It's spa day!  No - not an early Valentine's Day gift for me from my sweetie.  This spa day is actually for my dog.  Our local greyhound group periodically hosts a fund raising event where you may bring in your hound for a bath, nail clipping and ear cleaning.  It is priced at a ridiculously low amount (so I always give a little bit more) as a donation.  My dog comes home clean-smelling and exhausted from the trauma of having so much "work" done!  Blessings on those many hands who so gently care for these beloved pets. 

Christmas 2011

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Book Club Christmas at Belle's

 

Delicious dinner and caroling at Belle's book club Christmas dinner.  Hilarity ensued!

Jingle All the Way

Why do I love working at an elementary school?  Christmas!  Who can resist a tall tree in the lobby, decorated with hand-made angels, gingerbread men and stars?  Who can resist Kindergartners singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" giggling all the way?  Best of all possible jobs at holiday time!  Merry Christmas and God bless us all.

This is not my original idea, but I love "stealing" great ideas that I come across elsewhere online so I have begun posting on my Facebook page one thing that I am thankful for each day.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (great food, football and parades, getting together with those you love and giving thanks for all of God's blessings, no presents to buy) so I always look forward to November.  But trying to be mindful of all of my blessings adds to my joy at this time of year.  Why not try it?  The photo is from our Baltimore weekend to celebrate Paul's granddaughter's first birthday, so I am thankful for this time to be with family, meet Maia's relatives and celebrate Maeve's milestone!

Happy Halloween!

Mike took this photo of Ray, camped out by the kitchen table and hoping to snag a snack soon.
Doesn't he look jaunty in his Halloween scarf?  Yep - he thinks so too!

Love Story

If you can, check out this amazing story, done by Story Corps. It is the sweetest, most loving thing I have heard in a long time. You can find it under "Danny and Annie" from Story Corps on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNfvuJr9164&feature=player_detailpage#t=50s

Get some tissues and sit back and watch. Then go kiss your loved ones!