Joy--Sure it's an honor to have the new great gd carry your name as her middle name.

Janie--Finlay's 10th birthday was Nov. 27.

Mary Ann--We had dogs all our growing up years.  Then when I married and we were raising our children we got a dog when Linda was 3 y/o.  We continued to have  them and the last one we had died a year before Ray did.  I'd LOVE to have a dog here, but fences aren't allowed, and my physical  condition prohibits walking a dog.

Good evening, Just stopping in will write more later.  Did get up to 57 to day, now it is raining again. Yesterday 3inchs of snow. freezing by to morrow morning. I have had company all day, so am tired.

Thanks Phyllis for beautiful winter scene.

Good Sunday Afternoon, Everyone!

The extremely freezing cold snap has broken here,  so the temps inside my apartment are back up to normal... 

Starting day after tomorrow the temps are going to be up in the 30's and 40's until after the New Year.       

I sure hope that lasts,  as they are predicting a warmer Winter then Normal for us here on the East Coast.       (Finger's crossed!)

I hope that everyone is having a good day,  and will continue to do so. 

Sandy

Oh, yes, now I remember...Finley is 3 weeks older than Kiran.  I was thinking a week. 

I have one family's gifts all wrapped except for one thing that hasn't come yet.  When that comes, I just have to wrap it and add it to his bag. 

Linedancer--Nice you had company.

Sandy--For your sake, I hope you do have a mild winter.

Janie--Happy Birthday to Kiran.  Doesn't it make you feel good to have all your gifts made/bought and wrapped except the one you're waiting for?

Actually, not everything is wrapped.  Only one family is done...two if you count the ones I sent to Texas already.  I have 3 families here to wrap for.  And, since I use my bed with a folding sewing cutter board on it for wrapping, I have to put everything away if I want to sleep in a bed.

I'm prepared to wrap the fruit cake for church at the dining room table where I can see the TV.  THE SOUND OF MUSIC is on tonight and I'll watch while I wrap.

Have a good evening Everyfriend!  Stay warm and dry, happy and well.

slow getting back today.very defferant Sunday for me. I finely had to take a bathroom space heater out and set it up on the toolbox on the side of the tractor. it done the job.  and Bis  the cows did not think it was to cold for me to get out and feed them. the ice was treachtrous. I almost ran over a calf they wouldn't get out of the way like the usually do. but i did get them fed. and by the time i got done feeding ( UN  role the big bales for them) the throttle was working freely. so after i was done I killed the tractor and put it up to a slow ideal position. so tomorrow I can start it weather or not it is stuck and start it. Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Lloyd

I was in earlier, but didn't make it for very long. Bad day..not feeling well at all, but tomorrow will be better.

Gary and Dori were just here, he had a Communion service downstairs that I had forgotten all about. I could kick myself !
He brought me an iMac lap top computer. I hope my brain will still work well enough to operate it. he said it is just like desk top but he has to enter my personal stuff. They couldn't stay, had company coming. In the meantime I can play around with it and learn more about the actual use of it.

I had been feeling really ill, so skipped Church this morning and skipped life in general..did a bunch of sleeping..finally called downstairs, and asked a nurse to come take my vitals, which she did. Everything measured out quite well, so I felt better right away.

I told Gary I didn't want to take that Doppler test on my arteries, and he said, "You don't have to take it. You are still your own boss, and you do what you want to do. Just call downstairs tomorrow and tell them to cancel the whole thing". Which I will do. The tests do not cure anything, they only tell what has progressed. May help the Dr., but not me, so why should I put myself through  the journey and trial of testing, which only makes me more weak. Phooey. I know things are not curable, I accept the fact that I will die, and I am ready. So ! I feel better already.

It is pretty quiet in here, so I think I will go to an early bed and book. Have a really Good night dear ones. I love you all. God's Best Blessings. June

I haven't been in because I've been wrapping the fruit cake while watching THE SOUND OF MUSIC and as soon as it's over, I'm heading to bed.  I have a foot dr. appt tomorrow at 11:15 and the shopping with Kiran after school.  So my day will be busy.  I'm going to try to get one more family wrapped before I go to the foot dr. 

SO...I bid you Good night Everyfriend!  And may God bless us, every one!

