Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

Arlene and I are in CO at James, Heather and Erin’s home for Christmas. Unfortunately Chet, Jessica, and Charlie were not able to join us. All our family is coming to see us in AZ in late February. That should be fun; we are looking forward to that.

We pray that Christmas will be special to all of you this year. We hope that we all can feel the love of Christ and share some of that love with some one else.

May God bless all of you in a very special way. And remember—The Story Never Changes but Jesus changes everything!

Erv & Arlene

More Christmas thoughts

Saturday question--Are you BC or AD?  SusieQ says-We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are (i.e. like my mentor says--we are all programed by our past).  Christmas is a very interesting time (i.e. in many ways).  Cadillac Jack says--To some folks, it's just one big fake--When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere!   

I wonder if Christmas is maybe different to every person (i.e. our past sorta kinda programs us).  I don't know.  What do you think?  I wonder if Christmas has a little different perspective to every person on this earth?  It's sorta kinda like this--I was eating my oatmeal with half a banana on and doing my devotions.  I was sitting by the little table in our kitchen area which over looks the golf course when a member of the maintenance crew of the course came by to mow the fairway that was about 60 feet from me.  It was 7:45 and the temperature was 53 (i.e. it was another beautiful sunny morning).  This guy is a large Hispanic guy (i.e. 300 pounds+).  He had on heavy gloves, a heavy wool coat and under his helmet he had on a full face mask (i.e. one that only has holes for your eyes, nose and mouth).  If you were from the midwest, a guy would probably be bare back and be wearing shorts and sandals! 

Joesixpack says--Let’s ratchet up Christmas craziness! I asked for it…and I got it! Be careful for what you ask for…you might get it! But I wanted…and you gave me…! I don’t think I really wanted it but it looked soooooooo exciting. I must admit I didn’t know what I was asking for. Now I don’t want it even though I said I wanted it (i.e. instant gratification). Soooo take it away. No can do, you got what you asked for soooooo…! What’s the deal anyway? Didn’t you understand. No can do…I just can't take it back like a gift receipt from Target!  What do you think I am, Houdini!  The Jews asked for a Savior a.k.a. their King and they got it but they didn't like what they got!  Ouchy ouchy!

Arlene doesn't have her full hiking legs yet--she wanted a horse she said.  So we got her a horse who she called Swift Rider.  We hiked Hieroglyphic Canyon Trail in Gold Canyon last Sunday.  We hiked up the gulch to where the springs are and the clear pools of water.  The Hohokam Indians used this as their water hole and much more I have been told.  They did the carved images of men, antelopes and snakes on the huge massive rocks.  The Hohokam Indians were agriculture Indians and actually designed the canals and irrigation system that is basically still used for the Valley.  They were here about 300 to 1400 AD and then they disappeared (i.e. the whole civilization).  Some think it was famine or climate, or warfare or disease but no one knows for sure.  Arlene asks for something and she gets what she asks for (i.e. a happy wife is a happy life). It's Christmas for her every day!!!!

Here are some red hot reads -- Charles Dickens’ initial choice for Scrooge’s statement “Bah Humbug” was “Bah Christmas.”—Befroe settling on the name of Tiny Tim for his Character in “A Christmas Carol,” three other alliterative names were considered by Charles dickens. They were Little Larry, Puny Pete, and Small Sam—During the Christmas buying season, Visa cards alone are used an average of 5,340 times every minute in the United States—christams caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing-toasting neighbors to a long and healthy life—The abbreviation of Xmas for Christmas is not irreligious. The first letter of the word Christ in Greek is chi, which is identical to our X. Xmas was originally an ecesastastical abbreviation that was used in tables and charts—Christmas was once a movable feast celebrated at many different times during the year. The choice of December 25, was made by Pope Julius I, in the 4th century A.D., because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.

