Post Christmas

Another wonderful Christmas is in the books. It was filled with too much food, too many presents, too much family and friends (just kidding!!)
My adult children spoil me way too much with their gifts. Maybe it is a little payback from all the years of spoiling them. Too many things to list, and, frankly, I can't stand the posts on Facebook where people are showing photos of all their gifts, especially the ones with designer labels! Come on, people, we get it! You have a perfect life, with a perfect family, with loads of money and no stress. Oh, wait. That is exactly nobody's life!!! I remind myself regularly not to compare the everyday, play-by-play of my life with someone else's highlight reel they are posting on Facebook.
Here is one thing I will boast about, however. My son and daughter-in-law to be gave me the cutest darn personalized pillow I have ever seen. They found a lady who takes photos you send her, along with information about each person's interests, and she creates a drawing of each person and then turns the panel into a pillow. The photo doesn't do it justice! It has all nine of us, plus three dogs!! I am depicted as a skinny runner! I love it!! It truly is a treasure and if anybody lays their darn head on it, they are in BIG trouble!!!

Happy Christmas

And here is the reason I want to live a long, healthy life. Being with these three, however loud, messy and busy they are, makes my life rich and full. I love them more than words can express. May they always know this.
Riley Kids, I love you to the moon and back!!

The "Do Over"

"Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."  ~Eric Sevareid

So about now, Mary & Joseph are on their journey to Bethlehem and by tomorrow night, they will be settled in a stable so Mary can give birth to the baby Jesus.  What significance does this have for us today? I think the baby Jesus is our annual "do over". He comes, once again, and gives us a shot to be better people, be people of faith, be people of hope, be people of love. 

There are not many times in real life when we get a "do over", but this may surely be one of them. The baby Jesus, in all his innocence and magnificence, gives us a chance to stop and think and take action of some kind to be the person we truly want to be. 

Would you rather be right or happy?

Would you rather be alone or willing to compromise with those you love?

Would you rather be angry and righteous or calm and accepting?

In so many situations in life, you have to ask yourself the question, "Is this the hill I want to die on?"

Don't squander this year's "do over"!!

Happy Adoption Birthday

Two years ago today, we adopted Callie from a shelter in Irvine. I kept thinking about getting a dog. My husband said NO! My daughter started sending me photos of dogs in the shelter. No...no...no...YES!! OMG, she is so cute! I wonder if she is a sweet dog! Let's go and find out! It truly was the best Christmas present ever. Thanks, Amber, for giving me the push I needed.
She could have been trouble. She could have eaten my shoes. She could have not been potty trained. She could have been mean to the grandkids. Instead, she was (is) a really sweet dog that has enhanced my (our) life in more ways than I can count. I don't care if you call me "Crazy Dog Lady". I love her and she loves me. Sounds like a perfect relationship! Don't be jealous!
Happy Adoption Birthday, Callie Girl! We love you!

Pay It Forward

Christmas is four days away. Hopefully, your shopping, wrapping and baking are almost finished. Whether they are or not, I have a challenge for you. In the next four days, pay it forward for someone else. What does this mean? It means you do something good and nice for someone else, without any chance of them paying you back. The hope is that your kind act will spur them to do another kind act for someone else. Pay for the person's coffee in the drive thru line behind you. Leave a $20 bill at the fast food restaurant and tell the clerk to use it to pay for the next few people's meals until it runs out.Drop flowers at the rest home you pass every day on your way to work.
An unexpected act of kindness, however small, can be all the difference to a person that may be feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or sad at this time of year. Don't say you don't have the time or the money to make a difference. Do something small. Do something great. Just do something. The funny thing about paying it forward is that you do it selflessly to be kind to a stranger and you end up with a feeling of joy and a smile on your face.
Think of the possible ripple effect of your one kind act! Seek good and you will find it. Be kind and you will find kindness in your own life at every turn.

Our Card 2013

 Here's our Christmas card 2013 ~ front and inside. We planned this shot forever ago and the kids thought it was pretty cool. They are young enough to think Grammie and Pa are still cool! Their favorite thing is when we say, "OK, make a silly, funny, crazy pose now!" Hence the inside shots on the bottom. It was fun to add the photo from the original time we did the "Cool Yule" card. Where did 24 years go?!?!

I wonder how many people out of the 110 I sent even looked on the back?! It wouldn't be complete without our Callie Girl!

6 More Days

Saw this sign today and it made me pause and think a little. So many people I come in contact with lately are harried and rushed and stressed. Surely this is NOT what the season is supposed to be. Yes, most of us have a "to do" list as long as Santa's" nice list", but ask yourself this:
Is Christmas something you get through or enjoy getting to?
Is Christmas something you will be glad when it's over or something you relish and enjoy?
Is Christmas something that makes your heart pound from stress or from joy & happiness?
As a child, we felt Christmas Day would never come. As an adult, it comes at us like a high speed locomotive.
Just don't let it run you over!
Breathe!
Remember, there will NEVER be another Christmas 2013 again.
Make it a good one.