June, I agree with you 100% about being in control.... just you and God.  I wish you weren't this far down the path and sincerely hope you will feel stronger and better tomorrow and enjoy many more years with us and your other families.  You do have a fan club & I'm right here to cheer you on.

Cold here in Kansas, some snow on the ground, little turned to ice but it is the wind that chills to the bone.  I did get out this morning & went to church & breakfast at McDonald's with son & wife....

Gotta run... God Bless... Shirley

Good evening, EVERYFRIEND. 

It warmed up a little here today, but not enough to do any melting.

We went down to Dr. Dave's to watch the Bronco/Patriots Game, and dinner.  our DIL'S mother and her friend are here visiting so it was nice to see them.  They are from Scottsdale so were wrapped up trying to deal with our frigid temperatures.  It was a really bright sunny day and just beautiful to look at with all of the snow. 

JACKIE, how nice to read about your neighborhood celebration....so glad you got to go and enjoy yourself. Good girl for taking the rollator. 

JOAN, I had forgotten that Joe and Kate used to live in Boston.  Do you know what community/area of Boston they lived in?  Our son does not know the area at all, but has been there to look at housing and feel they are going to zero in on Weston and Brookline.  They have elementary aged children so schools are high on the priority list.  They love the community they live in now and the schools are the best...so they have some high expectations for what they hope to end up with in Boston. 

GLORIA, I did not think that the weather would be better in Boston rather than Chicago....but I hope that is true. 

Thank you for the nice goodies today, JOAN, and for the beautiful graphic, PHYLLIS. 

I just finished watching a special regarding the cost of prescription drugs....it was a very depressing documentary.  I do not know what many are going to do if the costs keep rising like they are. 

JANE, Happy Birthday to Kiran.  Enjoy the special time you will have with her tomorrow. 

LARRY, the only problem with Logan vs O'Hare is that it is double the distance!  More time on the plane and more money....but it will be fun to learn more about Boston as we get the chance to visit there. We have not been there in years. 

JUNE, I hope tomorrow you will be feeling much better than you did today.  You should be able to chose if you want to go through the tests or not.  It is not going to change the situation one way or the other. 

Nice to see you popping in tonight, SHIRLEY.  One thing for sure, both Boston and Chicago are places that are fun to visit and spend time. 

Pleasant dreams to all. 

Jenny

DON.....
...who gives anyone the right to tell you to " refrain " to not mention your new Santa mall of residence, you are NOT employed by the old mall anymore, you are a free man ( Santa ) you have all the right to tell them where they can now find you if they choose....I hope this dear lady, mother, passes the good news around, of where to find the " real " Santa...

JENNY....
...thank you, yes I did enjoy what was a couple of hours fun yesterday, and for once it didn't get spoilt after I reached home, and got indoors...

Vanilla I think the word has already gotten out because the lineups are virtually non-existent.  Having been there for so long I am the only Santa that many of the children know and one mum told me her son would not visit the new one because "he's not the real Santa"

DON...
...good morning....that is good to hear...that old mall done the dirty on you, now they must suffer...it is their loss..

Good Monday morning, Everyfriend.  There's banana muffins to accompany your coffee or tea . I wish everyone a nice day!!





Nice Guy

"Gee, Mom," said the teenager to her mother. "I can't seem to find a really nice guy."

"Well, what do you look for in a man, dear?"

"Character. To me, a man's physical appearance, age and financial position are irrelevant."

"Then have you met Mrs. Hart's son?"

"Hart? Hart? Isn't he that funny-looking kid who's always broke?"


Hope
(By Peder Eide)

The word hope has been used in a lot of ways. It's been used in songs, naming of children, schools, poems, movies, books, and even campaign slogans.

Really hope is a powerful, emotional, heartfelt word. Probably why it's so attractive.

So the third week of advent we are choosing the word hope. Why?

Because where we put our hope and what we put our hope in will truly determine how we live.

Depending where our hope is affects our choices, how we lead, how we pursue our dreams, how we handle conflict or fears, how we treat our spouse, how we love, how we see our future, and how we see Jesus.

At Christmas we celebrate and draw into God's sending of hope through the birth of Jesus. God keeps His promise following through with his word of sending one who would be the Savior of all.

Throughout scripture, we're directed to put our hope in God.

Not just hope about God, but put our hope IN God.

Why?

Because God never fails.

