Mille grazie!!!

May the Good Faries of the Winter Solstice grant you MANY BLESSINGS OF THE SEASON!

{;-*

Laie4, your tree is definitely unique, and CUTE!

Happy Holidays again everyone. Sorry I didn’t get back to reply, yesterday was my husband’s birthday! We went to our favorite little French creperie then to see the movie Avatar (we just missed the 3D version by minutes (sold out). If you get a chance to see it go! Somehow I thought it was another cartoon but it’s not; it is soooo much more!

For those who wondered about where we live, it’s a medium size city called Sunnyvale, CA. It is at the low right tip of the San Francisco Bay. This neighborhood used to be called the worst part of the city (mostly because of its age), but over the 18 years we’ve lived here it has become an unfolding blossom of cultures. The homes are mostly small (1,000 sq. ft. with 3 b/r + 2 baths). The homes are first-time homes for many families (the school I mentioned that’s across the street had been closed down for a number of years til the new families posed a renewed need to re-open and ultimately rebuild (60 year old pipes and electrics HAD to go). This had been the “bad” side of the city, but as new and diverse cultures moved in, a huge shift in everyone happened as they all seem to be embracing learning about the other cultures. This is the grace of God for which we are always thankful.

As to weather, it’s usually more like San Jose in that we aren’t on the peninsula (ocean) side which is foggy and cloudy til late morning, though the ‘bay area’ is a mix of microclimates. Since we are closer to the bay, we are generally milder in all the seasons, but one brother-in-law was living in San Jose the year that that valley had snow on the ground for a couple of days! And this isn’t the first year we’ve had VERY FROSTY mornings (white lawns). We are a ‘stone’s throw from the hills of the peninsula which usually gets snowed in a couple times a year, and on the east side hills is the Lick Observatory which gets snowed in many more days a year. We had just returned from a supposed to be week in Lake Tahoe which found us putting chains on the tires at Placerville and spending the next few days traveling at 25 mph (this was supposed to be a mellow relaxing week before all the holiday hubbub, but turned into a “get out of Dodge—thar’s a BIG storm a-commin”).

I was born in Philadelphia, PA, but we moved to southern CA when I was 12. My husband was born in southern CA but lived in Florida (Ft. Walton Beach) for a number of years. We attended the same high school, he graduated the year we moved and I started my junior year there. We were introduced by a former neighbor of his who was a classmate of mine. We married and lived in Long Beach for 6 ½ years, then moved closer to his job which was a 1 hour drive at top speed IF you got out exactly on time. We moved to Santa Ana (which turned out to be TOO close to both sets of parents) so he took a job up here 31 years ago. I think we both miss being super close to the beach (it’s an hour plus drive either up peninsula to the highway to Half Moon Bay or zigzagging through the hills to go to Santa Cruz). There are a lot of beautiful spots all around the bay though.

Sorry for the travelogue. Guess the hurry-up feeling of the holidays has taken hold! It’s fun learning about others. My sisters-in-law live in Paris and ‘chunnel’ to England for their holiday. One brother-in-law is in the hills above Denver, the other in Virginia.

Again I wish each of you a peaceful holiday with time to be thankful for the fact that we are each in the place that we can celebrate our holidays to our heart’s delight.

Blessings of Love and Light to each of you always, and thanks for being “you”.

Judee

I've found many wonderful gifts in Savings Central, I'm sure you will, too.

In Love and Light,

Judee

Wishes for Love and Light and Peace and Happiness and Great Joy in even the tiniest things to EVERYONE in this most holy season and the coming new year! This year is the first time I can say we put up our Christmas house lights before everyone in our neighborhood (last year's after Christmas sales on the new LED lights were fantastic here). My husband enjoys making our TV antenna look like a Christmas tree with old cd's (those freebies of years past to "try our service") which he cuts a slit in and adds them as ornaments to the 'tree'. I have to say that some picture angles make it look like the Star of David, while another makes it look like an arrow so Santa won't miss our house!

We are so lucky to live in a neighborhood which has a neighborhood association which has put on a Christmas parade yearly for over 50 years! They start at the middle school with their band and cheerleaders and choral group from the other side of the expressway (yes, the police stop all traffic on this eight lane expressway just for the kids!), antique cars, a motorcycle GROUP, a fire engine, police car, ambulance, the 'usual city officials' throwing 'penny candy', and of course Santa completes the parade which stops at the elementary school across the street. Here everyone has hot cocoa and cookies and the kids get to interact in a positive way with those who risk their lives for us. There are always bins for food and toy donations for those less fortunate.

[Just an aside I'm watching the crossing guard who is dressed in a red coat and Santa hat!] I guess that the Christmas spirit is definitely in the air!

In addition to the "usual" gifts, food and eggnog, we try to set aside time to drive around and see all the beautiful ways others have shown their holiday spirit in their home decorations.

The neighborhood association also has a contest for different kinds of displays with a dinner gift certificate to the winners. This can be rather eclectic; one family last year had a sleigh drawn by 8 flamingos! Nothing like individualism to make you smile all night.

