New Years Eve

Happy New Year Everyone
Wishing You All the Best in 2008!

Till Next Year, Cheers!
Jaime & Company:
Teddy, Haida, & Angel

Sunday Evening ...

I haven't posted since Friday ... the day I went shopping. It took a couple of days to recuperate. Today I cleaned the house ... so now I am tired, I am going to bed early as tomorrow I have to return that memory foam pillow that I bought. I was surprised it was as hard as a rock. Although, once you have your head on it for awhile it does kind of take the shape of your head, but it's too hard for me. I might as well sleep on a rock! So It's back to the store to return section. I don't think I will try another.

I have a $25.00 gift certificate that I got from the gang at work ... you guessed it, I still have it in my wallet. I forgot to give it to the cashier at the check out counter.

There was a lady in line behind me with three or four items, I told her she could go ahead of me, much to the chagrin of the cashier as she glared at me for letting this lady go ahead of me. The cashier had to push my stuff away from the till to let the lady in. I wanted to tell the cashier to tell her face that it was Christmas and to give the lady a break.

I like to watch the items come up on the cash register, but since she was putting the things through quicker than I could get the bags in my cart I only saw the total and forgot about the gift card until I was outside loading my stuff into the truck. I wouldn't dare go back to this cashier. I will go tomorrow when I buy Angel's birthday gift, I will use it then.

I don't like going shopping. I go if I have to get a particular item(s). I go in and then out again. I must admit I did get a couple of great deals on some things that I had wanted to buy anyway. I bought a toaster oven and a crock pot, it was a steal.

Have you ever seen the commercial of the lady shopping at IKEA? She has bags and bags of things she's purchased and when she looks at her bill she can't believe how much she paid. She is sure the cashier must of made a mistake. She gets out of the store and is yelling to her husband, who was patiently waiting in the car, "start the car, start the car", she gets in the car and begins hooting and hollering as they seemingly make a clean get away, not realizing they had hit the biggest IKEA sale, ever!

Tomorrow is New Years Eve, I am sure many will be out celebrating with family and friends or staying home. Me, and the dogs will spend a quiet evening at home, retire before midnight and sleep away 2007 and wake up in 2008!

Till next time, Happy New Year

Five Days to New Years and My Birthday

Hi there, It's me Angel.

My birthday is coming up on January 1, 2008, I will be three years old! Boy, I am glad to get out of those terrible twos ... I can be a bit yappy at times, at least that's what my mommy says. She sometimes threatens me by saying she will call Leader Post!!! I fold like an accordion and look at her with my beautiful brown eyes ... and I win her over, yet again.

I am hoping to get a new bed for my birthday ... I better run as I hear mommy coming down the hall.

Till next Time, Happy New Year!

Boxing Day

I didn't brave the malls today! Perhaps tomorrow, or not. I figure, by tomorrow the crowds will likely have thinned out a bit. You have probably figured it out by now that I don't like going shopping.

Yesterday, I was invited out for a Christmas supper. The food was terrific as was the company and to top it off, I was also blessed with a doggie bag. Today, I had leftovers ... very tasty indeed!

I had better get back into the swing of things as next week I will have to get up again at the crack of dawn to go to work and back into a busy schedule.

But for now, I am going to continue enjoying my vacation and keep doing as I please.

Till next Time, Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. They had been worn a year and needed the air!!! LOL

When I got up this morning I opened the kitchen blinds and noticed my neighbor's light's were on in the living room. Yep, it's Christmas morning ... I can just imagine the kids ripping open their presents with glee ... (this was the only word which sprung to mind, it's Christmas, give me a break)LOL.

Christmas is a time for families and friends to get together to enjoy each other's company ... and then eat lots and lots of turkey .... laugh, play games and then eat some more. Thank goodness it only comes once a year.

Tomorrow is Boxing Day .... a time to buy things up to 70% off. This gives a new meaning to gift cards. Anyway, that's where you will find me ... rummaging through all the electronics at Best Buy looking for my Christmas present to myself!