I can either count my blessings or recount my disappointments (i.e. I have many of each)—I hope I focus my thoughts upon my blessings, my gifts, and my opportunities. I don’t deserve all the good stuff that has happen to me (i.e. most of it just fell in my lap).  I question sometimes if I deserve some of my disappointments.  Do I really deserve that.  How do I know what I deserve or should have—I have no idea.  If I got everything that I think I should have, man would I be a mess!  LuckieEddie says--We all just want "almostinstantgratification'!  I was practicing putting the other day and I said to an old guy who just putted three long puts that were real close to the hole—you don’t need to practice—yabut they didn’t go it!  My wife says I’m always complaining about my golf game—will you ever be happy—ya if I would score 18 on 18 holes!  I really have thought about this—We were at the stoplight pulling out of the Fountain of the Sun.  The light was red so I was waiting to make a left hand turn until Sossaman Rd.  The light turned green and I slowly started to enter the intersection and Arlene hollered—erv!  I stopped.  A big maroon Cadillac was coming down the Sossaman Rd probably about 50 mph and went right through the red light.  I don’t know if we would have had a collision but maybe and maybe not.  If we would have, now that would have been real bad (i.e. we might have been minced meat).  Now that would have really changed Christmas for us and our family.  Soooooo why did it happen that way?  I really don’t know.  Now that maybe was just a massive huge gift.  What do you think?  ItchieBitchie says--You seem sooooooo darn smart that you can pray for just the right stuff for yourself and your family.  How do you know what is "justtherightstuff" anyway?  I have a tendency to pray that God might lift you and me up as I really don't know "justtherightstuff" is for you and me.  I pray for wisdom, courage, and strength for you and me.  That's what I pray for a lot.  And I thank God a lot!  Oh yes, I do pray that little Erin and Charlie may know Jesus as their Saviour. 

Our attitudes of our hearts are critical (i.e. especially at Christmas)—my opinion. AverrageJoe says—Soooooooo are our actions. Soooooo bring resolutions to the issues.  Soooo maybe we need to give someone the gift of an opportunity. What do you think? Maybe give love and let yourself be loved. What do you think? Are you a loving person? Are you a lovable person? Opportunity--An honest, sincere, positive spirit is contagious and can be admired from afar..deep down inside positive people have hurts, problems and stresses.  The difference is they process these things mentally and they filter those challenges with problem-solving solutions that bring resolutions of the issues.  Here's your opportunity (i.e. I read this in the Arizona Republic so it must be right)--If you know a positive person, send that person a note of thanks.  Tell them how much you appreciate their spirit and faith.  Let them know how much they meant to you.  Now wouldn't that be a nice Christmas present.  I think so. 

I was waiting in line at the post office at the Fountain of the Sun.  I was visiting with a lady from MN and a guy from ND,  The guy said it was -8 in ND this morning; the lady from MN said the Twin Cities got over 20 inches of snow.  The guy said--this place is like eternity; the gal said--it sure is paradise!  Such is life.

We have had the opportunity to go to several Christmas concerts here in the Valley.  They have been very good.  There sure is a lot of talent, passion and hard work let me tell you!  I think I heard some new songs that I really like (i.e. innovative).  Maybe my most favorite was A Baby Changes Everything (i.e. goggle the lyrics if you have not heard them before).  I thought that was really good. 

I sorta kinda felt like I got a Christmas present.  I hiked Picketpost Mt. Monday.  It was rated as difficult and it was.  It was rather scary for me (i.e. I don't say that very often).  I didn't see anyone on this sorta kinds remote trail (i.e. it took me 4 hours--those of you who have hiked with me know I'm not the fastest).  When I got to the top (i.e. I ate my lunch) there is a mailbox that you can register your name.  No one was up there for a couple of days.  I thought if I slip or something, no one will find me for days (i.e. not really but...).  I should not have hiked it by myself.  It was tough but...I had much time to think.  I did fine--went and sat in the hot tub for a while when I got back so I was ready to go for Tuesday (i.e. golf and ping pong).  Such is life.

