Sixty Four days until Christmas Eve. Looking outside, most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and the sky is gray. I think we will have snowfall before Thanksgiving this year. E-mail and phone calls have kept me busy taking appointments for Santa Randy. My heart is still heavy for my best friend Cindylu who is at day 99 in ICU at a hospital in Alabama. Yesterday her husband Charlie put me on speaker phone so Cindylu could hear my voice. I told her to keep on fighting. She is a strong woman, but so fragile after lying in bed for so long. I will keep praying though and this week is a Novena to:

St. Jude who performs miracles for the impossible. I miss my friend fiercely.

Incredible Festival at Our Lady of the Lake

This was our 9th Year at The Incredible Festival chairing The Children's Games and Wacky Hair Booths at Our Lady of the Lake parish in Mound, MN. We have been parishioners for 38 years. OLL is the reason we chose land to build our home in the area. We love the church and its members. We experience the Love of God and Christian Strength each Sunday we attend. The Incredible Festival is a 3 day weekend event following Labor Day. The dates are "locked" on our families calendar. It is a weekend we volunteer as a Thank You Gift we give back to the church and community for all that it has given to our family. We spend the entire weekend with our 3 children and granddaughter working the booths and making wonderful family memories. We look forward to this weekend every year as the blessings come back to us in multitude from the children we get to interact with. Saturday morning is the "Kiddie Parade" which Santa leads each year. We always have a theme. Our favorite so far in the past 9 years has been "Patriotic Pride". In honor of our Godson, Sgt. Erik V., Santa Randy donned his USMC Toys for Tots apparel and led the parade through the festival grounds.

A fun time was had by all !! Pictures of our booths before the opening of the festival. Once the festival begins, we have a steady flow of children playing games and getting their hair done !

A return to blogging...

I have heard it said so many times, "time flies by". It truly does as 5 years have gone by so quickly... What brings me back to blogging?...by dearest best friend in the Santa Community, Cindylu from Alabama whom I am missing so. I first met Cindylu at a Santa convention in 2006 in Branson, MO called "Discover Santa". It was to be one of the first of many conventions we would be at together. There were over 500 Santas and Mrs. Clauses who attended this first of its kind convention. We didn't really get to know each other right then and there in Branson, MO, but after we returned home though different chat sites we belonged to such as yahoo and ning, now forgotten along the way of social media!! While Cindylu and I are similar in many ways, we are different in many as well. Cindylu is a SASSY SOUTHERN WOMEN who speaks out on many things and speaks the truth even if it might offend someone. I on the other hand, often hold things back and try not to offend anyone. It was my first reality check with north and south culture !! However, that "Southern Spirit" kept drawing me closer and closer to Cindylu and we became what we considered "True FOREVER Friends"!! We continued to correspond through e-mail and social media until we finally came face to face at our second national Santa Convention in 2009 called "Celebrate Santa" in Gatlinburg, TN. We both volunteered to present at workshops and had a grand time together. Friendships like this don't come along very often and we enjoyed it to the fullest. In 2012, Cindylu and her husband Charlie co-chaired to bring the Santa Community back to Gatlinburg, TN for a convention called "ClausFest 2012". I volunteered to be Cindylu's executive secretary and helped in many facets of the convention. We had a GRAND TIME in Gatlinburg and sealed our friendship in concete!!

Photo from ClausFest 2012. Two more years went by and I once again volunteered to help with "ClausFest 2014" and back to Gatlinburg we went!! It takes 1 full year of non stop planning to put on these successful conventions, but it is all worth the time and hard work. It is so fun to see Santas and Mrs. Clauses from not only the entire USA, but from other countries such as Denmark, Australia, Canada. It truly is an international gathering.

