tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18100331341798084342024-03-05T12:55:51.487-08:00A Merry Little ChristmasThoughts on the Most Wonderful time of the year!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-51338075071122537672009-11-03T10:02:00.000-08:002009-11-03T11:20:19.988-08:0012 Gifts of Hope.Want to bless someone in need this Christmas? Sure you do! We all do, don't we? However, a lot of us are strapped financially. Well, fear not kind-hearted friend! Thanks to the fine folks at Samaritan's Purse and Heifer International, you can give a gift of hope to someone who desperately needs it for $10.00 or less! How cool is that? Extremely cool, THAT'S how cool! Check it out:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #1. A hot meal- $7.00</span><br />By giving $7.00 to Samaritan's Purse, you can provide a week's worth of dinners to someone who's hungry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #2. Milk- $4.00</span><br />Sending $4.00 will provide milk for a week to a needy child.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Gift #3. Blanket-$6.00</span><br />With your $6.00, Samaritan's Purse can provide a blanket for someone who otherwise would be without one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #4. Mosquito Net- $10.00</span><br />Malaria kills over a million people each year. Your gift of $10.00 can provide someone with a bed net, treated with natural insecticide to kill and keep out mosquitoes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #5. Feed a Baby for a Week- $9.00</span><br />This amount can feed a baby or nursing mother for a week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #6. Sports Gear- $8.00</span><br />If you were hoping to give something more along the lines of fun, here's your chance. $8.00 will provide a child with a soccer ball, an incredible luxury they might not otherwise have.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #7. "Jesus Loves Me" Lambs - $4.00</span><br />Want to bless a little one with a toy they can love? $4.00 will give a small child a stuffed musical lamb that plays "Jesus Loves Me."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Gift #8. Gospel Story Books- $6.00</span><br />These are picture books that tell the story of Jesus. For $6.00, you can provide books to 20 children.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />All of the above mentioned gifts are available through Samaritan's Purse. Check them out online at <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org">www.samaritanspurse.org</a> or call them at 1-800-353-5957.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #9. Rabbits- $10.00</span><br />Heifer International will use your $10.00 to buy three rabbits for a village or family in need. Rabbits are raised for food and rabbit manure can be used as fertilizer without composting.Because rabbits have so many offspring, your gift is multiplied quickly and used to help more people.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Gift #10. Sheep- $10.00</span><br />Heifer International will combine your $10.00 with gifts from others to buy a sheep for a village or family in need. Wool from sheep is used to make clothing or sold for extra income. Offspring can be used for meat or produce more wool. Sheep manure can be turned to fertilizer for the land and improve the soil.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #11. Pig - $10.00</span><br />Pigs are used as source of protein, income from the sale of offspring and manure to nourish crops and soil and increase crop yields.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gift #12. Tree - $10.00<br /></span><br />Sounds odd...here's why Heifer International gives trees:<br />"We believe development must be sustainable — that projects should be long-term investments in the future of people and the planet....On a steep Tanzanian hillside, Heifer International helped a family learn to plant trees and elephant grass to keep the soil in place. Today, they have flourishing rows of leucaena trees and corn.<br />Through training, families learn how to keep their small plots of land healthy and renew the soil for future generations by planting trees, using natural fertilizer, and limiting grazing." <span style="font-style:italic;"> www.heifer.org</span><br />Pretty darn rockin', I'd say.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Gifts #s 9-12 are available through Heifer International. Visit them online at <a href="http://www.heifer.org">www.heifer.org</a> or call them at 800-422-0474.