PUPPIE LOVE

Nothing like puppie love!

A little white and gray curly hair.

He always tries to sneak out and get in the car.

He is always so happy to see us when we return. 

He watches from the upstairs window.

Yes he has changed our lives.

We have a big walk in the morning and he loves to say hello to people or other dogs.

I do not seem to get much done around here when it is time to go again.

Dad finished putting up Christmas lights so he is happy about that.

To-morrow he sees his family doctor to get pills refilled.  Then on the way home he will make a stop at the blood clinic to do his test for the prostate cancer.  We are looking forward to supper with Carol and Panteli, Kim and Ben.

According to my new boom the brain is neuroplastic.

It changes according to the environment.

I am reassured that change takes time.

I am excited to learn more each day. 

LIGHTS

Dad is out cleaning up the garden and string up more lights.

Yesterday he went for a bike ridw and Spenser and I had another walk.

Spenser and I have had our walk.  We nearly got knocked over by a young guy running to catch the bus.  It is very cold today.  We did not meet any of our friends.  

I am starting to read a book called "Switch On Your Brain" by Dr. Caroline Leaf.

My daily routine is pretty simple.  In the morning I pray, eat read and write in my journal.

Then I walk Spenser and after we both have a rest.  We usually like to go out at least once a day.  It can be shopping or eating out or going to the library.

This book is designed to help me understand the unique power of the mind.

There are also quotes from the Bible to help me understand it better.

I am trying to make peace with getting older gracefully.

STARTING

A home filled with love is a good place to start.

Starting the season right with family.

Maxwell is growing cuter every time we see him.

Mandy and James will be spending Christmas in Edmonton with family.\

Mandy's sister has just had her baby today.

Sandra and Randy are great hosts for this early Christmas party.

Part of the classic Christmas story is the journey Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem.  It was not an easy journey but they found a place to have their baby.

Any journey brings invertible challenges, but being with family is a great blessing.

We did not go to church today because I was feeling a little tired.

We did go shopping for more Christmas lights.  Dad is very enthusiastic about putting up the lights.

It is wonderful to see Christmas lights glowing in windows and loving family celebrating together.

Christmas is about family.

FRIENDSHIP

                                                Friendship one of the best gifts of all.
Joanne, a friend that I have made on my walks, called to invite her to meet at the Greek Restaurant.
She is a very funny story teller and we are soon laughing as we join her at the table.  She has lots of health problem's but these are told with humor.  She and her daughter are going to be breeding puppies.  They come over later to bring the two very big beautiful Sheep dogs to show.us.  This is a serious undertaking and they are still in the learning process.

Dad had a little fall as we were leaving the restaurant.  He did not realize there was a ittle step down.
He has done this at Sandra's place too.

Life is full of ups and downs so we just laugh about this.

Rick has hurt his back lifting bales of hay.  I guess he is not cut out to be a rancher.

He is planning a long trip to Alert Bay on Tuesday.

The unexpected can happen at any time.  Mary, the mother of baby Jesus, had not been expecting to be pregnant before marriage.  If Joseph had not stayed with her she could have been stoned to death.

The spiritual birth has the power to change us deep inside our souls.  God chooses each one of us to be used in different ways to make this world a better place.

We are expected at Sandra and Randy's home.  Mandy and James will be there with the baby and so will Carol and Panteli.  We will take Spenser too, he is our baby now.

GIVING

Christmas is decorations that light up our streets.

Christmas is the thought of giving not getting.

It is the happiness of seeing joy in others.

Seeing faces light up"

I was very excited about our, dad and mine,  first Christmas.  I had a new dress to wear, I had baked cookies and the floor where all shined up and out tiny tree just the right size for our living room.  The kitchen was tiny with a two burner electric stove.  It also was where our washer sat in the corner.  No dryer but a good long clothes line outside the back door.

A small table was set in the living room all ready for mom and dad and my brother Brian and his wife Traudl.  We even had Christmas crackers to pop and my good china we received for a wedding present.

From the outside the house looked rundown and the yard was just mud.  It was a shock when I first saw it but it had become home and we were happy there.  My mom and dad were dismayed when they saw the outside.  They did not say anything at the time but later learn ed how they had felt.

The one problem was the electric stove kept turn off and the turkey was not getting cooked.  I ran back and forth to the bedroom to pull the switch.  I felt like sitting down and crying.  Thankfully the neighbors let us use their stove and thankfully everyone was a good sport.

I wonder how Mary the mother of Jesus felt having a baby in a barn that was cut out of a cave.  It would not have been an easy time to be pregnant before marriage.

A story that tugs at your heart the more you think about it.

I am so thankful for my parents and the love they gave me.  The best gift of all.

ONE

                                                     One by one the cards are/ done.
                                                     Trips to the store to buy more cards.
                                                     Trips to the bank to get more money,
                                                     Trip to the post office for more stamps.
                                                     I got in trouble for bringing Spenser in with me.
                                                     Sorry, sorry, sorry.
                                                     Dad helped to lick the envelopes and made sure the stamps were on.

My results from the blood work are hear.  It is all perfect except high in B12.
I must be doing something right.  Why am I so tired?  Everyone seems tired.
I guess the best thing I can do is not be anxious about my health.

I was so pleased to see this little box in the park.  People can take a book and leave a book.  I have already done this.  I check this morning and my book is gone.  Little things make me happy.

We went to one store on Wed. and bought one present.  We were tired out. standing in line etc.
 One by one.

I love the miracle and wonder that shines through the Christmas story.
Mary responds with a question and acceptance.
Joseph struggles to believe and to understand.

One baby, one mom and one dad bring this life into being that lives on in hearts today!

I still have the childest faith that bless me when I was young.

God works in mysterious ways, even when it is hard for us to believe

The power of love!

I keep praying!

RESULTS

It was a foggy damp morning as we drove to White Rock.

I had an appointment at the doctor \

dad may try to get in to see his doctor.

Dad had a very painful weekend with pain in his shoulder and ribs.  Every movement hurt.  At first we did not know what it was but then realized he had fallen on his bike several days before.  He followed Hamlet's advice and too Alieve.  I did not realize, but I should have, that all pain medications are not the same.

By Monday morning he had improved enough to be able to drive. 

I had been procrastinating in going to see the doctor for some blood work which was to be done in October.  Now my doctor is away but I saw his very young nice replacement.

Dad and I will work on cards for the grandchildren when I get back.

Off to the blood clinic now.