Our Wedding Anniversary

My husband Alan and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend.
December 14th.
Doesn't seem like we have been married that long.
Love You honey, I am looking forward to many more.

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

Let's have an old-fashioned Christmas,
What a day of delight it will be.
We will hang up the wreath made of cedar,
And we will bring home the fresh spruce tree.

Candlelight shines by each window,
Sprigs of holly grace the mantel and door,
The sweet smell of gingerbread cookies
Joins puddings and pies by the score.

The sleds deftly skim frozen hilltops,
Velvet snowflakes in radiance beam,
And ice skaters glide like quicksilver
In winter moonlight's golden gleam.

Make it an old-fashioned Christmas,
May each waiting heart feel the glow
That grows with the ringing of slight bells
Drifting over the soft-silvered snow.


Elisabeth Weaver Winstead

MOTHER LODE

WOMEN OF THE WEST

The spring of 1847 Robert and Jane Caufield joined a wagon train. They had two heavy wagons loaded with goods because they hoped to open a store when they reached Oregon.

During the crossing they encountered unfriendly Indians, flooding rivers and lack of feed for the oxen. By the time they started the last leg, over the Cascades on the Barlow Trail, the oxen were in terrible shape. Several died in their yokes and the Caufield's could go no further.

Jane, another women, and several children were left alone in the mountains while Robert hurried on foot to the Willamette Valley. He was gone a week; during that time it snowed and every night the wolves howled close. Robert returned with several ox teams and they were able to reach Oregon City on the first of November, six months after leaving St. Joe.

The Caufiled's opened a store on main street in Oregon City and were adjusting to their new life when word came that gold had been found at Sutter's Mill in California. Robert took passage on the first ship sailing for San Francisco. Jane was left in charge of the store.

Jame was a very capable business woman. She bought wheat from the farmers, had it ground and sent to California where she realized great profits. A ship arrived with a stock of hats and bonnets from London. The captain was very anxious to dispose of his cargo so he could begin ferrying passengers to the mines. Jane bought the entire stock at her own price and supplied the Oregon Country with head gear.

Robert was not lucky in his quest for gold. Instead, he was taken sick. When he was able to return he found his wife had been tremendously successful. She had been the one who struck the mother lode.

ARLINGTON AT CHRISTMAS

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

In less than three hours, Japanese planes crippled the U.S. Pacific fleet.

On December 7, 1941 at 7:58 A.M., the alarm went out: "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is not drill!" Later that morning, the magazine of the USS Shaw exploded after being struck by a Japanese bomb.





Today is Pearl Harbor Day.
Let us never forget the soldiers that lost their lives on this day fighting to keep our wonderful country free. After mentioning Pearl Harbor to a couple of people today I was amazed that they knew nothing about it. This is scary. I bet the surviving vets of t his war are wondering if they are the only reminder left. Do your children know about Pearl Harbor and WWII? How many children don't know about it?

My Father was a Marine at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. His best friend Richard was killed right next to him. Richard was a gunny and my Father was a spotter. My Father named my brother after his friend.

After 5 major battles during WWII my Father died of a heart attack in 1955 at the age of 34. He contacted malaria overseas and it weakened his heart. I was 7 years old.

I miss you Daddy.

FEEDING THE SEAGULLS

Right before the storm hit here in Oregon it was raining really hard and I was just about to leave the grocery store when in front of my car was this little man feeding the seagulls hot dog buns. He was so cute and it was so neat to see this. He did not care that it was raining and he didn't stop until all the hot dog buns were gone. I wanted to share this picture with all of you.

WHO IS JESUS?

These are the pics of the crucifixion of Christ that a man sculptured out of metal near Amarillo, TX.

The cross is a giant made of metal also. The man did this out of the kindness of his heart.

Someone donated the land to him.


Who is Jesus?

HE IS JESUS

WHO IS HE?

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE
NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF
GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW
OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH
TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE
BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE
BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL
BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;


IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO
THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;


SO. WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him..
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!













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