Till next time, Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve

The minutes are ticking ... Christmas Day is almost upon us. But are we ready? Wait, I still have to brave the crowds one last time today. Or do I dare venture out ... could I possibly wait for Boxing Day which is even worse for crowds, but even better for after Christmas sales! It will be a toss up ...

Till next time, Merry Christmas Everybody!

A Lovely R&R Sunday

Yesterday (Saturday), I had full intentions of going to the mall. But when I got outside and saw the packed snow on my inside driveway, I decided I had better get rid of it before taking my truck out of the garage. Now, my truck likely would have made it, but what if it didn't? Then I would be stuck, literally.

I started shoveling. But since I haven't been clearing the snow in this area it was packed about four inches deep. The plus side is that I could break it up and then carry the bigger pieces over to the side of the house, which I did. Needless to say, after and hour and a half shoveling I was too tired to venture out to the mall. I went back in the house, made myself a hot cup of java and started supper. I will go shopping on Monday, the day before Christmas along with all the other last minute shoppers.

Hence, today is my R&R day! I am getting use to not going to work everyday and will find it hard to get back into the routine. This time off has been like a prerequisite to retirement. I think I could get use to this lifestyle. Just think next year at this time I will doing just that adjusting to my retirement lifestyle. I can hardly wait!

Till Next time, Cheers!

List Minute Shoppers

Since I haven't gone shopping all week it looks like I will have to venture out today, maybe. Have you ever shopped at those liquidation stores? Some of them are ly user friendly, while others leave the items in a box on the floor. Picture it, bending down to rummage through a box to find a "deal". If it's on the floor I will walk on by and look for items that are displayed on a table.

Christmas is three days away and then Boxing Day. I love Boxing Day as I usually go out and find the best deals in electronics. I shop on this day for myself, it's my gift to me. What fun. This year I am looking for an HDTV. I have been watching the flyers for weeks now and reading up on the difference between LCD HDTV and Plasma TV's. In the simplest terms one is lighter and the other gets darker faster. I am not exactly sure if I understand all of the technical jargon but I have asked around and most people I know have an HDTV.

My regular TV is a 32" and I am thinking of getting a 42". I will need a different cable box from my service provider. I sure hope it's worth it in the end.

Well, I had better have breakfast before going out to brave the crowds.

Till next time, Cheers!

The First Offical Day of Winter

When I looked out of the window this morning I saw a beautiful sight, hore frost on the trees and my chain link fence. It seemed rather fitting for being the first day of winter. It's here to stay and not leaving any time soon.

We also had another snow fall last night. the dogs were delighted as they made their way down the deck stairs as they rushed to clear their little cow path. What fun they have frolicking in the snow!


till next time, Cheers!

Top of the Morning ...

Now wouldn't it be great to wake up to a scene like this every morning? Dream on! I tend to think of more places without snow given that when I look out the window the scene is much different her in Saskatchewan. The past few days hasn't yielded any new white stuff around here and the old stuff isn't going to disappear anytime soon.

I think I will venture out today to buy groceries and a few other items that I should stock up on. You know, just in case we get a blizzard and I can't get out of the house.

Remember the other day I only shoveled a path for the post man. Well the other half of the driveway still has the snow on it. I am thinking if I drive out real slow I may not get stuck as my truck is well able to pack down the rest of the snow on the driveway. However, that may not work, but it's worth a try. I think I will have to invest in some new snow shovels, you've seen the kind, they are shaped funny and called ergonomic.

I had better get a move on as the sun will soon be getting up and shining through a crack in the clouds. I don't want to risk running into the late Christmas shoppers at the mall today. Then again, I am not a 100% sure I will actually go out this morning. I better have breakfast first. Oh I almost forgot, I am out of eggs, hash browns, and too many other things too numerous to mention. Well, the percentage has just gone down to 50% chance of me going to the mall today, who knows I may find a bargain or two!

Till next time, Cheers!

The Life of Riley

Yep, I am enjoying the "Life of Riley." Do you recall that expression? It's from the 50's. There use to be a TV show called by the same name. If memory serves me correctly, it was about a guy who loved laying in his hammock all day doing nothing.