</span><br /><br />If you are wanting and able to give a little more, both of these organizations have many more life-saving gifts to offer. You can provide care for an orphan for A MONTH for $35.00, teach a child to read and write for $15.00 or provide food, medicine and other essentials to an AIDS widow or orphan for a month with only $45.00. Supply clean water for a family for $18.00, share the cost of a fishing boat for $30.00, or buy a flock of geese for a village for $20.00. There's so much you can do to help, and so many people who need it.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-47342887302809914912008-12-30T14:06:00.000-08:002008-12-30T14:23:52.619-08:00Christmas PicturesI have no photo to go with this story. I think I mailed it to my mom. I do have the negative somewhere, and when I find it I will post it. But until then, here is the story.<br /><br />One year, about 4 years ago (seems like 10) I decided to take a Christmas pictures of all (3 at the time)the kids on a bench in the backyard. Wyatt was 5, Lizzie was 3 and Ben was about 6 months old. I knew a photo studio would be a nightmare, so I decided to go with the backyard bench and a few Christmassy props. <br /><br />What a freak show. I wrote an email to family members immediately following the incident:<br /><br /><em>They are plotting against me. Even the baby. Oh sure, they act happy and cheerful. They smile beautiful smiles and are very compliant during the "getting ready" process. They clap and jump up and down while I arrange the Poinsettias. They clamber up on to the wooden bench singing "jingle bells". They snuggle up close on the red and black check blanket and are clearly excited about the whole process. I think, "wow this isn't going to be that difficult after all!" And then I say "OK.....Say "Cheese"....and it's a free for all. The baby starts fussing. Wyatt Henry drools and wipes it on his shirt. Elizabeth suddenly can't keep her eyes open. So I say, "whoa..ok..let's try that again. Say..."Merry Christmas!" Wyatt Henry screams it at me like he's the Hulk. Lizzie is now rubbing her eyes. Ben is trying to eat the blanket. I lower the camera and rearrange them and say, "ok you guys. Now, listen...look at Mommy and be still. Just smile when i tell you to smile. OK?" They all smile (big beautiful smiles) and i quickly raise my camera, foolishly thinking they will keep smiling. Just as i press the button, Lizzie climbs off the bench, announcing that she is going to bed because she's tired. (at 10:30 in the morning). I say, " Wait Baby, we're almost done. Just a few more minutes." She gets back up on the bench. I tell them to smile. That must be their code word for "freak out". <br /> <br />Wyatt Henry acts like it hurts him to smile...his eyes are like dime slots, his brow is furrowed. His "smile" is really just a disply of all his teeth. The child clearly thought I instructed him to grimace. Benjamin is now screaming and is as red as his shirt. Elizabeth isn't even pretending to be interested...she's just looking past her brothers, and sighs. Totally frustrated, I say "Wyatt, that is not a smile. What are you doing, son? Elizabeth, can you please at least look at the camera?" She says, "The sun is hurting my eyes." I explain that the sun is behind her, that she is sitting in the shade." She says "oh." and then shrugs and says, "Well, I'm still sick." and closes her eyes and puts her head back. Ben is just freaking out and Wyatt Henry says, "ugh! Ben is heavey!" I consider threatening all of them with spankings if they don't just smile and be still, and then I realize how counter productive that would be, so I just send them all into the house. Lizzie suddenly is awake, Wyatt instantly remembers how to smile. And Ben magically stops screaming and gives me a big drooly smile and giggle. The only one crying is ME!!!!! Ho, Ho Ho!!!!!!! We will regroup and try again later. ;-)</em><br /><br />We never regrouped, by the way. Just so you know.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-91221679857075719642008-12-28T22:07:00.001-08:002008-12-28T22:17:28.489-08:004th Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIWo_yhuPcE_qConOfE1SDHu1AqyIPiXqg-gDHVqK-Wv03WM6O5oQg8eOsZBMkO-DOx5NCrtqr0qTxZWOM4QWYpd4PLem_4rNe0JDYW0gPIMzviD4lQkyhAQkizhmDKBP9ZAsxy3Hpg53/s1600-h/4day.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIWo_yhuPcE_qConOfE1SDHu1AqyIPiXqg-gDHVqK-Wv03WM6O5oQg8eOsZBMkO-DOx5NCrtqr0qTxZWOM4QWYpd4PLem_4rNe0JDYW0gPIMzviD4lQkyhAQkizhmDKBP9ZAsxy3Hpg53/s320/4day.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285091529502315202" /></a><br />Today is the fourth day of Christmas. <br /><br />Four calling birds....<br /><br />Some say the 4 calling birds are symbols of the four gospels writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I don't know if that is true, but it's a good enough excuse to read them, is it not?<br /><br />p.s. FYI, I wrote this at 12:10 am MONDAY morning, not Sunday, regardless of what the date stamp reads. I'm just sayin'!