Goodbye old Year - Hello 2010!!

The last day of 2009 - wow! I put on one of my web pages that a few years ago the year 2010 could have been a science fiction title! Or maybe a song? In the year 2010, will you wonder where you've been. . . Sounds stupid, but know some songs that are far worse!!

I had a wonderful Christmas and Christmas season. Just having all my family together is so meaningful to me. My daughter, Terri, was sitting at my feet sometime during the holidays, and it struck me that those precious years, those years when I would sit and stroke her hair, were so far gone, so far away. The enormity of that just about made a scene! The tears were ever so close, just knowing that those days were so long ago. I know I am having a difficult time growing older, I just don't ever want to EVER leave this life!

But a gift that I always treasure is a gift from everyone, how do you give everyone??? Especially when there are so many now?!! Earlier this year, Easter maybe??, all my grandkids were together so Carol took a picture of them.

When Jamie was a wee little girl, probably 5 or 6, she was standing at my counter, watching me make bread, cinnamon rolls etc. She looked up at me with adoring eyes and said, "Oh Grandma, You're the BEST grandma in the whole wide world"!!! That has stuck so therefore the verse.

And Terri gathered a few of our pictures from Poncha, our wonderful beloved place our family returns to every year, and this was the result!

So these two coffee mugs are with forever pictures. Now to display these cups! I would never use them!!

I do love my pictures, especially the pictures that bring the memories of my family near.

Then shortly following Christmas, I had a birthday - certainly not my favorite things, but my husband gave me a set of Cutco knives. For anyone who knows about knives will know that this is the knife of all knives. Wonderful, lifetime warranty, free sharpening forever, free replacement forever. And an old company. And then my daughters gave me a pair of Cutco Shears. Now this is a pair of scissors! It was very funny because I currently have 6 pairs of scissors laying on my counter that won't cut a piece of paper! I told my girls I had paid a whole 99 cents a pair for those at Hobby Lobby a few years back! But to have a set of Cutco is the best. Cutco is the best, I doubt you could match them anywhere.

Well, the last post of 2009, Christmas is over, birthday is over and I am filled with love for my family and friends, in awe at all the love that is returned to me, and more than anything so very grateful for all my many many blessings. Especially blessings of people.

My wish for everyone is a year of miracles, and the wisdom to recognize the events. I think we live in such a time of miracles, but it's a day to day thing, and most miracles go unnoticed.

So until next year -

It's The Little Things

As Christmas arrives, and we are all so busy getting things ready, I look at all the items there is to getting ready for this big day!

It's not the big things that matter, like buying and wrapping the presents, it's the little things. Most put up lights, a tree, garland, stocking hangers then the cooking and baking. Each of these things by themselves, is small, but each plays an important role in the joy of the season for others. Most don't do these things for themselves, but rather for their family.

Even in these small ways, the spirit of the season is seen.

Some don't know why they feel joy at doing these things, but the reward for their hard work comes from others. Doing for others, serving others, is what life is. Some do it more than others, but if there was one lesson I would like to leave to my posterity, it's the "Spirit of Christmas".

For those who never venture into this side of life, their existence is shallow, meager and far from fulfilling. We all know those who wouldn't dream of doing anything for anyone else, save it be for payment. Those are the ones who's life will be longer than they can tolerate. Those who know this little secret will tell you that their life was rich, rewarding and full of love and far too short.

As this season comes, I wish all my family and my friends, a Merry Christmas and I wish everyone the "Spirit of CHRISTmas".

When Is Too Much. . .

I just can't come up with a title or any comment other than to say this was for two people, it was a gift, and very much appreciated, and I tried to just savor the experience! PS: The food was wonderful!!

I also need to note that there was one appetizer, one salad, two steaks, and one vegetable because we split. Everything is priced separate, so what you see is what was ordered other than "free" bread and butter!!

Clouds

As most know, I love clouds - or perhaps it's cloud formations! This was one that was far reaching - from north of Denver to well south of Colorado Springs yesterday, Dec. 15th! I took it through the windshield, forgive the antenna!

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year!

Tom and I made a trip to Denver recently, among some of the things I did with my daughter was to take a few minutes to shoot some pictures of homes in the area of my daughters home. Such beauty, those who truly enjoy the season certainly shows!

Not that many of us don’t enjoy it, but there are those who certainly put a lot of time, energy and money into making their home “shine”!

The decorations for this particular home is started in October, and finally turned on in December! This home owner puts them up by himself.

Many homes are professionally designed and decorated.

Some have many wood groupings and different themes which are handmade by the owner!

Some have a lane going into their beautifully decorated homes which is brightly lit up with holiday lights!

Some have themes, some have only one basic color.

I hope those who see this blog may enjoy this short display of lights!

Merry Christmas to all.

Until next time. . .

Whats A Mother To Do??

I am so glad my girls don't look at this - I have been looking for these two shots for just this purpose - to add to this blog! These come from a trip to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs in 2005. Following brunch, just us girls, walked around the grounds!

Now many have been to the Broadmoor, and for those who have not - it's a 5-Star, top of the line, exclusive, expensive place to visit.

Now what's a mother to do when she has to try to keep this brood in check!

What wonderful memories - thank you daughters for this very special day!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Just thought I would put a word in here about this extreme cold snap we are now experiencing! The human body is not equipped to deal with temps like this, especially in this part of the country! Forecast is for below zero readings tonight!

We woke up to 5+ inches of fluffy white stuff, it snowed all night I believe!

The temperatures are what is the most serious, this is an arctic air mass apparently, too early in the winter for this, but none-the-less, it's here!

I took this picture mid-morning when the sun was just starting to break through. I guess it looks like mountains (??) but it's actually a cloud bank. I believe the temps will moderate tomorrow, but will fall again this coming weekend with more snow in it's way.

So in the meantime, we shiver and moan and groan! I will leave water running to prevent the possibility of frozen pipes. This part of Colorado seldom has this type of cold so nothing is really built for it.

Late afternoon, I noticed my trusty weather station was registering increasing temps - wow - I was excited to see 20 degrees, then I looked outside and noticed my sensor was in the sun! Just enough to bump it up a bit. As soon as the sun fell away, it rapidly fell to 19 - then 18 - then I haven't looked any more!! Too cold.

Until next time!