His wife was inside the house completing her domestic chores and bringing Riley his drinks and snacks. I think he was retired. Sometimes Riley would talk over the fence to his neighbor who was cutting the grass and tell him that he had to cut his grass too, but would do it later. Consequently, the wife ended up cutting the grass. I wonder what made me stumble down memory lane and recall the above.

I am so use to being busy that doing less than nothing has been something for me to get use to. I know that when I retire I will definitely be doing something with my time. I like routine as do the dogs and I will likely get into one. The only difference being that my routine will not be driven by an alarm clock. I will set my own pace and routine for tasks and projects.

I was thinking the other day about this very thing. Since I still work full time, there is little time for me to get into the full maintenance my yard and house require. They are both too big for me. I would love to keep a manicured lawn and meet the Good Housekeeping Standard for the inside of my house! I do manage, as you know, to make lists so I don't forget that the furnace filter needs to be changed more than twice a year.

But I digress. I am enjoying the "Life of Riley" this Christmas vacation. I am just about finished watching CSI Miami Season Five on DVD. There isn't too much on TV these days as the writer's strike is still in full swing. I am glad I have most of my favorite shows on DVD to watch anytime I want to.

Years ago I wondered why anyone would want to buy a movie they have already seen. I have discovered the secret. People forget. I too, forget how the show ended. I may remember bits and pieces of an episode but usually forget who committed the crime.

Well, I have one more disc to watch from CSI Miami. I am looking forward to CSI Miami Season Six in 2008, given I haven't seen all of the episodes this year. I had best sign off as there is nothing on TV tonight that I am interested in.

Till next time,Cheers!

Thoughts on New Year Resolutions

Seven days till Christmas and then New Years and all the hoopla that goes with that celebration. What springs to mind is the practice of New Year Resolutions ...

Personally, I don't have any this year, nor did I have any last year or the year before. Some people faithfully make resolutions every year.

I decided to Google "New Year Resolutions" and found the following article. It doesn't quote any particular source to qualify its statements, but nonetheless I thought it worthwhile quoting here. My source is Wikipedia.

New Year's resolution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.

Many New Year resolutions in the Western world involve maintaining peak vitality, physical fitness, or appearance. For example, one person's goal might be to reduce or to eliminate intake of alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs. The most common new year's resolution is weight loss. A student may make a resolution to stay focused in class or to complete all of his assignments. Resolutions to eat sensibly or increase exercise are also quite common.

More socio-centric examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more economically or environmentally responsible. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility.

The new year resolution is one example of the rolling forecast-method of planning. According to this method, plans are established at regular short or medium-term time intervals, when only a rough long-term plan exists.


Well, what are your thoughts? Planning to commit to a New Year's resolution this year? If so, congratulations and more power to you to follow through for more than a week or two. Me, well I already stated that I don't plan on making any resolutions this year or any other year for that matter. But if I where to make a resolution or two it would be not too work so hard the last year of work and plan on spending more time getting ready for the next phase of my life, retirement.

Till next time, Cheers!

The Aftermath

This morning when I looked out of the window I noticed my driveway was completely covered, not with a skiff of snow but at least two inches of freshly fallen snow on top of the two inches of packed snow.

There were foot prints leading to my mailbox. I assumed they belonged to the paper boy who delivered the Christmas flyers and Sunday paper yesterday. Momentarily, I felt bad for the kid having to laboriously make his way to reach my mailbox. Then I remembered he usually has his i pod stuck in his ear and totally oblivious to what's happening around him as he mechanically stuffs the flyers into my mailbox.

My dogs usually bark at him each and every time he comes up the driveway. Once I called to him to apologize for my barking dogs. He looked up at me and smiled as he pulled out his earphone and said, "That's okay, I don't really hear them anyway". He stuck his earphone back in and trudged on to the next house.

I thought of the mailman and knew that he doesn't have to deliver my mail if the path isn't cleared. This motivated me immediately to make him proud of me and thankful that I cared enough to make his job easier! If the truth be known, I want my mail and not have to go downtown to pick it up at the post office!