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-89991780304999181232008-12-26T07:42:00.000-08:002008-12-26T07:47:17.210-08:00It's not over yet!!!If you thought Christmas was over, think again! Today (dec.26) is the first day of Christmas that we sing about in the 12 days of Christmas....we still have 11 more to go!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This party is just starting, folks!<br /> <br />I'll post more on the meaning of the 12 days later, but if you just can't wait, <a href="http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html">click here.</a>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-59359167577720541072008-12-17T20:48:00.000-08:002008-12-17T21:11:07.048-08:0012 Mexican Foods Of ChristmasMy very favorite kind of food to eat is Mexican food. I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE it! I love it so much, that I (with the help of my family) wrote a lovely little song about it, my own happy version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!<br /><br />On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>A bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>2 cilantro leaves and<br />a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves and<br />a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>4 Corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 Cilantro leaves and<br />a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em><strong>5 REFRIED BEEEEEEANS!!!!!</strong><br />4 Corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 Cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole</em><br /><br />On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>6 Sopapillas<br /><strong>5 Refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 Corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 Cilantro leaves and<br />a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>8 chicken tacos<br />7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>9 jalapenos<br />8 chicken tacos<br />7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>10 beef fajitas<br />9 jalapenos<br />8 chicken tacos<br />7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:<br /><em>11 enchiladas<br />10 beef fajitas<br />9 jalapenos<br />8 chicken tacos<br />7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em><br /><br />On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....<br /><br /><br />12 Margaritas (hiccup!)<br /><em>11 enchiladas<br />10 beef fajitas<br />9 jalapenos<br />8 chicken tacos<br />7 chips with salsa<br />6 sopapillas<br /><strong>5 refried beeeeeans!</strong><br />4 corona lites<br />3 Nachos<br />2 cilantro leaves<br />and a bowl of guacamole.</em>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-39118918374868537042008-12-14T17:50:00.000-08:002008-12-14T17:51:09.400-08:00FOUND!!!!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-86443756327482910822008-12-12T18:50:00.000-08:002008-12-12T18:53:32.978-08:00MIA<strong>Missing: </strong> My list of The 12 Mexican Foods of Christmas. <br /><br /><strong>Last Seen:</strong> Around my desk about a week ago<br /><br /><strong>Approx. age:</strong> 1 month<br /><br /><strong>Distinguishing features:</strong> FIVE refried beans!!!!<br /><br />When I find my list, you'll be the first to know.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-79313430737348170082008-12-04T15:52:00.000-08:002008-12-04T16:07:43.891-08:00Crafty Carnage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSyen0uhqLcwn0-PYk05xwZTnEJs1UmS5C39cJq_0e4EQ5x_WpgZ2cJ4tYpge7aHHGb-I54fcuMsA9DwC_e62sy56DHWyQrSF6IWl-oAqWOI-e_H9xYR9J5tiwVdsMALNPbd8kXJoq8Lf/s1600-h/Crafty+Carnage.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSyen0uhqLcwn0-PYk05xwZTnEJs1UmS5C39cJq_0e4EQ5x_WpgZ2cJ4tYpge7aHHGb-I54fcuMsA9DwC_e62sy56DHWyQrSF6IWl-oAqWOI-e_H9xYR9J5tiwVdsMALNPbd8kXJoq8Lf/s400/Crafty+Carnage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276087893140775202" /></a><br /><br />Today, we got crafty!<br /><br />Here are the kids' ornaments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiJA4fdgBrzd3xmopv9azWbbIUvlO_cMbzmneXmjkhHNV9qHltYJErv9FFzmlGlUvGbeiEBzPiBfJ6UNBFWIWXCQKjGJyZv62JivMzaf_aVMUeB9ypWgkyt3duKZ8Hu3qpW8YtsWPoQSu/s1600-h/December2008+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiJA4fdgBrzd3xmopv9azWbbIUvlO_cMbzmneXmjkhHNV9qHltYJErv9FFzmlGlUvGbeiEBzPiBfJ6UNBFWIWXCQKjGJyZv62JivMzaf_aVMUeB9ypWgkyt3duKZ8Hu3qpW8YtsWPoQSu/s400/December2008+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276090856303610642" /></a>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-37784207271808037512008-12-03T12:50:00.000-08:002008-12-03T12:52:14.948-08:00Sammy Claus<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZkV6GpZd2Ls&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZkV6GpZd2Ls&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-65344657014002669872008-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:002008-12-03T12:48:59.508-08:00Christmas on Plum Creek<em>"There had never been such a Christmas as this. It was such a large, rich Christmas, the whole church full of Christmas. There were so many lamps, so many people, so much noise and laughter, and so many happinesses in it. Laura felt full and bursting, as if the whole big rich Christmas was inside her, and her mittens and her beautiful jewelbox with the wee gold cup-and-saucer and teapot, and her candy and her popcorn ball. <br />And suddenly someone said, 'These are for you, Laura.'