The love of Jesus never fails. The Holy Spirit is not afraid. God is faithful and never breaks a promise and our hope in Him will not disappoint us.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation." 1 Peter 1:3

Over a month ago we had an election for president.

Did it turn out the way you wanted it to?

It really doesn't matter because to put a life hope in an election might have some short-term benefits but they are not [eternal]. Even the most powerful leader is not for you in the way Jesus is for you.

Read that Romans verse again.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Hope in Jesus does not disappoint and the Holy Spirit is real and alive through you.

That's why the shepherds ran to Bethlehem.

That's why the Kings traveled for so long.

That's why Joseph trusted the God's vision in his dreams.

That's why Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant. Do what you want with me."

And the world was never the same!

That's Hope that does not fail or disappoint!

In your daily decisions, how do you choose your hope?

God is good!




"In these days, we need Christmas more than ever. We need the hope, comfort, strength, and joy that comes from knowing Christ."

- Waylon Bailey

Jenny--Joe and Kate lived in Wellesley.

Good Morning Bis Vanilla-Jackie and Don.
well Don it is good you keep up the tredation of Santa,Thanks.
Have a great day everyone

Lloyd

it Is -1º again here today and clear.

Lloyd

Good morning, Lloyd.  I hope you can stay warm.

Bis thanks. we do good as far as warm. Now for gathering up  the $$$$ to pay it up,that is a deferant story. we have over 4,000 feat of living space. too bad we didn't be born with more smarts. when I built this house (and it is nice by any standards) I was doing demolitions and salvage of curmiceal buildings such as 6 story hotels .(pendergass) it is all brick on outside and also lot of brick inside in the lower level in the family room. also when the pipeline crossed our place grand dad did not have for sight what they said in writing.( free gas for each 40 acres of land they cross) our gas bill has risen from $16.50 per month
(just the month we used it) to 12 months $100.?? . whom knew we wouldn't
be abel to work 18/20 hours per day making $$$ from now on also and have invested some of it. oh well I am still breathing ( not easy) but still here. we have like two houses in one but Nancy wont here of renting part  one level out to help out.

Lloyd

Good Morning Everyfriend!  We have 21º right now going down to 20 and then up to a high of 27 today.  But the sun is supposed to be coming out around 8 and when the sun shines, it just doesn't feel as cold. 

As soon as the doggies and I have had our breakfast, I'm going to get my shower and get dressed and ready for my foot dr. appt.  Then I'm going to wrap as many gifts as I can before it's time to go.  We'll see what transpires.

Joanie, today's inspirational reading was of particular interest to me.  I found something to take to heart.  Hope is the best thing we have going for us as Christians!  Thank you for that reminder!

I wish you all a wonderful day full of whatever pleases you or gives you HOPE!

Lloyd--You have a big space to heat and cool.

Good morning, Janie.  I still have some gifts to wrap....better get to it today.  May you have a day full of hope and what pleases you.

Good morning!  Drizzly day here and colder.  Yesterday the temp. was up in the 70's.  So strange but I welcomed it.

Thanks to all of you for the nice comments about the graphic.  I appreciate your appreciation!   

We are all ready for Christmas except I must get busy and bake something for the neighbors who are so kind and generous to me throughout the year.  Yesterday my younger son and dil called to just "check on me".  It was nice to talk to them for awhile.

Joan, I always appreciate the "wit and wisdom" that you search for and bring to us every week.

Don, what a nice feeling to know that you are missed at the old mall.  Their loss and the new mall's gain to have the "real Santa Claus" this Christmas season.

June, a new IMAC lap top!  That is a very nice gift.  And have fun playing with it.

Please, everyone, take care when the weather where you are is cold and uncomfortable.  And I hope and pray that everyone who is not feeling well will feel much better soon.

Good morning everyone..

I don't know what I did to lose my post earlier but poof away it went!!

Doing the happy dance here ,no snow to remove  but hokey teddy bear she is cold out!! Tis -4 ° F at the moment. Need to take hubby to town for his holter monitor then home to chase dust bunnies and I hope to get his quilt finished either today or tomorrow. Have the wood box filled up and more to go in when it gets down so I can stay in where it is warm until his appointment

Joan thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good morning, Phyllis.  Weather here is fickle.  They say it'll be 88° midday here and tomorrow high will be in the low 70s but STILL no rain.  I, too, "appreciate your appreciation".