Since my property has a chain link fence and a gate across the driveway my mailbox is located outside of the fenced area. I keep my gate locked at all times. This keeps my dogs from bolting out the door and running all over the neighborhood.

I finally made my way outside with shovel in hand and started shoveling. I cleared a little cow path from my mailbox, down the driveway and the sidewalk in front of my house. Since I am no longer twenty and could have shoveled every body's driveway on the block, I only managed a partial job. I have completed my good deed for the day!I do plan on going out again to finish the remainder of the driveway. Maybe.

I haven't considered the driveway inside the fence, that's the dogs area and they pack it down pretty good when they go out to play. I usually do not have a problem driving my truck out of the garage since I have Micheline Ice snow tires!

I have Christmas music playing in the back ground. I think I will make another fresh cup of java, and read a favorite mystery in front of my fireplace. Well, it's a pretend fireplace. It's a CD of wood burning logs displayed on my TV screen. It looks realistic and inviting especially after shoveling snow. Just think, I don't have to haul out hot ashes, I just click the remote and presto the fire comes up with all the sounds of a crackling fire burning logs. There is something to be said for tradition!

Till next time, Cheers!

A Day of Reflection

When I got up this morning, I looked out of my window and behold a fresh blanket of snow had fallen during the night. It's still snowing ever so lightly.

I stood in my warm house with my birds chirping and my dogs barking thinking to myself there is no place like home!

I thought about my trip to Hawaii many years ago. It looked very much like the picture on this blog. Would I trade settings? In a heartbeat! I do enjoy the warmer weather as opposed to the cold winters we have in Saskatchewan.

The next seventeen days are my time for rest and relaxation; I can do whatever I want, when I want. I no longer have the pull of expectations and demands with the exception of my dogs wants and needs. It's interesting though, for some strange reason it feels like a prelude to retirement.

Well it's time for a "want", I am going to make my self another fresh cup of java. I do wish I could teach my shepherd how to make coffee. She's tall enough to reach the counter. Whereas, my Sheltie is so high strung she would end up trying to round up the coffee beans she spilled on the floor. My toy poodle, well he could care less or give a rip, he's probably snoozing in his basket.

Till next time, Cheers!

A New Day ...

Yesterday was my last day of work at my current position; I am now in my Christmas vacation mode. Since I no longer have to rush to be any where or keep appointments, write reports, or see any more clients, I don't have to hurry, at least during my vacation.

Last night I attended our unit Christmas party. What fun! I was surprised when they gave me a card,(not an e card), an actual paper card, not Hallmark, nonetheless, I held it and read what everyone wrote to me. Let me tell you, they had another surprise for me, a Wal-Mart gift card! I love Wal-Mart, I shop there all the time. Thanks guys!!!

The party was great fun as we ate, played games like Slang Teasers and What's yours? What a hoot. Both games entailed guessing the answers ... the process itself was a hoot! We laughed so hard our sides ached and those of us over 50 peed when we laughed. Not that anyone admitted the latter, but I am sure some of us had a wee bit of a warm feeling from laughing almost non stop. Most of us left after mid-night. When I got home the dogs met me at the door, actually they all but mowed me over to get outside and yes, you guessed it, to pee.

I almost forgot when I arrived at the party and coming up the walk the host asked me if I brought a kitty cat with me, Jokingly,I said, "Yes", I turned around and called the kitty, "come on kitty" She bounded up the stairs into the house like she owned the place. She was a beautiful Calico kitty, probably a year old. She made her way around the room and the host's cat, Tigger was not impressed, let me tell you. The new kitty couldn't care less as she worked the room like a pro and provided the live entertainment for the evening.

This morning I dragged myself out of bed, made my way to the kitchen, let the dogs out, turned on the lights for my birds and they started chirping like they do every morning. I then made coffee, toast and poured a glass of freshly refrigerated orange juice. (I bet you thought I was going to say freshly squeezed oranges). I grabbed the Christmas flyers to look at the sales.