<br /><br />Mrs. Towers Stood smiling, holding out the little fur cape and muff.<br /><br />'For me?' Laura said, 'For me?' Then everything else vanished while with both arms she hugged the soft furs to her...<br /><br />'What do you say, Laura?' Ma asked, but Reverend Alden said, 'There is no need. The way her eyes are shining is enough.' "</em><br /><br />~Laura Ingalls Wilder, <em>On The Banks of Plum Creek</em>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-56693777773627584252008-11-29T18:55:00.000-08:002008-11-29T18:59:21.201-08:00Christmas ActivitiesOk, so we've yet to make one star, BUT we did put up several decorations, and today we got some Christmas shopping done. So, tomorrow....stars! And hang the advent calendar, which i was supposed to do today.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-62691434348512109102008-11-28T10:09:00.000-08:002008-11-28T10:17:34.884-08:00Christmas StarsMy girlfriend Drew Llyn posted a video of how to make this neat origame stars.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9EEn8HaWfZ8x0V75yvNpgLPRjEIV1onebcRCwQ2uYFdkl5UYYUBtQWUDk1et8UwH7lMZFSrDrAmSM0KV7zNJky_wII9BaX-hFWkm1b27rdMNPbKA1D0g09vuhfExo2SJ7DA8gCbOIol/s1600-h/Drew+Llyn%27s+Star"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9EEn8HaWfZ8x0V75yvNpgLPRjEIV1onebcRCwQ2uYFdkl5UYYUBtQWUDk1et8UwH7lMZFSrDrAmSM0KV7zNJky_wII9BaX-hFWkm1b27rdMNPbKA1D0g09vuhfExo2SJ7DA8gCbOIol/s400/Drew+Llyn%27s+Star" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273772590727441186" /></a><br /><br />Cool, right? Drew Llyn suggested I post the video here at A Merry Little Christmas incase anyone wanted to make some homemade decorations for their tree. So, here's the video. We will be making these later today. With paper cut to the size of a dollar bill, mind you. Decorating the tree with cash seems creepy. And let's be honest, who's got the spare cash anyway?<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/956295/5_dollar_origami_star.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br/><font size="1"><br /><br /> <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/956295/5_dollar_origami_star/">5 Dollar Origami Star - video powered by Metacafe</a></font>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-20263684777367076032008-11-27T20:38:00.000-08:002008-11-27T20:54:28.849-08:00Today's activity was...Starting a nativity puzzle...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB5KHUKag3g1oNqMRlGZvbsnPrW_Sl-nsNrRD7uMVhiA8bXBQewxYLs0SL4QiUPMF4ryuC8BGf0qO03rIMI3j69Av6zKfVexg5me3FAxXUOHI4tZeBbLjxR3_A5Zt_cPmq0M_HcZCZ61y/s1600-h/Puzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB5KHUKag3g1oNqMRlGZvbsnPrW_Sl-nsNrRD7uMVhiA8bXBQewxYLs0SL4QiUPMF4ryuC8BGf0qO03rIMI3j69Av6zKfVexg5me3FAxXUOHI4tZeBbLjxR3_A5Zt_cPmq0M_HcZCZ61y/s400/Puzzle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273566592231648130" /></a><br /><br />and listening to Christmas music. <br /><br />Tomorrow, the tree goes up!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-72469848860457111592008-11-25T16:56:00.000-08:002008-11-25T18:01:31.338-08:00Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus<em>***from The New York Sun, September 21, 1897***</em><br /><br />We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that it's faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:<br /><br /><em>Dear Editor:<br />I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says "if you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?<br /><br />Virginia O'Hanlon, 115 West 95th Street</em><br /><br />Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virgina, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and knowledge. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-bwrU1sShuwzazZLNKhAyOJOdXsZP7CzuMe2JYC5gHN7putFKOVBGAzLcycPRH_B00mt5GxbWawhDyFPsTbF7I7iRrJxpWqIZ8Bk6c9pV6gP8C7QkiCNb3o8_fzPKkpTCqjzeidyjRif/s1600-h/santa-claus-chimney.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272778713419396258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-bwrU1sShuwzazZLNKhAyOJOdXsZP7CzuMe2JYC5gHN7putFKOVBGAzLcycPRH_B00mt5GxbWawhDyFPsTbF7I7iRrJxpWqIZ8Bk6c9pV6gP8C7QkiCNb3o8_fzPKkpTCqjzeidyjRif/s320/santa-claus-chimney.