Grampy & Nana's Christmas Gift

Grampy and Nana decided that this year we are going to start trying to take care of our health. Too many issues this past year. I was fortunate enough to get this slightly used, almost new treadmill from a co-worker. I figure Grampy and I can watch out favorite shows while walking or listening to music and won't have to worry about it being to dark, too rainy, too cold or whatever other excuses we can come up with, lol. So here's to a hopefully much healthier year.

WHPD PROJECT REACHOUT

On Saturday, Dec. 17, Santa and Mrs. Claus helped the Winter Haven Police Department deliver toys to some very needy families. We delivered to 7 families.

The family in the above photo are in a very hard situation. Dad lost his job 2 /12 years ago. Mom works at 7-11. She was able to get Dad a job part time at 7-11. Well then 7-11 cut her hours and now her house in in forclosure and the bank is not willing to work with them. They will be moving after the first of the year. So sad.
One of the children we delivered to...in awe of Santa.

A group shot at the first house we delivered to. Top right hand side is DARE Officer Terry Bowden. He has been doing Project Reach Out since 1995. Officer Bowden gets names from the local schools for the families we deliver to every year. He then puts the children's names and the gifts they want on a wreath in the Police Station and the police officer's and their families purchase the gifts for the families. Project Reachout also supplies food for a Christmas meal for each family. Walmart also in the past 3 years has donated money towards the cause. This is one of our absolutely favorite events to do every year. And we will continue to do it for as long as we are able. Thank you WHPD for allowing us to take all the glory for your hard work.

Turkeys, turkeys, turkeys

There were 4 turkeys in the parking lot Sunday morning while I was at work.
One decided to walk right up to the vehicle. The following pictures were taken in the rearview mirror.
The turkey checking me out.She is pecking the rear bumper.
Looking for some more grub.Just making sure she didn't miss anything.She's done, so now she's leaving. I can't get over how unafraid she was of me or the vehicle. I stayed inside the vehicle because I wasn't sure if she would try to peck me or not. And I had to use the Security camera to take pictures because I forgot my camera at home.

Need I Say More?

December 7, 1941 Never Forget

Making Cookies

I just wanted to share this photo of Layla and Rossi making cookies. It's such a candid shot and it shows lots of love going into those cookies.

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDER

(A folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine)

Once upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... The day on which the Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.
T'was the Christmas eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room... so the crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw every one of the pretty things. At last they satisfied themselves completely of the Christmas tree beauty.
But alas!! Everywhere they went they had left their webs, and when the little Christ child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spiders, for they were God's creatures too, but he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for the little children, wouldn't feel the same, so He touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling, shimmering, silver and gold!
Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our christmas trees, and according to the legend, it has been a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the tree.

The spider you see on the top of the tree in the photo at the top is on my pine tree in the front yard. I was putting garland around the tree to add a little color and try to decorate it up. I saw 2 small lizards near the top of the tree and when I got to the top I saw this spider. I hate spiders but this one is very pretty...same color as the tree. I have no idea what kind it is or if it's poisonous or not. But it stayed where it was while I got the camera and took it's picture. And yes it has a web at the top of the tree. I guess the spider is what the lizards were after.