I golfed with a retired Chicago Police Officer this week.  Soooooooo is Chicago as corrupt as when you were there--ya probably.  Now everyone in the nation is buying votes--what do you mean--if you give entitlements, free bees, enhancements and bailouts, aren't you just buying votes?  It's like giving Christmas presents, the more and bigger you give the more the folks like ya!  Huh, interesting.  I parked next to another guy (i.e. from Milwaukee) who I play some golf with-On the trunk of his big white Cadillac he has this little Christmas scene with "Keep Christ in Christmas" written below it.  Huh, interesting.  So if we wonder if there is a God in the middle of all the commercial Christmas craziness, watch this youtube clip www.flixxy.com/hubble-ultra-deep-field-3d.htm

I hope you get all the figgy pudding you want for Christmas!  You deserve it.  Yes you do! 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFreindJean says--If you must use a hammer, build something!

Christmas thoughts

Joesixpack asks—Have you ever thought God to be like Santa Claus? I mean like you’re some little kid; you beg long enough and hard enough and are persistent enough and then you’ll get what you ask for. Or if you are good or bad, you get what you want ‘cause it’s Christmas and everyone gets what they want at Christmas! Or you sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you want and bingo; Christmas morning you get just what you want. Or maybe you think God is like grandpa, he lets you have everything and anything ‘cause he loves you and will send you home the next day (i.e. this grandpa is easily manipulated). MissPerfect says—hey, it’s Christmas, you get what you ask for if you’re good or even if you are bad. It’s Christmas and Santa gives you what you want and ask for. If you believe God is like a Santa Claus, you live in a fantasy world.

We went to a Christmas concert last Sunday night at the Pinnacle Presbyterian Church. It was suggested to us by two of my cousins. It was good. They had a freewill offering (i.e. that’s a free will offering). Free will—we get to decide—If you act like a jerk why would people like you. If you treat your wife lousy for 20 years why are you surprised that she leaves you. If you drink heavily for 30 years why are you surprised you liver doesn’t work. If you don’t save for your retirement why do expect to have money when you retire. If you don’t accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior why do you expect to go to heaven? Decisions have consequences folks. And there is only one person in charge of those decisions. Bingo! LuckieEddie says—Unless you believe in total pre-destination!

The Christmas story doesn’t make much sense to a non-believer of Jesus. I mean how can a non-believer believe in the virgin birth of Jesus and then this Jesus can forgive all your sins and give you eternal life. The academias seem to have even a harder time to understand that. Sooooooooooo, how much should knowledge and how much should emotion be part of Christmas? Saturday question—Do you really believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? I mean really believe it. Do you really believe in Father/Son/Holy Spirit as the Trinity? Is that hard for the human mind to understand? The Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Mormons and atheists don’t believe Jesus the Christ as their Savior. So what does Christmas really mean to them other as a holiday to get off work, eat and be merry?

They make it soooooooo easy to put up a tree now days. When we were at James and Heather’s, their tree (i.e. artificial of three years ago) top section didn’t light up. James replaced the fuses and it stayed lit for a few minutes and then died. The connection was real hot. So we took it back to Costco and they said they were all recalled. They said all their new tress have been recalled so they had none so they gave him his purchase price back of three years ago. We went to Home Depot but theirs were not as nice so they ended up purchasing a real Frazer fur for $32. When they checked out, the guy at Home Depot asked if they would like him to re-cut the truck—sure; would you like me to cut off the lower branches—sure; would you like me to wrap it in a plastic netting—sure! There was a young couple behind them and the guy asked them the same—the husband said, na I can do it—his wife said, are you crazy, of course we want that done (i.e. one smart gal).

Standing at the open airplane door at 13,000 feet, I said—do I really want to do this! Then my jump buddy pushed me (i.e. I paid my $179 and he wanted to be paid! I’m 65 today and for $179 I get the opportunity to jump out of a plane to celebrate my birthday. Wow! Yep, I did it at Eloy, AZ. http://www.skydiveaz.com/  The experience was just great but was made more fun ‘cause my childhood/stillmyfriend Dean Slagter from Roseland, MN jumped with me. They winter in Casa Grande near Eloy. When we were flying in the plane to 13,000 feet, I thought of two things—one was of Chester and Anna who both died at age 56 (i.e. what a shame—56) and the Tim McGraw song—Live like you’re dieing! We free fell for a mile and a half in 50 seconds (i.e. 120 mph). It was exciting but both Dean and I said, we don’t think our heartbeat went up at all. The pilot of the Otter plane was a cute young blond gal and we were strapped to some guys in there 20s. What could we do! We were just some 65-year-old guys celebrating our 65ths.