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist; and you know that they abound and give to your life it's highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.<br /><br />Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys in Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those things that neither children and men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's not proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world.<br /><br />You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside; but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man nor even the unites strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture that supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virgina, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.<br /><br />No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay, ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.<br /> <br /> ~ Francis P. ChurchRhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-82643100318756846202008-11-21T21:11:00.000-08:002008-11-21T21:40:18.347-08:00Old-School Christmas Music<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEdEaxA6jhI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AEdEaxA6jhI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />..."with a voice as big as the sea..." I love that part!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aSynDh_K0EE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aSynDh_K0EE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Lame video, great song.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WTN0YkSaGpM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WTN0YkSaGpM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />ohhhhh!! I love this one.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRzyOSAJg94&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRzyOSAJg94&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Gotta love Brenda Lee.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lUyuGFoiWJ0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lUyuGFoiWJ0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Blue, blue, blue Christmas in black leather. Who else could get away with that?<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q9mo4yGvaIA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q9mo4yGvaIA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Yes, that's Jonny Mathis. I love him and I'm dang proud of it.<br />Here's another.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0inp9eRMovM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0inp9eRMovM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />That was for my roommate Karen Farenheit.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3PHyWgOFDaA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3PHyWgOFDaA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Oh GOSH, I'm soooo LOVING THIS!!!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rSupw-W8wnA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rSupw-W8wnA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Bing. <br /><br /><br />And let's end this properly, shall we?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6oj3jixMGaw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6oj3jixMGaw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Nat King "many-have-tried-but-I-still-own-this-song" Cole.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-17380398892542897062008-11-20T20:08:00.001-08:002008-11-21T09:22:15.713-08:00Christmas Memories1.)The talking Christmas Tree at Woolworths.(right, Woolworths?)<br />2.)Hanging stockings on the cardboard fireplace. ( I LOVED that thing.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzcoWhIpf8aij2BX6oFOBGwm2Ji8sEXnXeYNIszVsFQd05Ji5l4IR9hB2-juud5Eou7wnA13Rw2ic8TumYKDKSdfJt18aEmZIM0PoS0-JnEW3NHv0wWPswNiubOkJ8URkMskfufX1Pj_e/s1600-h/Diana-Ross--The-Supremes-Merry-Christmas-336882.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270981169716431586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzcoWhIpf8aij2BX6oFOBGwm2Ji8sEXnXeYNIszVsFQd05Ji5l4IR9hB2-juud5Eou7wnA13Rw2ic8TumYKDKSdfJt18aEmZIM0PoS0-JnEW3NHv0wWPswNiubOkJ8URkMskfufX1Pj_e/s200/Diana-Ross--The-Supremes-Merry-Christmas-336882.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />3.)Beach Boys, Dean Martin, The Supremes, Brenda Lee, Andy Williams (i think) Robert Goulet, Elvis...all on black,shiny vinyl...those are still my favs.<br />4.)Silver and gold garland.<br />5.)Spray snow on the windows.<br />6.)Not being able to sleep Christmas Eve and can I just say I'm still the same way!!! <br />7.) Sears' Wishbook...I still have the teddy bear I picked out one year. His yellow ribbon has been replaced with a red bandana and is named Bruce.<br />8.)Opening a Disney Fairy Tales book. My sister claims this is a false memory because the book is and has always been hers. Mom backs her up. I know they're <em>sooo</em> tricking me.