HAPPY NEW YEAR

AS 2010 ENDS AND 2011 ARRIVES
HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS
WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR

SHOPPING AND OUR DRIVE HOME

I woke up this morning, and told my husband I would like to go shopping for some new jeans. So off to the Mall we went. I had not been to the Mall in about a year and it was a lot of fun shopping but somewhat frustrating. We have 2 Kohl's and 2 Target's here, where we live and a skeleton of a Mall as the economy stopped that from completion.

The thing that is very hard for me to find is jeans long enough for me and not stretch as they do not go back to the size and the way that they fit after washing and drip drying them. I was told by a Manager at Kohl's that my Gloria Vanderbilt's are made all over the place except the USA. Today I was told by a Manager at J C Penney's that all of the jeans are now made in Shri Lanka, Egypt, Mexico, Omad, etc., none in the USA. The quality is terrible and not many brands to choose from. She and my husband found a few pair and I bought one after trying them on, to see how these work out for me. What ever happened to good old USA made denim jeans?? We did a bit more shopping at the Mall and headed home.

My husband decided to take the country roads home. The sky was so beautiful that
we turned right on a road for me to take some photos.

Little did we know that there would be an
extraordinary donkey and sheep,
all obviously well taken care of.

The donkey turned to glance at us

Then it stopped and stared at us
It was so muddy between the road and the fence
that I could not get closer and probably just as well

As we drove away the donkey ran along the fence
at the pace of our car
How I wanted to stop and take it home
Something so special had happened
My husband asked me as we left if I was crying
and I said yes
How I wish my last two photos did not come out so blurry
THIS DONKEY MADE MY DAY!!

CHRISTMAS 2010

On Christmas Eve, my nephew arrived
and soon after fell fast asleep.
We ate dinner and let him sleep.

My sleepy nephew was woke
to eat dinner and open gifts

Oscar was ready for Christmas

Something nice and warm

Our son put on a few things
he got, right away

Hubby got a very funny hat

My nephew took a big bite out of his
Chocolate Santa
with one front permanent tooth, so cute.
Then they were on their way.

Christmas Day, we exchanged our gifts
and since we were
having no company,
we spent Christmas Day relaxing.

It is hard to believe that Christmas is over
once again
hope you all had a wonderful Christmas 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

** True Story of Rudolph**

A man named Robert L. May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.

Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.

Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys.

He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook!

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope.

Again and again, Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.

Who was the character? What was the story all about?

The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was.

The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day.But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.

By 1946, Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph.

That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May.

The book became a best seller.

Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again.
And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad.
In fact, being different can be a blessing.

* MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010*

TURKEY SOUP

We have been enjoying our left over turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy until that is gone in the next day or two. Last night we made a large pot of turkey soup. With the weather gloomy, cold and rainy, it is a wonderful comfort food. I hope you are all enjoying this week of Christmas, staying warm where it is cold and cool where it is warm and looking forward to the festivities.

BUSY DAY TODAY

Turkeys went on sale during the week, so I picked one up and today hubby and I made a stuffed BBQ'd turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was so good. Now we have left overs and soup to make in the next day or two. We also made two dozen Oatmeal cookies. It is a busy time of the year yet very festive. Hope you all had a great weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK

Happy Birthday to my wonderful son, Erik. It is hard to believe that 26 years ago you came into my life and changed it forever. Enjoy your day. Love and hugs, Mom

WHAT A WONDERFUL CONCERT - Tuesday 12/7/2010

Tonight, our local JC Jazz Band that my son is in performed at the downtown plaza in Sacramento. Wish I had a photo to put up, but they did not come out too good. The memory of a wonderful night remains with me. A variety of Christmas songs and Jazz music filled the air and was enjoyed by many.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I bought this little living tree
to enjoy
and plant after Christmas
to have for years to come.
I hope you enjoy it as well.