SusieQ says--The bigger the gift the bigger the thank you (i.e. the bigger I love ya). Ya, that’s what the world wants you to think but it just ain’t soooooooo SusieQ. No no! I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half of a banana on it looking out over hole #2 of the golf course—Give something to those who are having trouble, to those whose thoughts are confused, something of your sympathy, your prayer, your time, your love, your thought, your self…Give your best to those who need it and will accept it…Remember that the giving of advice can never take the place of giving of yourself. Put that in your pipe and smoke it while you are buying those throwaway trinkets for Christmas presents!

Tuesday, after playing some golf (i.e. a guy in our Lingsters group died on the course while playing), I rode my bike the 5.2 miles over to Sun Life RV (i.e. where George and Jane Abbas winter) and played ping pong with the boys (i.e. I enjoyed their company—nice guys but they play hard—they were better than I thought they would be for some old farts). Then I rode over the to Mesa Library (i.e. Red Mountain Branch). I went on line to have them hold the new book, Unbroken, for me but they said I had to come in in person and renew my library card. They had 7 copies of the book and I was #32 on the waiting list (i.e. must be a good book). I started reading it in A’town (i.e. Nancy got it for me but didn’t get it all read before we left). ANYWAY a very nice librarian helped me. I then asked her what her favorite SW book is. It was Blood Brother by Arnold Elliott. She said if I couldn’t find it, come back and she would help. She wrote it down so I went and looked for it. Looked under Elliott but couldn’t find it. So I went and found her and she went to Arnold, Elliott and Bingo. Man-o-man! This gal told me she has been working at the Red Mt branch for 40 years (i.e. for the last 5 years only on Tuesdays). You must really like it—yes I do. Such is life.

Oh by the way, in the book Blood Brother, Concise and the Apaches call winter, Ghost Face (i.e. that’s a good name). No Ghost Face here, it’s been in the 70s and next week it’s suppose to be in the 80s and there is seldom any wind. I call it Honey Face!!!! A couple from MN said to me the other day—Every day is sooooooo nice; we don’t get one day like this in MN all summer! Such is life.

I played with some guys from our park at the Links. Ron and I walked. Ron is 81 and does very well. He says he swims every day and tries to take care of himself. ANYWAY I asked Ron what his feelings were on Christmas—I like Christmas but don’t go over board. When we get older we make it much more simple but seem to enjoy it more. Stuff and more stuff just aren’t very important any more. Life and what’s important to me, is where my thoughts are (i.e. every time you hear a siren here, which is quite often, it usually means that another condo or park model will be for sale). Saturday question—Is your Christmas really fun or is it crazy?

MissPerfect says—My friend FredaTheFreeLoader a.k.a. as Slick’sTrophyWife (i.e. altered and high maintenance) thinks she’s bigger than the real meaning of Christmas. Ouchy ouchy! Yabut she looks nice and really can strut hers stuff!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

KR’s thought of the day—Modesty: Hoping that others will find out by themselves how great you are! MyFriendJean says—Brows may wrinkle, hair grows gray but friendship never knows decay.

L-Crap-O

L-Crap-O! You might want to take this with a grain of salt!

We were heading down the old stage coach trail a.k.a. the wild west trail in buffalo thunder country with our buck wagon really loaded (i.e. had the trunk and back seat packed like sardines). We usually get about 29 mpg but only got 23.5 mpg (i.e. we were loaded folks). In fact it was soooooooo heavy that the car squatted. I had to adjust the passenger side mirror. I was going about 80 so I reached down and thought I was pressing the mirror button but pressed the trunk button—the trunk popped open. Man-o-man! Luckily nothing fell out.

Hey, it’s not L-Crap-O turning 65 (i.e. Arlene turned 65 this week and I will turn 65 next week). Our health insurance went down about $6,000 in cost per year. They automatically put our SS payments in our checking account. Joesixpack says—age is just an attitude folks.