Photo from Clausfest 2014. Over the years, Cindylu and I would exchange daily e-mails or phone calls on occasion. She never got Skype hooked up, but it was on her "to do list" !! In May of 2015, Cindylu began to have some strange symptoms that brought her to the doctor. After multiple tests and scans, it was found she had one carotid artery which was totally blocked but also had a large anneursym on the other side of her second carotid artery. The doctor determined the best plan would be to unblock the one carotid artery by placing a stent in. The surgery was successful and she returned home to wait for healing. However, she ended up back at the hospital with a clogged stent. She underwent a second surgery to have that stent removed and a new one placed. She once again returned home to rest and heal for about 8 weeks. She continued to have some strange and unusual symptoms, but the doctor assured her in time, they would disappear. On July 14, she returned to the hospital for her anneursym surgery. It was a long 4 1/2 hr surgery for a large anneursym, but she came through it great and woke up laughing and chatting with her family surrounding her. She was to be discharged the next day to continue to rest and heal at home. However, on the morning of July 15, she was found unconscious on the floor of her hospital room. Scans showed she had brain swelling, a brain bleed, and a small stroke. Today is day 43 for Cindylu in ICU. Some days are better than others for her where she is able to squeeze Charlie's hand, open her eyes and nod while others she remains in deep sleep. Her ventilator has been removed and she has a trach and feeding tube. Charlie is most often found at her bedside giving positive re-enforcement while the Santa Community prays daily for Cindylu to heal and return home with Charlie. I cannot put into words how much I miss my daily e-mails to Cindylu or occasional spur of the moment phone calls. I know in my heart, there will never be another friendship that will be like the one we have. I continue to pray with Novenas and devotions asking God to help her heal and allow her to remain on earth in the Santa community where she is loved and admired my many. I still have her last e-mail she sent me the day before going into the hospital for the anneursym. Her words are treasured and remind me she too felt the same way about our friendship........ "Keep those prayers coming, ok? Thanks for being such a good friend to me through all these years. You have no idea how much I have loved and appreciated your friendship through all the things we've been through. When I say you are the BEST, I really mean that YOU are the BEST! With love, Cindylu" I miss you so much my dear friend and I am not giving up on that we will once again see each other at a Santa convention. The prayers continue for you around the world. With love, Debra Ann

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 !

Brown Family Christmas

On Saturday, December 26th, I celebrated Christmas with my sisters and their families.   This year was kind of tough for a lot of us, but especially for my oldest sister Sandra and her two daughters.  Her husband died suddenly and unexpectedly in April of this year.  Tom was a great family oriented dad and husband.  It's hard to absorb such a loss and continue on with daily life and holidays.  My heart goes out to them.  I am very grateful that they came over to our home to be with us even though it had to be very difficult for them.  Spending time with family is so important, we never really know how long our life on earth will be.

I think we all had a pretty fun time.  We had laughter and great food to share.  My sister Janice had some beautiful pink scarves knitted for us in honor of Cheryl's successful breast cancer treatment. Last year at this time, she was just finishing her chemo.  I am grateful for the gift of family and hope 2010 will bring more happiness, good health, and much success our way.  Blessed be..

Daily Prayers will help get you through some difficult times.

Some of my best friends in life now are my Santa friends.  I have met so many in cities and towns across the world.  I am ever so grateful for their help with e-mails and prayers.  This was one of the many that came my way when my son was at some of his lowest times and unable to accept help from anyone.  I have seen a change for the good and know this daily prayer has made a difference in both his life and mine.  My anxiety is lifted and a sense of calmness flows through my body.

My Heavenly Father,


Please open my son's heart and let him know you are there. Give him signs that he can see. Surround his heart so that he may feel safe and away from harms way. Lead him back to us anger free. You are more powerful than any man made alcohol or drug. Through you sobriety and freedom from addiction is possible. Show those with this disease the way to your arms. I have given my pain and heartache to you, it is there at your feet. I will raise your name up in praise and help those who I can. I am doing as you ask and that is be still and watch as you take care of this for me. You are working through me to help my children, I am strong thanks to you and I hold their hearts. Thank you for my children. I will continue to pray for my son and I hope you do not take him home just yet. He is beautiful inside and I would like his children to see him in your light. He is your child, please show him the way. I love you Father. In your name I am still. Amen

"Get with the New Generation"

Have you ever been told you should "Get with the New Generation" ?  From what I have seen of the new generation, I certainly haven't been overall impressed.  Gone are the days of respect, love, religion and family committment.  Everything is disposable and that just isn't material things, that's everything in life.

People who are my close friends know I am having a tough time within my church, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.   Randy and I were married in my childhood parish St. Peter's Catholic Church in Delano in 1977.   It is a beautiful old Catholic Church with about 50 steps to get into.  Immediately after being married there, we began to search for a Catholic Church with no steps.  We not only found one about 20 minutes from Delano, but we fell in love with it the first time we attended Mass.  Our entire life has centered around this church.  We looked for land to build a home on and found some just 2 miles from the church.  All of our children and even our grand daughter were Baptized, received First Holy Communion, and were Confirmed through Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.   We are friends with many who attend the church.  We volunteer and are chair persons with our children for The Incredible Festival.  Randy is a Eucharistic Minister, Max is an Usher.  It is the one thing in my life that has always been stable. 

