Only One More Week until Christmas

It seems like I must again begin with an apology for letting too much time lapse between entries.  Somehow, there are just not enough hours in the day for all that I expect to do.  Since my last post, we have kept quite busy.  We were up at Silent Valley from November 8th until December 7th, then ten days at Thousand Trails Palm Springs and yesterday we returned to Wilderness Lakes in Menifee for a three week stay.  
Do you remember the cute picture of a Chihuahua in a pink sweater dress and hat that I posted last month?  Based on seeing that I tried to buy Millie a sweater and hat on that order.  Although it was described as a size that would fit her, the hat and sweater I ordered were so small it fit Diane's smallest Chihuahua, Daisy.  Here she is wearing it.


Since that didn't work, I ended up knitting Millie a red hat and scarf.  And I found an adorable red and white sweater for her.  Then I decided to knit hats and scarves for Diane's two dogs, again in red.  After that, I did a scarf for our dog Willie, but Jim had to try it on too.

I think Willie wears it quite well.
But Jim is still a hippy at heart!  😃  LOL.




Then I knitted a scarf and hat for Diane and a scarf for her hubby Jim.  Not to be left out, I made a red hat and scarf with red and white fringe for me, with an owl decoration, of course.

I also made one just like it, but in blue and white with owl trims for my sister Donna.  I sure hope she will like it.
Once we got set up here in Menifee, we had to set up our Christmas decor.  Beginning with a wreath trimmed with a white owl.

 I bought the wreath at the Dollar Store, and added the red trim and the white owl.  On the right are two wine bottles I made into centerpieces but I ended up selling them to someone who liked them.

Here is Millie in her Christmas dress, actually it's one of four she has.  I forgot she had one and ordered another, then I found one at Wal-Mart. After I bought that one, I discovered that we  had another one we bought LAST year, so she is really set for Christmas this year.  LOL, another senior moment I guess.
Here is our Christmas owl flag.  So cute.  I found this picture I took a short time ago of our Millie with Diane & Jim's two girls.  We tried three times to include Willie in the picture, but he wanted no part of it!  


Many of you have probably seen our beloved nativity before, Feliz Navidog, but here it is on our mantle below the TV set.  It combines our love of everything about the true meaning of Christmas, and our love of dogs.  How could it get any better than this?????

Unfortunately, Christmas time can be very difficult for some people.  People who are alone or in poor health might be depressed.  I have read that suicides increase between now and the New Year.  Since Christmas and New Year mean so much to me, it saddens me to think of others who are hurting this time of year.  Someone (I don't know who it was, so I can't give credit here) who was much smarter than I am once said that suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY problem.  I try to understand what could ever drive one to ending their life, but it is very difficult for me because I am optimistic that things WILL get better.  Maybe seeing others who are so very happy this time of year only intensifies that person's sense of hopelessness.  

I realize not everyone has extra money to donate to the many worthwhile charities that need money this time of year.  However, all of us should be able to find a few minutes to reach out to people who might be alone and depressed.  Maybe you could invite someone to come to your home for a Christmas holiday meal.  You might offer a shut-in some of your time to drive them to a store or just to drive around to see all the beautiful holiday decorations people put up.  

I just heard of someone who died in Georgia, and was not found for over three weeks.  It's hard for me to imagine that no one cared enough to check on that person for that long.  Please be mindful of those around you.  Maybe you could take a gift basket of non-perishable foods to someone who doesn't have a lot of money for food.  You might even include a few pieces of fresh fruit.  If the person has a pet, don't forget to get food or treats for their pet too.  A gift card makes a great present.....IF the person has a way to get to a store to spend it.  Please check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly.  If you live in a  cold climate, please check to make sure older people have their heat turned on and working properly.  Little acts of kindness could be the difference between life and death for some people, and will make you feel better too. 

Last but surely not least, please try to be a little MORE patient and kind to the people you meet as you rush around getting ready for holiday parties and travels.  Try to realize they may also be stressed out with all they want to do in this last week before Christmas.  Smile, and wish them a joyous Christmas and a very happy New Year.  It doesn't help anyone if you get angry or rude to others.  Please try to remember the reason for the season, and share a little love with everyone you meet.

Merry Christmas to one and all.  Here's wishing you the very best this Holiday season, and a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.  We know you will be blessed with all that our Father in Heaven knows you really need.  God bless you and yours.