I read in the paper (i.e. so it must be right) that once you get 65 the marketing folks don’t target you any more. Huh, interesting. Personally “newthings” speak to my interest not to my age—maybe that’s just me but hey, my generation (i.e. ol’ codgers) has money folks. I think the marketing folks will change their attitude about the baby boomers here soon. I read in the paper, so it must be right) that the baby boomers generation (i.e. born from 46 to 64 a.k.a. the me generation) will inherit $14 to $20 trillion during the next 20 years and this generation will probably not leave a lot of that money to the next generation. Ra Ra or Ouchy Ouchy depending which generation you are in and which family you come from. There seems to be a massive huge difference folks – Life ain’t fair (i.e. the only thing that’s fair is the Butler County Fair and I think that’s in June). If you aren’t the ones inheriting the massive huge trillions, life might look L-Crap-O to you. GerogeTheCrook says—Yabut money isn’t everything but…! Sooooooo what, it’s only money but…! CadillacJack says--It’s the American dream to work hard and you will do well; the economy always rebounds—but how fast and how far are the questions folks.

Some folks seem to get all the breaks! Some may think I have the Life of Riley! I really do (i.e. my opinion). AverageJoe says—It seems like some are luckier than others. But remember--The only sure thing about luck is that it will change! Yabut AverageJoe—it sure seems like some folks are luckier than others. Some folks only experience L-Crap-O is seems! How come? Or is it my imagination. MissPerfect says—Some folks make their luck and some make their L-Crap-O. You think so MissPerfect? It just fell in our laps! We got to the Valley of the Sun (i.e. it was 77 today and no wind) on Tuesday night sooooooo on Wednesday we had to get our supplies at Freys. We didn’t know it but the first Wednesday of each month seniors get a 10% discount—that’s why it was sooooooo crowded! It just fell in our laps!!!! We plan to stay and play for a while.

The hardest fact in the world to accept is the inevitable mixture of evil with good in all things. What some folks have to endure; some real L-Crap-O! WildWilly says—Our lives are filled with uncertainty, hardship, sickness, and danger; Old Man Trouble, it seems, is never too far from the front door! A man placed some flowers on the grave of his dearly departed mother and started back toward his car when his attention was diverted to another man kneeling at a grave. The man seemed to be praying with profound intensity and kept repeating, "Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die?" The first man approached him and said, "Sir, I don't wish to interfere with your private grief, but this demonstration of pain is more than I've ever seen before. For whom do you mourn so deeply? A child? A parent?" The mourner took a moment to collect himself, then replied..."My wife's first husband." ~ I was at Casey’s recently and talked to a friend who he and I have called each other brother so and so for years. I said—I have not seen you for a long time—I don’t get out much, only on Thursday morning when someone comes in and stays with my wife—so how is she doing—okay—I have been a care giver for her for 8 years—wow, isn’t that hard—erv, you gotta do what you gotta do. This guy is quite a guy. My hat goes off to all of you care givers out there. You are very special folks. That is quite a gift you are giving!

It had looked so easy and short on the map. Life can be that way then I say L-Crap-O! I saw this on the back of a truck traveling to AZ—Traffic, if only it were as light as your beer--Miller Genuine Draft Light, 64 calories! We enjoy road trips—we eat our way across the country. No 64 calories stuff for us! I had the opportunity to hike Mt Falcon in CO. It’s one of my favorite hikes. I met a guy on the trial who was biking up the trial (i.e. very hard) who was taking a break (i.e. he was tired). I said—how’s it going—I’m suffering from toooooonmuch Thanksgiving eating; I’m 10 pounds over my desired weight and those 10 pounds are a monstrous disadvantage. I can ride it clean with no problems but with the extra 10 pounds it makes it much harder. Think about that folks. The two pics are from Mt Falcon; I always talk about it so maybe you might be interested in seeing it (i.e. pics don’t do justice but…). One is of the Red Rock formation where the amphitheater is located—some of you have been there for concerts etc.) http://www.redrocksonline.com/PUREENTERTAINMENT.aspx

and the other is of the Denver sky line. Then when I get in the back of the mountain, it is completely quite. http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R16.htm