<br />9.)Welfare sending Santa to our house. He was black, we are not. I was the only child who sat on his lap, thank you very much. I believe we got Toss Across that year. I loved that game.<br />10.)Listening to "Do you Hear what I Hear" and wondering why they brought silver and gold to and "a child, a child, shivers in the cold"...why not a blanket?<br />11.) Christmas Night at my grandmother's. Big plastic candles (with "Noel" written on them) that stood on either side of the front door. Lots of cousins, my grandfather's LOUD laugh, french meat pie, a big wooden bowl of mixed nuts still in their shells. My grandmother always spent the entire night in the kitchen.<br />12.) Mincemeat pie...yum.<br />13.) Seeing those cookie crumbs on the plate on Christmas morning...oh yes! Santa had been here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WMa0GmiXgEZRSCj7XCF-anK3a3qu-MGw0g8OGhdPmqPFl7p1Nf4fL5ErAp8Z6IpO5vcHGEwQLHWeNCVeI6qDZfnVC0KxDMQOw6GsGK5ejqhK9JYaKSBZMeBBe5Td6dyeTusMVFCxIhg8/s1600-h/mistletoe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270976753516888562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WMa0GmiXgEZRSCj7XCF-anK3a3qu-MGw0g8OGhdPmqPFl7p1Nf4fL5ErAp8Z6IpO5vcHGEwQLHWeNCVeI6qDZfnVC0KxDMQOw6GsGK5ejqhK9JYaKSBZMeBBe5Td6dyeTusMVFCxIhg8/s320/mistletoe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />14.)The funky white chain garland with little red velvet sleighs and reindeer and sprigs of plastic mistletoe.<br />15.)Driving around town looking at Christmas lights.<br />16.) Christmas caroling. Yes, we really went once or twice. I remember the little book.<br />17.)Silver Christmas trees...No, we never had one and can you believe these things are back????<br />18.) Cardboard advent calendars with little Santas Clause shaped chocolates in them.<br />19.) Frosty, Rudoplh, the Grinch, and of course, Charlie Brown Christmas specials. The thrill I felt if I stumbled across one while changing the channels, and the sinking feeling I had when I went to school and found out I had missed one!<br />20.) Christmas at grade school...making paper chains and decorating the classroom. Christmas plays. Christmas Choruses where we sang Silent Night and nobody sued the school. Walking down the halls and seeing the words "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Channakuh" on the wall in construction paper letters. Playing dreidel and singing, "Dreidel, dreidel dreidel...I made it out of clay. And when it's dry and ready, than dreidel I shall play."...even though I'm not jewish.<br />21.) Painting ceramic Christmas ornaments. Mom's ceramic Christmas tree. Mom's ceramic nativity with only 2 wise men. I guess the 3rd went back to get a blanket.<br />22.) Little Christmas...which I believe is traditionally called Epiphany. But in New England in the 70s and 80s, it was called Little Christmas.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-50761740845649426272008-11-16T18:35:00.000-08:002008-11-16T18:54:37.217-08:00Christmas with the Kranks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM4OW4twRNxjVk99WMChxrbmA2xczOdmkMdrvemtX3UCx29XRRGFPF2ffLACgKjIkonQSxzIq9GkrQteyBwowP8j6hlnzY2GwlqkFN2M5KsbBUNENGyeSJmXsjZj8psUldtI4ZczhEX8z/s1600-h/Kranks.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM4OW4twRNxjVk99WMChxrbmA2xczOdmkMdrvemtX3UCx29XRRGFPF2ffLACgKjIkonQSxzIq9GkrQteyBwowP8j6hlnzY2GwlqkFN2M5KsbBUNENGyeSJmXsjZj8psUldtI4ZczhEX8z/s320/Kranks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269454269451889218" /></a><br />Ok, y'all, if you haven't seen this movie, you need to check it out! We watched it last night and it was FUN-NY! Laugh out loud funny in a few places. First off, you just gotta love Jamie Lee Curtis. Any woman in Hollywood with a real body and isn't anorexic gets my vote. Plus she's really funny and has that GREAT horror movie scream. Tim Allen...botox scene. 'Nuff said. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the movie! Enjoy!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-30672312604340959192008-11-14T18:57:00.000-08:002008-11-14T19:02:37.608-08:00Christmas with a capital "C"If you tell my husband, "Happy Holidays!" you're likely to hear him say, "What holiday? 4th of July? Labor Day?" <br /><br />It's Christmas! Say it! You know you want to!<br /><br />Anyway, my girlfriend Shannon sent to this to me so I could share it here on my CHRISTMAS blog. It get's the point across, and I think the comedian is pretty funny!