Merry Christmas!

Christmas is forever not for just one day

more snapshots here on the 1st day of our skating season
for loving, sharing, giving are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

May we, like the angel, be the source of good tidings of great joy to all. May our hearts overflow in love and gratitude.

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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Christmas Eve

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.

More happy memories here
The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,
who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.


DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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A Christmas Carol Returns to Tower Theater

An inspiring Dickens classic tale of hope and redemption, A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his magical journey from a bah-humbug miser to a loving and generous man. In this version presented by Cultural Student Performances of the Second Annual Bend Experimental Art Theatre (BEAT)--Tower Theatre Foundation, --it was directed by our old friend (through Home Program) Mary Kilpatrick, and starred in the Principal Role of Scrooge, one of our most powerful adult actors in Central Oregon Rick Jenkins.

This year's performances were presented in a very exciting new format: Performed for the first time by a mixed group of 29 seasoned adults and BEAT youth actors, with youth actors in many principal roles--Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Marley's Ghost, Mr. Fezziwig, Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future--aand a host of others bring the spirit of Christmas to the hearts of everyone--cast, audience, young, and old alike.

The morning play was sold out on the first day of sale announcement. We were fortunate to be allocated 40 tickets for the noon performance, personally by Howard Schor, Executive Director of BEAT.

BEAT continues to get amazing audience response from this holiday classic. I am thrilled that they are creating an annual holiday tradition for families in our community. This show has such an uplifting message--it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and remind each one of us of the true meaning of giving.

A Christmas Carol is packed with humor, excitement, drama, and heartwarming moments. Everything you need for a fun, memorable Christmas event! The play was absolutely a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Don't miss a spectacular performance.

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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Friends' Night Out

"We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?" asked Piglet.



"Even longer," Pooh answered.
~~A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)

Chloe and my teen wanted to go to the Charity Holiday Party hosted by/at the club so bad...I missed most part of the Moms' Night Out/Holiday Swap!

Good news: Awesome Food.

Few more snapshots here
Bad News: No other teens! Maybe next year...

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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Cascade Middle School Bands & Choirs Winter Performance

It's her first public performance with Cascade Middle School Advanced Band last night, in front of an excited crowd in hundreds...parents, educators, siblings...our teen is more than ever determined to excel...


God picks up the reed-flute world and blows.
Each note is a need coming through one of us,
a passion, a longing pain.
Remember the lips
where the wind-breath originated,
and let your note be clear.
Don't try to end it.
Be your note.
~~Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi


More snapshots are shown here
DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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15 Degrees Below Zero!!!

...gotta be the record low here in High Desert!!!

at least since we moved here over 4 years ago!

It's a paradise for boarders, telemarkers, and skiers who love powder snow! There were 6 inches or more covering our driveway in the morning...Stay warm!

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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Bend Oregon Christmas Parade 2009

...isn't just a bunch of matching bands and flatbeds

It's the thing to do and see

This year's theme is It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. The eight award categories are: Sweepstakes (most outstanding non-commercial entry,) Governer's (best commercial entry - class 1,) Grand Marshal's (best commercial entry - class 2,) Jingle Bell (see below,) Mayor's (best entry by a youth group,) Silver Snowflake (best entry with marching, drill, dance,) Judge's Award (entry with the best development theme,) and Rudolph's Reideer Award (best equestrian/animal units.) I was unable to take pictures as I did in the past...I ended up in the parade carrying a boom box almost the whole way or pushing the sleigh!

Besides having most fun getting all the reindeer dressed and ready at 8:30 in the morning and waiting to be judged for two hours in the chillin' 26° cold

Best of all, out of eighty-one entries, her musical friends and my teen daughter--representing Cascade Community School of Music--won the Jingle Bell Music Award for best entry featuring live Christmas music.


There are so many people to show appreciation for another year of wonderful festivity. Above all, thank you Shannon Devir for your amazing, inspiring leadership, being a true mentor of the children's hearts. The most important thing my teen took away from her music and working experience was confidence in herself. We are fortunate to have you in our lives and in our community. You'll be sorely missed, Shannon!

DREAM...EXPLORE...AND DISCOVER! (stop by here to see what I've been creating)!

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