December 7 - Changes

Doesn't this look cozy?  A comfortable chair, my scriptures, a cup of hot chocolate and a sleeping dog!  It's perfect for a cold, cloudy, rainy Portland day.  Tomorrow things change!  Brock, the dog, leaves us to go to his new permanent home and I'm trading the gray Portland scene for this:

George and I are off to St. Thomas for a week!

December 6 - Morning Walks

Two of the best things about moving to Lake Oswego are these two ladies.  When George and I had only been living here a couple of months, Chris and Linda invited me to join them on their morning walks by the river.  I can not begin to explain the difference they made in my adjustment to my new life here.  We have walked many a mile, often in the rain, but their friendship has been my sunshine on the darkest of mornings.  

Dec. 5 - Just how smart are these dogs?

Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week because it is the day I walk dogs at Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Each kennel has a list of dogs on the 'approved for cruising' list.  Walking down the aisle in between the kennels reminds me of being in a kindergarten class and asking for a volunteer to help.  You remember how all the little hands go up and you hear a chorus of 'Me, me, me!!!!'  If dogs could talk they'd be doing the same thing.  Some bark, some dance, some wiggle, some whine, some just try to look especially cute but every single one of them is hoping that they are the ones going for a walk!  Today I stopped in front of this kennel with Deirdre and Elton.

 I looked at their names and said, "I'm going to walk you Deirdre."  Elton glanced up at me, then with a resigned look, turned and walked outside.  Really are they that smart??? 

December 4 - The weather outside is....

Normally in December when I sing, "Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful..." I'm talking about SNOW!  Now that I live in the Pacific Northwest frightful rain is more the norm.  'It didn't show  signs of stopping' all day yesterday. And since I didn't have anyone to 'hold me tight' much less 'kiss goodnight', I just went on 'out in the storm."  

December 3 - Pajamas and Books

Our Empty Nesters Family Home evening group met tonight to enjoy dinner, fellowship, and the reading of some wonderful children's Christmas stories.  Most importantly everyone came with a donation of a pair of children's pajamas and a book.

They will be donated to "Pajamas and Books" an organization that donates to children in homeless shelters or group homes.  The founder was in a shelter in Harlem to give pajamas to children who didn't have fathers and whose mothers were in prison.  One puzzled little girl asked her where she was supposed to wear them as normally she just slept in her clothes.  How wonderful that this group helps provide warm pajamas and a book for a bedtime story to children in need all around the country  I'm glad we could help!.

December 2 - Christmas Past

I just finished reading Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennet. It tells the story of Scrooge's miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. So with 'Christmas Past' on the brain already, I heard a person on the radio say that "Christmas is like a hug from your Grandmother"!  Immediately I remembered this photo taken Christmas 1953, my very first Christmas.  I'm the baby on the right side of the picture, in Grandma's left arm, and that is my cousin Ross on the other.  He is about 6 weeks younger than I am so we were 3 and 4 months old.  

Ahh....'Christmas is a time you get homesick, even when you'e home!' Carol Nelson 

 I admit to a little homesickness for the Christmases of my childhood when everything seemed to be almost magical as we gathered at Grandma's house for good food and lots of family time.  I was a lucky little girl to grow up with so much love all around me.

Christmas is the keeping place for memories of our innocence. Joan Mills

December 1

Getting out the Christmas decorations today, listening to Christmas music, and contemplating this message from the First Presidency of our church!  Their words help me to feel the Christmas spirit and to resolve not to get so busy with unimportant Christmas 'stuff' that I forget what really matters!

The Spirit of Christmas creates in our hearts a desire to give joy to others and to serve them. At this time of year we feel a spirit of giving and of gratitude for what we have been given. The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember the Savior and His gifts to us and, in turn, to serve others.

Each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to the Savior because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children. And because that brings joy to Him it also brings joy to His Father, to whom we owe thanks beyond measure.

Jesus Christ taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said: “I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of Eternal Life.

We bear witness of the living reality of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the peace and joy that come through Him be present in the lives and hearts of God’s children throughout the world this Christmas season.

—The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Thomas S. Monson, Henry B Eyring, Dieter F Uchtdorf