Chapter 12, Page 30, Book 19

My 17 Days Of  Christmas 

Day 4 and 5 - December 30th

All my family finally made it in and we headed to the beach on Sunday. It was mid 80’s but we had a nice breeze coming of the gulf and it couldn’t have been a better day to be on the beach.  The grand babes did a good job of collecting seashells for me.  I just sat in my chair and enjoyed it all.  In lieu of a beach hat I borrowed DSIL’s ball cap to help with the sun glare while trying to watch the sunset.  It wasn’t very stylish but it did the job.  

We had lunch at a seafood restaurant near by and I have to say it was the best fish and chip dinner I’ve ever had

We stayed until the sunset below the horizon and left before it was too dark to see where we were going.  Dinner was pizza at the house and some hot dogs on the grill too.

Today, Monday we went to a place that had airboats and went through the everglades to see some alligators, which we did, but mostly I enjoyed the birds that were everywhere.  Lots of snowy egrets and blue herons.  Others too, I just don’t remember their names.  

After that we ;went to a place call the Ford Garage, for lunch.  I had a delicious patty melt.  The place is known for their burgers.  I didn’t get many pictures there, but my daughter did, so perhaps I can share her pictures later on.

  

This evening we are here at DS#4’s  home and everyone else is at the hotel for a pizza party  which was given as a gift to our little Cutie Patootie.  Somehow the restroom door got stuck on her at the hotel this morning and it took them over 1/2 hour to get her out so the hotel gave her a party  as an apologee for her being stuck in the restroom so long.  She was a little upset but getting a party really cheered her up .  

  

  

We didn’t go because DS#4 wanted to make sausage bread for tomorrow and his wife wanted to make homemade noodles for or dinner tomorrow night when we celebrate our Family Christmas and New Years Eve.  

What a Joy it has been too see everyone together having fun.  For the most part anyway!

Chapter 12, Page 29, Book 19

My 17 Days Of  Christmas 

Day 3 - December 29th  

DDIL#1 and family arrived early yesterday morning and after a little catching up time they all left for some shopping and to register at their hotel.   DS#5 and 6  arrived later on,   The traffic has made for slow driving. 

DS*4 made wings and we had them and macaroni salad for dinner while the boys enjoyed watching the Ohio State football game.  Then some of us went to a Florida Everblades hockey game.  One of my grandson’s is very keen on hockey and didn’t want to miss a chance to see them while they were here.

It’s supposed to be our beach day and later on we’ll all pack  up and head for the beach.  I’ll collect some shells to take home Where I’m going to make a little beach in a bowl, with sand and shells. 

We still have a airboat ride in the everglades and a visit to a Fruit Market and the Mantatee park to do.  It’s been busy and wonderful here with all the people and I’m loving every moment.  Our Christmas celebration will be on the 31at when we’ll also celeberate New Year’s Eve.  

Even my granddad loves all the attention

Chapter 12, Page 28, Book 19

My 17 Days Of  Christmas 

Day 2 - December 28th

Went shopping with the girls yesterday.  We went to a very nice outdoor Mall .  Little known to  me their destination was the Apple Store where they bought a new phone for me.  My old phone’s battery was dying and didn’t have much storage.  So they thought was time for me to have an update. 

We had steaks, baked potatoes and corn for dinner at the table out by the pool.  And later in the evening DD and her family arrived.  They didn’t have their hotel available until the next day so spent the night in DS#4’s living room.  They said the drive had been terribel with heavy traffic  and were very happy to finally get here.  

Meanwhile there are still three  more that will arrive today sometime. DDIL#1, DS#5 and DS#6 and their families.  It’ll be a day to great the new arrivals and just hang out here visiting

17 days of Christmas, Day 1, December 27, 2019

My 17 Days Of  Christmas 

Day 1 - December 27th

On the 1st day of Christmas my true loves gave to me…

A plane ticket to Florida to be with my family..  It’ was the busiest Day of the year for travel so I got there early  My neice and newphey graciously took me in to the airport.

.I woke up to a text yesterday from DS#3 who says they will not be coming…they are going through a rough patch and cannot make it.  A little damper on the gaiety of the day but will continue to keep in good spirits and not let it get me down.  I still have happy times ahead with the rest.  Meanwhile prayers would be appreciated fore DS#3 and his family.  

 I arrived about 4 and one of my other sons and family came in about 6 and we all had dinner together.  

This morning we are out on the patio with donuts and coffee and it’s nice and warm but raining.  Right now, about 10 o’clock and the sun is shinning. 

Chapter 12, Paga 25, Book 19

Christmas day is a day of joy and charity.  May God make you very rich in both!

Phillip Brooks

December 25 - Merry  Christmas!

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another.  The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.

Emily Matthews

It is always better to give than receive and their is no better time to begin making it a habit the at Christmas time.  The habit of generosity is a good one to have.  Habits are usually not good things to have but this one is not a bad one at all.

