A favorite day for Santa....making and testing cookies !!! 

Santa Randy Back by popular demand at B's on the River in Watertown, MN
- A Morning with Santa. Decorate cookies, hear a story or two by the local ECFE and have your picture taken with Santa. When: Saturday, November 27thTime: 10:00 am - Decorate Cookies, 10:45 am - Story Time, 11:00 am Pictures with Santa. 

Don't forget your camera & a container for your cookies!..

Happy Thanksgiving

So Many Things to be Thankful for.....Faith, Family, and Friends.  Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.     
Pilgrim Santa Randy & Debra Ann

Celebrate Santa 2010

Last year we were able to attend the 1st Celebrate Santa which took place in Gatlinburg, TN.  Unfortunately this year we are unable to attend.  Today is the big Santa Parade down Parkway Street in Gatlinburg.  We wish we were there and will miss seeing all our Santa friends.  We hope next year we will be able to attend.  May your week be filled with fun times.

GO MINNESOTA SANTAS !!!!

Lent.....40 days to spend more time with God

Ash Wednesday....what a moving reflective evening service. The temps were mild, the air was crisp and clean and the sky was lit up with stars.   Breaking away from the normal schedule and spending an evening with God is such a wonderful experience....to have the freedom to do so is even more amazing.

These last 2 years have been such a struggle for so many.  I watch what so many have worked so hard to accomplish only to slip away......our lives are changed in moments.  My favorite words to God have now become, "Lord, send down your Spirit and renew the face of the earth".  We all need a renewal of life and it needs to come through the Lord.

We need to come together as families and communities and pray together and for each other, especially during these next 40 days.   Take extra time out each day for prayer and reflection.....say your morning prayers before you turn on the TV or computer...say a rosary on your drive to work instead of listening to that morning radio crap talk...go to your church on Sunday to worship as a community.  People in other countries don't have that opportunity or freedom to worship in public.  We get so wrapped up in our daily lives that Sunday has just become a weekend day...I can't believe when people say "I thought it was Saturday today" or "What day is it on a Sunday"........WHAT......how can you not know it is Sunday ??
The people of the church I have attended since being married are so wonderful.  I get squeezes on the shoulder as they pass me up to communion, hugs after church, and people who hold my hand and look me in the eyes as wish me a happy and blessed week.  You can't get that from staying home on Sunday or praying by yourself.  Make this Lent the begining of your renewal with God and the religion you have the freedom to particiapte in.

Blessed Be--Debra Ann

♥♥♥♥♥♥Hugs & Kisses for a
Happy Valentines Day♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Short Snowy February

Even though February is our shortest month, it doesn't look like its going to bring us much closer to Spring in Minnesota anyway.  The snow just continues to pile up.  I guess I should be grateful for these snow showers as they really are pennies from Heaven.  Randy's snowplowing is helping carry us through the winter.  Something tells me God will be providing more of those pennies not only in February, but March which typically used to be our snowiest month.

While February is our shortest month, it holds some important days on the calendar.....February 14th, Valentines Day and February 17th Ash Wednesday.  No, I haven't forgot about Ground Hogs Day February 2nd and President's Day on February 15th.  Personally, I was thinking with the way the economy has been going perhaps we should ask Congress to combine Ground Hog's Day and President's Day as one day to be celebrated together.   Of course we all know that wouldn't happen, the Democrates and the Republicans would have to agree on something to get it passed.

I guess I better get busy finding Santa Randy some heart shaped suckers to hand out on Sunday February 14th.  I am sure his fans will be excited to receive them.  I better also start thinking of some Lenten Resolutions since I haven't been doing so well on my January Resolutions.........

January Blues.....

The last 3 days of January......I am so tired of being stuck inside.   Winters are just way too long for me.  Waking up to 12 below zero this morning just made it all the more depressing.  Why was I born in Minnesota ???  I just don't feel like toughing it out anymore.   I have got to think of something to get me out of this slump. I know I have many things in life to be grateful for but I am just having some really tough things I am dealing with in my life right now as are many other people in the world.  However, with winter and being stuck in the house; it just seems to make things worse.  In the summer, I can go outside and feel the sun and hear the birds sing....somehow that takes some of the worry away.      