So today has been a rather slow day for me. I am trying to recoup from lack of sleep and being out late. When I was in my twenties being out after mid-night was no big deal. But now, well it's a different story.

I made a roast for supper today and my dogs are eagerly waiting for me to finish so they can eat, but I thought I would first make a quick entry for today.

Till next time, Cheers.

Final Day

I suspected that it would be a very busy week for me. I was not disappointed. Today I will wrap up all the loose ends and move my things into my new office which happens to be located across the hall from where I am now. I am hoping this is my last move until I retire. I will no longer be responsible for case work as I am now; I will be a Resource Development Trainer for foster parents. Over the years I have come in as a guest speaker for the foster parent training sessions. I enjoyed it immensely and now I get to do it full time. I will tell you more about the program as time goes on.

Speaking of next year, it's literally just around the corner 2008! where has all the time gone? Only yesterday, it was 1957 and I was nine years old! But I digress.

Yesterday we had out unit gift exchange. what fun, we all got gifts that warmed our hearts. Tonight, after work we will be heading over to one of my colleagues homes to celebrate Christmas, eat lots of food and play games, which reminds me I better not forget to bring what I had written on the list. I need to make a note to myself.

Till next time, Cheers!

One More day ...

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. they had been worn a year and needed the air!!! LOL just a wee bit of Christmas humor this morning.

This morning when I let the dogs out I noticed a fresh blanket of white snow gracing the deck and the back yard. What a beautiful site. The dogs quickly made their way into the back yard carving out their little cow path. They love the snow ... except Teddy, he runs out and pees real quick and back into the house, the other two well that's a different story; they love running around and jumping on the deck and then back down again and into the back yard. What a life, eating, sleeping, running in the yard and then back to sleeping, eating, and running in the back yard!

Today we are having our gift exchange at work. This should be fun. I like surprises.

Tomorrow, Friday, is my last day of work before my Christmas vacation.Yippee! However, I still have a few loose ends to tidy up before the end of the day. Then after work we are going to have our unit get together. I am looking forward to it as we usually have lots of fun together.

Till next time, Cheers!

Monday Morning ...

The countdown is on ... at least for my Christmas vacation. Only five more days or shall I say four more sleeps! I am looking forward to my time off especially this time of year. I am sure you have noted what part of the world, country, province I live in ... yep it gets cold here and sometimes too much snow! I remember one Christmas, can't remember the year, we had a brown Christmas. What a treat that was ... not to have to shovel any snow for most of December!!!

I must run and get ready for work as I don't want to be tardy!

Till next time, Cheers!

Sunday Morning

Good Morning,

It would seem that today is just another weekend day, but not so, we are well into the Christmas Season and frantically running around looking for ... well you know what you are looking for ... don't you?

The other day I was talking to a friend at work. She told me she does all her Christmas shopping online. She says it beats the crowds, and rushing from place to place. She excitedly told me that from the comfort of her home she sits in front of her computer and with the click of the mouse, she can choose her gifts and in a few days they arrive at her door.

Now, I am sure there is a downside to this mode of shopping. What about the last minute gift, the person whom you forgot to buy for and just happened to remember when they called asking for your color. Oops,I wonder if there is express delivery for the same afternoon?

Call me old fashioned, but I like to hear the Christmas music in the stores, the grabbing, pushing and yelling "I had that first" as you tell the person "Look over there, isn't that Robert Redford"? Then you run to the nearest cashier with your prize, only to discover it's the wrong size!!! You get the picture don't you.

How about shopping online on Boxing Day, now that is something I could go for in the comfort of my own home!

Well it's time for my first cup of java for the day.

Until next time, cheers

Seventeen Days Before Christmas

Only five days till the twelve days before Christmas arrive. Remember when we were kids we would ask mom, "how many more sleeps before Santa comes?"

Today, I have to brave the cold, crowds, and slippery roads to make my way to the mall to buy a few gifts. Next weekend, I plan on buying last minute things for Christmas dinner and the holidays.

Next Friday, (December 14), is my last day of work for this year. I am taking a Christmas vacation for the first time in a very long time. On January 2, 2008 when I go back to work, I will be working in a different program area. I will say more about that in the New Year.

