Thursday, December 25, 2008

"The family gifts are the best"

This year Santa brought a few gifts addressed to the whole family. My sister spotted them right away and could barely take her eyes off them as we opened up our individual gifts.

"The family gifts are the best ones," she said.

And boy oh boy -- She was right! It was a Wii and Rock Band! Natalie was in tears of joy, and the boys almost fainted.











Now comes the hard work of getting it all set up --

Old Fezziwig's Power


"The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig, and, when he had done so, said:

'Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?'

'It isn't that,' said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter self -- 'it isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy, to make our service light or burdensome, a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks, in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up; what then? The happiness he gives is quite as great as it cost a fortune.'"

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Decor

I'm finally in Michigan after a harrowing day of travel. Perhaps I'll blog about that later. For now -- a few pics of the holiday decor at my family's:


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Birthday 28

Another year -- this one to include more photos and more blogging. To get it started, here's a horoscope, and the last bite of my birthday cupcake--




TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (DECEMBER 10). You will get to know many new people this year and will take great pleasure in learning as much as you can about them. Your humor bonds you with loved ones through the holidays. Work projects find acceptance and support in March. Your financial picture gets sunny in April. June is romantic. Travel in October. Leo and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 2, 13, 20 and 17.