Dependant On Others

Somedays are more frustraiting than others.....this last week has been filled with those.  I have two wonderful homecare ladies that have been with me for over 14 years. When Ridgeview Home Care closed its doors to long term home care, my two ladies moved with me to a new agency.  They are a huge part of my life.  I can't imangine how I would do without them. 

Yes, I have my husband and children to help, but these two women have become my best friends.  We share good times and bad times.  One of the women's husband had a total knee replacement so she took off 1 1/2 wks to take care of him....the other women celebrated her 60th Birthday on Wednesday and took off the rest of the week.  I can hardly wait until Monday when they both will be back on their individual days.  I will definitely be showing my appreciation to the things they do for me and my family.  I am grateful to God for bringing them into my life to share their care giving talents. 

January 8, 1977

Yesterday was our 33rd Wedding Anniversary.  I spent the better part of the day reflecting on not only our wedding day, but the years together; both the good times and not so good times !  I was 21 years old and Randy just 20 years old.  There were comments we heard over the years that some didn't think our marraige would last; especially with me having muscular dystrophy or as some said "a cripple girl".  However, all I had to do was look into Randy's eyes and see the committment he had to me.  I knew from the first time he brought me home from a Butch Automatic dance, he was an amazing guy.  A lot of people associated him as "a party guy" when actually he was quite shy.  When I was with him the rest of the world seemed to slide into the background.  When I wasn't with him, nothing seemed right or felt right.  I knew he was the most important thing in my life.  I knew when we became engaged, our marriage would last forever....in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer !

Our marraige has lasted and continues to grow in love, faith, strength, and committment each year.  Randy is still the most important person in my life along with our faith in God together.  Yes, we have had some very trying times, but we have always been able to roll up our sleeves and make things work out because we have each other to count on.....we are comitted to each other.  Even in these worst economic times our marriage has been through; we know, no matter where we end up, we will still have each other.  The Lord has given us many blessings in our 33 years together and we know he has more blessings to bestow upon us in the future. For all of this, we are most grateful. 

Happy 60th Birthday Sandra !

WoW.....where does the time go......I can still remember celebrating my mom's 60th birthday party and now my oldest sister Sandra has met that milestone in her life.   Somehow, it just doesn't seem possible, but it is !  Sandra will also become a grandmother in 2010......two very important events in one year.  Sandra, I hope your 60th year will be filled with fun times, with friends and family,  for you deserve the best.  Take time to enjoy what life sends your way this year.  I hope you are able to reach out and achieve some of the goals and dreams you have not yet experienced.  Blessed Be !

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


1Phil 3:13-14 NIV

New Year's Day Party

While our New Year's Day gathering ended up being a much smaller group than anticipated, we had a wonderful day none the less !!  We started off with giving our Texas guests snomobile rides which they enjoyed even though the temps were frigid.  Late last night it ended up dipping to 20 below 0.  This afternoon we are up to a whopping 3 degrees above 0.

We had great food and nice chats.  We were able to share a few good ideas from this past years season to encorporate into the 2010 season.  Today, the Texas family is shopping at the Mall of America.  They are taking shuttles back and forth from their hotel so I hope they are treated to warm rides !

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 !

Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh, to pray and give!

This bright new year is given to us

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

Our highest and our best!

 

 

Last night we got together with our Santa friends visiting from Texas.  We had a great time visiting and sharing stories with much laughter.  Allison, Randy, and Therese spent time out on Buck Hill Snowtubing.  Lance, E'beth, Katlin and I spent time in the lodge keeping warm !!  I was amazed at the thousand people out on the hills in 5 degree weather.  I had great intentions of staying late to watch the fireworks, but caved in at 10:40 p.m. along with the Texans !  We made it home about 11:45 to bring in the New Year with our other children Lindsay and Max who had both just gotten home a bit before us.  Our grand daughter Paige ditched us all to go to a party and sleepover with her friends.

 

Today we will spend the day with a few Santa couples and do some snowmobile rides for the Texas family.  Hope to have some pictures to post later.   Warm wishes to All in 2010  for a Blessed,  Healthy, and Successful New Year !