Saturday, 26 November 11
I have found a Christmas station in the DFW area: 103.7 FM. I'm looking forward to hearing Christmas music during the next month or so on this radio station There is also a guy down the street who broadcasts Christmas tunes sync'd with lights in his front yard on 99.9FM.
My iTunes library is set to play only Christmas songs, as is my custom every year. It is interesting that many well-known groups and personalities play Christmas tunes, such as Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, The Moody Blues, Céline Dion, Andy Williams, Barry Manilow, Destiny's Child, Nora Jones, The Rippingtons, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Kenny G, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Secada, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, Nat King Cole, Dave Koz and of course the Vince Guaraldi Trio (Charlie Brown), Larnelle Harris, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Gloria Estefan, Steve Kamp, 4Him, First Call, Stacie Orrico, Michael English, Bob Segar, Spyro Gyra, Richard Elliot, Peter White, Larry Carlton, Chicago, José Feliciano, Carly Simon, Queen - all of these artists are represented in my Christmas music collection (150 songs).There's just something special about this time of the year. It is the advent of Emmanuel; God walking amongst us.
Friday, 25 November 11
Its the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, some say, but also the beginning of Christmas, in an official way. Some merchants, such as Walmart and JC Penny, still understand the significance of Christmas and elect to use the correct name in their marketing campaigns, rather than missing the mark with the generic word "holiday." Holiday is fine if the intent is to cover the entire season (all holidays, such as 4th of July, and Memorial Day), but substituting Holiday for Christmas is a 'fail' in my book. I'll be spending my Christmas budget this year at stores that aren't afraid to call it what it is: Christmas.
Thursday, 24 November 11
Thanksgiving at mom's home - great as always. David and I strung Christmas lights on mom's house, a task greatly facilitated by hooks I installed many years ago on the house's eaves. I have many things for which to be thankful. The main thing for me is to try to emulate an attitude of thanksgiving all year.
Tuesday, 23 November 11
I have several Holiday traditions, one of which is the viewing of the Peanuts Classics such as, Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Another Peanuts favorite is A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I watched the bonus feature, The Mayflower Voyagers on the DVD again this year, which is actually a very good overview of that first Thanksgiving.
Saturday, 19 November 11
My daughter Aimee received acceptance letters today from Oklahoma State and Iowa State! She was in elementary school when this brain tumor story began - how blessed I am to see her reach this point in her life.
Wednesday, 16 November 11
My MRI today came back clean! Thanks for your prayers, prayer pages, messages and thoughts (in that order).
Friday, 11 November 11
It is 11.11.11, an interesting day numerically and commercially, but a difficult day emotionally, for on this day in 1980 my father moved from earth to heaven and saw Jesus Christ face to face. I rejoice for him, but continue to grieve for those of us left behind. As dad's time to pass from earth to heaven drew close, he called David and me to his side and said farewell. I remember telling him that if my best efforts made me half the man that he is, I'd consider myself blessed. I was 23 years old then and now, 31 years later, I still have that goal.
An avastin infusion was accomplished today, and my cbc results look good.
Friday, 04 November 11
I am now 93 months post op; only 387 months to go for 40 years.
Thursday, 03 November 11
A routine cbc test this afternoon showed a good platelet count recovery, followed by a nice lunch with mom. The evening featured a televised home game for the Argyle football team and the Marching Band.
Wednesday, 02 November 11
Happy Birthday mom!
