Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you have had a wonderful day filled with joy and laughter and family. This has been a good day for us, but we also have had an unusual day.
My kids came over early today and we opened a few presents and had breakfast together. Jim went to work around 11, but Debi did not have to go in as she had planned. She and I went to the new Sherlock Holmes movie while Mom spent the afternoon basking in the sun. Later, Dorothy's brother Jim is coming over with some friends and then we will have an informal meal of Sloppy Joes and potato salad. We will open some more presents when Jim gets off work, and then they will stay the night before returning to Prescott tomorrow. Not our usual Christmas Day.
Last night, Dorothy and I went to candlelight service at North Hills Church where we attend. The service started off in an unusual way. Instead of the old standby carols, we sang "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and a few other secular standards before getting to the more religious standards. By the time we got to these, everyone was in a singing mood, and the place resounded with joy. When we came home, Dorothy and I got into the hot tub, and watched the stars and wondered about their placement in the universe. All in all a fantastic evening.
My wife gave me a wonderful gift this year---a new Bible. I have long lost track of the Bible I had as a youth, and the one I had in college for religion classes. This was the best gift I received. it is not just a Bible, but it also has a study guide and historical notes, and helps with ways I can apply the message into my daily life.
Next up is New Year's. The time we make resolutions (do we ever keep them?) and get a new beginning. I know that Debi and I are going to get her another doberman that day so Akkadian can have a friend. And I am also promising myself that by the end of the year, I will be a mere shadow of this year's doughnut. Which means I may have to give up doughnuts!
One thing I would ask of you for the coming year... Make an effort to have every day be a Christmas day. Wear the joy and tranquility you feel today on your sleeve and put a smile on your face and Peace in your heart.
Doughnut
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Feeling of Christmas Every Day
Today was a great day! I am really in the holiday spirit. This is the second Christmas without snow, but I don't seem to miss it at all. There is something about sitting by the pool with a holiday eggnogg in my shorts that just helps me with peace, goodwill towards men. We have established new Christmas traditions out here, and the family is settling in.
One thing the kids (I say this because they are my children, but they are 28 and 30) have done that I am pretty proud of is that they are working on Christmas day so those with families do not have to. They both have jobs that require someone to be on duty, so they have taken it on themselves to work for those who have kids, or want to be at home. What a great gift to co-workers, and shows a bit of selflessness.
I have been doing some research about Christmas and how people spend it. Fifty percent of all people in this survey say they will spend the day at home with family. Twenty-five percent say they will be with their parents. Three percent of the people will spend it with in-laws, and five percent will be with friends. But on a sad note, seven percent will be alone or on the streets.
Can you feel the anticipation and the love during this next few weeks? It permeates the air and fills everyone with hope and joy. People walk down the street with smiles on their faces and say hello to perfect strangers. It is wonderful to feel this way, but disturbing when we wonder why we feel this way now, but not the rest of the year? Why now do we extend greetings. compassion, and hope for peace to our fellow man, yet during the rest of the year, we are oblivious to the problems we see.
This year, I will make a valiant effort to treat others better and to see the love and joy that is offered me. I hope you can feel the spirit of Christmas in all your days, also. Look for that star every night, that child of hope in everyone and let your heart be filled with joy each day.
Felice Navidad.
Doughnut
One thing the kids (I say this because they are my children, but they are 28 and 30) have done that I am pretty proud of is that they are working on Christmas day so those with families do not have to. They both have jobs that require someone to be on duty, so they have taken it on themselves to work for those who have kids, or want to be at home. What a great gift to co-workers, and shows a bit of selflessness.
I have been doing some research about Christmas and how people spend it. Fifty percent of all people in this survey say they will spend the day at home with family. Twenty-five percent say they will be with their parents. Three percent of the people will spend it with in-laws, and five percent will be with friends. But on a sad note, seven percent will be alone or on the streets.
Can you feel the anticipation and the love during this next few weeks? It permeates the air and fills everyone with hope and joy. People walk down the street with smiles on their faces and say hello to perfect strangers. It is wonderful to feel this way, but disturbing when we wonder why we feel this way now, but not the rest of the year? Why now do we extend greetings. compassion, and hope for peace to our fellow man, yet during the rest of the year, we are oblivious to the problems we see.
This year, I will make a valiant effort to treat others better and to see the love and joy that is offered me. I hope you can feel the spirit of Christmas in all your days, also. Look for that star every night, that child of hope in everyone and let your heart be filled with joy each day.
Felice Navidad.
Doughnut
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Holiday Preparations
I usually start my ramblings with a weather report that is somewhat a kick in the teeth to my friends in the Midwest who follow my blog. I let them know, in no-uncertain-terms, that I live in a vertible paradise where snow and wind and rain does not exist and everything is comfy cosy and I eat fruit from my orange trees and get cottage cheese and dairy from the cottage cheese plant we grow in the opulent backyard. Today, however, is different!
