What Is It All About?

I just watched 2 videos that really touched my heart. One is of a man who offered to be layed off so his work mate wouldn't have to. The man who was able to keep the job has 4 children, the youngest with autism, and it would've been devastating to their family if he lost his job. The man who took the layoff did it out of loyalty and friendship. The other video was of a woman with 4 sons in the military who all came home for the first time in 15 years. They had all been deployed in both Iraq or Afghanistan a total of 7 times amongst them. What heroes all of these men who give so unselfishly.

What comes to mind is what is "giving" really? When we're giving presents, it's really the acknowledgment of the love or friendship we feel for the other person. It's fine to say you're not into the commercialism that the holiday brings. But what do you do that shows the love? For me, it isn't the actual objects received, it's the intention of the gift. I hope that everyone knows that the Christmas spirit isn't limited to Christmastime. I've always thought of it as an opportunity to make the effort to acknowledge others in our lives. There are so many I appreciate from the small things they do that make my life easier, better or brighter. To those who bring the profound. I'm blessed and hope that I let others know that I appreciate them. That I hold them in esteem with great respect and love. Like they say about work, on your deathbed are you going to think about your job or your connections to one other. The same with love and friendship, are you going to remember the presents or the joy you give and receive from the connections to each other. So far I've chosen the connections to others no matter what. And I hope that if I have ever upset or offended anyone along the way that I have righted that situation with apologies and honesty. Afterall, what is it that we have to give each other.

This has been a profound Christmas for my husband and for me. Losing a son is an enormous challenge in looking into our own hearts. When we think of Andrew, we don't think of "things", we think of the connectedness we've had - the love, the joy, the pain, all the other emotions that come with having a child. We can't help notice what it is that others put out towards us. I feel good about what we're putting out into the world, and again feel blessed that there are truly good people who are there for us and with us. This is what it's all about.

Manhattan Santa Convention

Wonderful photos of an unofficial Manhattan Santa Convention. Creative santa outfits from all over the world online NY Times! http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/12/20/fashion/20081220-street-feature/index.html

Robin Williams on Obama's Election - funny!

Community action makes a difference

FINALLY!!! After almost 5 months the state highway admin said today they will be putting in a light at the site where Andrew had his fatal crash!!! Hopefully they'll be able to put it up as fast as that stop sign went up when they decided to do that.

Thank you soooooo much to everyone that helped by signing the petition. We can not thank you all enough. Hopefully now no one will ever have to go through and feel what we're feeling with losing Andrew. Hopefully, it will be much much safer there.

A little bit of peace of mind and heart. We're all thinking of you today, sweet man Andrew!

Cool weather

It's cold here. Supposed to get to 35 tonight. That's pretty cold. We're right where 2 major rivers cross each other and it's been foggy for about a week. Bone chilling cold. I love to wear sweaters and warm jackets so I'm happy. I learned to wear layers living in San Francisco so many years. The dogs don't seem to mind the cold. I put sweaters on the old girls for their early morning walk. The cats have warm blankies in their beds. And fortunately our heater is working, thank goodness for the parrots. So all is well. They say it'll get colder over the weekend. Wouldn't it be cool if it snowed???

Christmas from the Heart

Christmas From The Heart
by Judy Burnette

I heard your voice in the wind today
and I turned to see your face;
The warmth of the wind caressed me
as I stood silently in place.

I felt your touch in the sun today
as its warmth filled the sky;
I closed my eyes for your embrace
and my spirit soared high.

I saw your eyes in the window pane
as I watched the falling rain;
It seemed as each raindrop fell
it quietly said your name.

I held you close in my heart today
it made me feel complete;
You may have died...but you are not gone
you will always be a part of me.

As long as the sun shines...
the wind blows...
the rain falls...
You will live on inside of me forever
for that is all my heart knows.

Getting Ready for Christmas?

Well I made a small attempt at Christmas. We bought 2 wreaths for the front doors, and put in 2 new plants in the planters on the front steps. We had these 2 matching wrought iron topiaries and were going to wrap garlands & lights around them, but we didn't like how they looked last time. So we bought some miniature incense cedars and just used the pots without the topiary stands. They look great. Inside the house, I took out my ceramic miniature schnauzer Christmas tree by Danbury that I bought after Christmas last year. It has tiny lights in it. It's pretty cute. We also received our Blenko glass today from the glass blowing factory in W Va, so I have my angel that sits on a stand with sparkling lights. That's about it! We're not really into Christmas this year. Oh I bought a live Christmas "tree" with lights, its about 6 inches high. I bought it at Trader Joe's and its in the kitchen. A little twinkle here and there. I bought some doggie toys since most of theirs have disappeared into the yard or with the leaves the gardeners blow away every week. At least they'll have some fun opening presents. I have been sending out Christmas cards. Lots of dogster friends sending my dogs cards!

Tom & I have worked on some photo presents for family. We wanted to do more personal things this year. Since we're in the midst of having some work done on the house, we're going to hold off on buying each other presents. We're finally getting more tile done, so that almost all of the rooms at one end will be finished, just the computer room now. That'll be next month. Then we've contracted to have one of the sliding glass doors replaced. They told us we'd have it done before Christmas, but the color we chose will take 6 weeks to receive - of course! And we have to have one of our 6x6 foot windows in the dining room replaced. We woke up one morning and there was a big crack in it. I think Tom slamming the slider every time he opens it (because it's so old and hard to pull) finally caused the window to crack. I was home the whole day before it cracked and nothing hit the window or left a mark. Always something to do in a house. I have lots of plans for updating or remodeling small areas. No major jobs. With the real estate market, it'll be years before we can sell this big house, so I might as well continue with replacements and upgrades.

We've both decided to work on Christmas eve. We'll have Christmas night off and then Tom is on-call for the weekend. Lauren won't be here until January. We typically don't travel for Christmas. So it'll be a quiet one.

But starting in January it will be non-stop traveling or visitors.