Happy New Year

My grandson Gage's First Christmas.

As the New Year approaches I find myself doing things that remind me of my childhood.
My mom and dad had us kids clean house on New Year's Eve.   The beds made with clean bedding, grocery shopping, floors washed, cupboards cleaned and stocked, laundry washed, ironed and put away.  All in all the whole house cleaned.  I can remember my dad putting a penny on the window sill.

So as the New Year approaches, my wish for all...
May you always have a warm, sheltered place to lay your head when you need rest,  may you always have food in your cupboards to satisfy your hunger, may your closet hold clean clothing for any type of weather,  may good fortune always put a coin or two in your pocket and may you be blessed with good health, laughter, peace in your heart and love!

2011 had many moments that have brought laughter into our life.  There have also been times of sadness with the passing of loved ones and dear friends.   We continue to take life "one day at a time",  make new friends, cherish our old friends, and take joy that you have joined us in this journey we call life.

Below you see some of the wonderful moments that filled our 2011 with precious memories.

Celebrating Elizabeth's birthday

My new Grandson, Gage Moore born in Berkeley, California  

 St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage dinner in Bethel Island, California

My birthday celebration

Jennifer's Flute recital in Spring Arbor, Michigan

 A Mother's Day celebration in Menlo Park, California

 A Tram ride up to the top of San Jacinto Mountain, Palm Springs, California

A visit to Yosemite National Park

Hoover Dam, Arizona

Jennifer's college graduation, Spring Arbor, Michigan

Saturday Pancake Breakfast, Sky Valley, California

Water Volleyball at Caliente Springs Resort, Desert Hot Spring , California

Norb and Barbara Kabuss, Palm Springs, California

Family gathering together in Spring Arbor, Michigan

Kevin on his way to Sturgis, South Dakota

Becky came to visit sunny California

Kevin, Elizabeth and Gage

  

A visit with my very good friend, Keith.  Park Forest, Illinois

Family visit to New Lenox, Illinois

Long ago advice: "You need 4 hugs a day to survive"

Sharing happiness

Make room for the new addition to the family!

Barbara and Ginny, life long friends.

Remnants of an old volcano near Amboy, California.

Hoping to "Win Big" with Mary and John in Laughlin, Nevada

Chile Cook-off contest, Caliente Springs, California

Playing in the park with my bud!

Picking pumpkins in the pumpkin patch 

Nothing fills the heart more then visits from family who live far, far away

Fancy Christmas Dinner celebrated with friends at Caliente Springs Resort

A Merry Christmas hug

Discussing work at the Employee Christmas party, Caliente Springs, California
NOT !!

Christmas Caroling

Let the feast begin!

Christmas group hug

A very proud Grandma

From  Emmanuel's Book II - The Choice for Love

You live a lifetime.  At the end of it you say to those around your deathbed, "What a long life!  Why, I lived ninety whole years.  Do you know how much I did?"  And then you die.

You wake up and ask, "How long was I gone?"  The Being of Light who is with you answers, "We hardly noticed you were gone at all.  You just sat down and dozed off for a second and here you are again.  What kind of dream did you have this time?

  

Ninety years...so long, so short.  

Happy New Year

Paul and Jo