Covington, WA

Wow, here we are bracing for yet another round of winter weather! The forecast is looking ominous... will ALL that they are predicting come true?

As the storm approaches, it is best to be ready. If it fizzles out, no harm done, but if we do find ourselves without power then it is better to be ready than fumbling around in the dark wondering where we last saw the flashlight. And upon finding it realizing we have no batteries!

The City of Covington is encouraging residents to prepare for the worst. They are reminding us to have our personal/family emergency plans ready. This should include food, water, alternative shelter, a land-line phone, transistor/battery operated radio, flashlights and other tools that can help respond to an emergency.

They are suggesting that you have supplies on hand to get you through at least 72 hours and beyond.

For more information check out The City of Covington's webpage.

If we do lose power, and you use candles, your fireplace, generators, etc... please be extra careful.

And remember that ones you know that you and your family and safe and secure, check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.

Stay safe and warm! Hopefully it will all be a big nothing, but it never hurts to be prepared!

As for me.... Our daughter is due home today for the holidays. Oh I so hope that she can make all her flights and arrive as scheduled! She leave NY this afternoon, flies through Minneapolis and then here to Seattle - arriving at 11:30 tonight. Please keep your fingers crossed that they arrive safe and on time, and that we can get to the airport to get them!!!

Wow, another week has some and gone, and what a week it has been here in the great Pacific Northwest. We have had wave, after wave of snow and cold air blow through these parts.

Now if that doesn't get you in the holiday mood, what will? :) :) :)

Have a wonderful week and I will see y'all again next Friday.

Happy Holidays!

...geri

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If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, As possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, As unlimited rather than dull and unresponsive, Then they thrive and grow to their capabilities. -Barbara Bush

Two little words that can make the difference: START NOW -Mary C. Crowley

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. -Herm Albright

Old age and the wear and tear of time teach many things. -Sophocles

Sometimes only a change of viewpoint is needed to convert a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity -Alberta Flanders

I got an email today and it was from, well.. ME! But the kicker is that it was from me from last year - how cool is that!

Several years ago I happened upon a website that you can send yourself an email in the future. So I did it. And every year during the holidays I get an email from myself. Of course, from year to year I always forget - so it is always a great surprise.

I thought you might want to send yourself an email - or those of you with kids might want to let them know about it. They might get a kick out of getting an email, from themselves, from the past.

Here is the link to the site.

http://http//www.futureme.org/

It is pretty simple to use, so go check it out and enjoy!

And maybe at some point in the future, you can say "I've got mail - from me!!"

Well, the title says it all. I just love Christmas. December is my favorite month of the year. I love the lights, the carols, the baking, the shopping and wrapping!

And for those of you who love this time of year as much I do, I have a website for you to check out. It is called Santa Clause and Christmas at the North Pole. It is really for kids, but let's be honest - are we not all kids at Christmas.

There are games you can play, stories you can read, pages you can print off to color, recipes, and even a question and answer section. You know, things like, "What if there is no chimney????" Whew, for those of you with no chimney you will be glad to know that Santa's answer was: If a house does not have a chimney, then Santa uses some of his magic dust to make a chimney appear. Then the chimney disappears as soon as Santa leaves.

And if you you are living some place different than last year, another question that Santa answers is, "What if we move?" Santa is really smart. He says he knows how to find ALL children on Christmas eve. So you don't have to worry about him missing you this year - well unless you have been naughty???? You haven't been naughty have you?

You can make Santa and the trees dance, you can take a naughty and nice test, you can even have Santa send someone a birthday card - and it works (I tried it for my daughter's birthday!)

So if you love Christmas as much as I do - go check out the site and have fun! Happy holidays!

Wow, it is hard to believe that another week is drawing to a close. I hope everyone's week has been splendid.

Here is my selection of quotes for the week. Enjoy!! And I will see you again next week.

...geri

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I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. -Booker T. Washington

Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny. - Charles Reade

And these my husband found in the paper, shared them with me and I would like to share them with you...

1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich man.

4. You cannot further the brotherhood of many by inciting class hatred.

5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.

6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

8. You cannot keep out trouble by spending more than your income.

9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not for themselves.

By William J. H. Boetcker A Presbyterian minister in 1942