So to all who jump in to help others and those who find strength in the responses I wish all of you and yours strength to hang in there knowing good will follow the bad. Just remember to be appreciative and give thanks for everything

Dear Amused

It may also be some help to know that Sylvia Browne has said that it takes some souls longer "to matriculate" or be comfortable in their new form. They have much to do upon their arrival on the other side, and some are quicker than others to complete the "required" things.

I know you will be successful..

In Love and Light,

Judee

Hi Amused59,

Is there someone in your family or circle of friends who has passed over recently? The fact that you are called by name indicates it is someone who knows you by name. But if that is not the case, it could possibly be a Spirit who knows you as a Spirit from another lifetime, and wants to say they still love you (and they know what your name is in this physical life).

It might help if before you go to sleep, take a minute to speak to whomever it may be by asking that you would like to know who they are, and could they let you know in a way that you will know for sure. Tell them that you look forward to finding out, then bless them for trying to contact you and see what happens. You might also ask yourself to be sure to remember what you learn when you wake up.

By the way the early morning is usually when we are most 'susceptible' and our life energies aren't apt to interfere with the communication.

In Love and Light,

Judee

Dear Amantim,

All the things you speak of are true signs that your father is now at peace. As for your mother not “hearing” from him I’d like to tell you a short story. My husband and I had known both Mr. and Mrs. R. for many years as they were the parents of our best man. They were both enormously psychic in multiple ways. Mrs. R. had reason to visit us while on a business trip and was a basket case because she hadn’t heard from her husband after his passing. My husband told her that she was so wound up, to unpack the next day and get a good night’s sleep.

Next day she was beaming from ear to ear: “he came and we talked for a long while and everything is OK.”

My husband said “you were just so upset, that you couldn’t hear him through your own thoughts being so ‘loud’.”

I believe that this is the case for your mother, when she can truly calm down inside her thoughts, your father will be able to be heard by her as well.

In Love and Light,

Judee

Olivebranch,

I hope you remember to ground yourself regularly especially when feeling troubled. This will put your energies back where they belong--with you and helping you.

I will add you to my prayers and meditations (started already) that The Gold Light fills you and grants you peace and wellness of body and mind. And IT IS SO!

In Love and Light

Judee

Dear Kay,

I too feel all the Love and Light that has been directed to you. I feel your loss of self in your poetry, but I also see and feel you reaching out. All these wonderful souls have opened their hearts to each of us who have followed the entire thread. I feel so blessed to be a small part. There is so much wisdom in these pages! I have been told “when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear”. I believe we all see this happening here for each one of us.

Since it is now time, “HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO US ALL”. I believe WE ARE ALL HAPPY TO BE HERE TO GIVE THANKS! THANKFUL TO GOD, THANKFUL TO MOTHER EARTH, THANKFUL TO MOTHER NATURE and THANKFUL TO ALL THE LOVE THAT WE ARE BUILDING WITH THE HELP OF ALL OF CREATION! WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND THE LOVE WE WISH FOR ALL WHICH IS GREATER FOR US SHARING!

Kay, from this day forward, start each day with your giving thanks for all listed above. Ground yourself (imagine you are a tree and your feet touching the earth lets your ‘roots’ sink in and become part of the earth) because it pulls your energies into yourself and does not leave them scattered where they look for the things you do not want or need. Then

picture yourself surrounded by a bubble of gold light within which you are safe and only that which is for your Highest Good can enter.

Look at your world with eyes that see the majesty of the sky, clouds, sun, rain, fog, whatever. See the trees and bushes, flowers, grass and weeds, and the leaves looking toward the light, or laying on the ground as they await the coming winter. Look and listen to the sounds of nature, or if you are in a city type atmosphere, listen to the sounds of life around you. A friend of mine suggested to look at yourself in a mirror and say “Good day, Kay” and smile at yourself. This may seem difficult at first, but try it every day til it is easy as helping someone---YOU.

We are all here to learn, some to have too much that it should be shared with those in need. Some need to learn how to do with less, and do it with happiness as it fills their needs. We always ask “God, could I please have …” but can’t wait for when God knows the time is right for us to have whatever. It also may be that we aren’t meant to have whatever in this life. But that is never a reason to feel we have “failed” nor is it a reason to give up. Sadly, America is filled with SO MUCH, that EVERYBODY wants EVERYTHING. But if we all had everything, this would be Heaven; and we all know it is not.

If things seem insurmountable, even with all these wonderful helpful ideas, look to Suicide Hotline. They are trained to help you get over the unbelievably bad times as well as direct you to affordable assistance. You might steer your daughter to a “Battered Woman’s Shelter” as they can provide counseling and even legal assistance when needed. I know you realize YOU ARE NEEDED. Stick around for your grandchild as well. I don’t know of many kids that can’t remember being spoiled by a grandparent’s love and attention.

Please keep us all posted on how things are going. We are all a very special extended family, and we are here to help you.

In Love and With Light, may you always hear your Angel’s Guidance.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I am very thankful and blessed for the many friendships that my mother had which helped her so much after the passing of my father, and that they extended the same kindness and love to me on the passing of my mother.