Till next time, cheers.

TGIF

I am not sure what it is but for some reason this week seemed to just drag by ... and I am dead tired and it's only 4:30 a.m. this Friday morning! I am not usually up this early, but the dogs got me up to let them out earlier than usual. They went back to bed and I meandered over to the computer to see who else was up,no one, surprise, surprise.

I feel like that little puppy on the picture, just drained of all my energy, just hitting the keys is an effort. Why not go back to bed? I won't want to get up in an hour or so to get ready for work.

This has been quite the week hasn't it? What a season this is turning out to be for some of the folks in Omaha Nebraska. The innocent people who were gunned down for no apparent reason except that they were in the line of fire.

There were many heroic employees who sprang into action immediately to get not only themselves out of the way but the customers in their stores by ushering them into a small back room. The stories are just starting to come out about others that took action to ensure the safety of some of the people around them.

The gunman's last act was to shoot himself. Apparently, this is what he had in mind in the first place, suicide, with a sinister twist, he wanted to take others with him "... so he would be famous." think of all the families that have lost loved ones as a result of this rampage, their lives have been turned upside down during this Christmas season.

All we can do is remember them in our prayers and that they find the strength to carry on with their lives which is most difficult to do. My thoughts are with them today.

Canada is no different, On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 young, bright, ambitious students at l'École Polytechnique de Montreal were murdered by a hate-filled gunman.”

The difference in motivation between these two incidents is that the first gunman wanted to be remembered before committing suicide and the other gunman specifically targeted women.

When I started out writing today's blog I had no intention of talking about the shootings above. We really can't get away from what is happening not only around us but in the world today. It make one think whether there will ever be peace on earth and good will to all.

I don't really want to end on a bad note here so here is a suggestion: today when you go about your business be a little extra kind to those around you and make a difference in someone's life. One act of kindness can go a long way believe me, I know.

Till next time, cheers.

Laughter, Respect, Kindness, Ingrediants for a successful work environment ...

I was out with friends last night. We had a great time talking about the way things were, are, and likely going to be in the future. What fun. We need to laugh more and be less serious about our lives. I am not talking about being irresponsible but rather, learning to find the humor in things and people around us.

The work unit I am currently in is like that ... we have lots of fun and can laugh with each other and find the humour around us and then laugh about it. Our work is serious enough which keeps us very busy, but we never seem to forget to laugh.

It's a great place to work, in fact, it's the best place and greatest people I have worked with in my entire career. My boss is a very gracious, caring, kind, and accepting, respectful individual. She is self-confident, knows who she is and how to bring the best out in people. In our unit we work together as a team and have a mutual respect for one another. I have been truly blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to work with such wonderful people.

The person I share an office with happens to be someone I knew and worked with a number of years ago. He will be retiring six months ahead of me. We respect one another, laugh a lot especially when we talk about "do you remember how things were when we started working in our jobs? We were in our 20's back then. We have over 60 years of work experience between us and wonder why we're not in charge of the entire department! Then we laugh about that ... I am glad I had the oppportunity to share an office with him especially since we are both in the last chapter of our careers and moving on to new adventures and new chapters in our retirement years.

The time is fleeting by here ... i have to get ready for yet another day of hard work and of course laughter.

Till next time, cheers!

Happy Birthday to Me

Finally, my 59th birthday has arrived and do you know what that means? I am one year closer to retirement and getting my senior's discounts. Yippee!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, and many more to come.

Till next time, cheers!

Monday Morning

This is what I feel like this morning, tired. I dragged myself out of bed, but not before hitting the snooze button and pulling the covers over my head! You would think that after a three-day-weekend I would bounce out of bed at the first sound of my clock radio announcing the news, weather and that it's time for me to get out of bed.

Not so. I wanted to be in charge and decide if and when I would be getting up this morning. Ever have one of those mornings? What, every morning is like that for you? What is it about waking up on a Monday morning, especially in the winter time?