Amy--Good morning.  Sorry you lost a post.  Never heard the saying "hokey teddy bear".  That's cute.  Have a safe trip  to town.

Good morning everyone, rain finally stopped but it is still all clouds. Just saw the forecast for the week. Rain again on Thursday but warmer on the weekend. Great no snow to get through to go to my grandson's on Christmas.

CALLIE  it was my dental hygienist who suggested I use Biotene.

JOAN  I think it was a med I was taking that gave me dry mouth.  My sons would not let me take my step stool with me when I moved. Now I would not even get up on one of those little stools.

PATRICIA  at least we do mot have to worry about making sure we have spare light bulbs except for our lamps.

DON  now that should prove to that mall they mad a mistake letting you go from your Santa job every year. You personality made Santa work.

JACKIE  glad you took the rollator. Holding onto it was better than holding onto R. Came in handy for holding things too.

JENNY  Boston weather is not much different from where I live. We do get more snow here though. They do not want to live right in the city. Many nice smaller places around it though. A lot of Rhode Islanders commute to work in Boston. Not as windy as Chicago though.

JOAN  a banana muffin sounds great. Great Food for Thought, HOPE is something we all have. Thank you for all today's goodies.

JANE  looks like the sun is finally going to break through the clouds here. About time.

PHYLLIS  I do have to go out tomorrow morning, appointment at 10, dislike morning appointments.

AMY  glad it is not that cold here.

Getting hungry, better go make my breakfast. I will not be here in the morning tomorrow.

Good Morning Everyone,  from hopefully the last icy cold day for a few weeks..

Since  you mentioned Wellesley,  I was born
and lived near there as a toddler.  (Natick, Framingham)  and spent a lot of time there at my Aunt and Uncles home in Wellesley.    It's a very nice area of Massachusetts.   

The end of the year is closing in on us.. 

Hooray for 2017... 
Sandy

Good morning, Gloria.  I sure wish some of that rain would come our way.  I bought a ladder when I moved here for others to use, and it's come in handy many times.  I do like morning appointments--get it over with.  That's another "whatever floats your boat".

Sandy--Good morning.  I only was up to Wellesley a few times before Kate and Joe moved to Alabama.  They had a lovely home there, but both hated the snow.

Hi everyone.  After a day when we got to the high 70's today will only be in the 40's.  We had rain all of last evening and it is raining again this morning.  Fortunately it is not cold enough to give us any ice.

We had a lovely Church service yesterday with "Lessons and Carol" being used with nice different reading and a lot of Sacred Christmas music.  It was a long service as it ran over about 15 minutes past our normal time.  Our Chancel Choir, the Bells and the primary age children's choir sang along with a several instrumental accompaniments. 

The only thing on the schedule for today is my Monday noon meeting.  We are having a briefer meeting today with a social occasion afterwards with finger foods. 

JaneS, are you responsible for the temps here going from the high 70's into the mid-40's today.   

Joan, I saw a temperature map yesterday of the lower 48 States and it appeared that only Florida and South Carolina had those very nice temperatures yesterday. 

Lloyd, I certainly would have shared the weather we had yesterday but I have no control over such things. 

Gloria, glad your power wasn't off too long.  The adopted grandson sounds like a fine man and your son and DIL are to be commended for giving him a good home. 

Patricia, I am surprised that just two inches of snow would bring about a "severe weather" alert.  After all it is Alaska.  The pets we have do their work by bringing joy into our lives. 

Don, what a nice experience you had yesterday at the mall and the grocery store.  Your years as the Santa at that mall were remembered and I am sure not by one child but probably by many.

Jackie, "yonks" is not an expression I have ever heard before.  I expect it means years. Glad you enjoyed the carol sing and getting together with neighbors.

June, I hope you really enjoy your new iMac lap top.  It sounds like you have made a wise decision regarding your upcoming test.  I am beginning to feel that way about further heart tests.

Jenny, the Broncos didn't have a good game.  It was the only game on here at the early hour.

Phyllis, I am glad you were in the warm portion of the country yesterday.  I guess the weather paid no attention to the State line.     

If you need a little uplift today be sure to watch this video that Lloyd sent me the link to:   http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