Research has shown that Christmas remains a time of charitable giving.

When it comes to donating time and money there are many options.  Those that don’t have a lot of money often donate their time and those that donate their money often don’t have any extra time to give. 

Some do both.  One way or the other its important to at least do one of them.  There is no more generous time of the year than Christmas.  

Giving is receiving and what ever you give will come back to you.  Generosity is not only fun, it’s healthy. Research shows generous people live longer and are less stressed and depressed than stingy people.  Remember : Choosing to be a Scrooge could be a health risk…  

The gift of giving will outlast the shiny toys you open Christmas morning, You can measure material things in dollars but impacting someone’s life in a positive way is priceless!

Christmas is a tonic for our souls.  It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves.  It directs our thoughts to giving.

B.C. Forbes

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas Day!

and a Happy 2020!

Chapter 12, Page 24, Book 19

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.

C.S. Lewis

December 24th - Christmas Eve

Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas .  And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship and God’s gift of the Christ child.

Amy Grant

Christmas Eve brings thoughts of Christmas this year with my family.  The happy greetings as we arrive to celebrate together.  The joyous sounds of the children after a long long trip. 

I loved it when I had all my children  still at home and will love being with all to them again to celebrate Christmas together once more.  Happy days are here again!

I’d be happy if it stayed that way forever, but meanwhile I’m counting my blessings that a least there will be this one time before I get too old to enjoy it, that we’ll be together, all of us in one place.

I do write two blogs and this is the one to read if you want to keep up with what happens on our Family Christmas vacation this year.  It will start on the day after Christmas and run through the 11th of January.  I’m calling it my 17 days of Christmas.  Yes I get 17 not just the usual 12 days of Christmas this year.

My Christmas Angels, DS#4 and his wife have made it possible and the rest have joined in to make the best Christmas ever.

Of all the nights of the year there is not one that is more anxiously awaited by young people than the night that precedes Christmas.  Then begins the great festival of the year the festival in honor of the birth of Christ; the festival that reminds us of the Child born in a manger, of the shepherds near Bethlehem watching their flocks by night and of the angels that sang of peace and good will to men.

Hamish Hendry

Chapter 12, Page 23, Book 19

What love we’ve given, we’ll have forever.  What love we fail to give, will be lost for all eternity.

Leo Buscaglia

December 23rd -seize the oppoertunity

Sometimes the course of our lives depends on what we do or don’t do in a few seconds, a heartbeat, when we either seize the opportunity , or jut miss it.  Miss the moment and and you never get a chance again.

Aidan Chambers

We should never miss a moment to show our love and or to let people  know we care.  Life is so precious.  Let people know you love them.  Life can change in a second so don’t miss the chance to show you care.  

Life can change in a second, so value every moment.  Even if you are angry, If you love them make sure they know it.

Appreciate the people you love and never miss the opportunity to let them know how much they mean to you.  Never miss a chance to say I love you. 

We should live every moment of our life to the fullest as we never know when our last breath will be drawn.

Share your love with others, show it to one another.  Patience expresses love by treating every individual as priceless. It empowers you to enjoy the journey instead of deregarding what makes your life worth living as you rush toward your latest distinction.Patience allows us to be more fully in the moment. A more patient life reduces the sense of being overwhelmed .

Acts of kindness can powerfully express love, such as listening to someone who needs a sympathetic ear. It smoothes out the rough patches of life and helps lubricate friction between people. Even when everything goes wrong, you can still express kindness to yourself and others.  Kindness displaces rudeness, harsh self criticism, anger and resentment.

Love is delighting in others successes, It attracts friends,  It breads joy.

Love isn’t just something that happens to you you.  You can cultivate it.  Don’t lose the chance to create more love today.

 

Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time.  Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest.  In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change.  Do not let your today be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future  Today is a new day!

Steve Marabolie

Chapter 12, Page 22, Book 19

The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.

Buddy the Elf

December 22nd - spreading cheer

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl.  But it warmed more than you body.  It warmed your heart…filled it, too , with melody that would last forever.

Bess Streeter Aldrich

When Christmas is here, we can hardly contain our excitement.  There is so much happening that it is impossible to stay isolated from merry making.  Presents have to be bought, guests have to be invited to Christms parties, The Christms tree has to be decorated. and the Christms feast has to be prepared.  Making the most of our Christmas celebrations is to enjoy every moment. 

For me, music is an important part of the of the season.  

It’s important to share with those that could use some extra care and love.  I remember the days when I volunteered my time with the scouts. We visited a nursing home each year and sang Christmas carols.  It was amazing to see how their faces lit up by our visits.

The merry family gatherings—

The old, and the very young

the strangely lovely way they 

Harmonize to carols sung

Bring  cheer to those that can hear, is a wonderful way to show love this Christmas season.  When we give what we have, we are blessed by gaining a feeling of cheer ourselves.  What we give always come back around.