In our dioceses, Priests are allowed to remain in a parish for 12 years.  We have experienced 3 different ones since becoming a member of Our Lady of the Lake. While we are always sad to see a change in Priests, we have been able to weather the change and become good friends with the Priests.  This time has been an emense challenge for my faith.  I just am having the most difficult time in my life and desperately need my faith and beautiful Church in my life.  However, I just can't relate to our new Priest no matter how hard I try. He is another nationality and I can't understand his speech.  I feel so ashamed and alone.  I am in tears most Sundays and just can't make myself go to Church. 

Yesterday, I woke up and said it is the Feast of the Holy Family.  I need the Holy Family to help me get through this.  I have to go to church.  I have talked to others in our parish and they say they read Father's Column in the bulletin.  What he has written in print is what he talks about for the sermon; so that is what I did. 

He wrote that the Church is what should be the center of your family life. It's not about praying and just having faith.  We need to come together as a group and make a commitment to the Church.   Too many of us worry about ourselves and material things. We are very selfish and self centered.  We think we should go to an athletic event, shopping, or anything else on a Sunday without even attending a Church service at all  . In summer we need to golf or go boating, in winter we need to go skiing or watch a football game. Instead of having our church in the center of our lives, we push it to the side.  We dispose of it as the "New Generation" does with so many things. 

I came away from Mass yesterday knowing I need to keep Our Lady of the Lake Church as the center of my life no matter what.  I am committed to the Catholic religion and continuing to make the church the center of my life.  I once again have my focus in life where it needs to be.

Wow, what A White Christmas for Minnesota

I started working on Santa's bookings in June 2009. Someone booked a party for today, the day after Christmas. Then more and more of our regular customers began to book their dates.  I worked very hard to accommodate everyone's special party dates and requests.  Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most challanging.  Little did I know, we were going to be hit with the largest holiday snowfall in decades.......The sky opened up and white snowflakes began coming down on Wednesday December 23rd and reaally did not stop until 2:00 a.m. this morning.  What some don't realize is that Santa Randy also does snowplowing.  He was up at 2:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning plowing away.  He got home about 2:00 in the afternoon.  He quickly took a shower and got dressed for his Christmas Eve visits.  The first 3:00 p.m. visit needed to move down to 7:00 p.m. because some of their guest were coming from out of town.  After working so hard to have a well thought out, smooth flowing schedule it started right off going crazy and continued from there.  Santa was at least 45 minutes behind schedule after being on time for the first visit in Prior Lake.  He ended up in Delano at 9:10 p.m.  He was suppose to finish up in Elk River but I had to call in his back-up brother in red, Santa Ron who was doing visits in Princeton and lives in Zimmerman.  He ended up having to drive over to Elk River which was out of his way.  However, being the kind and gentle brother he is, made a very special evening for a child's first White Christmas as he was from The Dominican Republic.  I will forever be grateful to Santa Ron.

Santa Randy finally got home at 10:40 p.m. on Christmas Eve and we opened our presents as a family. He then fell into bed about 12:30 with the alarm set for 2:00 a.m.  Out the door on Christmas Morning to plow all over again.  He got home about noon in time to get dressed up and out the door for a Christmas Day visit in Spring Lake Park.   When he got home from that visit, he once again went out to do some plowing and clean up.  Our children spent Christmas Eve Day and Evening as well as Christmas Day shoveling at the Our Lady of the Lake Church numerous times to try and keep the sidewalks clear for people to go to church.  This morning, Saturday the alarm once again went off at 2:00 a.m. for him to go out the door to snow plow.   This has definitely been a Christmas we will never forget !!

Today, my sisters and their families are coming over to celebrate a "Brown Family Christmas" gathering.  Santa Randy has one more visit this evening to the family who booked way back on June 6th, 2009 !!  I am looking forward to an afternoon and evening of good food and family laughter.

I am very grateful to God for giving me such wonderful healthy children and an amazing husband who continues to work hard as work becomes available.  It has been a very tough 2 years for us.  I have never lost sight of the Lord and continue to pray that we will make it through this very hard journey of our life as an even stronger Christian family together.