YEAR'S END IS ALMOST UPON US...

I'm sure I'm not alone as the Year is winding down... you kinda can't help but get nostalgic... but I'm not going off on that, so you can relax. Seems to be A LOT of "computer" issues going on as I've been getting an avalanche of phone calls... A word to the wise - BACK-UP anything that's important to you NOW! Don't say you haven't been warned.

Not surprisingly every one's got a different problem so each takes some heavy thinking to resolve. My poor brain feels bruised. Now I'm not looking for sympathy, just stating a fact. I'll be fine, it's what I do. Seems as though most every one's had a "good" Christmas so that's welcome news. Of course out Government's still a bit of a disappointment and the News Media seems bent on continuing to make something out of nothing, just to have "news!" Geesh!!

But all of that didn't seem to matter much, after I watched this little comic gem, sent by Dan's Mom Katheryn, that still has me chuckling. Have a look and see for yourself. ANIMAL CRACKERS And that'll probably be it for me until after the New Year. MARTY DREAD is playing at LYC for our New Year's Eve party (that's a big deal around these parts, as we Maui Folks know) so I plan to drop in for that. Saturday of course is the Rose Parade and then the Rose Bowl, amongst a few other Bowl Games. So everyone have a SAFE & MERRY. See you next year!

"The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it." - Jean-Paul Sarte

A NICE LITTLE BONUS FROM AUNTIE BONNIE!

We had a nice surprise visit from "Auntie" Bonnie Nelson (Moma Duma aka Queen Bee) on Christmas Day, and after snapping away all afternoon she put together another GREAT Jones' Family Christmas Video which can be SEEN HERE.

This year Kelly's Daughter Madison was the "star" - quite the fashion statement she makes. Hailey managed her trademark "pout" to greet Bonnie with, but finally came around before she left. Anyway, it's easy to see everyone had a good time.

...and then came the 12 DAYS "AFTER" CHRISTMAS...

OK, come on... admit it, you've been WAITING for this one (or maybe dreading it...) - so I had to do it. For those of you who lead sheltered lives (like me) and hadn't heard this before, it's a hoot. I did some checking so you wouldn't have too, and this version is pretty good. The Gal singing it does a great dead pan delivery (you won't want the volume up too high) but the best part is the Guy in the background. Way too funy.

And so, for your enjoyment (I hope) the TWELVE DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS.

"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." – Steven Wright

... and at last, The 12th DAY OF CHRISTMAS

AND TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING...

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE and ALL!

Here's wishing everyone a terrific day with Family & Friends or whatever floats your Reindeer. Remember, most of all - we want to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS" as that is truly what Christmas is all about.

Of course the "Christmas Tree" is a big part of any Christmas decorations, with the all too familiar ANGEL on the top... well here's a cute little "card" (thank you Jannette Knowley) with the Angel reminding us of where Christmas came from. When it's finished, you'll notice at the bottom of the card, is a link if you want to know MORE about Christmas Trees... for those who want to know, you'll enjoy it.

I hope you've enjoyed my little bloggish lead up and if nothing else are comfortable that it's not about the $$$ - that's just Marketing hype that we've all grown up with. "WE" can change it, and it's about high time we did...

So to close out my little Christmas vignette, here is a version of our 12 Days I hope everyone can find something to enjoy about it. It's a bit dated, and in black & white - but it is "family" and it's a good down home country setting, so kick back and listen to Mr. Johnny Cash and Mrs. June (Carter) Cash and friends...

Well, next on the horizon is NEW YEARS - and won't that be fun. CHEERS EVERYONE. And remember, this Guy loves you, each and every one. PEACE, LOVE & GROOVY YA'LL.

Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world." ~ Calvin Coolidge

... 11th DAY OF CHRISTMAS

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING...

Man oh man oh man! We're sooooo close now I can hardly stand it!

Yep, here we are, CHRISTMAS EVE. Tomorrow's the big day. How many of you are fretting over last minute shopping? Too bad - plenty of time (like a whole year) to be thinking of what you wanted to do for whomever you wanted to do it. Me, I'm going SAILING - and then it's off to Amanda's to spend the night as there's no greater joy for me than those two cherubic little ones, Hailey & Tyler. Also looking forward to see my other two "angels" Madison & Grayson who will be having Christmas Eve with their Nana Anne.

So, ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING... and one of the things they're piping about is STEVE JOYCE'S BIRTHDAY. Happy B-Day Steve. Steve has the dubious honor of sharing the same birth year as I do. More notably, he is the Father of my Dear Friend Ms. Emily who spent a good part of this past year in Moscow "Clowning around," (actually doing volunteer work at an orphanage). And not to be left out let's say HOW DEE DO to Mom Mikie who also shares the same Birth year as Steve & I, and is the Daughter of my very special Club 33 Benefactor. Here's wishing a Merry Christmas and a Safe and prosperous New Year to the whole Joyce Family in Boise, ID and sundry other scattered places.

And with one final nod to the "nostalgia" of the Season, here's another Queen Bee (thank you Auntie Bonnie) IMovie from 2009, with (of course) Tyler, Hailey & Santa...

Oh, and before I go for today, with the "Piper's Piping" and "nostalgia" in mind, I've got one more gem I'm compelled to share... this one's been going around the Internet recently, as well it should, called A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM, and it's really a tribute or dedication to our Military, serving here and abroad to protect our Freedoms, a part of which allows us to have such a great time as Christmas. I doubt I'll ever be thought of as a "tree hugger" but I hope everyone will remember me, at least in part, as a Flag Waver. If you know someone in the Military, or their Family, share this with them, even if they've heard it, they'll still know that SOMEONE CARES. And that matters. God Bless the Red, White & Blue!

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."
~ Agnes M. Pahro

... 10th DAY OF CHRISTMAS

TEN LORDS A LEAPING....

And what could these guys all be jumping around about??? Heck if I know, but maybe it's because RUDOLPH the RED NOSED REINDEER would soon be on his way... "Everybody" knows the story of Rudolph and Santa... sort of anyway. But DID YOU KNOW that Gene Autry first recorded the song that is the SECOND most popular song of all time (behind Bing Crosby's White Christmas)? Or that the song was written by Johnny Marks, the Brother-in-law of Rudolph's Author, Bob May? CLICK HERE for the full story.


And OK, I must confess... there's more to the "10 Lords" than I let on... Now, these guys aren't exactly jumping all around, but vocally, they sure do... AND there's ten of them. Check out the 12 Days of Christmas sung by STRAIGHT NO CHASER. (For any of you who don't know, but would care to know, CLICK HERE to find out what a DREIDLE is.)

And GUESS WHAT!?? Yep, there's more... ’ One of the more popular items circulating the FORWARDING chasms of the Internet is the DIGITAL VERSION of the NATIVITY STORY Now I've had several chances to see this lately, and for whatever reason decided to pass over it… and I tend to look at everything partly because I just hate to think I'd miss something and also to try and keep up with Friend’s “questions” about such and such with regards to computing.

But it came from Donna (Larson) Eide, a dear Friend and LHS Alumni, and I found thinking of her, it put me in a rather pleasant disposition frame of mind, and I decided to watch it. Well what a treat! Very clever and I just simply got to include it here. For anyone “computerish” it’s way too funny, and I didn’t feel that it in anyway disrespected the story of Christ’s birth. Quite the contrary. It's actually a rather contemporary take on the whole thing. And if you're NOT into the computer thing, it might not make much sense.

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." ~ Oren Arnold

... 9th DAY OF CHRISTMAS

NINE LADIES DANCING...

Well, after going with the "feminine" thought line yesterday I'm not even going to try again with the Ladies today, dancing or otherwise. However, I do think something a little "light" would be in order, and we do want to get back on the KIDZ level, after all, it's ALMOST Christmas! So, here's a rendition by JOHN DENVER accompanied by a familiar group of friends...

And with "dancing" in mind, I didn't want to just do something "Dancing with the Stars" related and there's a synchronized Robot dancing one going around that's cute, but I found the obscure and short one from Hong Kong that's interesting... well, at least for the Kidz...

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" ~ Bob Hope