Today, it is cold here! While the rest of you dig out, I had to put on the heat for an hour here. It was almost 31 degrees when I woke up this morning; and when we went to the hot tub last night, there was frost on the top. Seems I am destined to be cold in the winter.
Scrooge McShields seems to live in my house, so the neighbors say. We do not put up outside decorations, despite the fact that most of our neighbors do. We have a simple tree that stands in the front window and is lit in the evenings for all to see. That is about it. No ostentatious displays, just a simple celebration of the season, unlike our area which seems to be blowup Christmas decoration heaven. Everyone has at least one, maybe two blowups on their lawns or their houses. One house about a mile from us, has so many decorations on it, they open their lawn at night so people can go out into their backyard and see all they have. During the day, it looks like a perpetual garage sale. But if their display helps them "Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men" then so be it. We each find celebration in our own way.
In the next few episodes of the Doughnut Hole 503, we will take a look at Christmas celebrations and stories. If you would like to share one of your stories with me. feel free to send your story to coachn3@gmail.com I will read each one and hopefully be able to answer any questions you might have, or at least share your stories with the world.
Until then, stay warm and bundle up out there.
Doughnut
ps... Our family suffered a loss last week with the death of Colonel Jim Sawyer, USMC (retired). Jim was the brother-in-law to my Dorothy's Aunt Dorothy. She and Jim were the last two Oldies of our family, leaving only Aunt Dorothy as the elder of the family. Our prayers go out to Jim's immediate family. Go to a better rest, old soldier.
Today, it is cold here! While the rest of you dig out, I had to put on the heat for an hour here. It was almost 31 degrees when I woke up this morning; and when we went to the hot tub last night, there was frost on the top. Seems I am destined to be cold in the winter.
Scrooge McShields seems to live in my house, so the neighbors say. We do not put up outside decorations, despite the fact that most of our neighbors do. We have a simple tree that stands in the front window and is lit in the evenings for all to see. That is about it. No ostentatious displays, just a simple celebration of the season, unlike our area which seems to be blowup Christmas decoration heaven. Everyone has at least one, maybe two blowups on their lawns or their houses. One house about a mile from us, has so many decorations on it, they open their lawn at night so people can go out into their backyard and see all they have. During the day, it looks like a perpetual garage sale. But if their display helps them "Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men" then so be it. We each find celebration in our own way.
In the next few episodes of the Doughnut Hole 503, we will take a look at Christmas celebrations and stories. If you would like to share one of your stories with me. feel free to send your story to coachn3@gmail.com I will read each one and hopefully be able to answer any questions you might have, or at least share your stories with the world.
Until then, stay warm and bundle up out there.
Doughnut
ps... Our family suffered a loss last week with the death of Colonel Jim Sawyer, USMC (retired). Jim was the brother-in-law to my Dorothy's Aunt Dorothy. She and Jim were the last two Oldies of our family, leaving only Aunt Dorothy as the elder of the family. Our prayers go out to Jim's immediate family. Go to a better rest, old soldier.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Today begins anew...
The days of despair are over.
I have had some issues lately with my computer which culminated in my Gateway laptop crashing down around my ankles last weeek. I lost all contact with the blog world and most of the rest of my reality. My book was temporarily lost, my pictures were gone. My life as I know it came to a screeching halt in a moment.
I never knew how much I depended on my computer. it was my life blood to Papa John's, my connection to Facebook, and the heart of my communications with friends. What did I ever do without it?
Thanks to a fine young man at Arizona Computers on 35th Av and Union Hills, all was repaired. And Best Buy had a great sale on, I now have a complete computer overhaul.
Dorothy is waiting patiently for her spa. So as soon as i get the book finished and sell my first million copies, she can get one... (Hint here, subliminal suggestion.... "Buy the Book!") Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat....
Love to all my readers who missed me. I will be more punctual from now on because all of my excuses are now gone.
Doughnut
I have had some issues lately with my computer which culminated in my Gateway laptop crashing down around my ankles last weeek. I lost all contact with the blog world and most of the rest of my reality. My book was temporarily lost, my pictures were gone. My life as I know it came to a screeching halt in a moment.
I never knew how much I depended on my computer. it was my life blood to Papa John's, my connection to Facebook, and the heart of my communications with friends. What did I ever do without it?
Thanks to a fine young man at Arizona Computers on 35th Av and Union Hills, all was repaired. And Best Buy had a great sale on, I now have a complete computer overhaul.
Dorothy is waiting patiently for her spa. So as soon as i get the book finished and sell my first million copies, she can get one... (Hint here, subliminal suggestion.... "Buy the Book!") Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat....
Love to all my readers who missed me. I will be more punctual from now on because all of my excuses are now gone.
Doughnut
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