Hallelujah --- one to warm your heart which is hard to do in Alaska

Faith is the greatest of all "Property"... for Edie...

The funny thing about blog world, is that one can become very aquainted and attached to people one has never even met. Two years ago, I was introduced (or more like stumbled) across a woman whose blog spoke freely of passion. Her passion rang a tone of familiarity to me like a kindered spirit. And sometimes in ways that were challenging to my day to day rountine life - like the freindly slap of reality by a dear friend. I found her weekly doses of passion were infectous---be it books, family, food, creativity, home, life, sprituality---she touched them all. She is one who is truthful, honest with herself and others and is brave enough to share it with all who will listen. All qualities to admire and respect.

Two weeks ago, my dear blogland friend's life changed when she and her family lost their home and all of their worldly posessions in an early morning fire. I feel great sadness for her loss and as I would with any friend wish I could reach out and help take some of the pain away. So instead, I am sending out some words of support and love to a family I know but have never met. Edie, here are three quotes that I wish to share with you and your family during this time of transisition.

"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds"

"Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world."

"On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property."

Keep the faith Edie as you always do. Happy birthday. May 2011 behold much grace for you and your family.

Here is her blog. www.lifeingraceblog.com

Hugs from the west coast Edie.

Happy 2011

What a great laid back inspirational seeking day. What exactly does that mean? Well, for me that means I spent most of the day hopping around in blogland and the other half in shopping. What did I buy? Uhhh a bird feeder and cat food and no the bird feeder is not the cat food.

The Final Hour...

Well we have entered the final hour of 2010 here on the pacific coast. 2010 has been a year of much change for all of us Tomatos. The past two weeks have been nice and quite---one might ask how having two children undergo big surgeries could be considered quite---but in my life it is. We have been blessed to have two very postive outcomes. I am excited about what lies ahead in 2011. But then I have always been one that loves the promise of something new and unexpected. I guess that is what I love about ringing in the new year. The excitment of what lies ahead. What road will we travel? What decision will we make? I have already given the yahoos the heads up that I have some new ideas up my sleve, First up...their daily, and weekly chore/to do lists. Tomorrow it starts...

Little Toy Trains Live...

Today FuFu and HooHaa had their Winter Concert at school. It was everything one I could think of in a winter concert. It was jam packed with parents and grandparents and was standing room only. There must have been over 1500 people in attendance-easy. I guess they start filling up the gym two hours before the performance. All of the kids wore their holiday best. Here is the snippet of the kids signing my favorite song. Once again, it made me cry. I only wish that Noley and Tobbers could have the same opportunity. Their Winter concert was Wednesday night with about 40 people in the room. How two school so close in proximity can be sooooooo different still does not cease to amaze me. I want all of my yahoos to share the same good experience. I will post footage of the outstanding band performance shortly.

"Uh we are kids"

Noley: (said while brushing teeth) "hey Tobbers what are you using?"
TObbers: "mom bought new toothpaste"
Noley: "why does she always buy kids toothpaste?"
TObbers: " Uh that would be becuase we ARE kids"

The funny thing is ... it IS regular toothpaste just in a small tube :-) It gave me a chuckle this morning to hear them.

Little Toy Trains...

So little bunny FuFu comes home today from school and asked me "mom, do you know this song?" Uhh "I don't know...can you sing it for me FuFu?" "it's about trains mom" "Oh trains?" I said. Yes... So she starts out and by the sixth word she had me in tears singing along with her. I had not heard the song in over 40 years. It was always one of my favorite Christmas songs that somehow I had forgotten and here was my little bunny FuFu singing it me....

Here it is sung as I remember it...