Dear Reader:

Isn’t it a wonderful “aha” moment when we take time to pause and think aloud ” I love my life!” (Especially meaningful… when life is not going  according to our own planned benchmarks, as defined by societal success.)

Instead we are just loving life for the sake of being alive…what a gift…the greatest gift of Christmas…the gift of life both here and eternal.

Kate Wolfe Jenson had this beautiful message in her blog today and it just hit home for me…wanted to share the thoughts with you.

 Now is the Time

there may be times
my loved one ( son, daughter, friend, sibling)
when the path grows dark
and cold winds of fear
cyclone ’round your heart
the road may be littered
with boulders of hatefulness
and pebbles of casual insult

remember, then, who you are
and what you carry
within you

you were born
from the womb of the earth
and the seed of the stars
let no one disrespect you

you are made
irrevocably sacred
and boundlessly creative
never doubt your worth

you may be tempted
to curl in on yourself
and fashion walls of
nonchalance and distance
to protect you

knock them down

breathe into life
choose joy
celebrate gratitude
find beauty

let these things
make you strong
then reach out
connect with another

this is the time
now more than ever
that you must open
and pour yourself
into the world

love yourself
love your life
love each other

now is the time…

…………………….

Right now is the time isn’t it? And what a joyous time I had yesterday. Tommy and Kaitlyn called to say they were coming to help me get my Christmas tree and had brought along two helpers….Rutledge and Lachlan…they were babysitting. I told Tommy we could use all the help we could get….and boy did we get some.

At the lot Lachlan had fallen asleep (sleepy little tiger) but Rutledge had already picked out “the tree.” Tommy and Kaitlyn helped get it out and home and we were on our way. I stopped and picked up lunch for everyone…trimming a tree takes lots of energy!

But you can’t put a price on elf help!

Success! Drum Roll please: The Dingle 2016 Boo Boo Christmas Tree! The Perfect Christmas Tree ( I am a  sad that this is the first Christmas without my friend, Gloria Houston, author of this most wonderful Christmas story in the world…Gloria will live on forever in the hearts of children and adults every Christmas!)

Knowing that Tommy and Kaitlyn were coming this weekend to help me trim the tree…I got busy and started decorating…still a little left but I am pleased with getting Christmas started “just this very moment.”

I spruced up the old mantle wreath by adding more pine cones, popcorn, and berries.

I got this painting that I hang on the wall in the Happy Room each Christmas at Tuesday Morning probably ten years ago and it still makes me smile every holiday season…it just puts one in the spirit!

So until tomorrow…Love your life and love it now…imperfections and all!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

It was certainly my favorite night!!!!!!!!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!!!!