahead and adjust your clock.  Wind carefully so as not to break it's spring.  Time is relative, laughter heals and tears cleanse.  Enjoy!

 

 

SPRINGTIME (haiku)        

Dreary days have passed.

     Earth warmed by the sun's sweet kiss

          shows abiding love.

Munich

XX OLYMPIAD Munich 1972

Wow, what an Olympics.  It was so thrilling to see my brother come from behind the pack and win the gold medal for the 800 meter run.  The Russian was favored to win; however, he fell at the finish line and won the silver.  Kenya won the bronze.  My brother felt so bad when in all his excitment he forgot to take off his hat on the victory stand during the playing of the National Anthem.  Later, some PLO terrorists broke into the Olympic Village and took the Israeli team hostage.  The fatal results seemed to cast a long shadow over the remainder of the Olympic games.  I was saddened when my brother didn't qualify to run in the 1500 meter final.  I cried during Jim Ryan's final race when he fell as the guy running in the lane next to him cut over; however, I admired him for getting up and finishing the race.  I was so confused when the basketball game was over and the USA team was celebrating their victory when they were suddenly forced back onto the court because the judges ruled that there was still a few seconds left in the game (according to an offical clock), and the still confused USA team watched as the Russians sank another ball and won the gold.               

WWJD?

One of my favorite sayings is 'Let go and let God'.  Last night I watched 'Crash' with my husband.  I realized that seriouly life is just a laughing matter.  I can identify with the DA's wife who realized that she woke up angry every morning and didn't know why.  The movie was full of messages and showed the lack of tolerance we humans have for cultural diversity.  I am working on improving myself to have more tolerance for others and to be co-dependant on God.  One of the many things my grandmother told me was to always end each prayer with the words "Not my will but Thy will be done."  I say to myself quite often the following.

There but for the grace of God go I.  

Sunday Morning

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Rejoice & be glad in it!

Jacob and Abby spent the night.  They are such sweeties, and I love them to pieces!

My Trip to Arizona

Now that the jet lag is over, I can reflect on my trip to sunny Arizona.  It was a very nice respite and I enjoyed spending quality time with the Arizona Wottles.  Tim took me to the Superstition Mountain area on my birthday and we stopped at the Fort McDowell Casino which is located on an Indian Reservation just outside Phoenix.  I left with a profit of $19.50.  I wanted to try for the jackpot with my winnings, but Tim convinced me to leave while I was ahead.  We even met some guys fishing for trout in a river in the middle of the desert.  It was so scenic and serene.

While Mom & Dawn were on their spiritual journey, Tim and I went to Sedona and Jerome.  It was so beautiful at Red Rock State Park.  We took the back road from Jerome to Prescott.  Wow, what a ride -- my ears were popping all the time!  Then we stopped at the Rock Springs Cafe in Black Canyon City for supper.  It's a great little local place noted for their BBQ Pork and Jack Daniels pecan pie. 

We attended the closing ceremony for Mom's walk to Emmaus.  It was awesome to see so many happy pilgrims of various denominations in all the colors of the rainbow ready for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and looking forward to sharing the Agape Love that they experienced to a hurting world.  Afterwards, we had a tailgate party in the church parking lot to celebrate.  My nephews really enjoyed my world famous brownies, and I enjoyed the weather and fellowship.

Tommy missed me and is glad I'm home -- so is Izzy!        

The "IZ" is.

Ain't she sweet!  Dog spelled backwards is God.  Very interesting!  To me Isabella "Izzy" is a gift from God to remind me of Agape love for which I strive and give thanks. 

Life's too short.............

Take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

New Year's Eve 2005

We went to the neighbors for New Year's Eve.  We enjoyed good food, friends, and fellowship.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

I am now ready to settle my brain for a long winter's nap.  

Christmas Day 2005

Joy to the world, Christmas Day is here at last.  Tom went to the Masonic Hall for breakfast.  We then went to Shawn's for breakfast and to watch Jacob & Abby open their gifts from Santa.  Then off to Eric's for Christmas supper and our gift exchange with them.

Wishing everyone JOY, LOVE, & PEACE.

 

Christmas Eve 2005

Christmas Eve was spent at our house.  We had turkey and all the trimmings for dinner.  We then let Jacob and Abby open their gifts from us.