To me, music brings Christmas to life… To each one of these special songs is a pretty package that I get to unwrap again every year.

Ace Collins

No one can listen to I’m dreaming of a white Christmas without the feeling that it’ won’t be Christmas without snow.  Songs bring back precious memories and makes new ones for us to enjoy.

Christmas music is sharing over and over our Christmas joy and brings out the spirit of Christmas when we cannot find it.

There is a Christmas song upon the air

There is joy innate within the evert;

An inner sense of peace, a holy light

Illumines life and sets those days apart

Edna Greene Hines

Chapter 12, Page 21, Book 1i9

Only human beings have the power to imagine a future that could be different from the present.

Michael Mayne

December 21ST - a good imagination

Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but with imagination.

Max Lucado

Christmas is a time of imagination. Santa, reindeer, elves, a singing snowman are just some of the products of our imaginations.  A great deal of mystery and wonderment builds as children across the globe await Christmas.  

Imagination creates a world full of gingerbread house, mounds of presents, the  North Poll and sleighs loaded with toys. Imagination is a God given gift that is vital  and useful for adults too as we reflect on the mysteries of Christmas.  How the Angels sang the glory of God, while shepherds watched over their flocks.  How the story of Christmas evolves in our hearts. 

The Christmas story has been told over and over and sparkes our hearts to be more loving and giving.  Without it Christmas wouldn’t be quite the same.

Christmas carols bring to mind images. They might be associated with nativity plays and children snug in their beds.  They proclaim the hopes and fears of all the years of all the years are met in thee tonight.

We need to imagine possibilities of a better world.  Inventors imagine  inventions before they become household necessities, chefs imagine tastes before serving them to their guests. Imagination is the seed of creative thought.  To think beyond ourselves, more imagination is the ticket to solving problems. Without imaginations people would cease to hope and plan.  Things won’t happen if we don’t imagine the possibilities in the first place.

Imagination costs nothing.  We all have the resource available, so lets use it to make our days a little more merry and bright.

What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.

Agnes M. Pharo

Chapter 12, Page 20, Book 19

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

William Arthur Ward

The value of a smile at Christmas

Dale Carnegie

It costs nothing but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those that give

It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so ricn that they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for it’s benefits

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business and is the coutersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and naterurs best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed her stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.

And it, in the last minute rush of Christmas buying, for some of our salespeople should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask that you leave one of yours?

For nobody needs a smile so much as those that have none left to give

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a Happy New Year!

A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.

Tom Wilson

Chapter 12, Page 19, Book 19

We have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but today is overflowing with potential.

Allan Lokos

December 19th - see the potential in each day

The dreams and passions stored within  hearts are powerful keys which can unlock a wealth of potential.

James C. Maxwell

Counting down the days  and checking our lists for Christmas can become stressfull .  Because we live in a society filled with many distractions, we can easily get caught up with stress and frustration in life. So it’s important to focus on what we want.  When it comes to reaching our potential it’s important to know what the big picture looks. like.

When we have purpose and reason in our life we will be more able to live out each day to our fullest postential .  To be able to plan out our days and how we want to spend the time.  When there are lots of excuses for why you can’t get it done, challenging yourself to focus on all the reasons why’s you must make it happen.

I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.

Charlotte Bronte

It’s also important to keep a positive attitude.  With a possitive attitude you’’ll be able to stay focused on what you want to accomplish every day.We cannot choose our circumstances, but we can choose our attitude. Take a step back so you can see things clearly again.

Hang in there, We’re almost there now.  See the potential in everyday!  When each day is done appreciate that you have done your very best. 

 

Until you value yourself, you will not value your time.  Until you value your time you will not do anything with it.

M. Scaott Peck

Chapter 12, Page 18, Book 19

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are things we can’t see. 

The Conductor, Polar Express

December18th - we walk by faith and not by sight

The best and most beatuful things in the world cannot be seen our even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

The Christmas spirit is about believing not seeing   The Christmas season brings about all kinds of feelings of home,  for the future, gratitude for our blessings, joy in hearing our favorite songs, comfort while watching Christmas movies and even nostalgia associated with certain smells of Christmas.  For me the most over whelming feeling is love.  These feelings can not be seen, they are believed in but not seen.

From the smell of pumpkin spice to the taste of peppermint and hot chocolate, the season is in full swing with the glow of lights and decorations , Many people engage their belief in the Christmas spirit when they start to plan their traditional family dinner.  Others use words like Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Many donate food and clothing and give loose change in the red kettle when it crossest their path.  We see it but do not believe it exists.

Faith sees the invisible

Believes the unbelievable

and receives the impossible.

Corrie Ten Boom

Belief is not aways seeing what is right there in front of us.  And sometimes we do not believe in what we see. 

The Christmas Spirit is alive and well.  It may or may not be seen.  But its something we can believe in.

You will see it when you believe it.

Wayne Dyer