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IAckfn8yiAQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IAckfn8yiAQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-43172503263043359272008-11-11T19:20:00.000-08:002008-11-11T19:35:31.674-08:00Dreaming of Groovy Christmas<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLuW8joOge4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLuW8joOge4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-81569710680077167082008-11-10T18:35:00.000-08:002008-11-10T18:46:16.554-08:00Baby Clothes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r_66Yt42LBh-4eTl6rfA0WuBLhXWN-ATtmVFTc9BY-RqGA4rwk6q7xIEDoHQsTKZkAjPPctK8XSCCScCLAKjg4jtW-S-2brwFJ8sZzeeIlNFX5JoD-piiSxPtxhP75Xm4Wc8wwyDk-9g/s1600-h/Baby+ALive.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r_66Yt42LBh-4eTl6rfA0WuBLhXWN-ATtmVFTc9BY-RqGA4rwk6q7xIEDoHQsTKZkAjPPctK8XSCCScCLAKjg4jtW-S-2brwFJ8sZzeeIlNFX5JoD-piiSxPtxhP75Xm4Wc8wwyDk-9g/s320/Baby+ALive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267225785574721490" /></a><br />Today's christmas activity was shopping online for Baby Alive clothes and accessories. I received a Baby Alive doll in a big bag of hand-me-downs for Lizzie. I was pretty pumped because Baby Alive cost about $30.OO and this one was big fat FREE! And in Like New condition. And naked. So, today we purchased some must haves for dear little BA, and Abby's Christmas shopping is done! NEXT!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-24429528764162340992008-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:002009-12-02T20:43:31.102-08:00All I Really Want for Christmas...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mnRNP0Qipws&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mnRNP0Qipws&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><em>"In the U.S. alone, 127,000 kids go to sleep at night dreaming of the day when they might be adopted....although that is a big number, it's important to note that more than 300,000 churches grace this country. Think about it---that's less than one child for every two churches."</em> <br /><br />From, <em>Why I'm For Orphans </em>By Jim Daly, President, Focus on The Family.<br />For more info., check out www.<a href="http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/">icareaboutorphans.org</a>Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-73501324110764373292008-11-07T06:16:00.000-08:002008-11-07T17:43:19.216-08:00And....Friday's Christmassy activity is serving my kids hot apple cider in Christmas tea cups. Kids who don't want hot apple cider, so I will just have to drink it myself!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-81501019507180646872008-11-06T16:47:00.001-08:002008-11-06T16:48:25.204-08:00Today's Christmassy activity was......buying a little baby christmas pj set!Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-59800489491861772512008-11-05T14:37:00.000-08:002008-11-05T15:24:07.079-08:00O Holy Night"O Holy Night" is by far my very most favorite Christmas song ever. I grew up hearing it by Johnny Mathis and I loved it. There are new versions of it every year, and I like to listen to them all and critique them, as if I could do any better. Today, I listened to a variety of O Holy Night performances and came up with my newest favorite. But before I share it, let me list a few of the artists I listened to.<br /><br />John Berry....Celine Dion....Avril Lavigne...Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston...Carrie Underwood....Pavarotti....Aled Jones....CiCi Wynans...Mariah Carey...Kelly Clarkson....Whitney Houston....Josh Groban....Nsync...Sarah Brightman...The Corrs...Martin McBride...and(God forgive me)Jessica Simpson.<br /><br />I liked the Corrs, but felt like the lead singer was trying to be sexy. Yes, while singing O Holy Night. I liked John Berry and Johs Groban because they sang more than the first verse. I liked and Nsync. As for Jessica Simpson, I just need to ask: "Really? Really Jessica? Cleavage and seduction while singing about 'Our dear Saviour's birth' ?" uh-uh uh.<br /><br />Anyway, my favs were Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson. I couldn't embed Martina's performance, however. You'll need to check it out on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2UMFTsV0Bs">You Tube</a>. But here is Kelly Clarkson...Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7e3FX2EkOkI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7e3FX2EkOkI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />P.S. Ok I just heard the live Kelly Clarkson version and Martina wins hands down.Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810033134179808434.post-6842229273787829192008-11-04T06:56:00.001-08:002008-11-04T07:00:27.066-08:00The Big 50!!!Only FIFTY days until Christmas. Today, I will begin my quest to do something Christmassy every day until THE DAY! Today's Christmas activity was having peppermint mocha creamer in my coffee. And to listen to "Let it Snow."Rhonda Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534935655430304496noreply@blogger.com2