It could be that it has some thing to do with how light it is outside when we wake up. In the summer time, the sun gets up before we do, whereas now, she stays in bed and it's dark when we wake up.

Enough already, the clock is ticking and I must get ready for yet another exciting week of work, but I am getting ahead of myself, today is Monday and I still have to get up the rest of the days this week and look forward to only a two-day-weekend.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, December 4, 2007, do you know what day that is besides Tuesday? It's my Birthday. Now that is something worth getting up for or is it?

Till next time, cheers.

The Ivory and Gold Tablecloth

I read this story yesterday and decided to post it today. It's a very touching story about a "wee miracle" that touched the lives of many people:

The Ivory and Gold Tablecloth
By Howard C. Schade

At Christmas time, men and women everywhere gather in their churches to wonder anew at the greatest miracle the world has ever known. But the story I like best to recall was not a huge miracle -- not exactly.

It happened to a pastor who was very young. His church was very old. Once, long ago, it had flourished. Famous men had preached from its pulpit, prayed before its altar. Rich and poor alike had worshipped there and built it beautifully. Now, the good days had passed from the section of town where it stood. But the pastor and his young wife believed in their run-down church. They felt that with hard work and lots of faith they could get it in shape. Together they went to work.

But, late in December, a severe storm whipped through the river valley, and the worst blow fell on the church -- a huge chunk of rain-soaked plaster fell out of the inside wall just behind the altar. Sorrowfully the pastor and his wife swept away the mess, but they couldn't hide the ragged hole.

The pastor looked at it and had to remind himself quickly, "Thy will be done!" But his wife wept, "Christmas is only two days away!"

That afternoon the dispirited couple attended the auction held for the benefit of a youth group. The auctioneer opened a box and shook out of its folds a gloriously beautiful, very ornately sewn, gold and ivory lace tablecloth.

It was a magnificent item, nearly 15 feet long. But it, too, dated from a long vanished era. Who, today, had any use for such a thing? There were a few halfhearted bids. Then the pastor was seized with what he thought was a great idea. He bid it in for $6.50.

He carried the glorious gold and ivory lace cloth back to the church and very carefully put it up on the wall behind the altar. It completely hid the hole! And the extraordinary beauty of its shimmering handwork cast a fine, holiday glow over the chancel. It was a great triumph. Happily he went back to preparing his Christmas sermon.

Just before noon on the day of Christmas Eve, as the pastor was opening the church, he noticed a woman standing in the cold at the bus stop. "The bus won't be here for 40 minutes!" he called, and invited her into the church to get warm.

She told him that she had come from the city that morning to be interviewed for a job as governess to the children of one of the wealthy families in town but she had been turned down. A Jewish war refugee, her English was imperfect.

The woman sat down in a pew and chafed her hands and rested. After a while she dropped her head and prayed. She looked up and saw the great gold and ivory cloth. She rose suddenly and walked up the steps of the chancel.

She looked at the beautiful tablecloth with remembering eyes. The pastor smiled and started to tell her about the storm damage, but she didn't seem to listen. She took up a fold of the cloth and lovingly rubbed it between her fingers, tears welled in her kind eyes. But they were happy tears of recognition. "It is mine!" she said. "It is my banquet cloth!" She lifted up a corner and showed the surprised pastor that there were initials monogrammed on it. "My husband had the cloth made especially for me in Brussels ! There could not be another like it."

For the next few minutes the woman and the pastor talked excitedly together. She explained that she was Viennese; that being Jews, she and her husband wanted to flee from the Nazis. They were advised to go separately. Her husband put her on a train for Switzerland . They planned that he would join her as soon as he could arrange to ship their household goods across the border. She never saw him again. Later she heard that he had died in a concentration camp. "I have always felt that it was my fault -- to leave without him," she said. "Perhaps these years of wandering have been my punishment!" The pastor tried to comfort her and urged her to take the beautiful cloth with her. But she refused saying, "no, no, the cloth has found it's way to you. You need it. It has a purpose here. I want you to have it. I am happy knowing you have it." She gazed lovingly up at the magnificent gold and ivory lace cloth, then quietly went away.