JoeThePlumber asks--If there was one thing I could change in my life to lift it to it’s highest level, what would that one thing be? Are you comfortable with yourself during Advent? Really are you comfortable with yourself? ItchieBitchie says—we all don’t think the same things are important during Advent now do we. Where do we spend our time, energy and money (i.e. that will probably tell us what is important). Some spend much time putting up lights on their house (e.g. like the folks a few blocks from James, Heather, and Erin). I think they are crazy (i.e. that’s from a guy who doesn’t enjoy putting up lights at all—it’s L-Crap-O to me). I think those folks are related to Clark Griswold!

SusieQ says--It’s hard for someone with a massive huge heart to understand anyone who does not have a massive huge heart. Babies cry, eat, cry, sleep, cry, eat, cry, sleep. They cry a lot, get everything they want and still don’t seem happy some times. MissPerfect says—It seems that there are folks who cry a lot and are never happy either; it seems like the folks who cry the most are not very happy folks (i.e. L-Crap-O). Huh, interesting. SusieQ says—Think about this, if you are not content with what you have (i.e. always crying about it) and you were given twice as much as you have, would you still cry? Usually those folks who cry a lot a.k.a. crybabies, it has nothing to do with how much they have but about their contentment. Some folks will never be content and will always be unhappy. That’s just the way it is. Think about that in Christmas giving and receiving. I read this while eating a slice of banana bread (i.e. Heather made it for me—one of my favorites—she treats me oh soooooo good)—To truly desire to do God’s will therein lies happiness for a human being (i.e. more stuff doesn’t). You agree with that?

Oh snowballs! LuckieEddie says-- Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives. And that living is a decision of each of ours; and decisions have consequences. No snowballs for us here in AZ! Such is life!

L-Crap-O! TommyThePeacock says—Not everyone agrees with me at Christmas. I think my thinking is normal and correct (i.e. I’m right and you’re wrong) but…maybe it’s not. Now that can cause fights and disagreements. Just settle down TommyThePeacock, it’s not that bad—you say that but you don’t know my sister-in-law; she always wants to be the director of the orchestra! Hey, just let her do the directing and smile (i.e. don’t let her get under your skin—you’re going home in a few hours from the get-to-gather! Before we left, I had breakfast with my mentor. He told me that he was asked by a senior to drive him to the dentist. This guy, who we both know quite well, thinks he’s really something but isn’t (i.e. our opinion). My mentor told me—I just let him think that way! He thinks he’s doing me a favorite letting me drive him around. Slim’s View is—I have come to view this dynamic of human nature as a game of musical chairs: There is only one chair left and two players: Pride and Humility. When the music ends, there will only be a seat for one of them. One will win, the other will be vanquished. They cannot occupy the same space. JoeThePlumber says—Soooooooooo how is your Advent attitude?

A gal in our adult Sunday school class said—I get snooty at Christmas time! Hey, it’s the time to jolly not snooty! Again, we are all programmed by our past. Christmas time can be a happy time and a not so happy time. It depends on a lot of relative matter. SusieQ says—More diamonds are purchased at Christmas-time (i.e. 31%) than during any other holiday or occasion during the year (i.e. diamonds are a girl’s best friend). In America, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the biggest shopping weeks of the year. Many retailers make up to 70% of their annual revenue in the month preceding Christmas. Soooooooooooo Christmas should be “besttimeoftheyear” if diamonds and presents are the standard of making folks happy.

Belinda Hansen, F.O.S.H.A. Manager ended her article in the FOS sun times with this quote: “This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols. But the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift – Christ.” Frank McKibbe

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

KR’s thought of the day—To defy old age, just believe that you’re as good as you never were! MyFriendJean says—We need some clouds in our life to make a beautiful sunset (i.e. the AZ sunsets are usually just beautiful).

A friend sent me this youtube—It’s Christmas to me—one of my favorite songs done in a unique way in a unique place. Hope you enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=player_embedded#!