As the church began to fill on Christmas Eve, it was clear that the magnificent cloth was going to be a great success. It had been skillfully designed to look its best by candlelight. The glorious gold and ivory lace cloth actually glowed in the candlelight! It cast lovely fine designs on the walls and ceiling of the church. Everyone looked around in wonderment, and a tranquil ambiance was cast over all.

After the service, the pastor stood at the doorway. Many people told him that the church looked more beautiful than ever before. From the generous donations that were given, a few days later the pastor had the local jeweler who was also the clock-and-watch repairman come to repair the church chimes.

The repairman's gentle middle-aged face drew into a look of great astonishment! As if in a trance he walked right up to the beautiful cloth and looked intently! "It is strange," he said in his soft accent. "Many years ago my wife - God rest her -- and I owned such a cloth. My wife put it on the table" -- and here he gave a big smiled -- "for holidays and when the Rabbi came to dinner."

The pastor suddenly became very excited. He told the jeweler about the woman who had been in church to get warm, saw the cloth, and recognized it to be hers! The startled jeweler clutched the pastor's arm. "Can it be?" he said through desperate tears. Together the two got in touch with the family who had interviewed the woman for the governess position, got her address, then they both drove to the city.

The jeweler knocked on the heavy, weathered, door. As it opened, there stood his beloved wife. The many years of separation were immediately washed away by their blissfully tears, as they held each other in loving embraces, never to be parted again. True love seems to find a way. To all who hear this story, the joyful purpose of the storm was to knocked a hole in the wall of the church.

So Dear Ones, the next time something knocks a hole in your dreams, your goals - Just remember to have enough faith, enough belief in those dreams and goals, to lovingly and creatively hang your own brilliant lace cloth over the temporary mar. Then watch the miracles come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This story was originally written by Howard C. Schade for the December 1954 issue of Reader's Digest. It is a fitting way to get an early start on the upcoming Christmas season.

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Saturday Musings

It’s a cold Saturday, December 1, 2007, morning. I certainly do not want to venture out today. However, I do need to take a quick trip to the bank which I could have done yesterday (Friday), but didn’t because it was too cold outside. The weather report for this area states that it’s going to be a very cold winter. Burrrrrrrrr. This is one of the reasons that I plan all my trips to and from the house as once I am home I like to stay at home.

Yesterday, I wrote about weekend lists so I think I will walk over to the fridge where I keep my list of things to do and start at the top: clean bird cages. I have three of them (1) 10 lovebirds live in a cage that is 3’Lx6’Hx2’W; I have 13 budgies in a 4’Lx6’Hx2’W; I custom built these cages and last but not least I have a lone budgie, Blue in a wire cage. Her partner recently died and she’s not accepting any new partners. Blue use to live in the main cage but I had to move her because the hen laying female, Sunny was too territorial and would fight with her and almost did her in. I took Blue out of the cage as her foot was bleeding quite a bit and I figured she wouldn’t make it through the night. Much to my surprise, four months later, she’s doing fine with the exception of her beloved partner who died a month ago. Blue use to have difficulty flying but since having her on her own she’s strengthened her flying muscles. Last weekend when I was cleaning Blue’s cage she few out of the cage and few around the house. This is the most I have seen her fly without crashing to the ground. She’s doing pretty good and seems to not mind being on her own. She spends a lot of time in front of her little mirror chirping at her reflection.

I will sell my birds before I retire given my plan to go RVing as a fulltimer. This past summer I ran an ad to sell all the birds lock stock and barrel. However, people seemingly do not want the responsiblity of caring for so many birds. I will try again in the spring and perhaps advertize them separately or as pairs.

I digress; I don’t like long lists because it takes longer to strike off the items. Therefore, my lists are relatively short and usually tailor made for the weekends. If I do venture out today, I no doubt will be bombarded by all the Christmas sales. I love listening to the Christmas music in the mall and the stores. It does put you into the mood. Sleigh bells ring are you listening ....?

Well, I need my cup of java for the day and should get going for now. Till next time. Cheers!